Ashley Boylan looked for condos priced at $200,000s and below in Virginia-Highland, and knowing the prices, she was prepared for limited options in the popular Atlanta neighborhood. She had been renting in Virginia-Highland and didn't want to give up the location and ability to walk to restaurants and shops.

Boylan, 28, a physician assistant in pediatrics, chatted about her condo.

Q: How did you find the condo?

A: I had kind of been stalking this building for quite a while. There was a unit that sold a few weeks prior to this one going on the market that I loved. It went under contract for two days, and I just didn't move that fast. When this one popped up, I was much quicker on viewing and considering an offer.

Q: What needed updates?

A: It needed a substantial amount of work. The air-conditioning duct had disconnected and was blowing into a closet. The hot water heater was leaking and very old. The furnace was very old. The kitchens and the bathrooms were straight out of 1988. They had gold fixtures, black tile and unworkable space. They just needed some loving. I'm not scared of renovation.

Q: What step did you take before submitting an offer?

A: I did my home inspection prior to putting an offer in. I wanted to know the issues upfront and use that as a negotiating tool to get a better price on the unit.

This one had been on the market for about 20 days when I put the offer in. Other units have closed for $210,000, $215,000. Originally, I put in $182,500. The seller straight out rejected it. Then I came back with my absolute final and best. That was $191,700. And I was willing to take the property as is, without asking for any repairs, which was a little bit of a gamble.

Q: How did you determine what would need to be fixed first?

A: I kind of offset my priorities of what I could not live with and what needed to be done before I moved in. For me, that was the bathroom. The bathroom was not functional. I would get the most bang for my buck on renovating that first and foremost. The kitchen I can live with. It's ugly, but it will get there eventually.

Q: What did you do after closing?

A: Within a day of closing, I got a plumber out and replaced the water heater. It was a 1984 water heater and was basically on the verge of exploding. On day three, I had an HVAC guy clean out the furnace and reconnect the dryer duct that had been disconnected from the ceiling. I also did a complete master bathroom renovation and update of the living room/fireplace prior to moving in.

Q: How did you find professionals to help with the repairs?

A: I went through Angie's List (www.angieslist.com). It was the greatest $30 I have ever spent. It has been so beneficial. I have gotten my electrician, my HVAC guy, my contractor from Angie's List.

At a Glance

Ashley Boylan's condo, built in 1986 in Virginia-Highland, has two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths and about 1,200 square feet. She purchased it in April, assisted by her mom, Maura Mullaney with Atlanta Intown Real Estate Services. Condos in the area range from the mid-$100,000s to the $400,000s.