Blake and Ginny Barbre faced a “love it or list it” scenario with their bungalow about a mile from downtown Decatur. The home was built in 1938 to showcase GE appliances, and they had renovated it twice, adding a new kitchen before a master suite.
“We had done a recent renovation when we found out we were going to have a second child,” Blake said.
They analyzed whether to renovate the home a third time by raising the roof or move. They enjoyed living close to restaurants and shops in downtown Decatur and did not want to change their doctors. They also wanted to remain inside the Perimeter.
Working with Joy Myrick and Donna Boynton of Beacham & Company, Realtors, the Barbres found these three choices in Avondale Estates, where they said they discovered a sense of community and new restaurants such as The Bishop. The family moved in just before Quin’s birth.
No. 1
New construction
A five-bedroom, three-bath home by Chase Homes was designed in a bungalow style, but with details such as an open floor plan and detached two-car garage. Having bedrooms for daughter Camsan and son Quin on the second floor was a must, Ginny said. “Where we lived before, our living room was right next to Camsan’s bedroom and our bathroom was next to Camsan’s bedroom. We realized we were tiptoeing around the house,” said Ginny, 36, who telecommutes for a software company. This floor plan had a master on the main and a second story with other bedrooms, plus a bonus room. The home was listed for $645,000.
No. 2
Proximity to play
A four-bedroom, three-bath home on Dartmouth Avenue was across the street from a pool and park. “We had several people that walked by us and told us how great the neighborhood was,” said Blake, 36, who recently closed his business to be a stay-at-home dad. They would have to do some renovations, though. The home, built in 1946, was listed for $429,000.
No. 3
Charming location
A four-bedroom, two-bath house on Kensington Road was a white brick home in the historic section of Avondale Estates. Quaint features included arched doorways and a fireplace in the living room. They were unsure if the floor plan, with two bedrooms on the main level, and the master and another bedroom upstairs, would work for them. The home, built in 1947, was listed for $474,000.
The Choice
No. 1. First, they put in an offer on No. 2, but the repairs identified in the inspections and expected cost of renovations seemed too high for their budget, they said. The new home they bought was at the top of their budget, but the price had been dropped and they saw the opportunity to earn equity, Blake said. The home also was just two blocks from a park and a pool. They closed in late January.
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