Justin and Laura Ririe lived in Canton from 2006 to 2010, then Justin received a job transfer to Washington, D.C. When the opportunity arose to return to Georgia for Justin’s job with Recall Corp., a secure document management provider whose global headquarters is in Norcross, they wanted to move closer to his work and to an area with top-ranked public schools.
The priority
Although they considered existing homes, the construction of new homes and schools in Cumming appealed to them. After living in a townhome in Washington D.C., Justin, Laura and their two children wanted a yard and more space for Hailey, 11, and Jonah, 8. Having an open kitchen/dining room/living room also was at the top of their list, along with additional space for the kids and their friends to hang out.
The search
The couple considered houses within 20 miles of Justin’s job. Their agent, Angela Furcron with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metrobrokers, helped them access ListingBook.com to search for homes, while Laura planned a trip with the kids to view homes in the Atlanta area. Furcron gave the kids goodie bags with games and toys to keep them occupied as they spent four days driving around Cumming to tour houses. “At the end of that four days, it was between this house and one other house,” Laura said. The yard and porch sold her on the home. She put an offer on the house before Justin was able to make it to Atlanta. He flew down a few days later and saw the house. The Riries closed on the home – 19 miles from Justin’s office – in May and moved in a month later.
The builder, Lowe Properties, was willing to add ceiling fans (with no charge for installation) and keep up the lawn until they could move in. “They made us feel like they really cared about our home and us being happy with it,” Laura said.
The home
The new five-bedroom, four-bath home in Cumming’s Olde Field Chase has about 3,700 square feet – more than twice as large as their townhome in Washington, D.C. The unfinished basement has another 2,400 square feet. Aspects of the floor plan they liked included an open, spacious kitchen and living room for entertaining and the Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting the kids’ rooms.
The Riries brought a trampoline for the half acre-plus yard.
“We have a backyard that backs up to woods. I can watch my kids play from the kitchen window or living room or even upstairs in the loft,” Laura said. “I really enjoy sitting on my porch and watching my kids play if they’re out front riding their bikes. I didn’t even have a porch in D.C. I felt very spoiled having both of those.”
The lifestyle
Having the kids participate in the home search made them excited about the home and south Forsyth County neighborhood. Laura adds that the family made instant friends in Olde Field Chase, which has homes starting in the mid $300,000s. “We love the community. Our neighbors are wonderful,” she said. “I felt good when I first drove into the community. It’s turned out to be a blessing.”
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