Competition for homes priced less than $125,000 complicated the process for Aisha Frierson after she put in an offer for her first home. But she stuck with it and found a house she adored in southeast Atlanta’s Monticello Park neighborhood. Frierson, 28, chatted about her purchase.
Q: What were you looking for in a home?
A: Well, the main thing was location for me because I wanted to come from Stockbridge (she had been renting) into the city. Then, I wanted an open layout and room for my family. And of course, a good deal.
Q: How long did you search?
A: I started in July 2010. Once I saw the house that I wanted, I got in a bidding war with another buyer, and they outbid me. That was in September. I was out with (Jim Whelan with Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta), and we were looking at a house identical to the house that I lost the bid on. I liked the home, but didn’t like the Union City location. When I called him back two or three hours later, he said, “You’re not going to believe it. While we were out looking, the contract on the house you really wanted fell through.” In October, I went under contract.
Q: What sold you on the home?
A: The layout and the windows. I really love the windows in the great room. There’s so many. I love the openness of the home. I can talk to people when I’m in the kitchen. It’s a two story, but has the master on the main.
Q: What was a feature that other homes didn’t have?
A: All of the other homes I was looking at, granite countertops weren’t in them. The kitchen has granite and the bathrooms have granite.
Q: What did the community and its location offer?
A: It’s in a gated community, and there’s a pool, tennis courts and a playground. It’s very family friendly, and I like that about it. I’m 5 minutes from my job (at New Life Tabernacle).
Q: How did the negotiations go?
A: That was the other awesome thing about this. It was listed for $122,900.
When I got into the bidding war, they outbid me. I was at $127,000. When the contract fell through, the house ended up dropping down to $117,000. I was like, wow. I was glad I waited.
Q: What was it like emotionally to search for a home?
A: Draining. When I found out my credit score was good enough to get one, I was like, this is going to be fun. Eventually, it was not fun.
Q: How difficult was the loan process?
A: They wore me out. Documents, documents, documents. You have to explain every dime that you get and where it’s coming from. You have to tell them what you’ve been doing with your money (she got an FHA loan and put down 3 percent). I actually told the lady at the bank, “Forget it, I don’t want to do it anymore.” That’s how hard it got. I said I would move into an apartment. She said, “No, no, no, don’t do that. Do not give up.” My pastor told me, “Don’t you say no. Whatever they ask you for, give it to them.”
Q: What tip would you give someone buying a first home?
A: Be patient and be persistent because it will pay off.
At a Glance
Aisha Frierson’s home, built in 2007 in Atlanta’s Monticello Park, has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and about 1,250 square feet. She purchased it in December. Homes in the neighborhood are in the low $100,000s.
