Charles Wesley had lived in Chamblee for several years. So, when it came time to buy a house again, the divorced dad sought a single-family home near his kids’ pediatrician and dentist and area businesses, such as Costco.
“I had gotten used to that proximity,” said Wesley, an engineer.
Wesley, 39, looked at houses with Collette McDonald of Re/Max Around Atlanta. Choices included these three homes in the DeKalb County school district of Montgomery Elementary and Chamblee middle and high schools. Although he was in a rush to get out of the apartment and back into a house, Wesley said he was glad he took his time to view several different properties and find one that met his criteria without exceeding his budget.
No. 1 -- Move-in ready
A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home on West Nancy Creek Place near Perimeter Mall offered spacious rooms, with a cathedral ceiling in the great room. Extras included a screened porch and a waterfall and koi pond in the backyard. The house, built in 1986 and on a cul-de-sac street in the Murphy Candler neighborhood, was listed for $329,000 when he started his search in 2011.
No. 2 -- Updated traditional
A three-bedroom, two-bath brick home on Chancery Lane in Atlanta’s Gainsborough neighborhood had been remodeled and expanded. The additions included a sunroom and screen porch. The master bathroom stood out with granite counter-tops, glass tile backsplash and a frameless tile shower. The home, built in 1964, was listed for $329,900 in 2012.
No. 3 -- Changes in the works
A three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home on West Nancy Creek Drive, also in Atlanta’s Murphy Candler neighborhood, was in the midst of renovations. “Since they were doing renovations, you had a chance to customize it somewhat. It kind of appealed to me,” Wesley said. When he saw the home, the Sheetrock and insulation were being worked on, and the property also needed mold remediation. The asking price for the home, built in 1964, was $314,000 in 2012.
The Choice: No. 3
Having the ability to choose the hardwood floors, granite counter-tops and appliances, as well as paint colors, won out. The seller was willing to make some modifications to the floor plan, such as moving doors to make the bathroom accessible from the hallway. “That was also another plus. It was early enough that I still had the flexibility to do some of that without it being cost prohibitive if you do it later on down the line,” he said. Wesley, who moved in during 2012, said some neighbors have stopped him on the street to say they love his renovated home and the improvements to the property. The neighborhood also has a family-friendly feel, with Wesley and his daughters being invited to cookouts and parties. “I’m surrounded by people that have kids,” he said.
