Couple focuses on new construction in townhouse

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

First-time home buyer

The drastic changes in the housing market since Adam and Lauren Westin’s wedding three years ago made buying a home more attainable in 2011.

A new townhome didn’t require them to spend additional time or money fixing up a home either. Adam, 29, who works for interactive marketing agency Response Mine, and Lauren, 28, who works in marketing for Newell Rubbermaid, chatted about their purchase in Atlanta’s Brookwood Heights at Ardmore Park.

Q: How did you determine where you wanted to live?

Lauren: We looked everywhere. The Westside, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Midtown, Kirkwood, Old Fourth Ward. I work in Sandy Springs and Adam works in Buckhead, so we just needed to be near a highway. We had been searching for three years, keeping our eye on things. Once we finally had a feel for what we wanted and we knew we could afford a house, we got a realtor (Jennifer Kjellgren with Intown Expert-Re/Max Metro Atlanta Cityside).

Adam: Initially it was a whole lot of online research. We went inside at least a dozen different townhome communities.

Q: What features were important?

Lauren: We wanted a good location, a garage, more than two bathrooms and at least three bedrooms. We were really drawn to open living areas. In our apartment, our kitchen was separate from our living area and I really felt apart from everyone when we were entertaining.

Adam: We love the big master bath --  two vanities with his and her sinks. It is great to have our own space.

Q: What’s another way this townhome stood out?

Lauren: We came in and it was ready to move in. It had the walls ready to have a flat panel TV, with the cords already in the wall. For people who had never owned a home before, it was ready to go.

Adam: The cable guy was telling me that he goes to some older houses and it takes him six hours or more. This one was wired with cable in mind. He was in and out in an hour and a half.

Q: Describe the negotiation process and benefits of buying a new home.

Lauren: The most emotional part was after we came back with our second offer and they came back with theirs. Adam and I were huddling in the street saying, "What do you want to do? I don’t know.” We did it, and we went under contract. After that happened, I was taken aback because it was so easy. I was like, “Did we really buy a house?”

Adam: We negotiated what sort of appliances we wanted. We love the assurance of the 30-day check and 11-month check in that Pulte provides. Knowing we weren't going to be left hanging if nail pops emerged, etc., as the new house settles in its first year is great.

Q: What tip would you give buyers?

Adam: To keep yourself from getting overwhelmed, don’t feel like you’re going to buy every house you’re going to look at.

Lauren: At some houses, we would just pull up and say, “I don’t like it.” If it’s not the house for you, don’t feel obligated to see it.

At a Glance

Lauren and Adam Westin’s new Atlanta townhome has three bedrooms, three and a half baths and about 2,200 square feet. They purchased it in March. Townhomes in Brookwood Heights at Ardmore Park start in the $340,000s.