First-time homebuyer
After living in the Northeast, Mike and Ann Cole headed south in search of a cheaper cost of living and better job market. Ann grew up in Alpharetta, so they chose the Atlanta area.
The couple, both 27, married in September and launched their home search in Marietta. Mike, who works for the SuperGroup Creative OmniMedia, and Ann, who works for Leader Enterprises, chatted about their search.
Q. How many homes did you visit, and what were they like?
Mike: We went to go see about five or six. The first house [in Indian Hills Country Club], we drove up and there’s this weird sculpture of a woman in the driveway. It had an Egypt room -- a bedroom with hieroglyphics on the wall and a sphinx head above the fireplace.
Q. So how did you find the home you purchased?
Mike: We happened to just come into this neighborhood [with agent Karen Hughes of Harry Norman, Realtors] to look at one house and there happened to be a house across the street with a “for sale” sign. We went in ...
Ann: And set off the house alarm.
Mike: While every house had that thing about them that we liked, this one just blew everyone away. I was kind of irritated because Karen was like, “Do you like the house?” I was like, “Yeah, I like it,” but clearly it was out of our price range.
Ann: I think we stepped into the house and thought immediately, no way, we can’t afford this.
Q. What was it listed for?
Ann: Initially it was listed for $174,900. It was purchased in foreclosure and they did a lot of renovations on it and listed it and dropped [the price] a few times.
Mike: In my head, we could afford $120,000-$145,000. We came in at $120,000. They came back at $155,000. We were still like, sorry, man that’s far too high. They came back and said they could go as low as $145,000. So we did it. This house, where I’m from [Rhode Island], would go for $400,000. That’s in this economy. It’s a house that back home people work their whole lives toward living in. My mom actually came down from Rhode Island and literally tears were brought to her eyes. She’s just so overwhelmed by what you can get for the money here.
Q. What details did you love about this home?
Mike: Our last two apartments had one window in the living room. I felt like I was living in a cave. In this house, in the living room we have 10 windows that are floor to ceiling.
Ann: It was really nice to come into a house that had been redone. We have a tumbled travertine backsplash, a stainless steel stove and dishwasher and granite countertops.
Q. What did you have to give up in purchasing this home?
Ann: There is no garage. One of the bedrooms is a converted garage.
Q. How are you using all of the space?
Ann: We’re really not.
Mike: [On the main floor], we hang out in the living room. We have a bedroom and a dining room that we don’t use. Then, upstairs there’s the master bedroom and an office we use part-time. The basement is completely finished. It’s going to be my bro room.
Q. What tips do you have for furnishing a home on a budget?
Ann: We did a lot of discount store shopping. I’m a firm believer that you find the one thing you love that inspires a room. I found an armless chair [for the living room], and I got free shipping and a discount online. I ended up spending $175. It’s an awesome statement piece.
Mike: My mom talked Big Lots down from a $200 dresser to $25. It has a small scratch on it.
At a Glance
Mike and Ann Cole’s home, built in 1985 in Marietta’s Oaks on Piedmont neighborhood, has five bedrooms, four and a half baths and about 1,565 square feet. They purchased it in January. Homes in the neighborhood range from the $120,000s to the $140,000s.
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