Returning to Atlanta, the Rev. Charles L. Fischer III and his wife, Rhonda, rented a home for three years before deciding to buy. The couple had owned a home in Atlanta before they moved to Virginia. They came back for Fischer’s position as an associate minister at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, where he now serves as pastor.
The priority
School systems are often the focus for families searching for homes, sometimes eliminating neighborhoods and even great homes. The Fischers focused on keeping their 7-year-old son, Charles IV, in Atlanta’s Charles R. Drew Charter School and living in that community also was important because of Rhonda’s job as chief operating officer of the East Lake Foundation.
“That grounded our search,” she said.
Renting a Craftsman-style home in Kirkwood had given them time to watch the real estate market and prices. Charles’ research in early 2014 showed the market was starting to change with prices rising. Although their lease was up in July 2014, they began their search in late February, looking for homes priced around $400,000. “Charles had done a good job of keeping his finger on what was available in the neighborhood,” Rhonda said.
The search
The family desired a home with least three bedrooms, plus a space for an office for Charles. They wanted a floor plan that offered spaces to entertain, for work or with extended family and friends.
The Atlanta home they purchased was the first one they visited with their agent, Carol Murray with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. They put in an offer on the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home the next day and closed in April 2014. “It happened very, very quickly for us,” Rhonda said.
The home
Right away, the setting appealed to the couple. The house is set back from the street in the East Lake neighborhood, and the nearly half-acre property was bigger than they thought they would find intown and in their price range. Plus, while standing in the home, the couple discussed screening in the existing porch, which they did shortly after moving in.
The master was on the main, which they had not had in a previous home. With four bedrooms, they could have a guest room and home office for Charles.
The tip
If location is important but prices may limit your choices, look for ways to make the home’s space work for you. Their son Charles’ bedroom is big enough for his toys and a homework area, eliminating the need for a separate playroom. Because the home lacked a basement or bonus room, they looked for a larger yard. “Outdoors is a viable place for children to be and to enjoy their time,” Rhonda said.
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