17:19 - Monday, Apr. 02, 2007
New House?
[EDITED - April 18th, 2007] -
I removed the pictures of this house as we didn't get it and it was just a waste of space. Read on if you like... we did get another one soon after ;)
I'm totally on the edge of my seat... we put in an offer for a house last night. We find out today... Things move so quickly in this market, you'd better be able to make a decision fast. It's crazy, I mean a big purchase like a house it would be nice if you had a week to think about it, but nope, not here, not now. This one went on the market on Friday, started showing that day, had an opne house on Saturday & they were accepting offers until the deadline of Monday (today) at 6 or 7 in the evening. So yesterday we began shopping. (We went to the bank for pre-approval of a mortgage on Friday). We went to two open houses. One of them, from the pictures on the net looked so awesome, I thought I was going to love it. We got there & realized it sure wasn't what we thought it was & left. But the one we went to before that I totally fell in love with it. I mean it, I was shaking & almost in tears & loved it so much, it is so perfect for us, everything we wanted on our 'checklist' was there. Except one thing, we hoped to have the back yard either facing south or west to get the best & latest sun, this one faces north, but does have a lot of western exposure, so we looked past that since we love being outdoors - blazing sun or not - I mean, I could use a little shade here & there in the Winnipeg summer heat. It'll still be warm enough for the pool, just not too late at night I guess. Oh well, we don't need to spend every evening in the pool, maybe we'll get a little more done whithout soaking in it all summer long like we have in the past couple years. We were going to go to two other houses but decided they were too far away and they didn't seem worth bothering with.
While we were looking at it, Hank seemed to be as interested as me & we talked about what we would do with certain things and I was just so enthused, I thought he was too. But I think this is such a big scary step for him, it is hard for him to think about spending this kind of money, but I am so ready, I have been for more than a year & I am sick of putting it off. We got in the car & I was asking him what he thought & if we could put in an offer & suddenly he got all negative... he said it just wasn't the one but couldn't tell me why. I was getting so annoyed... I mean he acted like he liked it so much & then it suddenly changed, like, okay, fine, if you don't like it, give me reasons so I can understand & move on, but he just couldn't. Finally he said it was about the yard facing that way so I said fine. But then I asked if the house was facing another way would he want to buy it & he said yes. So I said, "that's the only thing that makes you not want it?" and he said yes. I explained that this might be our shot at getting all that we wanted, minus one minor thing and we might regret it if we don't find anything like it again. That we should give it a shot & if we don't get it then it wasn't meant to be... that there was so many pros versus one slight con... that maybe it was a good thing to only be in the pool during the day or the earlier part of the evening or whatever so maybe we might do other things then spend all our time in it & get nothing else accomplished... I guess I had a good argument because he said okay. We called our realtor & he came over. He hadn't seen the inside of the house yet so we went back so he had a better idea of what we should offer. Then he came back to our place & we drew up an offer of $170,000.00. They were asking $149,900.00 but I know they will get lots more for it. I am afraid our bid was too low, but we can always raise it at the end if it looks like we're losing. It might be a bonus that we're offering $50,000.00 down & gave a $5,000.00 deposit & also put no conditions on it.
So... this is the front. Nice big yard in the front, area is nice, houses are all in good shape and trees all up the street. Built in 1954 I think. No fenced front, but that's okay, Frankie can play in the back, thenhe wont be barking at everyone who passes. Big south facing picture window & nice glass screen door tpo let lots of sun in. (Don't worry - there is central air conditioning so I won't boil!) The window on the side is to the master bedroom, a really good size with a large closet. the doors for the closet aren't that big though, you ghave to reach way in to get to the ends, so we'd make that bigger & probably put in mirrored doors. The bedroom is painted a colour that matches our bedding perfectly!
This is the front room. It a bit small, but I like it. It would be the more formal cozy living room with just a few things & a small tv. My getaway I think if Hank's watching wrestling on the big screen or something... ;) The hardwoods you see here are throughout the main floor.
This is the kitchen. I absolutely love it! It is very nicely decorated with new countertops & tile, lots of cupboard & counter space, new double sink over looking the back yard. Dishwasher included and a stove that I am not so sure about - it has the built in grills on top on the side... maybe that's good... I don't know, never used one... but there's always room downstairs for a stove if we put it there & got a new one ... which we thought we'd be buying new appliances anyway, and I'd love to have a secind stove for when we do Christmas or something! (Oh my God I am so turning into my Mother! YIKES!) The fridge is not included but there is room there for a big one. On the left there where you see that table & chairs, we think we would cut a pass-through & put a counter on there (matching the other counters) & have bar stools on either side of it, because the next room is a smaller bedroom which I would turn into a dining room. The lighting design is so neat, and the hardware on the cupboards & drawers are so cute - they are little forks, sppns & knives ;)
This is the basement, well half of it. Behind that red wall is a bathroom, it is small with a toilet & sink but we think eventually we could expand it & put in a shower. On the other side of the longer red wall is the other half of the basement. A huge laundry area with a great big counter pace with built in sink too. I couls tart making wine and/beer! Also there is a big work area, for Hank & his tools etc and then a large are with the freezer, fridge, shelves etc. which could be changed into another bedroom if we wanted in the future & move the freezer down closer to laundry.work area (we do plan to get a freezer).
Oh, I think I forgot to say that there is another bedroom across from the master that is a good size for a spare room (for now... then for kid(s)) as well. I think I would put my computer/desk etc. downstairs.
This is the back yard. All fenced in & private. The double window showing would be the other room which we'd have as a dining room - maybe change that to doors out to the patio... Off the patio there is lots of room on both ends for pool/fire etc. The Garage in back for one car & lots more storage & parking pad for at least two vehicles. Beauty.
We just got word from the realtor that offers are now being taken until 9pm. No callbacks. That means they are not going to call & say they are rejecting the offer & why, giving us a chance to counter. SHIT! I think we're gonna up the offer to $180,000.00! I want it! I need it! I gotsta, gotsta, gotsta have it!!!
Cross your fingers, toes & even your eyes of you can!!!
I'll either be crying tears of joy or sadness tonight, guaranteed!
