For nearly six months, Josh and Katie Klahn hunted for the right first home.
Along the way they decided they wanted at least three full bathrooms, a full basement and a big backyard, said Josh, 30, a technical support engineer for IBM, and Katie, 27, a sales coordinator for Remediation Group Inc., a mold removal company.
The Klahns had been living in a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhome in Smyrna that was close to activities in downtown Atlanta, Midtown and Buckhead. Katie had grown up in Marietta, and they wanted to buy a home closer to her parents.
In December 2012, the Klahns called the number for a home they saw online. The listing agent was Dawn Kelly Strong of Prudential Georgia Realty, who assisted the Klahns as they viewed at least 30 homes, including these three properties in Marietta.
No. 1
Traditional with basement
A five-bedroom, three-bath home on Fallwood Court in Marietta boasted one feature many buyers seek: an open floor plan. The kitchen, which has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, opened to the great room. The Klahns could see themselves entertaining family there. The home was on a corner lot, but there was some concern that it was too steep. The home, built in 2008 in the Fallwood neighborhood and offering a bonus room and unfinished basement, was listed for $349,000.
No. 2
Impressive upgrades
A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home on Sandtown Place didn’t even have a “for sale” sign in the yard yet and had only one picture available when the Klahns saw the listing pop up in Sandtown Park, another neighborhood on their list. ”We were watching the listings like hawks,” Katie said. “We wouldn’t be able to view a home, and it would be under contract. We were watching the listings constantly seeing what’s new and popping up.” Features such as crown molding, double ovens, upgraded cabinets and custom light fixtures, and a custom closet in the master bedroom were among good-looking upgrades. Although it had an open layout, they were unsure about the guest bedroom’s location just off the kitchen. The corner lot home, built in 2009 in Sandtown Park and with an unfinished basement, was listed for $355,000.
No. 3
Great neighborhood, gorgeous home
A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home on Addie Pond Way was in a swim-tennis neighborhood (Addie’s Pond) the couple loved. The main level of the home was awesome, Josh said, with hardwood floors, a two-story foyer, a stacked stone fireplace in the family room and a covered porch off the family room. The home also had a full daylight basement and a tree-filled backyard. The home, built in 2005, was listed for $369,700.
The Choice
No. 2. Another buyer beat them to No. 3, and they had No. 1 under contract, but the appraisal was too low for the deal to go through. To avoid a bidding war, they immediately made their best offer on the Sandtown Park home, ending up with a $350,000 purchase price. The Klahns, who moved from 1,300 square feet to 3,000 square feet of finished space, believe that viewing options and being patient avoided any buyer’s regret, Josh said. Adds Katie: “We plan on being here for the long haul so I wanted to be in a place that we could grow into and have a family.”
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