John McClure started looking for a home at the beginning of 2013, but stopped because he didn’t think he was ready to buy his first place. He picked up the search in the fall, on the weekend of Music Midtown in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.
The crowds in Midtown caused the 26-year-old to look elsewhere that weekend. McClure, who works for Southern Company, considered these Decatur condos as he looked with his sister-in-law, Ariane E. McClure, of Harry Norman, Realtors Intown Office. He found his place that day.
No. 1
Downtown Decatur location
A one-bedroom, one-bath condo in the Decatur Renaissance overlooked East Ponce de Leon Avenue and was walking distance to MARTA and Decatur shops and restaurants. The condo had hardwood floors in the living area and kitchen, which had stainless appliances. The seller was including the refrigerator, washer and dryer. The condo offered a covered balcony and assigned covered parking. The condo, built in 2005 and with amenities such as a pool and gym, was listed for $114,900.
No. 2
Courtyard-view condo
A one-bedroom, one bath condo in Decatur’s Towne Square complex on East Ponce de Leon Avenue was across the street from the Decatur Renaissance. Inside, there were plantation shutters, hardwood floors, built-in cabinets and a gas fireplace. The complex also had a parking space and a pool. The condo, built in 2000, was listed for $159,900.
No. 3
Modern-looking foreclosure
A one-bedroom, one-bath condo in the Decatur Renaissance was being sold as-is, but it appeared to be in good condition and boasted stainless steel Whirlpool appliances, dark cabinets and hardwood floors. It also had assigned covered parking and a balcony, and on-site amenities such as pool, gym and media/party room. The condo, built in 2005, was part of an online auction, and he was trying to purchase a condo in the low $100,000s or less.
The Choice
No. 3. He did not have to submit a formal bid to the listing agent for the condo, but went online and placed a bid before the auction ended on a Tuesday night in September. To meet the reserve, so he kept adding $1,000 increments. He finally got to the point where he thought, “If it doesn’t hit reserve, we’re walking away.” He saw that he had reached the reserve. He won the bid (the sale price was $90,344), but then had 48 hours to complete the documentation and to get his financing approved. Dana Archambeau of Movement Mortgage helped him attain the financing in time, so that he didn’t lose his earnest money, his agent said. He closed in October and has repainted the entire condo. The location has been one of the best parts of his purchase. “I like being able to walk to all the places,” he said. “I’m kind of a foodie-type person. I like craft cocktails. Decatur is like the hub of that in Atlanta. For me, it was just, oh yes, you couldn’t ask for much more as far as a great place to live.”
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