A friend of Brian Ludvigsen’s moved to Tucker and recommended it because of the proximity to Interstates 85 and 285, which Ludvigsen was seeking for driving to work in Austell and activities such as church in Midtown.
Ludvigsen, who grew up in suburban Atlanta, was renting in Buckhead and viewed Tucker as a good place to invest. He bought the home in August and immediately saw nearby homes under construction for the $500,000s, about twice more than he paid. Ludvigsen, 32, who works in the industrial distribution industry, chatted about his two-story brick home.
Q: What did you tell your agent you wanted?
A: Basically just a single family house with three bedrooms, two baths. This is four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths. It was a little more, but it wasn't too much more expensive. The condition of the house was also important to me. This house had basement waterproofing, new windows and a new roof. It was peace of mind knowing all those things were done.
Q: What was the condition of homes you saw in your search?
A: Most were in good shape. There were a couple that needed more work than I was willing to put into them. I didn't want to buy a home and then take out a home equity loan immediately to do renovations.
Q: What was a selling point about this home?
A: The home has a screened-in back porch. Being able to open the doors in the spring and fall and draw in fresh air without the bugs or the odd bird flying throughout the house is priceless. I didn't have a preference on lot type, but I do enjoy having some large oak trees shade the house in the summer and help keep it comfortable. I have been clearing a lot of brush off the property lately and will develop the landscaping with some more azaleas under the trees.
Q: What’s great about the location?
A: I pass right through Midtown on the way home every day. Sometimes I'll stop by a church meeting (at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Midtown) or to go to the gym or to meet friends somewhere. On the weekends we go somewhere local in Tucker or Virginia-Highland or Midtown or Buckhead, or somewhere in between.
Q: What’s a tip for buyers?
A: Try to get an idea of the cost of renovating whatever project you might want to do to a house. Get an accurate estimate from the Realtor or someone with experience who has done a bathroom renovation or a kitchen renovation or a basement waterproofing job. You don't want to be surprised by a cost.
At a Glance
Brian Ludvigsen’s home, built in 1969, has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,230 square feet. He purchased it in August, assisted by Jannette Carlson with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Georgia Properties. Homes in Tucker’s Hilton Pines neighborhood range from the low to high $200,000s.
