There’s nothing like moving into a newly constructed house. It’s a pristine canvas on which you can make your mark, transforming it from merely a house into a bona fide home for you and your family. And there’s no better place to find a brand new residence than in metro Atlanta, where new home construction has risen steadily in recent years as the country rebounded from the economic downturn.

“Atlanta was the number one new home market in the nation for years before the downturn,” notes John Hunt, housing economy expert and president of MarketNsight. “We have worked our way back to number three behind Houston and Dallas.” And while the city and surrounding areas haven’t reached peak numbers like those seen in 2005, metro Atlanta homebuilders have taken advantage of an abundance of distressed lots throughout the area and worked to increase new home inventory. And they’re providing diverse options for homebuyers who want an array of choices. “Along with traditional single-family homes, we are seeing a shift (closer in) to smaller homes, townhomes, stacked flat condos and even some cutting-edge tiny/micro product,” Hunt continues. “Necessity is the mother of invention, and the high cost of development is forcing us to finally innovate in the new construction space.”

So, where should you go in metro Atlanta to find the best new home construction options? According to Metrostudy, which gathers data on the housing and residential construction industry, while homebuilding activity is expected to increase moderately throughout 2018 and into 2019, it primarily will take place outside the perimeter. According to the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), that’s exactly what’s happening, as the top five counties for new home construction and sales are Gwinnett, Fulton, Forsyth, Cherokee and Cobb. Hunt explains, “It is all about location, location, location and price, price, price.” People are looking beyond the perimeter to get the most bang for their buck, and these five counties have risen to the top of the list for homebuyers.

#1 Gwinnett County

As the number one location for new home construction, Gwinnett has a lot to offer incoming residents. According to the GHBA, it accounted for 16 percent of all new home closings in the metro area in 2017. It also has been recognized as one the country’s fastest-growing counties for two decades.

#2 Fulton County

The most populous county in Georgia, Fulton serves as the principal county of the metro Atlanta area and boasts 12 percent of new home closings. The county is geographically large, with North Fulton comprising such cities as Alpharetta and Milton, while South Fulton includes cities from Atlanta to Palmetto.

#3 Forsyth County

One of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, Forsyth accounts for 11 percent of new construction home sales, according to the GHBA. It also has been recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the Top 20 Most Affluent Counties in America and as the Most Innovative Community in Georgia by the Technology Association of Georgia.

#4 Cherokee County

Comprising nine percent of new home closings, Cherokee County is a popular county for those relocating to the metro Atlanta area. The county is situated in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains and is home to nine impressive summits. It is known for being the place “Where Metro Meets the Mountains.”

#5 Cobb County

Rounding out the top five counties for new home construction, Cobb County accounts for eight percent of new home closings. In addition to being a key location for businesses relocating to the metro Atlanta area, Cobb has been recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as the most educated county in the state, as well as one of the Top 100 wealthiest counties in the United States.