Chad Powell was returning to college for a mechanical engineering degree, but keeping up his large Marietta yard and older home was too time-consuming. Powell and his wife, Sonja, were OK buying a smaller property, if they found a newer house with room to homeschool.
The priority
The couple wanted to move into an area with strong schools, in case the children attended public school in the future.
“Looking at the school district is probably No.1 on the priority list, for your kids and for resale,” said Sonja, 35 and a former high school math teacher. “Sixes Elementary has great ratings as do the middle school (Freedom) and high school (Woodstock).”
Chad, 37, who works for Carrier Corp. and is taking classes at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, was seeking a newer home and yard with less maintenance. Their nearly 3,000-square-foot Marietta home was built in 1982.
The search
The Powells started looking at neighborhoods before they put their home for sale in March. Other homes were selling fast, and their house sold in three days. “We knew we had to have a game plan right when we put it on the market,” Chad said.
Sonja liked that Canton hosted family-friendly events such as movies in the park and a farmer’s market. Being close to Lake Allatoona also appealed to them and their kids, Sofia, 10; Anna, 7; Charlie, 6; and Brody, 3. Working with Jennifer Gordon of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, the Powells narrowed their search to The Park at Steels Bridge, which had a pool, tennis courts and playground. New homes in the Cherokee County neighborhood by Ryland Homes start in the $280,000s.
The home
Their five-bedroom, three-bath home, which has about 2,500 square feet, provided the right spot for learning. They gave up their playroom, but the open layout and bigger bedrooms were pluses. The downstairs bedroom became the school room, which can be closed off when the school day is over (the other bedrooms are upstairs). Her husband built extra shelves in the closet, to keep school supplies organized.
In the master, the two closets were big enough for a desk to be added into one of them. The couple’s favorite feature is the floor-to-ceiling, stacked stone fireplace in the two-story family room.
The lifestyle
Since moving in during April, Sonja has appreciated convenient features such as having the laundry room upstairs with the bedrooms. She’s also thrilled to have the kitchen island. “We make three meals every day so it was important I had a large kitchen to be able to do my work in,” said Sonja.
The tankless water heater also has been beneficial. “I can run the dishwasher, the washing machine and take a shower all at the same time and not run out of hot water,” she said. “I think it’s terrific, actually.”
The neighborhood also has hosted events such as a back-to-school block party. “There’s lots and lots of children,” Sonja said.
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