The excitement of buying a first home was intensified as Seth and Brittany Shadburn awaited the birth of their second child. During the closing, Brittany, 28, experienced false labor pains and rushed to Northside Hospital. Baby Leyton was born two weeks after the couple closed and moved into their new Buford home in 2014.
Seth, 32, a doctoral physical therapy student at the University of St. Augustine, talked about the four-bedroom house.
Q: Why did you decide to buy?
A: We were living in a great two-bedroom apartment in Dunwoody, which was fine with one child, but when we realized we were pregnant again, and I was going to graduate school, we needed something larger, more stable and closer to family. When we tried to negotiate rent on a home in Buford by offering a three-year guaranteed lease, it was turned down. We saw two empty lots at the end of that neighborhood and wondered what it would cost to build a house. A few days later, we got approved for a loan, got in touch with a builder and customized the exact home we wanted.
Q: What were your priorities?
A: We wanted to be on a cul-de-sac and have a backyard. Our Dunwoody apartment had granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and nice floor tiles, and we became accustomed to it.
Q: How was the building process?
A: It was cool to be able to choose every detail with paint color, carpet, trim, granite and faucet handles. Our Realtor, Marcelle Smith (with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers), went above and beyond to call us on a regular basis, not just to check on the house, but us, as well.
Q: What have you decorated?
A: Everything on the walls has a rustic vibe with old wood frames and earth tones that go with the stone fireplace. It feels like a log cabin. Our 3-year-old, Morgan, always wanted to have a fun bunk bed, and it goes well with the big vaulted ceiling, where we hung a net with all of her stuffed animals in it. We also turned the formal dining room space into a giant playroom with dollhouses and toys for the kids.
Q: What’s a tip for first-time buyers?
A: Make a list of everything that is important to you now and in the future. Be selective with your primary must-haves and your deal breakers. Take a notebook with you while looking at houses to stay organized and write down everything you'll want to remember later.
At a Glance
Seth and Brittany Shadburn’s home, built in 2014, has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,400 square feet. Homes in the Cross Road area of Buford range from the low- to high-$200,000s.
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