The Search
Watching an episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters” that focused on Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood prompted Mandy Gee to check out the area.
Gee had been renting an apartment in Inman Park with her husband, Ben “Bean” Worley, 33, who works for Pabst Brewing Co.
“We liked the houses they were looking at on the show, and they were in our budget,” said Gee, 31, who works for the Atlanta Track Club. “It seemed like there were a lot of young couples that lived in the area and that appealed to us.”
They used iPhone real estate apps and checked online listings multiple times each day to find homes for sale in the mid to high $100,000s. Even while looking at older homes in Kirkwood, the couple didn’t want a fixer-upper for their first home.
No. 1
Fixed-up bungalow
They viewed a three-bedroom, one-bath home on Ridgedale Road the same day it came on the market, and Gee said she was surprised to find a three-bedroom home in their price range. It had been renovated with hardwood floors and new systems. It was on an “adorable” street with well-kept homes and lawns, said Gee, and in a section of Kirkwood next to the popular Oakhurst neighborhood. The home, built in 1958 with a fenced-in backyard, was listed for $139,000.
No. 2
Cute cottage
The two-bedroom, two-bath ranch home on Bates Avenue was partially renovated with hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and a deck overlooking the fenced backyard. The home, built in 1930, was listed for $122,500. “It was also just a really cute house,” Gee said. “It had been nicely renovated, but it still looked like it had some projects we could do on our own.”
No. 3
Very Victorian
The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home on College Avenue had incredible curb appeal, with a gazebo and front porch. Inside, the two-story home had a master on the main, hardwood floors and new light fixtures. The home, built in 2002, was listed for $158,500.
The Choice
No. 1. The couple originally put an offer on No. 2 – the home on Bates Avenue -- but it was low, and another buyer appeared able to close faster. With house No. 1, Gee knew right away it was the one. There had been other offers, but the couple was willing to offer up to $165,000 and close quickly, within 21 days. The sale price ended up being $156,000, and they closed on the home in March, assisted by Adrian Smith and Kay Quigley with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. “Act fast,” Gee said. “The most surprising thing to me was just how many people were putting offers intown. I don’t think people realize how competitive it is at this point.”
