My overall experience with Colonial Grand at Wells Branch was positive in many ways, but there are a number of issues that prospective residents should be aware of prior to signing a contract.
Foremost among these issues are the outstanding damage charges that the Wells Branch management assesses and bills its residents upon move-out. In my experience their charges are fairly ad hoc and far exceed fair-market values for items such as stove drip pans, for instance. Moreover, the Wells Branch management is meticulous and unforgiving in its assessment of chargeable damages and bills departing residents for wear and tear of the kind that most other apartment communities (including those of Colonial Grand) consider acceptable. When I moved out of my apartment, the management billed me for the cost of installing a new, higher-quality shag carpet throughout the entire apartment. The carpet I left was in very good condition with the exception of a 6-inch abrasion at a threshold (which they could have easily patched if not for the fact that the maintenance department no longer keeps my unit's carpet in its inventory).
Beyond their outrageous damage-billing practices, the aspects of my experience at Wells Branch which I least appreciated had to do with the inconsiderate character of many residents at Wells Branch. Picture the "thug-life" guy rolling through the parking lot with his dazzling rims and the subwoofers that threaten the structural integrity of his vehicle. That guy definitely lives at Colonial Grand at Wells Branch. And if you don't enjoy loud hip-hop or late night parties on the adjacent balcony, then this may not be the community for you. There are, unfortunately, a lot of loud, obnoxious, and inconsiderate residents among those the Wells Branch community.
On the bright side, I found the leasing agents to be very friendly and obliging. The Property Manager is also usually a very friendly and helpful person, and I appreciated the helpfulness and efficiency of the maintenance staff.
