Senior Living: A homeowner, at last

At a glance

Florence Chandler’s condo, built in 1968 in Decatur’s Somerset Heights complex, has two bedrooms, two baths and about 1,160 square feet. She purchased it in April. Condos in Somerset Heights range from $59,900-$125,000.

Florence Chandler never thought she could buy her own place, but a foreclosure near Emory University helped her retire as a homeowner.

The condo was right around the corner from her apartment, which allowed Chandler to stay in what she calls her comfort zone. Chandler, 74, who worked for Rich’s, then Macy’s, for 46 years, chatted about her purchase in Decatur’s Somerset Heights, a gated high-rise condominium complex.

Q: Where did you live previously?

A: I moved from an apartment over on Briarcliff Road (also in DeKalb County). I had lived there for almost 24 years. I was at a point where I needed to do something. Apartment rates were so high. At this point in my life, retired and aging, I needed to think of something more permanent than an apartment.

Q: Was the location important to you?

A: I had thought about senior places, but so many of them are what I consider far out for my comfort zone. The area — Briarcliff Road, Clairmont Road, Emory — was my neighborhood, so this was kind of perfect actually. It’s in the area that I’m familiar with. It’s close to stores and shopping and not far from downtown Decatur.

Q: What did you like about the community where you purchased?

A: It’s secure, for one thing, and I like all the people here. There’s all different ages, from babies to older people. Most people here have pets (she has a cat). There’s even a small library and exercise room and a room you can reserve if you want to have a party.

Q: What’s one of your favorite features in the condo?

A: This balcony is really nice. I had a floor put in on the balcony. It was just concrete. It needed some type of cover. It looks like brick, but it’s made out of recycled automobile tires.

Q: What other changes have you made?

A: I put a new laminate countertop in the kitchen. It had a fluorescent light, which I didn’t like, so we took that down, and I have a little bit of track lighting up there (she hired a handyman to help with the repairs). I had to buy a new toilet in one bathroom. I changed the fixtures and updated all the lighting and the sink fixtures. I put a fan in the bedroom. I did have to buy a new stove. That was necessity. It just looked pretty bad. I didn’t want to deal with it.

Q: Since you were buying a foreclosure, did any obstacles arise along the way?

A We did have one problem. They couldn’t find the deed. It took us a long time to close for that reason.

Q: What’s a tip for other buyers?