What would you do with $17,000? Your first reaction would probably be to buy a new car, go shopping or maybe take a much needed vacation, or maybe you’d put the money away into a savings account. However, one 15-year-old high school student chose to invest her inheritance on a piece of Atlanta real estate.

Lauren Rasmus, a freshman at Riverwood High School, closed on her new-to-her home on Wednesday. She purchased a 1,200 square foot duplex on White Street in the west end of Atlanta for just a mere $17,000. Rasmus plans to renovate the home and then rent it out. She will also be working with Georgia Tech students to make the home more eco-friendly.

With the housing market on its way up, now is the time to buy while prices and interest rates are still low. Buying a home has become more affordable than ever, and right now, mortgage payments are often lower than the cost of renting. Still, it’s not every day you see a high school student making the wise investment choice of investing in real estate instead of buying the latest piece of technology.

If you’re interested in scooping up a great piece of Atlanta real estate at an affordable price, be sure to check out all of foreclosure homes and remodeling opportunities on our site.