January 3, 2013
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On the Home Front.
As we get closer to going home to find a house, Jamie and I have been looking on various real estate websites, daily. A few of the houses that I really liked are now moved to pending sale, and we’ve come across a few that we want to look at, that weren’t available the last time I did a post like this. The little cottage house that I really liked, from the last post…that went to pending sale last night. I was REALLY disappointed…there was something about that house that really appealed to me. But, guess it wasn’t meant to be. However, there are a few other houses that have moved to the top of my list, which I wanted to share with you and get your opinions on! These are in no particular order, we like them all:
Option 1: Washington Street - The Washington house is a ranch, which is nice because my knees are crap and having to go up and down stairs all the time isn’t the best thing for them (though, if we were to find a 2-story house we loved, we wouldn’t let my knees stop us from buying it). The neighborhood is very good, established, and full of character (no cookie cutter houses here). It’s in a good school district, though I think we’ll put our kids into a Montessori school, so school districts are slightly less of concern. Regarding the house itself, we really like how it will require very little work. The kitchen looks good, and has granite countertops (which I actually didn’t want, but since they’re already installed, I’m not going to rip them out), and we LOVE the exposed brick walls in the kitchen/living room. It would need painted on the inside, as I’m not too in love with the colors, but otherwise, it’s pretty much live-in ready!
Option 2: Bitterwood Court - The house on Bitterwood is in one of the best neighborhoods in town (also one of the most espensive, which sucks). HOA fees would be added on top of the price, which is already more than I want to spend (though not more than our budget…I’m just cheap). I do like the house, however, though it is larger than I’d prefer. The kitchen would need upgraded (mainly countertops, and I might paint the cabinets). The backyard is heavily wooded, which I absolutely love. Based on the photos provided on the website, I don’t really follow the “flow” of the house, but everything looks ok. I’d have to see how the master bedroom/bath work out, and determine if any flooring needs removed (not a fan of linoleum, would want tile in those places). Plus, there would be a LOT of painting required (and please god, remove the awful wallpaper border in some of the rooms…who uses border anymore?!). Otherwise, totally liveable…mostly cosmetic changes, which is nice. Main selling points for this place is the location, the wooded backyard, and it has lots of room to entertain.
Option 3: Countryside Court - This house probably needs the most “work”, but it’s also the least expensive of the three. We’d need to replace the fireplace, and probably get new cabinets/countertops for the kitchen. Also, depending on the condition of the flooring, we might need to replace carpeting/flooring throughout. It’s not too big of a deal, as it would allow me to put in hardwood flooring and tile in the place, which I would prefer. It also has a fairly wooded back yard, which is nice. I’m not sure if the master bathroom is ensuite or not, but I’ll find out when we tour the place. This place would probably give us the most opportunity to really go in and make it “our house” when compared with the other two options above. We did a quick estimate (based only on the website’s photos), and felt that we’d probably put in another $20k in upgrades/cosmetic changes, which would put this option more closely aligned, in price, with the other two. Still well within our budget, which is good.
So, there are our top three (at the moment). Thoughts??? Which one do you like best, and why?
XOXOXO,
K.
Comments (14)
I’m more drawn to house 1 because I ADORE ranch style houses. All three look like great contenders though. Seeing them in person will clear it right up, I’m sure. How fun!!! My house hunting trip was weird because I bought the first house I toured and I toured it on a whim, not thinking I would actually buy! I ended up looking at a few more just to be sure but when you know, you know!
@PennyLumpkins - Exactly! I am really hoping that we have a “this is it!” moment once we tour them. We have a few more on the list we’d like to see, but these seem to be our top choices. I’m still sad the little cottage one is sale pending, but that’s life! I definitely like the ranch, especially because a) no stairs, and b) the exposed brick! I LOVE exposed brick! I’ll definitely be taking more photos, so I’ll update once I get back home!
It’s funny you mention borders. Did you know they are actually coming back into style?? UGH! I like #3 the best. Even though you said it needs a lot of work, it’s beautiful. I love the living room layout. I could see you in that one. Actually, i could see you in the first one as well. I don’t know why #2 is my least favorite….it just is…LOL. I think you have 3 great options though! And even though there’s a pending sale on that cottage style home, you never know….it still could fall through. I know you don’t want to get your hopes up though, so i’m glad you’re moving on. I wish you the best of luck!!
@ShamrockLover - Thanks! Yeah, the sale could fall through, but I don’t want to get my hopes up over it, so I’m just going on as though it has sold. The three here are good choices, even though they need some work, but totally doable! I’m excited to go back to Indiana…even though it’s only for a week!
I also like #3 the best! And they have a wood stove to heat it up for the winter
GL and I can’t wait to see what you get!
@Mad_Wife - The wood stove would actually go if we bought that house. We’d replace it with a built in fireplace. I do like that house a lot, and like the idea of being able to really make it our home. Hopefully it looks good in person!
I like all three of them! They all have great potential. I must say I absolutely live exposed brick and it is hard to find. Honestly I say go with the neighborhood-where your children will have friends. I have so many friends that ended up moving after kids into neighborhoods with young families to be around people in the same stage of life. Just something to consider.
I like #3 i like the fix me up kinds that way you can put your own style into what you like:)
Well I’ll be the odd duck. I love #2. But that’s just me. I’m a fan of the heavy wooded backyard.
or #3 for the kitchen/living lay out.
I think you need to weigh the pro and cons of each house and which one fits you and your potentially growing family best. based on what you wrote, I think the first option probably fits you best. good luck.
@JM_in_SC - I know, isn’t exposed brick so nice!! Yeah, we’ll definitely be looking around the neighborhood to see what sort of age range the neighbors are…I’m just unfamiliar with the area (I only lived there for a few years before we moved here…and on the other side of town from where most of these houses are). Hopefully there are lots of younger families!
@HisDownAzzChick - I think that’s what I’m most excited about…really making the place “ours.” I can’t wait to see what #3 looks like in person, because I am terrible at visualizing from a photo!
@bittersweetjaded - I’ll be sure to take photos and email them to you while I’m there…I can’t wait to see them in person!
@heckels - Thanks! I’m sure Jamie will have a spreadsheet of pros/cons for each place. It’ll be a hard decision, I think! I really just want to be finished with the search, and move on to the next bit! I’m impatient.