Decatur disaster turns into dream home

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Dan and Katy Mallory sold their Decatur home last year, putting them in position to buy another house with more space.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special Dan and Katy Mallory pose in front of their home.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special No. 1: Ranch in established neighborhood.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special No. 2: Traditional with basement.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special No. 3: Decatur disaster.

More Homefinder stories »

• Vertical lines liven up many rooms
• Make your outdoor areas colorful
• Retirees leave beach for family, Braves
• Well-regarded school district aided in sale
• Couple transitions to house in Buckhead

They had been living in a three-bedroom, 1-½ bath home, so they were looking for at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“We wanted to make sure we had a place for visitors to stay,” said Katy Mallory, 27, who works for AutoTrader.com.

The home purchase was Katy’s first, and the second for Dan, 33, an IT consultant with CPA firm Habif, Arogeti & Wynne. The couple worked with Andy Peters of The Peters Co. at Keller Williams Realty-Peachtree Road during their search in December and January.

“It was a little challenging to find the amount of space we wanted, in our price range, for the amount of work it would require to get the house up to speed,” Katy Mallory said.

No. 1: Ranch in established neighborhood

The three-bedroom, two-bath home on Oak Grove Drive in Decatur was in the Leafmore neighborhood, where the couple found stable real estate values, mature trees and residents out and about. The flat, level backyard offered space for an addition. The kitchen, however, would need to be gutted, and the couple learned there was a possibility they would need a construction loan if they were to add a master suite and more. Originally listed for $293,000, the home was built in 1956.

No. 2: Traditional with basement

The four-bedroom, two-bath home on Diamond Head Circle in Decatur was “move-in ready,” down to the paint colors. The home also had a two-car garage, a large fenced yard and a basement. “Its kitchen wasn’t big, but it was cute,” Katy Mallory said. The home, built in 1964 and originally listed for $399,900, was at the top of their price range. It had been on the market for a year and the price hadn’t dropped when they looked at it, so the couple questioned if the seller would be willing to negotiate.

No. 3: Decatur disaster

The four-bedroom, three-bath home on East Parkwood Road in Decatur’s Druid Hills neighborhood first was listed out of their price range, for $440,000. When the price dropped to $350,000, the couple stopped by and found rats and raccoons had taken residence in the house, built in 1949. The molding was falling down, and the carpet, which was over tile in the bathroom, was gross, Katy Mallory said. “But it was such a shame because it had so much room,” she said. The basement alone, which had a finished apartment, was 1,300 square feet with 14-foot ceilings.

The Choice

No. 3

The couple looked at the East Parkwood Road home again when their agent learned it was in an estate sale situation and the price possibly was negotiable. During that visit, they discovered hardwood floors under the carpets. Katy Mallory also noticed a family photo that included a friend of hers from the University of Georgia. That friend put in a good word to the family member handling the sale, their Mallorys' realtor provided a letter stating how Druid Hills was their dream neighborhood and they were able to negotiate a deal.

“It sounds totally campy and cheesy, but when I drive home from work I couldn’t feel more excited about where we ended up choosing,” Katy Mallory said.

They purchased the home in February and have spent $10,000 on painting, ceiling repairs, electrical work, tile work, refinishing the hardwood floors and re-glazing the tub. They also hope to renovate the kitchen and basement. “In the end, we’re going to have a big house that we’re proud of, that we made our own,” she said.