Bryan Maleski’s company services and stages model homes, so when he and his wife decided to move into a larger home, they wanted a new house with the extras that tend to wow buyers.
Bryan, who owns MDS Logistics, and his wife, Lisa, moved from Chicago to Duluth a few years ago for Bryan’s work. After they had a child, Conner, now 4, and learned they were expecting Liam, now 1, the Maleskis decided to build a house with more bedrooms and custom features.
The priority
School districts can make or break a decision to buy in a certain neighborhood. For the Maleskis, moving their kids into a highly ranked school district was the primary motivating factor. Beyond school district, the Maleskis wanted to build a custom home that matched their design preferences. The couple desired more space, such as five bedrooms and three baths, to accommodate their larger family as they intend to stay in the new home until their sons graduate from high school.
The search
The Maleskis focused their search on suburban communities near their jobs, such as Dunwoody, Suwanee and Johns Creek. Before closing on the sale of their previous home in April 2015, the Maleskis put a down payment on a lot in Ashton Woods’ Easthaven neighborhood in Johns Creek. The neighborhood has homes starting in the mid- to high-$400,000s. The community is in the Shakerag Elementary School, River Trail Middle School and Northview High School district, part of the Fulton County School System.
The home
Although the five-bedroom, four-bath home was custom built, they continued to personalize it after they moved in during 2015. For example, Bryan chose to redo some of the lighting by installing fixtures such as pendant lights.
“All my friends and family come in and they say it’s just like a model home,” said Bryan. “That’s the business I’m in, so obviously I want it done first and foremost for my own house.”
Conner’s room is decorated in a gray and navy palette with two twin beds that are perfect for sleepovers, his parents say. A screened porch and backyard overlook the woods and a creek.
“There is enough room to throw a football or baseball out back,” said Bryan.
The tip
When looking for a new home, consider the areas surrounding the neighborhood and check out the location throughout the day. The Maleskis visited the neighborhood at night to ensure that there were no traffic noises or other disturbances.
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