Hope I am not speaking too soon
It's not ours yet. But I had to share some things that hit me about this particular home. One thing.
We have been looking for a home with a level lot. This one is sloped and levels out. As we approached the city where we'll be moving, we noticed an increase of snow on the ground. Roads were clear, but there was a definite dusting. When we got into neighborhoods, snowmen were standing tall. Even though most of the snow had melted by early afternoon, proof remained.
We walked through this particular home. The layout is practical. Not overly open, butWe had seen it 2 weeks before, liked it ok, but questioned if the sellers would negotiate. We'd been through making an offer and walking away once so far.
This time I began to see myself and my family there. Holding our hands as we walked down the steps from the deck to the back yard. The kiddos ran down the hill to the level part of the backyard with sheer glee. Freedom. As though they hadn't run like that in years. (They have, don't worry, but usually it's tormenting the neighbors below.)
And I had flashbacks. Memories of being close to my daughter's age, rolling down a similar hill in the first neighborhood that I remember. Sledding down that hill in the snow. Building a muscular snowman in the front yard and snow forts in the bank in the backyard. And igloos.
So, the snow is rather infrequent and will probably never hit the amounts I saw during those early years of my life. But when the occasional winter storm hits, I'll be ready. Ready to take pictures of my children playing in the snow and tumbling down that hill. I may even buy a sled on clearance at the end of this winter so we'll be prepared. If there are any left.
Assuming we get this place, of course.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
If the dress could talk
There was a little something unexpected hanging in one of the closets in the home we've put an offer on. A wedding dress. My guess is 70's era, it is long sleeved but reminds me a little of my Mom's. It's in a clear plastic covering, and angled almost as though it's a good luck charm, a superstition of sorts.
You see, most everything else in the house has been removed, besides some odds and ends. It doesn't make sense that something so special would be left behind forever. Unless, of course divorce was the culprit of the house sale, but we know that the family has relocated.
We also know that the sellers are the original owners. They have taken care to prepare what was their home for eighteen years by updating the kitchen and laying hardwood floors throughout. There are hints about their interests practically within the walls. One bedroom has built in bookshelves, and flourescent lights, as though it was used as an office, or perhaps a craft or sewing room. The basement is very utilitarian. Industrial tiled floor and cabinets indicate somebody was a handyman. Before you get to the former workshop, their are built in bookcases at the bottom of the steps into the basement. There's a country-ish wallpapered bathroom down there as well. Dated, perhaps, but in conjunction with the weathered bench out front and the rabbit figurines in the flowerbed, the fall themed flag hanging above the garage.... this was someone's home. For a long time.
I remember being offended at the first offer we received on our first home. We countered and eventually closed the deal. I remember saying goodbye that last time, to the place where I returned after my babies were born, the neighborhood where family, neighbors, and church family welcomed them and encouraged me while I faced the first few weeks of parenthood with my husband several hundred miles away. I remember planting daffodil bulbs and rose bushes, digging my flowerbed around the mailbox. My first neighborhood was filled with friends who saw us grow from being newlyweds to parents. It saddens me to think that my daughter already only remembers bits and pieces about her first home and its surrounding community..
If that dress could talk, would it tell stories of the children whose feet grew from pitter patters to stomps as they went up and down the stairs and down the long upstairs hallway? Would it recount conversations about plans to install those built in bookcases, arguments, perhaps, about what project to tackle next? Tears as children were sent off to college somewhere? Family holidays in the dining room and kitchen area with that big island. Where did they play monopoly or cards? Was there a piano in the living room where I hope to place my grandmother's piano?
I know I should not get attached yet. I know that it is entirely possible that we may go through all this negotiating and walk away empty handed.
How can you put a price on memories? On a home that has experienced all the love and changes, on walls that have so many stories they could tell if they could even speak. Just a house, to some.
They were surprised by our "low" offer, surely, I hope not insulted, though as I think about it I would not be surprised if they were. We did our research and tried to be fair based on comps, etc... We have our budget, we have saved in hopes of finally purchasing a home that we can stay in for a long time, and we had to remain objective in the process of formulating an offer.
However, that aged wedding dress which has been hung with care reminds me that once upon a time a young family built their dream home, then stayed for a long while, unlike so many of us who have had to be more transient. I hope that negotiations will succeed, and we'll get the chance to make as many priceless memories there as surrounded that dress.
There was a little something unexpected hanging in one of the closets in the home we've put an offer on. A wedding dress. My guess is 70's era, it is long sleeved but reminds me a little of my Mom's. It's in a clear plastic covering, and angled almost as though it's a good luck charm, a superstition of sorts.
You see, most everything else in the house has been removed, besides some odds and ends. It doesn't make sense that something so special would be left behind forever. Unless, of course divorce was the culprit of the house sale, but we know that the family has relocated.
We also know that the sellers are the original owners. They have taken care to prepare what was their home for eighteen years by updating the kitchen and laying hardwood floors throughout. There are hints about their interests practically within the walls. One bedroom has built in bookshelves, and flourescent lights, as though it was used as an office, or perhaps a craft or sewing room. The basement is very utilitarian. Industrial tiled floor and cabinets indicate somebody was a handyman. Before you get to the former workshop, their are built in bookcases at the bottom of the steps into the basement. There's a country-ish wallpapered bathroom down there as well. Dated, perhaps, but in conjunction with the weathered bench out front and the rabbit figurines in the flowerbed, the fall themed flag hanging above the garage.... this was someone's home. For a long time.
I remember being offended at the first offer we received on our first home. We countered and eventually closed the deal. I remember saying goodbye that last time, to the place where I returned after my babies were born, the neighborhood where family, neighbors, and church family welcomed them and encouraged me while I faced the first few weeks of parenthood with my husband several hundred miles away. I remember planting daffodil bulbs and rose bushes, digging my flowerbed around the mailbox. My first neighborhood was filled with friends who saw us grow from being newlyweds to parents. It saddens me to think that my daughter already only remembers bits and pieces about her first home and its surrounding community..
If that dress could talk, would it tell stories of the children whose feet grew from pitter patters to stomps as they went up and down the stairs and down the long upstairs hallway? Would it recount conversations about plans to install those built in bookcases, arguments, perhaps, about what project to tackle next? Tears as children were sent off to college somewhere? Family holidays in the dining room and kitchen area with that big island. Where did they play monopoly or cards? Was there a piano in the living room where I hope to place my grandmother's piano?
I know I should not get attached yet. I know that it is entirely possible that we may go through all this negotiating and walk away empty handed.
How can you put a price on memories? On a home that has experienced all the love and changes, on walls that have so many stories they could tell if they could even speak. Just a house, to some.
They were surprised by our "low" offer, surely, I hope not insulted, though as I think about it I would not be surprised if they were. We did our research and tried to be fair based on comps, etc... We have our budget, we have saved in hopes of finally purchasing a home that we can stay in for a long time, and we had to remain objective in the process of formulating an offer.
However, that aged wedding dress which has been hung with care reminds me that once upon a time a young family built their dream home, then stayed for a long while, unlike so many of us who have had to be more transient. I hope that negotiations will succeed, and we'll get the chance to make as many priceless memories there as surrounded that dress.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Pardon my rant
We've had people suggest we can "just rent" until we find that perfect home for us 5 hours away. I agree, sort of. At least, to their face. (We've been looking since October, it's not like we just started this house hunt.) What I really want to say, is a little bit more like this:
Are you volunteering to pack and move our stuff or pay for the expense twice? This is not a company paid move. It comes out of our saving account and takes away from the amount we could invest into a home. You are welcome to come bring a team of movers or finance both gigs if you would like, but I am not doing this twice if I can help it. Furthermore, packing with a 5 year old and 2 year old is not easy.
Have you been living in temporary housing situations with half the personal space you are used to for a year and a half? No? Then don't tell me I should continue doing so. Unless you've been living in barracks and fighting for our freedom, or you too have been in an uncomfortable place with unrealistic morons who moved in below you and expect your children to sit still and not play because they are too loud, you really don't have a right to tell me that looking for another apartment is the best choice. Although I will miss the maintenance help. (Our previous neighbor, who relocated across the country, never called to management to complain, so we can't be THAT loud. Perhaps she is just a saint.)
The reality is that if we don't find a house that suits us, we will figure it out, we may rent a house or condo without neighbors above or below. Because buying a home is a huge investment, and one we do want to be confident in. But really, people, especially those who don't know us well, it's not as simple and practical as it sounds. So keep your "sound" advice to yourself unless it's requested.
I had to vent a little bit. Don't take it personally any more than you would want me to take your well meaning advice as an insult to my intelligence.
We've had people suggest we can "just rent" until we find that perfect home for us 5 hours away. I agree, sort of. At least, to their face. (We've been looking since October, it's not like we just started this house hunt.) What I really want to say, is a little bit more like this:
Are you volunteering to pack and move our stuff or pay for the expense twice? This is not a company paid move. It comes out of our saving account and takes away from the amount we could invest into a home. You are welcome to come bring a team of movers or finance both gigs if you would like, but I am not doing this twice if I can help it. Furthermore, packing with a 5 year old and 2 year old is not easy.
Have you been living in temporary housing situations with half the personal space you are used to for a year and a half? No? Then don't tell me I should continue doing so. Unless you've been living in barracks and fighting for our freedom, or you too have been in an uncomfortable place with unrealistic morons who moved in below you and expect your children to sit still and not play because they are too loud, you really don't have a right to tell me that looking for another apartment is the best choice. Although I will miss the maintenance help. (Our previous neighbor, who relocated across the country, never called to management to complain, so we can't be THAT loud. Perhaps she is just a saint.)
The reality is that if we don't find a house that suits us, we will figure it out, we may rent a house or condo without neighbors above or below. Because buying a home is a huge investment, and one we do want to be confident in. But really, people, especially those who don't know us well, it's not as simple and practical as it sounds. So keep your "sound" advice to yourself unless it's requested.
I had to vent a little bit. Don't take it personally any more than you would want me to take your well meaning advice as an insult to my intelligence.
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