Mike and Kesha Strickland used tenacity and optimism as the months progressed in their search for a home in the low $100,000s to raise their family. As they looked at 60 to 70 properties, the couple often found themselves putting in an offer too late or being outbid, but finally found the place for them in Lawrenceville.

The priority

Finding a home in a safe neighborhood. Stella Rose was born in the summer of 2011, and Mike's children from a previous marriage, 7-year-old Storey and 11-year-old Mckye, live with them part time. They were seeking five bedrooms and at least 2,500 square feet in any housing style, ranch or two-story.

"It was kind of a need-to-move-type situation because we were in a one-bedroom" apartment. "We needed to upgrade to more space and the homey environment of a home," said Michael, 30, who works in the pharmacy industry.

The search

The options ranged from new homes to gutted houses that were unlivable. They put offers on multiple homes, with no success. "One fell through because financing wasn't available on time. We extended that contract three different times. Finally we had to move on from the house. We put in different bids for homes. We lost because of having lower bids," said Kesha, 33.

They were with their agent, Cheryl Butler of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers, when a listing in Lawrenceville popped up on a smartphone app. The home, a foreclosure, also had multiple offers. The Stricklands ended up winning the bid by offering the maximum amount they wanted to pay, in the low $100,000s.

The home

A five-bedroom, three-bath home built in 1991 in Lawrenceville's Collins Village neighborhood. The home also has details such as a fireplace in the family room, hardwood floors, stained cabinets in the kitchen and a two-car garage. "The space is more than enough," Mike said.

Kesha said owning the home gives them a sense of security for the future. "We don't have any worries about ... where we're going to be permanently and raising our kids," she said.

The tip

Seek out down payment assistance programs offered by cities and counties. Many require working in advance to meet the requirements, such as attending a counseling class and being creditworthy. Gwinnett County's Homestretch down payment assistance program, for example, offers $7,500 zero-percent interest loans to first-time homebuyers. The five-year deferred payment loan can be used for down payments, closing cost assistance and/or prepaid items for the purchase of a home. This program is funded by the HUD HOME Investment Partnership Program and administered by the Gwinnett County Community Development Program.