First home already had the upgrades

“I had just about finished my Ph.D. and felt it was time for me to get out there, find a home and make a solid investment,” says Shayla Mitchell, 31, an assistant professor at Clayton State University.

“I saw Hillcrest Park advertised in the AJC Homefinder and stopped in. I loved it. I bought the unit that was the model. I liked that it was spacious and already had the upgrades I would have wanted, like granite countertops and hardwood floors.” Mitchell moved in last December.

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Photos by Christopher Oquendo / Special

Hillcrest Park is a condo development in Atlanta.

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Shayla Mitchell liked the package and location in Atlanta, and in December she was the first to move into Hillcrest Park. Now she’s got plenty of friendly neighbors. ‘Everyone is so nice,’ she says.

Getting there

From downtown Atlanta: Take I-20 east to Exit 60A (Moreland Avenue South). Turn right. Travel to Eastland Road; turn left. Turn right at the first stop sign. Community is on the right.

What she bought

Mitchell’s home has one bedroom and a den that she uses as her office. There’s an eat-in kitchen, a small laundry room, a patio out back and a Juliet balcony.

Looking around

Mitchell had looked at a lot of places over her year of house searching. “So many places were too small, or too ‘loft-y.’ They just weren’t right. This location is perfect, really close to downtown. I go to Georgia State, and it doesn’t take me any time at all to get there.”

Moving in

“I was the first person to move in, and the developers were very helpful, very friendly. They did everything I needed, like when I wanted a cable run for my new flat-screen TV. They took care of it right away. Now that I have neighbors, I love them. Everyone is so nice. It’s really a friendly community.”

Hillcrest Park

Address: 1366 Custer Ave., Atlanta

County: DeKalb

Information: 404-627-4240; www.liveathillcrestpark.com

Price range: $137,900-$189,900

Year built: 2007-08

Standard features: Hardwood floors, granite countertops, maple cabinets, jetted tubs, rear decks, crown molding, recessed and pendant lighting

Amenities: Gated community, pool and fitness center

Number of units: 62

Square footage: 917-1,721

Association fee: $146-$243; covers water, sewer, garbage,

termite bond, exterior maintenance

Broker: Coldwell Banker The Condo Store

Builder: HFR & Co.

Schools: Sky Haven Elementary, McNair Middle, McNair High