Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
The hunt continues
9Jul2007 Filed under: HomelyWe didn’t get the first property we bid on, which was an amazing 1920s conversion with an attic bedroom, vaulted ceilings, and skylights that went for a whopping $50k over the asking price. (Holy hell!) We’ll be going out again this weekend, and after looking at the listings that match the general idea of what we’re looking for, I’m noticing some trends in wrongness:
1. Newish townhomes that are the right size, but so bland that I feel like I’m falling into a black hole of beige walls and vinyl siding. Also: carpeting.
2. Adorable old conversions with hardwood floors and clawfoot tubs that are so tiny that we’d have to stick the dog in an antique-knobbed cabinet when guests came over. And guests could only come over in pairs, and they’d need to have very short legs.
3. Affected super-mod lofts with no grass or trees nearby and square footage that doesn’t justify the price. Dre is dreaming of 16″ ceilings to hang his aerial stuff from, but the costs are insane.
Luckily, we’re in no hurry … we have the time to sniff around and see what comes up.
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7 Responses to “The hunt continues”
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Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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Té la mà Maria
July 10th, 2007 at 6:55 am
We have entered casually and have remained awhile, congratulations. Regards from Catalonia - Spain
Lola
July 10th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I’ve always wondered why townhomes and not townhouses. Is it a regionalism? A real estate agent affectation?
lily
July 10th, 2007 at 8:53 am
I am sending you good vibes to find the perfect…home.
Phyllis
July 10th, 2007 at 9:42 am
The fact that you’re not in a hurry will work in your favor! I’m basing that prediction on my own experience, of course (as many people do with real estate advice/encouragement). Josh and I looked for 6 mos. We have a place we’re really happy with now. We put in a lot of time on our weekends, and made 5 offers. We were able to do all that b/c we weren’t in a rush, and I think it helped in the end! I can tell you about it more later if you want. . . . I know you’ve been through this, but sometimes it can be helpful to hear about others’ recent experiences. Then again, sometimes it’s just a dang BORE! It’ll be fun to have you closer in and I’ll look forward to meeting at Remedy! CU–very soon!
Krissa
July 10th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Good vibes and all from me, since we also just did the Buy An Apartment thing (who in New York can afford a HOUSE?) but what I really want to say is, DAMN, Dre does that stuff? The aerial stuff?
Where are the pictures? I want to see!
el
July 10th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Ok..my advice? Not that you asked for it…
You and your hubby sit down with a piece of paper. Make a list of all the things you want and draw a picture of the place you envision complete with trees outside and dogdoor (or whatever).
Works every time.
Leah
July 17th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Having just been through this ourselves, my advice is to be prepared to jump on something (which it sounds like you are since you’ve already made an offer). We’d planned to sniff around for six months before buying, and therefore didn’t have our loan docs or credit in order, and then BAM, we found The House, and lo, it was very stressful.
Good luck!!!