By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
Ken Gibson lived in five-bedroom homes for years as his kids grew up. Ready to move, he looked for a house with fewer bedrooms but stocked with energy-efficient features and other amenities in a community with a resort-like atmosphere.
Gibson, 58, owner and CEO of Cutting Edge Marketing Agents, discussed finding a three-bedroom home with space for outdoor entertaining in The Village at Towne Lake, and how he and his girlfriend, Renita Dominy, are enjoying the Woodstock neighborhood.
Q: Why did you decide to buy?
A: I wanted to downsize and didn't want to live in a 5,000-square-foot space anymore. I lived in a three-story place in Roswell that had an elevator and amenities but not the privacy and outdoor space I wanted. I like to entertain and was happy to find a community where, when I first moved in, I could throw a cocktail party and have a margarita machine ready to go.
Q: What were your priorities?
A: I wanted to have control over the design and found a builder (Tony Perry with The Greenstone Group) who creates high-end homes and knows what somebody my age wants. I got energy-saving features such as spray foam insulation in the roof, two hot water heaters, thermal pane windows and Low-E window glass.
Q: How did you find this house?
A: I looked for some time and thought about remodeling a home before building. The Village not only had a master on the main but a three-car garage, courtyard and plunge pool. It's like a resort that I don't want to leave.
Q: What do you like about the home?
A: The exterior maintenance is managed by the homeowner's association, and it has a beautiful clubhouse and pool, where I can do laps. Woodstock is within walking distance, and the trail into town is three blocks from the neighborhood. Renita and I go to the farmer's market on a Saturday with a backpack, load up and walk back.
Q: What’s the lifestyle of the community?
A: Because time isn't taken up by mowing, edging and trimming, everyone has more time on their hands to invest with other people. It's a great neighborhood with a lot of new people on the street. I like to cook and have a grill, smoker and Big Green Egg lined up in my courtyard. This is an entertainer's dream.
Q: What advice do you have for buyers?
A: Take your time and listen to others. I worked with Terri Anne Paguibitan (with Keller Williams Realty) and Renita (a loan originator for Acopia Home Loans). They helped to steer me in the right direction to find the beautiful home I wanted.
At a Glance
Ken Gibson’s new home has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and 2,400 square feet. The Village at Towne Lake homes in Woodstock range from the high $300,000s to high $400,000s.
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