Ted and Angela Curtis moved with their two children from San Diego for Ted’s job with The Home Depot and found Atlanta homes cheaper and bigger than those in California. The couple searched with Barbara Brown of Harry Norman, Realtors, for a new house with a big yard and room for their children, 4 and 5, to play. They also wanted excellent schools. Angela talked about how they were able to customize the home as it was built in Acworth's The Farm at Brookstone.
Q: How long did you look?
A: My husband was here in September. He and Barbara weeded out a bunch of stuff. When I got here in October, I had 11 to look at, and this was the only new house. We have some family friends who live pretty close to here, two minutes away. Their child goes to the schools here, so we knew it was going to be good. All the neighbors I talk to here said it's because of the schools.
Q: Tell us a couple of things you love in the house.
A: We have several different granites. The kids' bathrooms and the bathroom upstairs are all of the same, but my bathroom and the kitchen are different. I wanted a lot of hardwood. The whole downstairs is hardwood. We only have carpet in three bedrooms upstairs and my closet.
I got to pick the colors of the walls. It was nice because I got to personalize it. I have the warmer colors -- the browns, the creams, the burgundies. They painted my dining room a really pretty chocolate brown. It looks great with the white moldings. I’ve got coffered and trey ceilings. The craftsmanship is really fantastic, compared to what you get in California for sure.
Q: Did you ask the builder to make any changes from the original plan?
A: I don't think they were going to do hardwoods in as many places as we have it.
We kind of upgraded our shower and our bathroom area. My husband had them put in a couple of extra things in the laundry room. They also put a slab down under the deck.
Q: Were the community amenities important?
A: My husband is a golfer, so that was important to him. We joined the golf club.
Our No. 1 (priority) was really the kids and a good place to raise them. All three of the schools are really good here, so that was our No. 1 goal.
Q: Do you feel like the market helped you get into a bigger home?
A: I think we got a really great deal, and we got a lot for our money. Where we came from, it would be $1 million. (The builder's) craftsmanship is really good. It's just beautiful.
The Farm at Brookstone
County: Cobb
Information: 404-641-4857, www.clubrealtyhomes.com
Price range: $450,000s-$465,000s
Homes: 96
Square footage: About 3,000-4,600
Lot sizes: One-third to one-half acre, on average
Standard features: Full basements and custom cabinets, tile work and floors
Amenities: Lake, optional membership to The Brookstone Swim and Tennis Club or The Brookstone Golf and Country Club
Homeowners fees: $575 a year
Developer: Willoughby and Sewell
Builder: Brown Building, Recon Builders
Broker: Club Realty
Schools: Ford Elementary, Durham Middle, Harrison High
More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com
Getting there
Take I-75 north to Exit 269 (Barrett Parkway) and turn left onto Barrett Parkway. Turn right onto Stilesboro Road. Turn left onto Mars Hill Road. Turn right onto Burnt Hickory Road. Cross County Line Road. The Farm at Brookstone will be on the left.
For sale
$450,000: 1804 Farmview Circle, Acworth 30101. A new five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home on a cul-de-sac with custom cabinets in the kitchen and a two-story family room with a coffered ceiling.
$450,000: 6402 Farmview Drive N.W., Acworth 30101. A new five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home on the lake with a master on the main and a vaulted keeping room with a fireplace.
Recent sales
$450,000: 6315 Farmview Drive N.W., Acworth 30101. A new five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home with a master on the main and 13-foot ceilings in the family room.
$440,000: 6312 Farmview Drive N.W., Acworth 30101. A new six-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home with a two-story family room, and granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.
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