Home again, home again…
I’m back but I’m still waiting for the pictures that the photographer took of my sister’s house so I can share them with you but let me tell you — it looks awesome!
I was there for one day short of two weeks and worked every single day. We did go shopping one day and to the beach for a few hours a couple times too, but it was mostly work.
I’m totally ok with that, that’s why I went.
My sister was in over her head trying to get her house on the market and had hired help that ended up creating more work…
I’ve been there!
I just finished “being there” on my own house so I knew what she was going through and went to help her out.
Working so hard on house projects so soon after …working so hard on house projects, made me realize that I am ready to NOT work so hard on a house.
I decided that I wanted to buy a nice new house that didn’t need a whole lot of tearing up and remodeling. Built ins and decorating- yes! Tearing out walls, replacing flooring, and every other thing in the house – not so much.
So, we made an offer on the one house that fit the bill (mostly) when I got back yesterday.
The seller came back without budging (hardly) so we walked away.
Now I’m back to looking at total fixer uppers, which are plentiful in this area!
I’m not super excited about taking on a complete home remodel again but it looks like that is what we are going to have to do.
I’ve never, in all my years of buying houses, seen such a poor excuse for options.
At this point, we have to give up on at least one of the things on our list that was a MUST have for our future house.
I can have a house with 9′ ceilings and literally no yard,
or I can have a house with 8′ ceilings with a great yard!
I think we can live with 8′ ceilings for a few years because I know I can make every other aspect of the house super cute and functional and awesome!
The thing I’m worried about is resale…
What would you do?
I would agree and say that for most people who aren’t 7 feet tall the ceiling height isn’t an issue. For me the yard would be an absolute must.
Hopefully one day soon you’ll check the listings and find a home with the perfect balance of everything! (It could happen!)
Keeping our fingers crossed that you are right.
I know you say that you don’t want to have to work too hard, but I remember someone around here talking about how bored and out of sorts she felt because she didn’t have a project. I know how you feel because I am always saying that I don’t want to take on too much, but then I get so excited about the project that lands in my lap that I take things on anyway. I say, go for it!
Oh, and p.s., we bought a new home a few years ago, and we have had more problems with it than if we had bought a “used” home (like replacing all our rotting subfloor upstairs). So, new doesn’t promise less work.
Hahaha! That is so true, I did just complain about that a few weeks ago. Of course I’d do lots of projects no matter what home we buy, I was just hoping not to be digging in to the kind that leave the entire house in upheaval and me tired and sore every day. Oh well, at least I’ll have purpose! 🙂
And my goodness, you’re brand new home has rotting subfloors? I hope you got an awesome deal on it or that you have a builder’s warrantee. That sounds like a nightmare. Just goes to show that you never know what you’re getting into when you buy a house!
Sometimes, you just have to plug you’re nose–and jump in! 🙂
We certainly did that (the plugging our noses part)!
Yup, all the subfloors in our upstairs were rotted out, so we have already replaced all the ones in the rooms and hall, but we still have the bathrooms to go. They are more stable because of the prep work for the tile, though. We did all the work ourselves when our son was under a year. Not the most exciting adventure!
I know you will find the perfect house for you and your family, though! I can’t wait to see pictures. Good luck! There are lots of us out here thinking about you and sending you good house vibes!
I appreciate the good vibes. Totally need them!
I grew up in a turn-of-the-century house (in a city) with 9-foot ceilings. I live now in a suburban house with double the square-footage and 8-foot ceilings. To be honest, other than being to low for ceiling fans, I’m happier with the lower ceilings.
The 8-foot ceiling is the standard and has no appreciable effect on resale, at least here in the northeast. In fact, other than gorgeous Victorians, the “McMansion” has a much larger resale value and appreciation potential.
When it comes to ceiling heights, I’d be more concerned with the basement. A 12-course basement allows finishing off the space. A 10-course basement is doomed to forever be utilities and storage.
The value of a yard depends on the buyer. Some will see it as an asset, while others only see the work involved as a drain on their spare time and will avoid it, no matter how gorgeous. Except “McMansions”… where the buyer will pay a landscape company to take care of it for the status of having a gorgeous yard.
Also, figure out what the market in your area wants before sinking too much money into renovation. For example, my real-estate agent aunt (in NJ) told us that hardwood floors didn’t add any value. Maybe not in NJ, but in our market they’re very important and highly sought-after.
I will definitely consider local trends before making any changes (if that’s the way we go).
We’ve always had 9′ ceilings on our “must have” list because my husband is quite tall and this would be the first time we compromised on that but it’s good to know that it is not as big a deal to most as it is to us. We’ll deal with it.
Thanks for all your great advice.
Yeah, I understand this. I wanted 9 foot ceilings but we have 8 foot ceilings here. We still live a nice life 😉
The yard thing is important, it sounds like. And the “potential to be awesome” sounds awesome. 🙂
I look forward to your adventures. I’m kinda hoping you get a fixer-upper because I like to see what you do.
Dixie
I’m trying hard not to but I do keep thinking, “And then I’ll have plenty of projects to blog about…” 🙂
Definitely go for the house with a great yard and 8′ ceilings. When I was a Realtor I never once had a buyer worried about ceilings, however, they were all worried about location and yard. I live in a house with 9-10′ ceilings so I definitely see why they are desirous, but I don’t know that it would be harder to sell a house with 8′ ceilings. IMHO……When it all comes down to it, go with your gut. If you don’t get the warm fuzzy about the houses just keep waiting. Good luck and thank you for your wonderful inspiration on your blog!
The problem is that my gut is just so confused! Thanks for the great advice Anna. I think we’re all feeling pretty good about the yard and ok with the ceilings.