You decide...Which house should I go for?

M

Mary_From_Georgia

Dryer sheet aficionado
Joined
Feb 13, 2005
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Well, they're all seem so similar that none really stick out for me. I'd probably pick the one that had the biggest and/or most private yard or green space around it. But if I had to choose amongst them, here would be my top three.

This one seems to be brighter on the inside, probably due to the light wood used in the more open kitchen. I don't care for dark interiors.

Atlanta Georgia Real Estate: Metro Brokers/GMAC - Property Details

This one is pretty ugly inside, but the outside looks nice and it looks like it might be nicer lot.

Atlanta Georgia Real Estate: Metro Brokers/GMAC - Property Details

My favorite just going by the pictures would probably be this one. It's cooler looking than the other boring brick ones on the outside and the inside feels really spacious and open. Probably just remodel the bathroom and you'd be good to go.

Atlanta Georgia Real Estate: Metro Brokers/GMAC - Property Details
 
The one that you like best... that you can afford... that has the best value... with the shortest commute (unless you plan to live there forever then take this out)...
 
I'm thinking that I want to move to GA. Any of those houses around here would sell for $700k+

Winnow it down to three. Kick out any with oddities or troublesome options...for example, hardwood floors in a kitchen can be a pain in the butt. Any that represent a nice bonus like 10-20k asking price below comparables. Knock on a few doors and meet some of the neighbors. Look for one with good lot drainage where nothing slopes towards the house and ideally the house is on the high point of the lot. If you can get it down to one or two preferred, see if you can get a handyman or home inspector to do a "quick" inspection on the place just to view the construction quality and overall condition, maybe for a hundred or two. See if any of them were bought within the last 2 years and are being resold for no apparently good reason...could indicate a trouble spot.
 
These houses all look like they are maybe 2500+ square feet which would be WAY too big for me, but then I live alone. Right now I live in a 1558 square foot home and don't even use two of the rooms in it. I would love a home like one of these, but half the size.

If you are 50 or over, I would recommend one without stairs or at least with a bedroom and bath on the first floor. Even if you are fit and athletic now, in later years stairs might become difficult.

Given all this, these homes do look nice! They are all pretty and have lots of amenities. I like the third one because it seems to have less upstairs. It's hard to tell, though. My second choice would be Trek's favorite, but it is on a small lot - - less than 1/3 acre, whereas the other one is on 1/2-3/4 acre. I prefer a lot that is 100'-200' wide in order to be farther from my neighbors (though I don't really care about depth or a large back yard as long as there is some space between me and the neighbor in back, as well).

Whether or not these are in planned communities with homeowners' associations/fees and such is not clear, but it might be worth thinking about your opinions on these and finding out if the homes meet your needs in those respects as well.
 
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Have you checked potential commute at typical hours?

I-20 from Conyers or Covington into town sucks a** after 8:15 am and out of town after 5pm.
Where do you work if these locations are convenient for you?
For example Emory->Conyers commute for one of my friends is usually over an hour and sometimes as bad as 1.5hrs (She works 8-4:30 I think).
My flying buddy, who works at VA hospital (Decatur) and lives in Whispering Pines (Conyers) says his commute is about an hour, but his hours are weird (trauma nurse).

I live and work in Duluth (6 miles bicycle commute).
 
Want2retire said:
These houses all look like they are maybe 2500+ square feet which would be WAY too big for me, but then I live alone. Right now I live in a 1558 square foot home and don't even use two of the rooms in it. I would love a home like one of these, but half the size.

If you are 50 or over, I would recommend one without stairs or at least with a bedroom and bath on the first floor. Even if you are fit and athletic now, in later years stairs might become difficult.

Given all this, these homes do look nice! They are all pretty and have lots of amenities. I like the third one because it seems to have less upstairs. It's hard to tell, though. My second choice would be Trek's favorite, but it is on a small lot - - less than 1/3 acre, whereas the other one is on 1/2-3/4 acre. I prefer a lot that is 100'-200' wide in order to be farther from my neighbors (though I don't really care about depth or a large back yard as long as there is some space between me and the neighbor in back, as well).

Whether or not these are in planned communities with homeowners' associations/fees and such is not clear, but it might be worth thinking about your opinions on these and finding out if the homes meet your needs in those respects as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond.
 
sailor said:
I-20 from Conyers or Covington into town sucks a** after 8:15 am and out of town after 5pm.
Where do you work if these locations are convenient for you?
For example Emory->Conyers commute for one of my friends is usually over an hour and sometimes as bad as 1.5hrs (She works 8-4:30 I think).
My flying buddy, who works at VA hospital (Decatur) and lives in Whispering Pines (Conyers) says his commute is about an hour, but his hours are weird (trauma nurse).

I live and work in Duluth (6 miles bicycle commute).
Click to expand...

I work in Covington, so I'm going against the traffic. Although it is growing very fast there.
 
From the pictures I like 1, 7, 8 or maybe 9. However, it seems like 1 has a lot of deep paint colors. That might be quite different to see in person. Why don't any of them have nice decks or patios? I don't like the 2 story deck business.
 
They are all gorgeous .I'm shocked with what you can get for your money there .I would pick one with a community pool .It makes it easier to meet people .Good Luck !
 
WOW! can i please have your problem? They all look nice - i think it's up to you to see which one speaks to you...any of them make you feel better than the others?

I used to have a bigger place, but now enjoy a 1700 sq foot 4 brm house for my family of 5 - it's the perfect size - a good backyard...I don't like extra space...more to clean or fill up w/ crap. Smaller space makes you prioritize what you "really need/want" and i don't know what the weather is like out there - but all those perty vaulted ceilings etc. will increase your energy costs...my mom's house 2 story w/ vaulted is triple the cost to heat/cool vs. my one story.
 
bright eyed said:
WOW! can i please have your problem? They all look nice - i think it's up to you to see which one speaks to you...any of them make you feel better than the others?

I used to have a bigger place, but now enjoy a 1700 sq foot 4 brm house for my family of 5 - it's the perfect size - a good backyard...I don't like extra space...more to clean or fill up w/ crap. Smaller space makes you prioritize what you "really need/want" and i don't know what the weather is like out there - but all those perty vaulted ceilings etc. will increase your energy costs...my mom's house 2 story w/ vaulted is triple the cost to heat/cool vs. my one story.
Click to expand...


Good point ! I have vaulted celings and I love How it looks but it costs a lot to cool .Plus the cost of window coverings is huge . Plus have you ever dangled from a really high ladder trying to clean windows or ceiling fans ?
 
I, too, had negative sticker shock at seeing the prices of those places. Man! Us North-Easterners and West-Coasters need to move...
 
They all look nice.

I live in Gwinnett County and think there's more amenities there, such as in Grayson, than Covington or Conyers, but that may just be my bias....
 
All I know is.....seems like everytime I drive past Conyers on I-20 I get a speeding ticket! :rant: All houses look good to me, tough choices for sure. I agree with the biggest/most private yard. I'm a big yard kind of guy although that might change as I get older and don't feel like mowing anymore. I also agree with the advice about sticking with a single-story home. 2 stories look really nice, I've lived in several, but the stairs get old.
Best of luck.
 
cute fuzzy bunny said:
I'm thinking that I want to move to GA. Any of those houses around here would sell for $700k+
Click to expand...

Ditto. I liked all of them. Since I can't actually visit them, I'd recommend that you consider whether you like to entertain and how you feel in the houses themselves. Feel blessed because what you get for that much here is - Property Finder - CLEO DORSEY.

For me, $300K is affordable, but when you get what I put in the above link, why bother? Not a bad house, but not worth $300K
 
Olav23 said:
I, too, had negative sticker shock at seeing the prices of those places. Man! Us North-Easterners and West-Coasters need to move...
Click to expand...


Really! In the panhandle of West Virginia - not noted as a high-dollar state - those houses are $500K-$600K. Get down closer to Washington, DC and they're four million plus.
 
Walt34 said:
Really! In the panhandle of West Virginia - not noted as a high-dollar state - those houses are $500K-$600K. Get down closer to Washington, DC and they're four million plus.
Click to expand...

And my agency wonders why I wouldn't move to the D.C. area for one GS grade! :2funny: I wouldn't live there for all the tea in China.
 
tangomonster said:
They all look nice.

I live in Gwinnett County and think there's more amenities there, such as in Grayson, than Covington or Conyers, but that may just be my bias....
Click to expand...

Actually, I think I'm going to agree with you. I was in Grayson for the first time just last night. It really looks like a suburb there. The strip malls are very well manicured. I have my agent looking in that area more as well.

Any recommendations on where to target...or avoid?
 
Want2retire said:
And my agency wonders why I wouldn't move to the D.C. area for one GS grade! :2funny: I wouldn't live there for all the tea in China.
Click to expand...

It's not that bad, but I wouldn't do it either! I wouldn't mind all the tea in China though (or China itself for that matter).
 
I don't like the ones on Chandler bluff, from the outside. However, not my call.

I think you need to consider a few things: 1) what you need, 2) what you want, prioritized (incl FIRE:confused:), and 3) which of those needs and wants you can afford, and in which combinations.

Sorry to throw the ball "back-atcha", but you gotta figure out what you need and what is important to you...we can't do that...even if we can be a bit of a sounding board...

R
 
Mary_From_Georgia said:
Candid feedback is welcomed.....:bat:
Atlanta Georgia Real Estate: Metro Brokers/GMAC - Property Details
Click to expand...
Mary this is the one because it is "waterfront property". I can't believe that it is such a low price but I am not from there and not familiar with the area. The Lake should provide you with many opportunities for recreation especially if you have children. Another reason is that it will always have good resale value and should sell quickly. I would jump on that one.
I also have "reverse sticker shock at that price".:eek:
 
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