DEL.ICIO.USTownhome of the Week: Eastland Gates
Townhomes full of character draw in first-time homebuyer
For the AJC
Sunday, March 08, 2009
After being in Atlanta since the end of 2005, accountant Monica England, 31, was ready to stop renting in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood and buy her first home. “I decided last spring that I was settled in my career and ready to invest in a home. It was definitely a buyer’s market. Even then home prices had started to come down and I started looking,” said England.
Photos by Christopher Oquendo / AJC Special
Monica England was drawn to Eastland Gates near Inman Park. She found Eastland Gates pretty early in her search, and decided buying here would get her more for her money.
Directions from downtown Atlanta:
Take I-20 East to Exit 60A (Moreland Avenue south). Turn left onto Glenwood, then turn right onto Flat Shoals Avenue. Flat Shoals will turn into Bouldercrest. Turn right onto Eastland Road. The community is 1/2 a mile ahead on left.[an error occurred while processing this directive]
She looked in Castleberry Hill and she looked in Decatur, but it was Eastland Gates near her Inman Park neighborhood that drew her in. She found Eastland Gates pretty early in her search, and decided buying here would get her more for her money. She moved in eight months ago.
Charming and full of character: It was the look of the community that really made a difference for England. The homes are designed in an Arts and Crafts style, and the colorful exteriors really caught her eye. Beautifully landscaped and nicely maintained grounds and standard features in the townhomes that might have been upgrades in other communities were what finally sold her. “You can’t help but admire the community as you pass by, it’s so cute and so catchy,” she said.
The standards that feel like upgrades: England’s townhome has built-in bookcases around the fireplace, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, hardwood floors throughout her home, and nickel fixtures in the kitchen and baths. The master suite bathroom has marble tile floor and surround for the garden tub, and the bedroom features a trey ceiling with crown molding. “I knew I wouldn’t have to make any improvements to make the townhome really feel like it was mine,” England said.
The amenities and the neighbors: Although England hasn’t enjoyed the pool herself, her 17-year-old nephew spent a lot of time with her last summer and the pool was a big attraction. She really enjoys her neighbors, and feels there’s a real sense of community at Eastland Gates. Potluck dinners and just conversation at the mail boxes highlights the friendly, courteous feeling there.
At a glance: England’s three-level townhome boasts both a master suite and a guest suite on the top floor. The main living level has a living room, dining room, kitchen, half bath and butler’s pantry, and a deck off the kitchen and dining room just the right size for entertaining. A den/study completes the main floor. The lower level houses a one-car garage and storage space.
Eastland Gates
Address: 2110 Gorman Grove Atlanta
County: DeKalb
Information: 404-622-7900; Eastland Gates
Price range: $170,000s-$240,000s
Year built: 2007
Standard features: Built-in bookcases surround fireplace, site-finished hardwood floors, granite countertops, designer fixtures, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, tile backsplash, 42” custom cabinets.
Amenities: Gated community, pool, pool house, dog park.
Number of units: 204 when complete
Square footage: 1,160-1,900
Association fee: $139 for two-story condos, $179 for three-story condos; covers community management and Web site, individual unit gas, common area water and sewer, gutter cleaning, maintenance of common areas, master insurance policy, termite bond and common area pest control, janitorial service for amenities, walking trail and dog run maintenance
Broker: Morris and Raper Realtors, Inc.
Builder: The Providence Group/Jolly Development
Public schools: Sky Haven Elementary, McNair Middle, McNair High