The Ledford Group
If your goal is less to take care of, The Courtyards at Matthews is built around that. It's a community of single-story ranch homes, and the listings I found describe yard and exterior upkeep handled by the HOA. Fairhaven is a larger-home community with a pool and clubhouse, and its homes still need a homeowner's time.
Quick Answer: The Courtyards at Matthews, listed on some sites as The Courtyards at Emerald Lake, is a 55+ community of single-story homes with HOA dues that, on one listing I found, cover exterior and lawn maintenance. Fairhaven in the Stallings area has detached two-story and ranch homes built from 2006 to 2015, with a pool, clubhouse, and sidewalks. Jennifer Ledford of The Ledford Group at eXp Realty tells downsizers to compare the upkeep, the stairs, and the monthly fees house by house.
I'm Jennifer Ledford with The Ledford Group at eXp Realty. Many downsizers tell me the house has become too much work. If that's you, take a breath. Most downsizers have more equity than they think, and the math usually works better than they fear.
I pulled what I could from public listing pages. Treat it as a starting point, because details vary by house.
What is The Courtyards at Matthews like?
Listings I found show homes in 28104, built in 2016 and 2017. They are one-story ranch homes with the primary bedroom on the main level, an attached garage, and about 1,800 square feet on the example I looked at.
The community amenities listed include a clubhouse with an outdoor fireplace, a fitness center, a pool, and walking trails.
It is a 55+ community, which means age rules apply. Ask for the covenants and the rules before you fall for a house.
On the two listings I read, HOA dues were $275 a month and $303 a month. One listing said dues cover exterior and lawn maintenance. The other didn't say what dues cover. Don't assume. Ask for the HOA's written list of what's included.
What is Fairhaven like?
Fairhaven sits in the Stallings area of Matthews, 28104, between Matthews, Mint Hill, and Indian Trail, with access to I-485 and Highway 74. The homes were built from 2006 to 2015, according to MLS, and most are detached single-family homes, including two-story and ranch plans. Five-bedroom layouts are common.
Amenities listed include a community pool, playground, a clubhouse, and sidewalks.
The listing page didn't state the HOA dues or what they cover, and its price figures didn't agree with each other, so I won't quote a price. Pull recent sales from the MLS instead.
How do they compare for someone who wants less upkeep?
- Home style: The Courtyards has one-story ranch homes. Fairhaven has two-story and ranch plans.
- Home size: The Courtyards example I read was about 1,800 square feet. Fairhaven has larger plans, with five bedrooms common.
- Lawn and exterior: Covered by dues on one Courtyards listing, so confirm. Not stated for Fairhaven, so confirm.
- Age rule: The Courtyards is 55+. No age rule was listed for Fairhaven.
- Amenities: The Courtyards lists a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, and trails. Fairhaven lists a pool, clubhouse, playgrounds, and sidewalks.
If you want one level and the least outside work, the Courtyards fit that description. If you want more space for visiting family, with a pool nearby, Fairhaven has that. Neither is right for everyone.
How do I weigh HOA dues against upkeep?
Add up what you pay now for lawn service, exterior repairs, gutters, and painting. Compare that to the monthly dues and what they cover, and ask for the list in writing. Dues buy back your time. Also look at the stairs. A ranch plan with the primary bedroom on the main level is easier on the knees than a two-story plan.
What if I have to sell my current home first?
This is the part most downsizers worry about. They don't want it to drag on for months.
I price a home from what sold nearby in the last 30 days, because the first 14 days on the market set the tone. If you want a number for your current home, request your home value here. We can then work backward from what you'll net to the homes you can afford.
Not sure about timing? Start with the value and a real conversation.
What is life like in Matthews?
Downtown Matthews has independent shops and galleries. The Matthews Community Farmers Market runs Saturdays at 188 N. Trade Street, with a main season of 8 a.m. to noon through November 21, 2026, and a winter schedule after that, according to the market's website. Squirrel Lake Park has a lake, disc golf, and a walking trail.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Courtyards at Matthews a 55+ community?
The listings I found describe it as a 55+ community, listed on some sites as The Courtyards at Emerald Lake. Ask for the covenants and age rules before you make an offer.
Does the HOA at The Courtyards cover lawn care?
One listing I read says dues cover exterior and lawn maintenance, and another doesn't say. Ask the HOA for a written list of what's included and what isn't.
Does Fairhaven have a community pool?
A listing site describes a community pool, a clubhouse, playgrounds, and sidewalks. Ask for the HOA dues and what they cover, since the page I read didn't state them.
How do I know what I can afford when I downsize?
Start by finding out what your current home would net after costs. Then compare that to the price and monthly fees of the homes you like. I can run that math with you.
About Jennifer Ledford: Jennifer Ledford is a licensed real estate agent with The Ledford Group at eXp Realty LLC, serving buyers and sellers across Mecklenburg, Union, Stanly, and York Counties since 2016. She is among the top 3% of 18,000+ agents in the Charlotte Metro, an eXp ICON, and has guided 250+ clients through some of the most significant transactions of their lives. Reach her at 704-607-6996 or https://the-ledford-group.com.
Jennifer Ledford | 📞 704-607-6996 | 🌐 https://the-ledford-group.com
About the author
Jennifer Ledford, REALTOR, has helped Charlotte-area buyers and sellers full time since 2016, with 250+ homes sold. She is a Certified Negotiation Expert with The Ledford Group at eXp Realty LLC.
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