Frustrated by trying to buy a foreclosure in 2009, Brian and Theja Wickersham changed their strategy in January and popped into a new community in Cumming. The couple and their daughter, 9-year-old Carly, moved in the next month. Theja, 31, who works in the allied health care field, chatted about their home in Telfair.
Q: Did you find a foreclosure you wanted?
A: We put two offers on two short sales in the middle of October (the same month their Alpharetta townhome sold). We were going to see which one happened first. We thought it might go through in the end of November or December. We were planning on being patient. So we moved in with friends.
Q: What was the waiting process like?
A: We felt fairly confident that our full-price offers would be accepted. For one, the seller accepted the offer quickly. About two weeks later, the Realtor called us back and said the bank had accepted the offer. About a week went by and we hadn’t heard from her. Then they were like, “The bank wants $20,000 more.” You’re just at the mercy of the bank. It was such a nightmare. Then the other one, it took about three weeks just to hear back from the seller. We got zero response from the bank.
Q: How did you find Telfair?
A: We were driving through Cumming, the area I wanted to be in (for the schools). In one neighborhood, the Realtor wasn’t going to have anything ready until June. She said, “My friend up the street just reduced his prices.” We had just driven past the neighborhood and I said, “Oh, I wish I had $20,000 extra and we could live in there. That would be the perfect neighborhood.” Sure enough, three were in our price range. The second one, I had gotten just inside the door, and I looked at Brian and said, “This one.” The relief just poured over us.
Q: What interior details stood out?
A: Our kitchen is huge. I have granite counter tops with cherry cabinets. We have double crown molding almost everywhere. The master bathroom has tile; the bedroom has a nice vaulted ceiling.
Q: What incentives were offered?
A: They gave us incredible incentives: $7,500 in closing and they paid the Realtor fees. My husband works in public safety, so they honored the 2 percent discount most builders give to people in public safety. They couldn’t have made it easier. We did an FHA loan and put 3.5 percent down.
At a glance
Brian and Theja Wickersham’s home in Telfair has four bedroom, 2 ½ baths and about 2,400 square feet of livable space. They purchased it in February.
Telfair
Address: 5035 Wilshire Crossing, Cumming 30040
County: Forsyth
Information: 770-889-9985, www.tratonhomes.com
Price range: $230,000s -- mid $400,000s
Homes: 156
Square footage: 2,400-4,400
Lot sizes: 1/4 to 1/2 acre
Standard features: Tile baths, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, granite kitchen counter tops, wrought iron spindles, alarm systems
Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, two lighted tennis courts, play area, sidewalks, street lamps
Homeowners fees: $850 annually ($850 initiation fee)
Developer: Pacific Group
Builder: Traton Homes
Broker: Traton Realty
Schools: Vickery Creek Elementary, Vickery Creek Middle, West Forsyth High
More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com
Getting there
Take I-85 north to Ga. 400 north to Exit 12B (MacFarland Parkway), traveling west on McFarland. Turn right onto Ga. 9. Travel about 2 miles and turn left onto Post Road. Travel about 3.8 miles and turn right onto Kelly Mill Road. Telfair is about 1/4 mile on the right.
Recent sales
$225,000: 5020 Wilshire Crossing, Cumming 30040: A new five-bedroom, three-bath home with hardwoods in the foyer, kitchen and breakfast area, and a vaulted ceiling in the master.
$232,000: 4990 Wilshire Crossing, Cumming 30040. A three-bedroom, 2 ½-bath home with bonus room and stainless steel appliances.
For sale
$244,600: 5055 Chase Lane, Cumming 30040. A four-bedroom, 2 ½-bath home with an island, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and a formal living and dining room.
$249,900: 5045 Chase Lane, Cumming 30040. A four-bedroom, 2 ½-bath home with a vaulted ceiling in the master bathroom and granite counter tops in the kitchen.
Community information provided by Wayne Bell with Traton Homes and compiled by Robert Inskip.
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