A move from Maryland, a move from renting

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC


A change of location, moving from Maryland to Georgia, caused LaTaryn Dexter to say goodbye to renting. Dexter, 34, who works in the telecommunications industry, chatted about her first place, which she put a contract on during her first day of house hunting.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo, for the AJC LaTaryn Dexter says the negotiation process moved very smoothly.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo, for the AJC LaTaryn Dexter says nothing else in her exhaustive home search compared to the amenities she found at Brookwood Park.

More Homefinder stories »

• Family gets more space, same district
• Rainy stretch can leave mark on foundations
• Brown pelicans enjoy a revival
• Be thankful for homebuyers’ tax credit
• Bulbs need room to bloom

Q: What brought you to Atlanta?

A: I had lived in Maryland for 18 years and I just wanted something different. I have family in the area, so I had already visited Atlanta several times. I just started talking to my cousins about the living environment in Atlanta. It just seemed like the most logical place to go. I already know people here. My employer already has offices here. It was the perfect fit.

Q: What did you have to have in a home?

A: I definitely wanted a single-family home. I was looking for a suburban area, kind of a family environment, not too far from the city.

Q: How did you work with your agent?

A: Jayme (Jay with Harry Norman, Realtors) had pulled several listings for me. I set a date and came down. We had already seen several properties. This property wasn’t on our list. We were actually at the house next door. Jayme called the listing agent to see if we could get in. We walked inside and it was just like, wow.

Q: What was so impressive?

A: It was everything I could have wanted with updated appliances and a very nice backyard. The appliances were stainless steel and have marble countertops. It was just beautiful. It kind of became the benchmark because Jayme was like, “Well, OK, this is the house that we love, but let’s continue with our listings just so you can see everything.” The rest of the houses we saw, nothing compared to this one.

Q: How did the negotiating process go?

A: We went through maybe two rounds. It was very quick. We were able to negotiate very reasonably. The previous owners were moving out of state, and I assumed they were buying another property. I contacted Jayme in late February and flew out the first part of March. By AprilI was moving in.

Q: How did you finance the home?

A: I used a combination of my savings and my 401(k).

Q: Did you have any concerns about the financial aspects?

A: Initially I think anyone who is buying a home, because it’s such a large investment, has some concerns. The market was right. The interest rates were relatively low. I just kind of got to a point where I said, “You know what, this is the time to do it. I’m just going to do it.”

At a glance

LaTaryn Dexter’s home has 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths and about 2,544 square feet of livable space. She purchased it in April.

Brookwood Park

County: Cobb

Price range: Mid $200,000s-mid $300,000s

Square footage: 2,400-4,100

Lot sizes: 1/3 to 1/2 acre

Standard features: Stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors,

separate garden tub and shower in master bath

Amenities: Playground, sidewalks

Homeowners fees: $250 a year

Schools: Sanders Elementary, Floyd Middle, South Cobb High

More on schools: schools.ajc homefinder.com/

Source: Neighborhood information provided by Jayme Jay with Harry Norman, Realtors

Getting there

Take I-285 to exit 16 (Atlanta Road), traveling north. Turn left onto the East/West Connector. Turn left onto Brookwood. Brookwood Park will be on the right.

Recent sale

$260,000: 4414 Yelverton Place, Mableton 30126. 5-bedroom, 3-bath home built in 2005 with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in kitchen.

For sale

$350,000: 4542 Santee Trail, Mableton 30126. A 4-bedroom, 3-bath home built in 2005 with a master on the main level.