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A major decision
Any sensible person would balk at whirlingbetty's latest scheme. But to quote a dear late friend, Gloria B, "I am NOT a sensible woman!" The above house is located in the heart of betty's target neighborhood. It has a stone front, as you see, and......
the rest is brick. Very solid brick. The house is an antique, built in 1890. I guarantee that the "McMansions" being built today will not exist 118 years from now.
Betty was not focused on being a good photographer that day, but here's a bit of a view of the first floor. The house was recently renovated, turning it back into its single family state after a stint as a two family. I don't know much about the person making the renovation decisions except that he/she has boring taste. Everything is white or some variation thereof.
At least everything is new. I like the idea of a new Victorian!
That's why I've cooked up a plan to pay cash for the house. Yes, it involves messy things that I normally avoid, like home equity loans and taking an early dispersment of my IRA, but hey, I'll end up with no mortgage, living in the hip, slick and cool urban neighborhood I've been coveting. Across the street is a grocery, a drugstore, a video rental, and restaurants. Yep, it's whirlingbettyland, part 2.
This is the view from one of the upstairs windows. The yard has a huge oak probably as old as the house, and just beyond that you can see my favorite park in this city- a charming urban gathering place with a lake which hosts concerts and festivals each year. The Child's school is within walking distance, and there's a fenced yard for the Chihuahua. Let's see if things work out.......
Any sensible person would balk at whirlingbetty's latest scheme. But to quote a dear late friend, Gloria B, "I am NOT a sensible woman!" The above house is located in the heart of betty's target neighborhood. It has a stone front, as you see, and......
the rest is brick. Very solid brick. The house is an antique, built in 1890. I guarantee that the "McMansions" being built today will not exist 118 years from now.
Betty was not focused on being a good photographer that day, but here's a bit of a view of the first floor. The house was recently renovated, turning it back into its single family state after a stint as a two family. I don't know much about the person making the renovation decisions except that he/she has boring taste. Everything is white or some variation thereof.
At least everything is new. I like the idea of a new Victorian!
That's why I've cooked up a plan to pay cash for the house. Yes, it involves messy things that I normally avoid, like home equity loans and taking an early dispersment of my IRA, but hey, I'll end up with no mortgage, living in the hip, slick and cool urban neighborhood I've been coveting. Across the street is a grocery, a drugstore, a video rental, and restaurants. Yep, it's whirlingbettyland, part 2.
This is the view from one of the upstairs windows. The yard has a huge oak probably as old as the house, and just beyond that you can see my favorite park in this city- a charming urban gathering place with a lake which hosts concerts and festivals each year. The Child's school is within walking distance, and there's a fenced yard for the Chihuahua. Let's see if things work out.......
18 comments:
Oh how exciting for you and your son! The house looks beautiful! Good luck!
Little hesitant to comment since you posted this on April 1. April Fool?
Looks like a wonderful location but don't underestimate the amount of effort to keep up a home that size. It looks like a home with character though. I still miss my childhood home which was a big old house with character. It was one of the sadder days of my life when my parents moved, even though I was in my forties when they did.
Dear My Kids Mom,
Yep, it's exciting, and I've been so busy with work lately that I'm having a hard time grasping this. I just hope I don't end up losing the hosue because of being too busy to take the necessary steps in time!
Hugs,
Betty
Dear Big Dave,
That's really weird! I didn't post this on April 1- I posted today, yet the date shows as April1! This is freaking me out just a bit.
You know, I've never lived in a large house, but I've always wanted to. If it works out, I hope my son someday feels about this house the way you did about your parents' house.
Hugs,
Betty
Betty I say follow your heart and do it! I love the house from what I can see. Absolutely love it.
Dear Patti,
Thank you for your enthusiastic approval! Nobody likes to make a decision like this in isolation, so I thought maybe I'd use my blog....
Well, it's a bad time for this to be going on because I'm extremely busy at work and have almost no free time. How do you buy a house when you don't have time? If it's meant to work out, it will.
OH MAN! Such a perty place.
Go for it! That is just the best
thing.
I wish you the best with it. Hey
when you get it you can change all
the colors. That would be so fun!
What a beautiful house! AS long as it is well insulated, I'd be making the same decision. A friend bought an older house like that, and it turned out to be drafty, so it was soon re-sold! But it looks wonderful!
I love older houses. They seem to have character than new ones (the McMansions or McShacks) will ever be able to have. They are also usually more solid (obviously!!) and interesting.
Good luck, Betty! I can see you in it already! :)
BTW, "boring white" can be easily revved up to anything you want! :D
Dear Laurie,
Yeah, I could really have a ball with a coloring project in that house! You know, the ceilings are kind of high....I'd have to invest in a ladder.
Hugs,
Betty
Dear Lynilu,
Good point- I'll have to have the insulation checked out. I did notice that in the attic, which is a very usable space but not exactly finished, there didn't seem to be any insulation! I thought I could actually see sky in one spot....
Yep, it already has character, and you can just imagine what it'll look like after I whirl a few colors around in there!
Hugs,
Betty
How exciting and fun!!! I like what I have seen. Sending you lots of luck on getting what you want.
Dear Daisy,
Thank you for the luck! I'm going to be needing a lot of that, I think, but I'm willing to let go of it if things don't fall into place.
Hugs,
Betty
Hows your sister? Your job? I have been thinking of you and your sister and sending prayers. :-)
Dear My Kids Mom,
Thanks for the prayers! My sister is definitely not feeling well. Since they can't operate, they started chemo, and she's not taking it well. She can't talk, and doesn't feel like doing anything or having visitors. Honestly, I can't even imagine what she's going through.
And with my job, we're still in limbo, but April is supposed to be the critical month. The house is a distraction, but it seems weird to think of moving at a time like this!
Hugs,
Betty
Remember how badly you wanted that one last year and it slipped through your fingers? Well, perhaps God was saving you for this very one. If this too slips through the cracks, remember--- God has everything under control! The rest of us can say a little prayer for you and the boy.
Very happy for you, Betty. You've been wanting to move to a 'new' house in that part of town for a while. Good for you for holding onto your dream and then making it come true.
Hope you and Boy have many happy experiences there !
p.s. DEFINITELY insulate the attic ! Use the best thickness you can find - even if it is overkill, it'll help on your heating and cooling bills later on !
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