When their rentals kept changing hands and forcing them to move, Neal den Exter and Peggy Wefald decided to buy their first place together. After nine moves, including in cities such as Chicago and New York, the couple wanted to unpack and get settled into a home of their own.
“We were a little tired of moving,” said Wefald, 26, who works in development and fundraising for Spivey Hall at Clayton State University.
Their Virginia-Highland location had spoiled them and originally they didn’t consider any other neighborhoods. But the couple realized they would have to sacrifice space as they only found smaller homes that needed renovating in their mid-$300,000s price range.
Over their year-long search, they viewed more than 70 homes inside the Perimeter, in communities such as Lake Claire, Morningside and Druid Hills, and outside the Perimeter, as far north as Roswell. Suzanne Dils with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty assisted them in their search, which included these three properties.
No. 1
Cute cottage
A three-bedroom, two-bath home on Windemere Drive N.E. was in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood, next to Virginia-Highland. The open floor plan was what they were seeking, and they also could check the deck, spacious backyard and renovated bathrooms off their list. The home’s location had only one disadvantage, as it backed up to an adult bookstore on Cheshire Bridge Road, they said. The home, built in 1947, had been listed for about $425,000 but dropped to $399,999.
No. 2
Roomy ranch
A three-bedroom, two-bath home on Briarwood Hills Drive N.E. in Brookhaven Fields offered an open floor plan compared to other ranch-style homes with “boxy” rooms, they said. An addition to the home created a master suite and bathroom where the carport had been located, retaining the deck and big backyard. Charming details included picture frame molding. The home was under contract when they viewed it, but gave them an idea of what they could get for their money in Brookhaven. The home, built in 1952, was listed for $365,000.
No. 3
Cheery bungalow
A three-bedroom, two-bath home on McLendon Avenue in Atlanta’s Lake Claire neighborhood near Virginia-Highlands popped up quickly in their search, and it was gorgeous, Wefald said. In the kitchen, there were plenty of cabinets and a walk-in pantry. Outdoor spaces included a deck and front porch. The home also was located a block or so from shops and restaurants. The home, built in 1932, was listed for $369,900.
The Choice
No. 2. They put an offer on the Lake Claire home (No. 3) in December 2012, but lost that home in a bidding war. “The biggest thing was it made us re-evaluate things because it was below market value, but it was right at what we could afford. The trend was pushing us out of that neighborhood,” said den Exter, 29, an underwriter for Lloyd’s of London. “It’s really a blessing in disguise that we were kind of priced out of the Highlands because a whole new world opened up for us.” Adds Wefald: “It really, really made us sit down and evaluate what we wanted, why we wanted it and what the best place was for us.” When the Brookhaven home fell out of contract, the couple’s offer was accepted. They moved in during January. “Every neighborhood has something else to offer,” den Exter said. “There may be a neighborhood you don’t know anything about that ends up being a hidden gem.”
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