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As a realtor with Marx-bensdorf Realtors, Melody Bourell stays current about the local real estate market more than most people. When she decided that she wanted more living space, she knew exactly where she wanted her next home to be — in the same neighborhood where she had been living for the last 16 years.
“I have loved living in Goodwyn Heights,” said Melody. “My street is just down the road from the Memphis Country Club. Not being a major thoroughfare, it doesn’t get a whole lot of traffic, yet it is conveniently located to just about everything that I do. The location is pretty much in the center of town, so no matter where I’m going as a realtor, my drive is never more than 15-20 minutes, either heading east to Germantown or west to Downtown.”
With Melody’s determination to stay in her neighborhood, she patiently waited for the right house to become available. In fact, she took the extra step of connecting with the previous owner’s agent even before her current home was on the market.
“I looked at two houses, both in my neighborhood, over a two-year period,” explained Melody. “At the time, my current house wasn’t for sale. But I knew the agent of the previous owner and he asked that if they ever wanted to sell to let me know. Long story short, they did and we worked it out a year before I purchased my new home.”
Melody had not only lived in the same neighborhood, but actually she had lived on the same street, for 16 years.
“I literally moved catty corner across the street from my adored English Tudor where I had lived previously. I just needed more space.”
Melody paid $299,500 for her 1929 farmhouse-style home, with 3.194 square feet of living space. Her new abode included five bedrooms and three bathrooms, a separate living room and dining room, and a spacious den. Two of the bedrooms and one of the bathrooms were upstairs, making it an ideal space for guests.
“Over the years, previous owners had lovingly preserved the charm and character of the house. I love the historical feel of my tall ceilings, original hardwood floors, and my large (0.61 acres) lot that is filled with mature landscaping. The farmhouse vibe is kicked up a notch with a split-rail fence running across the front of the property.”
When asked if she had made any changes since moving in, Melody explained that she had made major upgrades to the kitchen and to the bathrooms. However, her biggest project has been going on outside in the backyard.
“For the last two months, I’ve been in the process of adding a swimming pool,” explained Melody. “The backyard was nice and level. With its size it was really ideal. Some of my friends had been practically begging me to utilize the space by putting in a pool. And during the COVID pandemic, we started a neighborhood group that meets once a month. We meet at a designated front yard to have a few drinks and appetizers, while maintaining social distance from one another. Now we can better enjoy my backyard, too.”
As for her neighborhood, Melody said, “I love how it feels like a little drop of the country right in the middle of the city! The privacy is hard to replace. In fact, most people don’t know we’re even here. This street has no sidewalks, mature landscaping and a very interesting collection of adorable homes. The people who live here are all diverse, ranging from retirees to working artists and musicians to professionals in the medical field and young professionals just starting their careers. Also, I love that we have very little turnover, meaning most of the homeowners are here for a long time. That kind of continuity helps build a strong sense of community.”