Our house hunters:

Kate Cotrona and Greg Krumm, both 31, are planning a November wedding. "We thought we'd go ahead and find a house so when the honeymoon is over, we'd be settled in," says Cotrona. "We wanted a yard for our two dogs Hank and Dagny, at least three bedrooms to have extra room for guests or kids when we start our family. Space for Greg to have an art studio would be great." An emerging neighborhood intown and a home with character would be perfect for this pair.

The search:

The couple was renting a townhome from Karen Smyth of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road. " I love her go-get-'em attitude," says Cotrona. "She found us over 50 homes to look at," adds Krumm. "We'd look at 10-14 houses a day. She had the route all planned on her navigation and we'd jump in her car and off we'd go. The whole process took 2-3 months; it was stressful but exciting."

Choice #1: This three-bedroom, two-bath Craftsman-style bungalow was built in 2005 in the Boulevard Heights neighborhood. "It has a beautiful fenced backyard, and its location near the Beltline and Grant Park are great," says Krumm. "The house is well put together, and there's room to expand by adding a garage or additional living space." The home listed at $270,000.

Choice #2: This two-story home in Mechanicsville was probably built in the late 1800s. It has three bedrooms and two baths, 11-foot ceilings, a wraparound porch, lots of trees and a manicured garden and is listed at $289,900. "The house has been completely renovated from the bottom up, but retains many original features like the woodwork and relief over the mantel in the dining room," says Cotrona.

Choice #3: This 1954 ranch house in the Riverside neighborhood has room for expansion and lots of space for the couple's dogs. "The floor plan is beautiful and there's a basement that would have room for Hank and Dagny," says Krumm. The house has three bedrooms and two baths, and is listed at $289,900.

Which home did they choose? In the end, it was No. 2 that captured their hearts. Krumm, an art director and artist, and Cotrona, an account manager and writer, were drawn in by the home's charm. "The first time we walked through the gate we got a warm feeling," says Cotrona. "There's something special about being a part of the history of this house." And as the couple learns more about Mechanicsville, they're also growing in appreciation for its part in Atlanta history. Krumm smiles and adds, "We're in love with each other and with the house." The couple looks forward to settling in this summer with the dogs and their three cats: Mac, Mini and Maestro.

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