After reaching one milestone in 2014 — passing the bar exam — Nick Brown and his wife, Katrina, decided to take another big step and become homeowners. The couple moved from Charlottesville, Va., after Nick graduated from the University of Virginia Law School, and didn’t want to rent.
“We were pretty set on buying,” said Nick, 26, an attorney with King & Spalding.
At first, they thought of buying in Midtown to be near Nick’s job, but then discovered Brookhaven, which also was close to Mercer, where Katrina is studying to be a physician assistant.
The couple, who worked with Collette McDonald and Gunner DeLay of RE/MAX Around Atlanta, considered these three units in Ashford Creek. They were looking for townhomes with a garage, kitchens with granite countertops and cabinet space, and an office/man cave, for sportsman decor such as deer heads.
No. 1
Spacious end unit
A two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath townhome on Ashford Creek Trail offered long-term potential with the bedrooms and another room for an office on the basement level. It was the only two-bedroom they found on the market during their search and had a two-car garage. The townhome, built in 2006, was listed for $360,000.
No. 2
Updated and affordable
A one-bedroom, one full and two-half bath townhome on Ashford Creek Avenue was distracting because the decor, such as the wall colors, didn’t fit with the couple’s likes. But the kitchen had a new convection gas range and stainless steel appliances. Updates also included a new A/C unit and new carpet upstairs. The townhome, built in 2006 with a one-car garage, was listed for $215,000.
No. 3
New listing
A one-bedroom, one full and two-half bath townhome on Ashford Creek Circle boasted the same floor plan as No. 2 but with a more neutral palette. The kitchen was outfitted with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and tile backsplash. In the vaulted bedroom, Katrina could envision studying at the built-in desk. A potential man cave was on the lower level. The townhome, built in 2006, was listed for $214,900.
The Choice
No. 3. They first made an offer on No. 1, the two-bedroom unit, but concerns about the appraisal value hampered the negotiations. Still, they wanted to buy in Ashford Creek, where the common areas and lake created a tranquil setting, they said. “We reassessed what our goals were for buying a home right now and our timeline. One-bedroom homes were available in the community. Once we got into the one-bedroom, we decided we liked the floor plan,” said Katrina, 27. They put in an offer the evening they saw it and closed in October, buying a unit near the clubhouse, which has a gym. “This is really perfect for us,” she said. “It had exactly what we needed.”
About the Author
