After dealing with an unresolved maintenance request at her Inman Park apartment, Melissa Lichtenstein grew frustrated at being unable to fix repairs in a timely manner and decided to take the step toward homeownership.

She sought to buy an intown condo within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Closet space, parking and a small outdoor area also were not negotiable.

Lichtenstein, 30, a buyer for the children’s clothing company Carter’s, chatted about her two-bedroom, two-bath condo in Virginia-Highland.

Q: Why was living intown important?

A: I work in Midtown. I wanted to stay at least within the Perimeter, just to cut down on the commute a bit. Originally I thought I wanted a big condo building with all the amenities. When I got looking with my Realtor (Jo Gipson with Atlanta Intown Real Estate Services), I said to her, “I’m beginning to think that’s not actually what I want in the end.” We moved our search to older buildings in Midtown, Virginia-Highland and the Inman Park area. I liked the neighborhood feel a little more.

Q: Did you put an offer on other properties?

A: A townhome in Midtown was amazing and had everything I was looking for. Between the price and location, it was going to move pretty fast. Jo put the offer together as quickly as possible, but someone had put an offer on it and I didn’t get it. It’s funny because now everything has worked out.

Q: What does the condo have that you wanted?

A: Definitely parking. I fell in love with a place in Midtown with only one assigned spot. That was a deal breaker. Between family and friends visiting, I wanted a place with parking. I really wanted hardwoods, for the ease of cleaning, and an outdoor area. I have a little tiny porch, which is easy for me. I have two bedrooms, two baths. I felt like it was worth a little bit of extra money for the investment because the resale value of a two-two is better. I lucked out with this place.

Q: What’s a tip for saving money to buy a first place?

A: I started itemizing my receipts, so at the end of the month, I was seeing exactly how much money was going where. It’s really surprising how much you’re spending on food, entertainment and clothes. It was an awakening for me how much I was spending on nonessential items. Knowing that I really wanted to do this made me shift my focus. With all of the work that goes into the house, that same mind-set has had to perpetuate. Now when I go to a store and am picking up that extra item, I’m like, “I really need to save.” Now you’re saving for a new water heater or for this or that to be done.

Q: Have you made any changes?

A: It had some older doorknobs and fixtures that I changed out. I actually had a little bit of structural work done. The stairwell was open with railings. I had it plastered in so I could put my TV in that area. I had to go through the process of finding a contractor.

Q: How did you select the contractor?

A: I got estimates from five different people. I knew I wanted somebody that would overcommunicate with me. I wanted to know what was going on every single day. He did the sheetrock work, the electrical and insulation in the attic [discovered in the inspection]. I ended up going with a different company for the painting and spread it out to save a little money.

Q: What’s a favorite item you have bought for the condo?

A: I found a fantastic antique Chinese chair from the turn of the century at Kudzu [an antique market in Decatur]. My mom and I covered it in pink velvet. It was the first piece for my living room.

At a glance

Melissa Lichtenstein’s condo, built in 1986, has two bedrooms, two baths and about 1,250 square feet. She bought it in June. Recent condos have sold from the high $100,000s to low $200,000s.