After renting for two years, Sandra Long decided her family’s next home would be new construction.
She and her husband, Ryland, both 60, foreclosed on their previous home during the housing market collapse, after costly emergency surgeries and job losses. The couple, who has lived in Douglasville since 2005, wanted to be careful about their expenses as they bought a home. They also didn’t want to move again, Sandra said.
As they sought a new ”forever” home, the Longs not only considered their own needs and wants, but those of their adopted daughter Precious, 17, their daughter Patrice Gray and granddaughter Serenity, all of whom currently live at home with them. Sandra discussed how their new two-story, five-bedroom home fits the Longs’ multigenerational lifestyle.
Q: How did your experience renting educate you on homes?
A: After renting for two years, I did not want a resale. Even though in the rental, they painted it and put new carpet down, the house was abused.
Q: Why did you decide to stay in Douglasville?
A: It's nice and quiet, like I'm used to. I don't like the fast-paced life of Atlanta. This is where we wanted to stay. I'm kind of in the country.
Q: What did you find in Douglasville?
A: Because we were retiring, we didn't want to get that much in debt. (Homes) in the $300,000s-plus, we wanted to stay away from that.
Q: When you found The Legends at Bear Creek, how did you choose a floor plan?
A: There were several different floor plans. We looked at the model (they worked with Georgia Boles with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties). It was not quite as big as I wanted it to be. We asked if they had different floor plans. I said, "What's your biggest floor plan?" She said, "The Jefferson." I said, "Let me look at that one."
Q: What did that floor plan offer?
A: In the dining room, we have the coffered ceiling. They offered different wood floors. We like the dark wood, so we got that. The kitchen was nice and roomy — not too big — with the granite tops. All that came standard.
Q: Was there anything you paid to upgrade?
A: We upgraded our stove, range and refrigerator.
Q: Was there something you really wanted in the home that you got?
A: I wanted a stone fireplace, so we added that. That's the spectacular part.
Q: Since you don’t plan to move, what about the layout will be helpful as you age in the home?
A: The master suite is on the bottom floor. I don't have to walk upstairs to that.
Q: Did you get to pick out anything as they were building the home?
A: Definitely. They had a wide variety of cabinets, flooring, countertops and backsplashes for the kitchens. I love the granite tops in the kitchen. I had Corian tops before. And of course, my appliances. I bought the new LG (refrigerator) with the door in the door, to keep the kids from standing in the door with it open.
Q: The home seems big enough for everyone, right?
A: Nobody is bumping into each other. Everybody has their own space.
Q: Did you do anything to celebrate buying the house?
A: Yes. We said a prayer over our house and asked God to bless it.
At a Glance
Ryland and Sandra Long’s new home, built by Kerley Family Homes, has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and about 4,041 square feet. They closed in June. Homes in The Legends at Bear Creek in Douglasville start from $230,000-$300,000.
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