At a Glance
Cheryl Koeth’s unit, built in 1985 in Atlanta’s Chantilly Station and rebuilt as a condo about six years ago, has one bedroom, one bath and about 1,021 square feet. She purchased it in December, assisted by Blair Branch Huckeba with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Condos in Chantilly Station are listed in the low $100,000s.
Sleepless nights were part of Cheryl Koeth’s home search as she looked for listings to view on weekends, after work and during her lunch breaks.
When she found Atlanta’s Chantilly Station community, Koeth said she couldn’t imagine a better place for her. The unit had been converted from an apartment, and as a condo, it had never been lived in and offered stainless steel appliances and architectural features such as columns. Koeth, 26, chatted about her purchase in DeKalb County.
Q: Where were you moving from?
A: I had moved to Atlanta in 2009 in the summer upon graduation (from Ashland University in Ohio). I had lived with my roommate ever since in the Smyrna/Vinings area.
Q: Was location an important factor?
A: I definitely wanted to stay inside the Perimeter. My most important thing was to be by freeways and to be in the city. I'm young and I want to be part of it.
Q: Describe your search process.
A: I literally did not sleep. I would wake up at 2, 3 in the morning and look at listings.
Q: What were you finding on the market?
A: The first place I visited, the pictures were great. I was like, this is exactly what I want. We went and it was not how it looked in the picture. It was tiny. It was everything opposite of what was portrayed in the description and the pictures. I found more in the beginning that I didn't want.
Q: How did your price range change?
A: When I began, I thought I should be looking in the $60,000s-$80,000s. Then a lot of those are fixer-uppers. Budgetwise, it made sense to find something that was move-in ready. The price of this condo was $104,900. The interest rate was very low, which also helped. Then the homeowner's association fees were low. Then in DeKalb County, the taxes were lower.
Q: What are some of your favorite features in the condo?
A: It's beautiful. My condo has granite countertops, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances. It's got paneling and crown molding.
Q: What's your favorite item you purchased for the condo?
A: My favorite piece in the house right now is my chandelier that is in my sunroom. I got it at Ballard's Backroom. I knew when I moved in that I had to have that chandelier. It fit perfectly in the sunroom.
Q: What tips would you give others buying their first home?
A: Give properties a chance. Sometimes pictures are deceiving. Sometimes they look amazing and then you go look at it in person and it's not great, and vice versa.
Q: How do you describe your neighborhood?
A: I honestly love the community. There's always people walking, and everyone is very active and friendly. Since the weather has broken, I have loved running outside in the neighborhoods around my community.
