When the right home finds you

Leslie Balluh returned to Atlanta last year after living in Boston for a while and set her sights on bungalows. She found a foreclosure in Atlanta’s Freedom Lofts, after being outbid on other houses. Balluh, 27, who works for Northwestern Benefit Corp., chatted about her first place.

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Photos by Christopher Oquendo / AJC Special

The two-bedroom, 1½-bath loft has 40-foot ceilings, a garden tub with separate shower and an updated kitchen.

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Leslie Balluh’s loft has a private roof deck with a skyline view. She put the home on her list after seeing the price had dropped $15,000, and then immediately put in an offer. Photos by Christopher Oquendo Special

Getting there

Take I-75/85 to Exit 248C (Freedom Parkway) and travel Freedom Parkway to Ralph McGill Boulevard and turn left. Turn left onto Village Parkway, into Freedom Lofts.

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'I think the house found me' 

Q. How did you find out about the unit in Freedom Lofts?

A. It was 1 a.m. and we pulled up to this place [on the Internet] and it had dropped an additional $15,000. It didn’t have any pictures. The summary was horrible. That Saturday morning, we added this one to the list. It was our last place that we saw that Saturday. It took us 30 minutes to get in. We couldn’t find the lock box to any of the units. [Our real estate agent] finally got that open. Then we walked in. All of our jaws dropped. That night, we went back to her office and drew up the contract. We beat five other offers on Monday.

Why was it so incredible to you?

First, the price was amazing for the value of this home. The unit appraises around $215,000. We bought it around $162,000. The kitchen was completely updated with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The bathroom had nice tile. It has a large garden tub plus a separate stand-up shower. It has 40-foot ceilings with all these windows and hardwood floors. The big surprise is on the fourth floor. We have our own rooftop deck with a city view skyline.

How much did you have to put down on the home?

Three percent, with the first-time homebuyers program, an FHA loan.

How have your expenses changed?

It’s about $450-$500 more than what I was renting for one bedroom. But I financially planned accordingly over the past year.

What tips do you give folks trying to navigate the process of buying a home for a deal?

It’s just really being vigilant in the process. Just keep in mind that even though you might not get the first one, the right one will come. The right one finds you.

How does it feel to have a home instead of renting?

I think it’s just a great success feeling. Apartment living, it’s not really yours. You can’t do much with it. You can’t make it your own. It doesn’t give you that self-satisfying feeling.

At a glance

Leslie Balluh’s loft has 2 bedrooms, 1½ baths and about 1,400 square feet of livable space. She purchased it last June.

Freedom Lofts

Address: 400 Village Parkway N.E., Atlanta 30306

County: Fulton

Information: Today Management, 770-998-2924

Price range: $140,000s-$370,000s

Homes: 60

Square footage: 650-1,700

Standard features: Breakfast bar, stained cabinets, garden tub and separate shower in master bathroom

Amenities: Clubhouse, gated, park area, pool, security, gym, pet walk, cable

Homeowners fees: $150 and up, per month, based on square feet

Schools: Mary Lin Elementary, Inman Middle, Grady High

More on schools: ajchomefinder school guide

For sale

$299,000: 400 Village Parkway, Unit 129, Atlanta 30306. A 2-bedroom, 2-bath loft with a private rooftop deck and two assigned parking spaces.

Recent sale

$320,000: 400 Village Parkway, Unit 121, Atlanta 30606. A 2-bedroom, 2½-bath loft with a private rooftop deck and upgraded features such as Brazilian cherry hardwood floors on the main level and limestone floors in the master bathroom.

$310,000: 400 Village Parkway, Unit 123, Atlanta 30606. A 2-bedroom, 2-bath loft with a private rooftop deck and features such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

Source: Neighborhood information provided by Morgen Smith with Harry Norman, Realtors.