Aaron Williams moved into his first home in February, after using a program through Pine State Mortgage to raise his credit score. Williams, a 35-year-old truck driver, chatted about his four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home in Paulding County's Brookside subdivision.

Q: How long were you looking?

A: It went kind of fast. [I] started looking in January. I looked at a few subdivisions. I found it in like two days. It was kind of overwhelming. I was in shock. But I was still ecstatic at the same time.

Q: Were there some features this house had that others didn't?

A: The staircase has wrought-iron spirals. The cabinets are cherry.

Q: What legwork had you done to prepare financially to buy a home?

A: I went through Pine State [and its Purchase Power program] to actually get my credit up to approval status. I worked with Esther Lee. She was very prompt about keeping up, telling me what I need to pay off, what I needed to boost my credit.

Q: When did you enter that program?

A: April 2007.

Q: What's it like to have a home now?

A: I love it, I really do. Every time I go there, I'm like, "It's mine." It feels so great to pull up in your own driveway and not have any landlords to worry about. I guess it's like owning your own little business versus working in an office with a boss breathing down your neck.

Q: What's your favorite spot in the home?

A: The living room. I crash in front of the television and the next thing I know I'm waking up to the television watching me.

TRACT FACTS

Address: 8 Birch River Point, Dallas 30132

County: Paulding

Information: 770-443-4202, www.moveinbrookside.com

Price range: $150,000s-$180,000s

Homes: 159

Square footage: 1,900-2,200

Lot sizes: 1/3- 1/2 acre

Standard features: solid surface countertops, iron spindles, hardwoods in kitchen and foyer, bronze lighting package

Amenities: junior Olympic pool, clubhouse, playground, sidewalks, streetlights

Homeowners fees: $325 annually (no initiation fee)

Developer: Piedmont Residential Properties

Builder: Hometown Residential Properties

Broker: Keller Williams Across Atlanta

Schools: W.C. Abney Elementary, Lena Moses Middle, East Paulding High

More on schools: www.ajchomefinder.com/schoolguide

Getting there

From downtown Atlanta, take I-75 north to Exit 269 (Barrett Parkway) and turn left. Turn right onto Dallas Highway (Ga. 120). Turn right on East Paulding Drive. Go through the Ga. 381 intersection, and the road becomes Old Cartersville Road. Turn left on Old Country Farm Road. Brookside will be on the right.

Find more developments online at ajchomefinder.com