The Search
When Tom Guess relocated from Connecticut to Atlanta in 2003, he bought a new townhome built by John Wieland Homes in the Vinings area. As the years passed and single-family home prices dropped, he searched for a house with more space.
“My search was many years. I’m picky. If I was going to make a move to a single-family home, there were certain things I wanted in a house,” said Guess, 48, a finance manager for The Coca-Cola Co.
A screened porch, large laundry room, side-entry garage, master on the main and kitchen with granite countertops were among the items on his list.
He found a slew of options, including short sales in “horrendous” condition with low prices but so many repairs that it no longer seemed like a deal. These three Cobb County homes were among those he considered, working with Sandra K. Holmes, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
No. 1
Lovely and spacious
The traditional five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home on Cooper Oaks Drive in Smyrna started out in the high $500,000s — above his price — but had dropped in price to the $400,000s as he gave it another look over the years. “With the market change,” he said, “this home became available.” The home, built in 2004, was in the Cooper Lake Estates neighborhood, just right outside the Perimeter.
No. 2
Entertaining friendly
A four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home on Highland Preserve Drive in Mableton had a finished terrace level for entertaining, with a home theater, pub, billiards and poker room. The screened porch could be checked off his list, but it didn’t have a side-entry garage. Amenities in the Vinings Estates East Gate community — also a John Wieland neighborhood — included a pool, tennis courts and clubhouse. The home, built in 2005, was listed for $390,000.
No. 3
Possible dream house?
A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath house, also on Cooper Oaks Drive in Smyrna, caused Guess’ agent to call him (after she met with the seller to list the house) and say, “I’m standing in your dream house.” The home had items on his list — a side-entry, three-car garage, laundry room with a sink, master on the main and screened porch. Unexpected extras were a saltwater pool and a full unfinished basement. The Cooper Lake Estates home, built in 2003, was not officially on the market yet, so there was no asking price at that point.
The Choice
No. 3. He first put an offer on the Highland Preserve Drive (No. 2) home, but the sellers would not negotiate on the price, Guess said. The home he purchased - just 2 miles away from his townhome - was not officially on the market yet. Holmes, provided comparable sales figures of homes in the neighborhood, and the seller priced it at $450,000. “I immediately jumped on it. It was a really good deal,” Guess said. “There was no negotiating. I gave him full price.” He purchased the home in May. “You wait so long and then you get frustrated about the process and about people who won’t negotiate,” he said. “When you least expect it, other things come along, which is perfect.”
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