James Collins waited a long time to buy a midcentury modern home in Atlanta’s sought-after Northcrest neighborhood. The on-and-off search lasted not several months, or a year, but more than four years after he first saw the home he purchased.
Collins, who lived in Alpharetta and desired to move closer to his job, "wandered back" into Northcrest in 2007.
“It was kind of odd-looking houses, but I thought they looked kind of neat,” said Collins, 48, who works in sales for a printing company.
He knew nothing about the midcentury modern style that attracts buyers to Northcrest, located in DeKalb County, but considered these homes.
No. 1
Contemporary update
A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home on Lori Lane offered a split-level setup that appealed to him. Unique features included tongue-and-groove beam ceilings and a skylight in the kitchen. New paint, cabinets and a tile backsplash gave the kitchen a fresh look. The yard also was fenced, with a large deck. The home, built in 1963, was listed for $298,500.
No. 2
Peaceful living
A four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home, also on Lori Lane, was renovated with what the listing described as a zenlike look. Natural light poured through new picture windows in the front of the home. The wooded backyard offered low lawn maintenance. The home, built in 1964, was listed for $295,000.
No. 3
Upgrades abound
The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home on Eaglerock Drive also had a split-level floor plan that was unlike anything Collins had ever owned. Changes included sustainable materials such as bamboo floors, as well as new systems, gutters and a roof. The kitchen was remodeled with stainless steel appliances and Caesarstone countertops. The home, built in 1960, was listed for $295,000.
The Choice
No. 3. The home on Eaglerock Drive was the one Collins originally viewed in 2007, but it was sold before he could put in an offer. He waited a few years, then started looking again about a year ago, assisted by Cindy Bowers of Solid Source Realty. He put an offer on No. 1, but was outbid. "About six months go by, and one day, I'm coming back from lunch and I thought, I'll go through the neighborhood," he said. "The first home I saw was for sale." But when he called Bowers, he learned it was already under contract. About two weeks later, the deal fell through and his offer was accepted. Collins, who moved in during the summer, also has shortened his commute to 1.5 miles. "One of the things that I like about it is that it's so different. It's got a clean look to it," he said. "I was pleased that it worked."
