Jim and Michelle Kuck are celebrating the holidays with a gift they received earlier this year – a new home.
The priority
The Kucks had owned a home in Paulding County for about 10 years. When two of their five children (ages 7 to 22) moved out, they knew they would eventually downsize.
“It just came sooner than later,” Michelle said.
She worked off and on, from home, throughout the years for an Internet company owned by her husband’s sister and brother-in-law, Jeff and Susan Sanders. When the Sanders sold the company, the couple wanted to purchase a house for the Kucks, to thank them for their support (they did the same for Jeff’s stepmother) and as an investment.
“For us, it came out of the blue,” Michelle said. “They said, ‘We’ve got this idea. We would like to buy you a house.’ They wanted to do that for us, and we were like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
The search
The Sanders discovered NatureWalk at Seven Hills, a Dallas community that would shorten the commute to Acworth for Jim, who works in the granite countertop business. Since the community was in Paulding County, the family could remain involved in their recreation leagues, including Jim officiating youth football games. New homes start from the $140,000s, and NatureWalk residents can access amenities including golf cart trails, tennis courts and a water park.
“As soon as we saw it, we thought the kids would love it,” Jeff said. “We told them we had visited this place. They were immediately who came to our mind.”
The Kucks viewed the home on their own to avoid feeling pressure from the Sanders to choose it. As the purchasers of the home, the Sanders wanted their family members to determine the best home for them, since they will inherit the property (they do not pay rent or mortgage).
The community seemed like a comfortable place for the Kucks to finish raising their family, Susan said.
“We put their needs and their wants into the equation,” she said.
The home
At first, the Kucks were hesitant about having the Sanders purchase the home for them and having their children change schools, Michelle said. The home had perfectly sized rooms for the kids, hardwood floors, and “gorgeous” kitchen cabinets, she said. Plus, the master bedroom’s closet and sitting room wowed Michelle.
The four-bedroom, two-and-a-half home was nearing completion, and the Kucks were able to choose features such as carpet and countertops.
“Everything just fell into place,” Michelle said.
The lifestyle
The kids – Travis, 17; Austin, 14; and Ryley, 7 – have already enjoyed riding their bikes on the trails and using the water park in the Seven Hills community. NatureWalk at Seven Hills also has more than 100 acres of open space surrounded by miles of golf-cart, hiking and biking trails.
Although their kids had to switch schools, they already had friends at those schools through their involvement in recreational sports. The family moved in during June.
“It’s just a load off us,” Michelle said. “Not having to pay the mortgage is big chunk of your paycheck. It was awesome.”
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