Located just next door to Buckhead, the historic community of Brookhaven is without a doubt one of the most coveted areas of the Atlanta metro — and with good reason. Brookhaven today consists of some of the finest and best-preserved historic homes available anywhere in the city. Even so, finding the right historic Brookhaven home for sale can be a challenge, especially if you are a first-time Atlanta homebuyer. If you have your sights set on finding and buying one of these homes, the following overview should give you a helpful starting point.
About Brookhaven
Throughout the 1800s, the area now known as Brookhaven mainly consisted of a few large plantations — then, beginning in the early 20th century, it became a summer destination for Atlanta’s elite who built their cottages here around the newly developed Capital City Country Club. It wasn’t until 2012 that Brookhaven was incorporated as its own city. Today, Brookhaven is home to about 40,000 people, consisting of several upscale neighborhoods—but the area known as “historic Brookhaven” remains well-preserved, with many of the original pre-war homes still intact surrounding the golf course. Median home values in this area hover just over $500,000 — one of the highest in the area — with many homes easily exceeding the $1 million mark.
Buying a Historic Brookhaven Home
Historic Brookhaven as a neighborhood is indeed rich in elegant country charm, as are the homes in this area — but the important thing to remember is that they are still older homes, and as such they may require a bit of extra care — no matter how many updates they have. Here’s what you need to know to make your buying experience worthwhile.
- Buy under your budget. A particular home may be in your budget on paper, but that doesn’t mean you can afford it in the long run. Historic homes often have unwanted surprises lurking under the floors and behind the walls, so you’ll need a healthy pad in the bank to cover any contingencies. For that reason, it’s best to buy below your pre-qualification budget so you aren’t struggling to make repairs while covering a mortgage that maxes your budget.
- Keep reserves in the bank. You should have a healthy pad in the bank at the time of purchase so you can cover any unexpected expenses or repair costs. Also, try to keep those reserves full while living in the home so you can cover repairs if something breaks or wears out.
- Always get a thorough home inspection before buying. Any vintage home is likely to have hidden issues, no matter how elegant it looks on the surface. You don’t want to spend premium rates for one of these homes only to find a major structural issue that is now your responsibility to fix. Get a thorough home inspection before finalizing any offer so you at least know what to expect. If any issues arise that might be a deal breaker, your agent can negotiate with the seller to get those issues fixed before you take possession.
- Be prepared to move quickly. Finally, historic Brookhaven homes are in high demand, so if one comes on the market that meets your needs and your budget, be prepared in advance to make an attractive offer quickly.
The real estate experts at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty are well-acquainted with the dynamics of the Brookhaven housing market, and we can work on your behalf to help you get into the home of your dreams. For information on available properties in Brookhaven or other neighborhoods in Atlanta, call us today at 404.948.4812.