Julia and David Ricks moved from Ohio to Atlanta for David’s job as general services director and public works director for Fulton County and to be near family. They faced some challenges selling their home and jumping through all the financial hoops in this tight loan market. Zondra Brandon of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage guided them through the process. Julia, who works for LexisNexis, chatted about getting through the buying experience in one piece.
Q: Why did you choose Sandy Springs?
A: We used to live in Charleston, S.C. I used to frequent Atlanta and shop in the Perimeter area. I asked my husband one day what area did he want to live in, and he said near MARTA. My girlfriend and I went to lunch, and we saw a house for sale in this area. It was a short sale. Then I was leaving and saw an open house [in the same community]. I did a detour and went in. I said, “This is the house.”
Q: How close is it to MARTA and Perimeter shopping?
A: Maybe five to 10 minutes tops.
Q: Why did you love about the home?
A: It felt like home. It had a lot of things I would like to have in the home. My husband has his own study. He turned the bedroom in the basement into his study. My husband has the whole basement. That’s his area. I have my study on the second floor.
Q: How did the negotiations go to buy the house?
A: We offered a lower price, but then people were bidding higher. We were on our way to Tampa, and our Realtor called and said, “The other offer fell through.” We had to rebid at asking price.
Q: Were you able to sell your home?
A: No. We had it on the market. My Realtor knew a couple that was getting ready to lose their home because he was sick. I said, “Well, let’s rent it.” They signed a three-year lease.
Q: Was financing harder this time?
A: It’s a lot harder. There’s a lot more work, a lot more paperwork and more details. With the economy the way it is, it has changed drastically.
Q: Have you updated the house?
A: It was in very good shape. I wanted to make it my own. I changed out Corian to granite [countertops in the kitchen], did all the knobs on the cabinetry. I painted the house. I added an outlet in one of the storage rooms where I put my freezer. I added an outlet in the hallway by the stairway in case I want to put a Christmas tree there. I added the French doors in the basement to separate the media room from the other part of the den area. I changed out the chandelier in the entryway, dining room and kitchen. Next summer, we’ll be doing outside landscaping.
Q: What do you like about the neighborhood?
A: It is very inviting. The neighbors are very friendly. It’s a good walking community. The roads are wide. You can walk and get good exercise.
Q: What advice would you give others trying to buy?
A: Do your research on the community. Look at what you can afford. Get preapproval. Make sure that you have all the financing you need before going in and looking.
At a glance
David and Julia Ricks’ home in Atlanta’s Glenview neighborhood was built in 1999. It has four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and about 2,583 square feet of livable space, according to tax records. They purchased it in April.
Glenview
Address: 6250 Glen Oaks Lane, Atlanta 30328 (See listing information below)
County: Fulton
Information: 404-256-4200 (Abacus Property Management)
Homes: 58
Square footage: About 3,000 (for listings on the market)
Lot sizes: Less than one-third acre
Standard features: Two-car garage, hardwood floors, walk-in closets
Homeowners fees: $1,500 a year
Schools: High Point Elementary, Ridgeview Middle, Riverwood High
More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com
Getting there
Take I-285 to Exit 26 (Glenridge Drive). Exit north on Glenridge. Take a left into Glenview.
For sale
$449,000: 6250 Glen Oaks Lane, Atlanta 30328. A four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home built in 1999 with an open floor plan and a fireplace.
$429,000: 6465 Glen Oaks Lane, Atlanta 30328. A four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home built in 2000 with a master on the main level and a brick patio.
Recent sales
$375,000: 6360 Glen Oaks Lane, Atlanta 30328. A four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home built in 2000 with a two-story foyer and a fenced yard.
$445,000: 6205 Glen Oaks Lane, Atlanta 30328. A four-bedroom, five-bath home built in 1998 with a fully finished basement and two kitchens.
Community information provided by Zondra Brandon of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and compiled by Delaney Young.
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