After Susan Goodman was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, her three-bedroom home with guest suite on a half-acre corner lot in Atlanta’s Ormewood Park became too much to handle by herself.
She decided to sell the home she had rehabbed and expanded over 12 years and snagged a buyer in five days, working with Cheryl Gosa of Gosa Properties at Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Midtown. Goodman, who enjoys traveling to exotic spots like Morocco, chatted about selling and downsizing in May to a Decatur condo.
Q: What prompted the move?
A: When I turned 70, I decided I could no longer really do the yard work. I was hiring someone to do that for me. I enjoyed raking the leaves, but I couldn't do it. I had increased the hours that the housekeeper came. It just became a lot. I thought, "This is crazy to live like this."
Q: What did it take to sell your place?
A: I had foot surgery in the winter. While I was still recovering, I sent an email to Cheryl asking when I should put the house up for sale. The azaleas had started blooming. She said, "Now." I hired a few people to help get the house presentable for selling. It was really the right time with the azaleas and dogwoods. By Sunday afternoon, we had three people wanting the house (three days after listing it).
Q: How did you decide where to move?
A: I have two sons, in Washington, D.C., and on the West Coast. They each have one child. I said, "I have a serious question to ask you. I need to know where to live: East Coast or West Coast?" They said I should stay in Atlanta. The cost of living is much less and I have 40 years of friends. I could fly and see them. I asked my women's group: Where should I live in Atlanta? They all said Decatur. I didn't want to deal with the house again. Another friend was telling me one of the biggest mistakes of her life was selling her Tuxworth Springs condo.
Q: What did you think when you saw the unit you bought?
A: Cheryl got a call from a man who wanted to sell this condo. He said, "I'm going to be leaving shortly. Can you get over here in 45 minutes?" I drove right over. As soon as I walked in, I thought, "Yeah, this is the one." It's a three (bedroom), two (bath). I wanted three bedrooms because my sons visit. I liked that it had a porch.
Q: What changes have you made?
A: I have replaced the windows. I had it repainted while I was in Morocco.
Q: How has your lifestyle changed?
A: It's a lot easier. I can just go off and leave without having to worry.
Q: What’s your best advice for senior sellers and buyers?
A: Plan it out on paper ahead of time. Who is going to be your real estate agent and what are the qualities for that? What does the family think? Where do you want to be living? How alone do you want to be? How friendly are the neighbors? There's a group of seniors here that are very organized. I'm now in the book club, breakfast club and birthday club.
At a Glance
Susan Goodman’s condo, built in 1984 in Decatur’s Tuxworth Springs, has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,242 square feet. She purchased it in May. Condos in Tuxworth Springs, which has 268 units and residents ranging from graduate students to families to senior adults, range from the low $120,000s to high $130,000s.
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