A safe and quiet environment, a swim/tennis community, a neighborhood not far from I-20 and a quality education for their 18-month-old daughter, Sariah, topped the priorities list for Sewell and Mardeea Jartu.
As they focused on buying a home that would make them feel comfortable in the future, the present-day housing market was tough. As soon as homes became available, they were snapped up. After searching for a month and holding true to their priorities, the Jartus found a home in the mid-$100,000s in a new neighborhood in Douglas County.
Mardeea, 28, a mental health counselor in Cobb County, talked about the four-bedroom home that she and Sewell, 32, a business systems analyst with WorldPay, bought in Douglasville’s Brookmont subdivision.
Q: Why did you decide to buy now?
A: My husband and I knew that the interest rates were low and that we should start thinking about school systems for our daughter.
Q: What was the market like?
A: It was very aggressive. It was almost like competing with investors because people would offer cash and get priority over those financing. We first looked in Cobb County and Douglas County, and then my best friend sent me a link to the Brookmont neighborhood.
Q: How did you move on this home?
A: When looking at other neighborhoods, nothing compared to Brookmont. We decided to go with the newly built homes in The Cottages section. We closed on Dec. 23 and moved that day. Our in-laws were at our storage unit, packing the truck as we signed. We were so stressed. Who moves a day before the Christmas holidays?
Q: What did you love about the house? What have you added so far?
A: I love the open floor plan in the kitchen, living room and dining room. The backyard is flat and big enough, and it's a cozy house where we feel comfortable for right now with our family size. Sewell uses the basement for his "man cave," and we got all of the priorities we wanted, including a Primrose (preschool) near the front of the neighborhood. So far, we've focused on the priorities, such as blinds and furniture, but I can't wait to paint the walls and put up family pictures.
Q: What’s a tip for first-time buyers?
A: Pay attention to details. Ask your builder how things function, and don't make assumptions. When we first moved, the hot water wasn't working and we were in a panic. We learned how to turn on the hot water heater, and I asked the builder all kinds of questions about how everything functioned in the house. Don't take the small details for granted.
At a glance
The Jartus’ home, built in 2013 in Douglasville, has four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and about 2,000 square feet. They bought the home in December for $170,000. Homes in The Cottages of Brookmont, built by Kerley Family Homes, range from the mid to high $100,000s.
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