Seeking newer home, nice yard in Brookhaven
After owning a home built in the 1920s in Seattle and facing repairs and upkeep, parents Jason and Krista Lang knew they couldn’t commit to renovating an older home in Atlanta.
“We wanted something no more than 10 years old,” said Jason, 37, who works for AT&T.
Krista, 35, executive media director for 22squared, added that newer homes were more likely to have an open floor plan. That way, they could be in the kitchen and watch their children playing in the living room.
The challenge was that the couple was looking at houses in Atlanta neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland and Morningside, as well as cities such as Brookhaven, where older homes are abundant. Working with Jere Metcalf of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, the Langs viewed these only three homes.
No. 1
Large lot
A four-bedroom, three-bath home on Mabry Lane in Historic Brookhaven had the minimum number of bedrooms they were seeking and a finished partial basement. The half-acre lot and Brookhaven location were selling features. Inside, the home’s split-level layout was a bit choppy, Jason said. Krista adds: “We knew we would have to do a lot of work.” The house, built in 1959, was listed for $675,000.
No. 2
New, with extra bedroom
A five-bedroom, three-bath home on Cravenridge Drive N.E. in Brookhaven’s Ashford Park neighborhood had a bright kitchen with white cabinets and white marble countertops, Krista said. An existing home had been torn down to the foundation and rebuilt. The layout was unusual, with the stairs on one side of the house leading to a long hallway with bedrooms and the master bedroom at the end. The front yard also was a bit steep, however. The home was listed for $565,000.
No. 3
Incredible kitchen
A four-bedroom, three full and one half-bath home on Brooke Greene boasted stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops and abundant cabinetry in the kitchen, which connected to a keeping room. The master bedroom and secondary bedrooms were over-sized, but the couple desired a larger front yard. A basement was stubbed for bath and ready to finish. The Brookhaven home, built in 2003 in the Brooke Greene neighborhood, was listed for $659,900.
The Choice
No. 2. The location near Ashford Park Elementary and near their jobs in Midtown and Buckhead won out. The backyard had more open space for Nolan, 3, and Harper, 1, to play. They purchased the home in July. “I think I was surprised at how quickly we found almost the exact house we wanted,” Krista said. “It was a really easy process, especially after moving across country with two babies and starting two new jobs.”
