Trying to buy a home on the Atlanta Beltline ended up being such a challenge for Suzi Bernard a couple of years ago that she got discouraged and stopped searching.
"I found one townhouse that was close, but it was probably about a half a mile walk to it. You had to go through traffic lights," said Bernard, 38, who works in financial services and wanted to walk and jog on the Beltline. "I gave up and rented for another year."
She renewed her hunt in late 2011, and within three months, Bernard found three options — all new construction.
No. 1
Strong location
The new Ansley Parkside townhomes, on Monroe Drive in Atlanta, also were close to Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The townhomes were beautifully appointed, Bernard said. She was concerned about traffic in the Monroe Drive area, though. Townhomes in Ansley Parkside are in the mid-$300,000s to low $400,000s.
No. 2
Unfinished unit
The Reserve at City Park was the closest to the Beltline of the three, and near Trader Joe's and other favorite stores, Bernard said. But it was the smallest of the three, and the townhome was in the early part of construction (with the drywall finished). Having built new homes in the past, she said she wasn't sure if she wanted to endure the process again. Homes in the Reserve at City Park, located off Peachtree Road and on 26th Street in Atlanta, were priced from the $220,000s to the $310,000s.
No. 3
Top of the budget
The brick brownstones in Brookwood Heights at Ardmore also were in a prime Atlanta location, within walking distance of Buckhead restaurants, Ardmore Park and a completed portion of the Beltline. The units (just off Peachtree Road and 28th Street) offered molding and detailed trim, hardwood floors and other luxury features. With units priced in the high $300,000s, Bernard would have to expand her budget.
The choice
No. 2. She put offers on all three townhomes, but the prices for No. 1 and No. 3 didn't get low enough for Bernard to move forward. Working with Bill Schulte with Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods, she enjoyed the process of selecting her finishes, such as light floors with dark cabinets in the kitchen, and adding features such as built-in bookcases around the fireplace. Bernard closed on the two-bedroom (plus a flex room), three-and-a-half-bath home in February 2012, assisted by Gabby Gray with Beacham and Co., Realtors.
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