The Search
Renting an apartment in Post Collier Hills, Billy and Caroline Van Eaton enjoyed hanging out with friends in the complex and having no responsibility for making repairs. Although apartment living was “cozy, cheap and easy,” the couple decided they were ready for their own space and focused on the same northwest Atlanta area.
“We liked the appeal of the older homes that hadn’t been updated so we could get in at a lower price point and update it as we saw fit,” said Caroline, 25, who works for Kairos Church.
The couple, assisted by Hannah Beaver with Harry Norman, Realtors, considered these homes in the three-month search.
No. 1 -- Charming update
A three-bedroom, two-bath home in Atlanta’s Wildwood neighborhood had a living room, dining room and keeping room connected to the kitchen, which had stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms also were renovated in the home, which was walking distance to Beaverbrook Park and had a private backyard. The home, built in 1959, was listed for $399,000.
No. 2 -- Ugly duckling
Another three-bedroom, two-bath home in Atlanta’s Wildwood neighborhood had a boxy layout and no updates since the ’50s. The exterior was a mustard color exterior and the home needed maintenance, inside and out, said Billy, 30, a landscaper. The home, built in 1955 with a partially finished basement, had been a rental property. The house — next door to some of their best friends — was not officially on the market, but the couple talked to the owner about potentially selling.
No. 3 -- Renovated ranch
A three-bedroom, two-bath home in Atlanta’s Collier Forest neighborhood had plenty of updates — painted in 2012, new windows in 2011, and a new plumbing and a HVAC system in 2010. The home offered uncovered and covered patio space and a fenced backyard. The home was located on a cut-through street for traffic, though, and there was uncertainty about it being rezoned out of the desirable Morris Brandon Elementary School district. The home, built in 1960, was listed for $310,000.
The Choice -- No. 2.
The couple made an offer on No. 1, but a bidding war erupted and they pursued home No. 2 instead. The couple looked at comparable sales for nearby homes and considered how much work they would have to put into the home, in trying to come up with an offer price. After negotiations, a deal was made. The couple was under contract for about three months while the seller honored an existing lease, and they closed on the home in October 2012. Then the Van Eatons embarked on about nine weeks of renovations. “We kind of sealed ourselves up in our bedroom from Sheetrock dust and put all of our stuff in the basement. We lived through the construction,” Caroline said. Changes included removing some walls and finishing part of the basement, where they watch football games and entertain. The kitchen was moved to the opposite side of the house and expanded to accommodate a 7-foot island — another popular spot among guests. Caroline also got her dining room, which was converted from a sitting room.
