Brent and Chrissie Waters wrestled with making a decision faced by many young Atlanta couples: whether to live inside the Perimeter or outside the Perimeter.
An inside-the-Perimeter address offered convenience to restaurants and neighborhoods they enjoyed, while suburban settings boasted more space for their budget in the high $100,000s.
“Brent is from the Lilburn area. He was OK with being further out of town because you get more house for your money,” said Chrissie, 27, a research associate for UX Consulting, a nuclear consulting firm. “I’m a stickler for being closer to all the amenities of town. I wanted to be closer to Decatur.”
The couple, who got married in August and worked with Jody Steinberg of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, considered these three choices — two outside the Perimeter in Tucker and one inside the Perimeter in Decatur.
No. 1
Move-in ready renovation
A three-bedroom, two-bath home on Avon Avenue in Tucker sizzled with a kitchen renovation using custom Wellborn cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a breakfast bar. The bathrooms also had been updated in the ranch home. The couple was unsure about the proximity to the neighbors in the Winchester Heights home. “We didn’t have much privacy there,” said Brent, 31, a banquet manager at Capital City Club. The home, built in 1967, was listed for $179,000.
No. 2
Ranch inside the Perimeter
A three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath home on Valaire Drive in Decatur stood out with refinished hardwood floors. The ranch home was on a corner lot in the Lindmoor Woods neighborhood, which was only about 1 ½ miles away from family members. The kitchen also had been updated with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and glass tile backsplash, and the carport was closed in to create a den. “They made a really great big window that opens up into the kitchen. You can see the kitchen. It gives an open feel to it,” Chrissie said. The home, built in 1959, was listed for $189,900.
No. 3
Fitting for pool table
A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home on Montreal Way in Tucker boasted instant curb appeal with rocking chairs on the front porch and a renovated kitchen. To open up a breakfast room, the previous owners gave up a bedroom. The upstairs bathroom was tiny and the roadway noise was strong in the backyard. But the brick ranch home had an awesome basement with room for Brent’s pool table, Chrissie said. The home, built in 1963 in the Montreal Woods neighborhood, was listed for $179,900.
The Choice
No. 2. It was about a week between Chrissie seeing the Decatur home for the first time and putting in an offer. During that time, she revisited the home, along with her mom and Brent. Chrissie could envision herself cooking in the renovated kitchen. "One of the best parts about the kitchen was a brand new stainless steel refrigerator that came with the house, no questions asked. We didn't have to negotiate for it," she said. Brent appreciated that the home was in good shape and on the roomy corner lot. "The second time through, I was getting the picture in my head of how things would work out," Brent said. "I was like, wow, this is the place I actually want to be." They closed on the home in April.
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