Could This Be Our New Street??

Back in January, right after we found out our big baby news, we started house hunting.  Ernesto took me to look at this house:

This 2 bedroom (with unfinished basement and 2nd floor) borders the neighborhoods of Old 4th Ward and Inman Park and is literally a 2 minute walk from where we currently live so we knew the location would be perfect!!   The outside is so unique, with a cute little garden and trellis for growing vines.  We peered though the windows and instantly fell in love with the high ceilings, bamboo floors and french doors opening the living room up to the front porch.

In short, the house went under contract that day, only 2 days after being listed.  Although not surprising at all (since it was a foreclosure listed at only 104K) it was disappointing.   We moved on and  looked at a bunch of other houses.  Below are two houses we made offers on but did not get. Both were livable, but needed updating.

{3 bed home in Old 4th Ward}

{2 bed Home in East Atlanta Village}

The other day our realtor called us [while we were still in San Diego] to say that the first house we looked at  was back on the market, the offer had fallen through.  Funny enough, Ernesto and I kept watching to see if that might happen.   Just our luck, IT DID!!!!

We submitted our offer yesterday morning and they accepted it that afternoon, plus added a 2-year home warranty which we didn't ask for!?  I understand this is rare because the house is a foreclosure and is being sold "as-is" by the bank, so we were happy.

Speaking of "as-is,"  there are several things that we want to change about this house, but the only things that MUST be done before moving in:
     - buy a refridgerator (other appliances are included and are nice)
     - tear out yuck carpet from the bedrooms and lay new floors (either matching
        bamboo to the living room floor or new hardwoods throughout)

     - patching walls and painting every room

{bamboo floors in living room}

{kitchen appliances...double oven...swoon!}

{ugly bedroom carpet}

 Other fixes/ideas: (not essential at first)
     - new kitchen cabinets
     - mosaic tile back splash
     - change slate floors in kitchen and baths 
     - convert main bath into smaller powder room, thus opening kitchen
     - drywall and add french doors in basement, converting to studio/office
     - finish 2nd story, creating 2 more bedrooms
     - fence back yard or plant tall cypress as border

There are a few "weird" things with this place.  I guess the previous owner had a "plan" to finish the attic into a second story.  He built the staircase...to nowhere.  Really, at the top of the stairs, there is nothing.  Also there is a window leading to the basement staircase instead of a door.  What???  Yep.  That will have to be changed.

They would like the closing to be May 26! Yikes!  It's all happening so fast!  It really would be perfect though, we would have all summer to work on it.  Yay! Wish us luck that everything goes smoothly!  I will post more/better pictures once we seal the deal.