Finding a place in the City of Decatur isn’t easy. But with easy access to Ponce de Leon Avenue, four bedrooms, a fully finished basement, and access to Decatur’s famed school district, this new-construction dream home hits all the high notes.
Trying to buy just the right home in Decatur is a challenge. Downright frustrating in many cases. Those reports of over a "thousand people a month" moving Intown are true, and housing inventory is at an all-time low. Many buyers are left with the feeling they will have to snap up almost anything that pops up or be left behind. If you've had the discipline to wait for the ideal home to appear, your patience may be rewarded here.
Welcome home.
“Spit-polished charm with a tip-of-the-hat to the old world” is the first impression that comes to mind when walking through the front door of 405 Melrose Avenue, a home seemingly custom-made for a budding family to plant its roots for the long term.
We’ll get to the home itself in just a moment. But before we do, taking a moment to focus on the couldn’t-be-better, best-of-all-worlds location is where to begin. The quiet, tree-lined street on which the home sits feels worlds away from the bustle of the surface streets, while still being located squarely between the College Avenue and Ponce de Leon Corridors. Also within a few-minutes’ walk: Downtown Decatur to the east, the ultra-trendy Oakhurst district to the south, and some of the very best K-12 schools in the state. In other words, if you’re looking for a mix of “close proximity to the action,” “awesome accessibility for a commute,” and a “want for privacy,” 405 Melrose deserves a place at the top of the list.
Open Floor Plan
But back to the home itself. The curb appeal boasts a short pathway that leads to a classically Southern oversized front porch — the kind that Atticus Finch and Scout would have played checkers on.
Through the front door, however, an aesthetic that’s decidedly a little more modern defines the first level. An open (glistening hardwood) floor plan flows effortlessly from the dining area to sprawling family room, and finally, to a truly epic kitchen (complete with dark-hued cabinetry, stainless appliances, and a stellar central island) that gives the master chef-slash-host, an all-encompassing view of their guests as the semi-annual neighborhood soiree gets underway. When this home was built in 2011 (yeah, it’s pretty new!), you can tell the original owners loved to entertain.
But, as much as the house is ideal for late nights with friends that run just a little too late, it’s also equipped to handle the needs of a family at every stage of its evolution. Four bedrooms and 3.5 baths lend enough latitude to spread out, but also a little wiggle room in case an additional family member comes along. The majority of these living spaces are located on the upstairs level, the hub of which is a showpiece in-an-of itself (built-in bookcases and natural light set the stage for a potential reading nook?).
Meanwhile, an oversized master suite comes with a well-appointed ensuite bath and two walk-in closets, so storage is hardly an issue. The other two bedrooms on this floor boast ample storage space of their own and modular flexibility for kids from 17 days old to 17 years. The home’s laundry space is located on this floor as well, so chore day is a breeze, with zero schlepping up and down stairs necessary.
Bedroom No. 4 is located on the lowest level of the home — a fully finished basement space that’s 660-square-feet all by itself, with access from the upstairs, or from the two-car garage (Yeah, garages are a bit of a rarity, but you’re covered here). What you do with this space is up to you, but if a slightly removed guest space at-the-ready or a crafts studio is in your plans, it’s ideal.
Screened Porch Overlooks Backyard
And among family life and playing the role of a social butterfly, there are quiet moments, too. A screened-in back porch on the main level faces east, and is probably where morning coffee and iPad time will happen (there’s also an adjacent unscreened portion for the Big Green Egg). This perch overlooks an exceptionally manicured backyard, large enough for sprinklers in the summer and tossing around a ball in the autumn. Private and tree-lined, it’s a great backdrop for prom photos.
If you’re going through the trouble of finding a family home (turnkey for under $1 million in City of Decatur, no less) that you’re not going to need to think about moving out of for at least a generation, the subtle charm and timeless adaptability of 405 Melrose Avenue might just make this your next mailing address.
The seller is represented by Joshua Keen.
Call today for a private showing: 404-538-5356
Please, serious inquiries only.