The Search
After living in an apartment in Toco Hill, pharmacist Erin Steinberg knew she wanted to stay inside the Perimeter but near I-85, I-285 and Ga. 400 for access to her job.
As she set out on her search, Steinberg, 27, sought a condominium or town home with at least two bedrooms and a kitchen with updated appliances. Her agent, Debbie Sonenshine with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, helped her narrow her options to three contenders -- one near her apartment and two others in Brookhaven -- after just two days of seeing properties.
“Find a real estate agent that you really trust and that really asks you a lot of questions about things you’re looking for so they can really understand your taste and what you are looking for in a home,” Steinberg said. “Debbie did a great job of narrowing it down to where I didn’t have to go do an extensive house hunt.”
No. 1: Remodeled just right
A two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home in Atlanta’s Weatherstone complex was the oldest of her options, built in 1985. But it had been upgraded with heated tile floors and a rain shower in the master bathroom, built-in cabinets in the living area and granite countertops in the kitchen. The property, listed at $215,00, was the most expensive in the neighborhood (located near Emory University), so she had to decide whether buying the highest-priced property there would be a good investment.
No. 2: Move-in ready model
A two-bedroom, two-bath home in Village Place Brookhaven -- a mixed-use community -- was completely finished, even with paint colors Steinberg would have chosen. The kitchen was outfitted with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, too. Seeing a model unit with furniture helped her envision herself living there, she said. The condo, built in 2007, was priced at $229,900.
No. 3: Extra space
A two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home in Cobblestone at Brookhaven had two extra features -- a terrace level and a loft area. The town home also had crown molding and wrought-iron balusters in the stairway, and both bathrooms had tile floors. There was a deck, too. The condo, built in 2008, was listed for $245,900.
The Choice
No. 2. The 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors and open floor plan won over Steinberg, who bought the condo in April 2011. “I didn’t think I would go around to places for two days and decide on one and go ahead and put a contract on it,” she said. In addition to being able to walk down to restaurants and shops underneath her condo, Steinberg likes how Village Place Brookhaven is near stores such as Costco as well as Buckhead shops and restaurants. “I really love the location,” she said.
