Missy and Stew Smith lived in a two-bedroom apartment in Buford with a 6-year-old boxer named Bella, but wanted more space for everyone.
Missy, 35, a sales administrator, and Stew, 31, a warehouse lead, talked about the four-bedroom home they bought in Lawrenceville.
Q: Why did you decide to buy?
Stew: Apartment life wasn't for us anymore. Aside from us wanting to move out, we wanted to give Bella more room as well. She's now 6 years old and considered our kid, and we thought everybody needed an upgrade.
Q: What were your priorities?
Stew: We were focused on a big kitchen rather than the living room or bedrooms. We also wanted a two-car garage, backyard, and extra bedrooms for family and friends to stay.
Q: How did you move on this home?
Missy: We found it online and reconsidered our initial reservations about new construction homes. Brandi (Benz with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners) was a huge help. We wanted hardwood floors, and this home didn't have them initially. She helped us to get extra features we really wanted and never knew we could ask for in a new construction.
Q: How was the offer and closing process?
Stew: We were nervous going into the closing as first-time homebuyers. When it came down to signing paperwork, Brandi was right there with us and wasn't afraid to ask questions we didn't think about and elaborate on certain aspects of the paperwork.
Q: How have you decorated?
Missy: We're really into grays and light blues. We've run into this conundrum where we have to tell ourselves that every room doesn't have to be blue or gray. All of our walls are a gray color, and now we want all of our furniture to be that as well.
Stew: Whenever we travel, we buy a picture frame. We have photos from our wedding and trips to New Hampshire, Helen and other places that we put up around the house.
Q: What’s a tip for first-time buyers?
Stew: Find an agent like Brandi. Missy did her own research throughout the process and wasn't afraid to send it to Brandi, which opened up the door for Brandi to see what we wanted. It was a team effort.
Missy: Don't get frustrated and heartbroken. Put multiple offers out there. The one that comes through is the one that is meant to be. When you get frustrated, keep going and you'll find it eventually.
At a Glance
Missy and Stew Smith’s new home has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and 1,980 square feet. Homes in The Springs at Rockhouse, a Taylor Morrison neighborhood in Lawrenceville, range from the mid $100,000s to low $200,000s.
