I’ll write more about our weekend later (because man, it’s been a fun one), but forgive me here while I talk about buying a house and hopefully don’t bore anyone to tears.
Last week, Dave and I went house-hunting with our realtor again. I was trying not to panic, but it was looking like we were going to be homeless after July 31st unless we magically found our dream house. On Thursday, Dave had to work, so it was just me and Cara (our realtor friend) looking at houses, and pretty much everything we saw, I hated. A few of them were nice enough houses, but it just wouldn’t have been a good fit for us. Either they were too small, or they didn’t have any trees around (a pet peeve of mine; I hate it when neighborhoods are built and all of the natural foliage is cut down), or there wasn’t a place that we could’ve turned into an office for Dave, or the driveway was too hilly (visions of Catie in a few years learning to ride a bike and wiping out in the street = no thank you). There was always something that made it a no-go. So I was starting to get a little discouraged.
All of us (including Catie) went out house-hunting again on Friday morning. Aaaand now, it looks at though we’ve found not one but two houses that we really, really love. One house is in the perfect neighborhood and location, the yard is gorgeous, but the house itself has a couple of (really minor) features that I’m not crazy about (i.e., the pantry in the kitchen is really small). The second house is absolutely, 100% perfect, but I’m not totally in love with the neighborhood. I mean, it’s really nice, and it has a lot of great features (neighborhood greenway, pool, playground, etc.), the neighborhood just isn’t as aesthetically pretty as the first one. So, hmm, which to choose? Oh, and both houses are pretty much exactly the same price. Way to make the decision even harder.
Want to see them to get a better perspective of what I’m talking about? Of course you do.
This is house number one:
And this is house number two:
I know, right? They’re both really, really pretty.
So, this afternoon we’re meeting up with our realtor again to look at both houses and try to do a side-by-side comparison of them. And as much as I hate making decisions, I’m feeling pretty good about this one, because I’m pretty sure that we’d be happy in either place. So I’m trying to relax and trust that God or the universe or whatever will make sure that we end up exactly where we’re supposed to be. Cross your fingers for us. I’d really like this decision to be made so I can start planning our next steps (like, you know, the actual move).
Although there aren’t that many trees, I still love house number two. It might be my favorite.
Good luck!!!
They are both beautiful! I would go with the HOUSE that is perfect. Neighborhoods change, and you can’t control that.
Plus, I LOVE the brick front on house #2! Good luck, I’m excited for you and your family!
For us, the garage had to be one door only – easier to hub to back the stoopid truck in to 🙂
They’re both beautiful, but speaking from experience, I’d say go with house #2, because the inside is where you’ll be living; the flaws in #1 will be annoying; and neighborhoods change and grow.
p.s. your daughter is sooooooo cute! I don’t think I could say no to that face!
I like #2 cause of the brick, but both look good. I’m glad you found 2 possible places!
WOW! They are both beautiful. What a tough decision you have to make. If I HAD to pick from viewing the outside I think #2 would be my pick, but I LOVE the trees around #1! LOL decisions are not my strong suit!
I like #2, but I think you should def. choose the nicer neigborhood and one with lots of kids.
Glad to see the economy hasn’t affected you much…Guess you’re gonna have to actually work.
Aw, my blog troll is back! Hi Sallyjo/jojo/No Comment/whatever you want to call yourself this time. I actually AM working – see 1st bullet point of the below blog entry. Sure, it’s part-time and I work from home, but I am bringing in money for my household, so I think that counts. Not that I expect you to change whatever incorrect notion you have about me in your head. I know that’d be impossible.
For the rest of y’all: thanks for your input. We’re going to make an offer on house #2. Both neighborhoods are really nice and have tons of kids; and there’s nothing wrong AT ALL with the 2nd neighborhood, we just thought the 1st one was prettier. (And that’s just our taste. I’m sure other people would see both neighborhoods and think otherwise.) But the 2nd house is so. completely. perfect. Seriously, I almost cried while we were walking around it because I love it THAT much. So I feel really good about this, I’m just hoping it works out.
WOW! They’re gorgeous! Good luck with them, I hope it works out. And this totally makes me want to move to the triangle in a few years seeing how you can afford a gorgeous house without going bankrupt there (sweeeet!)
Cara: y’all totally should move here. Pharma companies are all over the place, & there’s about a bajillion universities if you want to go that route. There’s also lots of techie companies here for Scott (I think even MS has a branch office here).
It’s a really attractive option. There are more than a few endowed cancer research chairs there, especially in pharmacoeconomics. 🙂 If we leave Seattle, it’s basically off to Philly or the triangle.
Yep triangle it is. Good choice! See you soon! :-))
It is supposed to be fun, but I hate house hunting. So much pressure and so many variables.
I love our house, but once in a while I pass one of the final three and wonder “what if?” Good luck and I’m glad your house hunting and not us!
Shari: I hate it too. I mean, I love looking at floor plans and making snarky comments about the questionable decorating taste of strangers, but the whole “making a decision that will affect you & your family for the next lord-knows-how-many years”? Yeah, that’s a bit too much pressure.