Casey and Kristin Nix spent time in Chicago and Tampa before deciding to move to Atlanta. After renting a condo in Buckhead and also enjoying its proximity to dining in Virginia-Highland and Midtown, the couple chose to settle in Buckhead.
Kristin, 28, who works for K12, America’s largest provider of online education for K-12 students, chatted about their home in Atlanta’s Tuxedo Park neighborhood.
Q: What were some must-haves?
A: We wanted a flat yard. We looked at several homes with yards that were on a hill. That was Casey’s big thing—it had to have fireplace and a yard. We got the yard and the fireplace. We got the open layout that we wanted. It’s also two story, so it had better curb appeal than some of the older ranch-style ones.
Q: How long did you look?
A: A few months. We had looked at maybe 20 other properties and countless others online. We almost knew it as soon as we walked in. We put an offer the day we saw the house. It had only been on the market for a week.
Q: What was the condition of the home?
A: The home was built in 1952. Then in 1998 they added the second story. Then in 2005 they made some additional improvements. Even more recently they put in a new fireplace and some other things.
Q: Did you make any changes?
A: The kitchen backsplash was old, Italian, thick orange tile. We added a nice marble backsplash. The kitchen cabinets were a creamy color and we had them painted white, which brightens the space. Other than that, it was totally move-in ready.
Q: Were there any negotiations over the price?
A: They already had an offer. So we came in pretty strong - $10,000 under what it was listed. The first offer was not accepted, so we countered and we met in the middle. We ended up paying $5,000 less than what they asked for and worked with their timeline. They hadn’t found their next home yet. We continued to lease our condo to give them just over two months to stay in their house. We were very flexible. That was part of the appeal I think with us.
Q: What ‘s something you learned about buying a home?
A: Get your financing figured out first. You look much better to the seller. You also have a better mindset of what your payments are going to be and what you can afford. You have a more realistic start to the process.
Q: What do you like about purchasing where you rented?
A: We didn’t have to change our Publix or gym. We’re in south Tuxedo Park. I love that we’re a block away from those massive homes that are just gorgeous. When I go for a walk or a jog, I’m close enough to run to Chastain Park. We’re close enough to walk to dinner at The Big Ketch and not too far from 400. It’s been kind of ideal.
Q: What’s an extra feature in the house?
A: The side porch is screened and the back has a deck. Casey really wanted a man room (in a basement) and he didn’t get one in this house, so the side porch is his man room.
At a Glance
Casey and Kristin Nix’s home, built in 1952 in Atlanta, has three bedrooms, three baths and about 2,526 square feet. They purchased in February, assisted by Martha Massey with Prudential Georgia Realty. Homes in Tuxedo Park range from $400,000 to $14 million.
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