Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
My house
I know I mentioned that I bought a house, but I haven't really given you much more than that. In a word, it's perfect.
I'll start from the beginning. I began looking for houses seriously about a year ago. At first I was set on living in the little neighborhood that I had my rental in, Five Points. Five Points is this cool mix of redone bungalows, as well as some newer construction and is close to downtown. I soon discovered that the houses there were INSANE pricewise. Like $350,000 for a 900 square foot house. I convinced myself that I would be fine living in a tiny house and that I just loved the neighborhood, but my mom told me I really could get a lot more money for my house living somewhere else.
So, I started looking near North Hills (for you locals, the OTB aka affordable part, not ITB) and found a house that I really liked around September. I made an offer and the owner basically went MIA. Buying a house is stressful, but not hearing back is even more stressful. Those were a long couple of weeks of very little response and I ended up giving up.
From there, I mostly looked in that same North Hills neighborhood. Apparently the neighborhood is becoming very popular because things started going after only a few hours of being on the market. I considered put an offer on several houses that I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T PUT AN OFFER ON now at the time, just to get in the neighborhood and get something.
In March, I went to see a house on my lunch break with my (amazing) real estate agent Tim. I really wasn't expecting much, as it didn't look like the houses I had been looking at really. Most of the things I was looking at were small ranches and this was a "split foyer." For those of you who don't know what a split foyer is, I didn't either. Basically, it's a form of split level where the front door opens to the foyer and you immediately go up or down the stairs. I'd say it functions more like a two story than a split level. It was also four bedrooms, which is way more than I was planning on.
I ended up loving the house. It wasn't that everything was perfect (example: it has three bathrooms, but only one shower), but I totally felt a connection (too much?) and saw myself living there. My parents ended up coming that night to look at it and I made an offer immediately. Negotiations were (relatively) painless and the offer was accepted a couple of days later.
I've been in the house about five weeks now and I love it more every day. My childhood home (my mom's current house) is the only place that's ever truly felt like home and now this house does. I still have tons to do, but it gives me the best feeling coming home at the end of the day to that beautiful place that I can call my own.
I am trying not to pressure myself to have art on every wall or everything perfect just yet, because I really want every piece to be something I'm in love with, not something I just stuck on a wall to have something there. I'll share pictures soon! :)
I'll start from the beginning. I began looking for houses seriously about a year ago. At first I was set on living in the little neighborhood that I had my rental in, Five Points. Five Points is this cool mix of redone bungalows, as well as some newer construction and is close to downtown. I soon discovered that the houses there were INSANE pricewise. Like $350,000 for a 900 square foot house. I convinced myself that I would be fine living in a tiny house and that I just loved the neighborhood, but my mom told me I really could get a lot more money for my house living somewhere else.
So, I started looking near North Hills (for you locals, the OTB aka affordable part, not ITB) and found a house that I really liked around September. I made an offer and the owner basically went MIA. Buying a house is stressful, but not hearing back is even more stressful. Those were a long couple of weeks of very little response and I ended up giving up.
From there, I mostly looked in that same North Hills neighborhood. Apparently the neighborhood is becoming very popular because things started going after only a few hours of being on the market. I considered put an offer on several houses that I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T PUT AN OFFER ON now at the time, just to get in the neighborhood and get something.
In March, I went to see a house on my lunch break with my (amazing) real estate agent Tim. I really wasn't expecting much, as it didn't look like the houses I had been looking at really. Most of the things I was looking at were small ranches and this was a "split foyer." For those of you who don't know what a split foyer is, I didn't either. Basically, it's a form of split level where the front door opens to the foyer and you immediately go up or down the stairs. I'd say it functions more like a two story than a split level. It was also four bedrooms, which is way more than I was planning on.
I ended up loving the house. It wasn't that everything was perfect (example: it has three bathrooms, but only one shower), but I totally felt a connection (too much?) and saw myself living there. My parents ended up coming that night to look at it and I made an offer immediately. Negotiations were (relatively) painless and the offer was accepted a couple of days later.
I've been in the house about five weeks now and I love it more every day. My childhood home (my mom's current house) is the only place that's ever truly felt like home and now this house does. I still have tons to do, but it gives me the best feeling coming home at the end of the day to that beautiful place that I can call my own.
I am trying not to pressure myself to have art on every wall or everything perfect just yet, because I really want every piece to be something I'm in love with, not something I just stuck on a wall to have something there. I'll share pictures soon! :)
Monday, June 2, 2014
Catching Up
Time for an update. Way overdue, per usual. Here are some random thoughts, in no particular order and most of no particular importance.
- Two of my best friends, Ryan and Micaela, got married this weekend. The wedding was the perfect combination of both of them and we had an amazing time. I love love.
- I like iced coffee! I'm not really a huge coffee fan, but yesterday morning (after Saturday night's festivities) people were getting them so I joined in. Um, yum!
- I'm really happy and grateful lately. I have some amazing people in my life, I adore my house... I just am really blessed!
- I need to get back on the healthy eating train this week. Between Memorial Day and the wedding, way too much indulgence has been happening. Still debating a juice cleanse.
- The second season of Orange is the New Black comes out on Friday. Sooo, that's what I'll be doing all weekend.
- Speaking of the weekend, I know it's only Monday, but I'm counting down already. I'm looking forward to a weekend of absolutely no plans. Orange, the pool, grilling, decorating the house, some good runs... perfect!!
- Next post: random pictures!
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