atlanta home search: the top 2

we had the following affirmation:

in the name of
الرّزّاق‭ ‬Ar-Razzaq‭ (‬The Provider‭)‬,‭ ‬الكرم‭ ‬Al-Kareem‭ (‬The Generous‭)‬,
المجيب Al-Mujeeb (The Responsive), الوكيل Al-Wakil (The Disposer of Affairs)
البرّ Al-Barr (The Source of All-Goodness), الوهّاب Al-Wahhaab (The Bestower)
المقيت Al-Muqeet (The Maintainer), المغنى Al-Mughni (The Enricher)
we ask for an affordable home in atlanta, georgia
that includes:
a porch
a sunny, but partially shaded yard
close access to a park, masjid, library, marta, and community center
a safe, friendly community
an open floor plan with lots of light and windows
a full, finished basement
modern kitchens and bathrooms with modern appliances
hardwood floors
a washer and dryer
a bedroom and bath for the parents
a bedroom and bath for the children
a half-bath for guests
space for an office
space for a home school
ameen

after i did all the work of sifting through
ALL the houses in atlanta
with children in tow
– actually, they stayed with grandma alice
while i looked,
but they were still HERE while
ishaq had a two-week vacation –
ishaq came and viewed my top 4.
(it would have been 5,
but my number one choice got a contract by another buyer)

one had all the space we needed,
but he didn’t like the style of the house or the yard,
and it didn’t help that it was under the flight path of
atlanta-hartsfield airport.
we were there a few minutes so that ishaq could look at the outside
and he counted at least 3 planes flying overhead.

another one had massive curb appeal
lots of space,
great location,
and lots of yard,
but needed too much work.

so, it came down to these two:

		PRICE: $195,000 FMLS #: 3274195 2221 Plantation Drive East Point, GA 30344 Lot Size: 1/2 To 3/4 Acres Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 2 Year Built: 1961
		PRICE: $189,900 MLS #: 1918405 1751 Center Avenue East Point, GA 30344 Lot Size: Less than .5 Acre Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 2 Year Built: 1928

yeah, we prefer the older homes.
ishaq likes rambler/ranches with basements
and i like craftman bungalows with porches.
they were about the same size,
but Plantation Drive had a finished basement.
Center Avenue was close to marta,
a library, and playground.
the Plantation Drive community didn’t even have sidewalks.
i betcha can’t tell which one i like best? (smile)
yeah, i picked them both out,
but i definitely had my favorite.
and you know i’m thinking:
do i really want to live on PLANTATION Drive?
do i want to give that out as MY address?
(smile)

anyway, we came to an impasse.
trying to impart some objectivity to the decision,
ishaq asked our realtor to let him know which had better resale potential
as soon as she chould.
then after a tense few hours
– and without the realtor’s answer –
he said we could get the Center Ave property
because i’m going to be there more than he is.
that’s what i’m talking ’bout!

but we may not even get it.
after ishaq came to his senses
(just kiddin!)
i became a lot more open to discussion.
maybe it would be less stressful to us financially
and him mentally
to just not get a house now
so he won’t have to worry about that while we’re overseas.
then, we have an option of not having to come back…
so soon?…at all?…permanently?…

so, it’s soothing to our spirit to remember
that we don’t have to buy a house now
– even though i did all that work.

so, if we don’t buy a house in atlanta
we HAVE to go to jordan
– or wherever –
by september (inshAllah)
cause i am SO ready to be out of mama kadiatou’s basement.
i’ve learned a lot living there
– humility, community, patience, perseverance –
but i am SO ready to move on to the next lesson.
nah’mean?
(translation: do you know what i mean?)