Today we are headed back home to pack, clean, finish up and share a few projects with you from our current home. And then say goodbye to it. That will be hard. When we first made the decision to move, even if I knew it was the right decision, it was difficult to hold back the tears. Although I am certain I'll still be carrying around a box of kleenex on closing day, finding a new house to love has eased the pain in a major way. Yes! In one week, we got pre-approved for a loan, toured 12 houses, put an offer on one, countered a counter offer and found ourselves under contract with a home that we absolutely love on a street that is nothing short of dreamy.
The above image is actually taken right from Google Maps, and it makes us excited for what appears to be early fall. This one Chris snapped with his phone on the way home from work yesterday:
I plan on taking my actual camera to the house today to take real before photos and also get a few measurements for upcoming projects. We are really, really excited to get started making this house our own, but we still have a few loose ends to tie up in our current house we need to focus on--hi, marble backsplash. Here's how this house measured up to the must-have list we shared earlier this week:
A big kitchen--Is it a huge kitchen? No. But compared to our current one, it feels quite spacious. With a few layout tweaks, the space will be utilized even better.
3 bedrooms--This house is listed as having 5, but one bedroom doesn't have a closet, so I call that a 4 bedroom house. A+
Mature trees--Yes! This house and every house on the street has a plethora of mature trees. Be still my tree-hugging heart.
At least .25 acre yard--The yard was the hardest part in deciding on this home. It does have a 1/4 acre, but it is plotted kind of differently. A lot of the acreage count spills over into each side of the house with a small amount in the actual back of the house backyard. Although once we think installing a fence will help it all feel more backyard-ish.
Not a new build/cookie cutter home--This home was built 21 years ago in 1992 and it is unique from any other home on the street and in the area. Woot!
Not a split-level--This one is a rambler meaning you walk in on the main level and there is also a finished level downstairs--which is new to us! Each level in this home has just over 1600 square feet.
Dining room space--The kitchen, dining room and living room are all one big great room--that needs a lot of work--but is the ideal layout for us.
Adequate storage/closets--It has an entire room lined with shelves for storage--but no coat closet! I guess you can't win them all.
Equity potential--Besides loving a lot of other things about it, the equity potential of this house is what really made us pull the proverbial trigger. It does need some work. Nothing major and mostly aesthetic, but it was priced a lot lower than most of the houses on the street. In fact, the house across the street just sold for $130k over what we paid for this house. That being said, we aren't looking to flip it, but rather take that as a green light to not be shy in renovating.
Lots of natural light--It has amazing natural light and we have plans to add even more. :)
This week has been a roller-coaster of emotions. At times stressful, other times fun or frustrating but all is well that ends well. With everything working out so...easily thus far, we have no doubts we made the right decision in taking the job offer and moving up here. We're really excited so many of you are along for the ride and can't wait to see what comes next. Happy weekend, friends!
What do you think?
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WE'RE CHRIS + JULIA
We believe we should all love where we live.
We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here.
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Congratulations! Love the curb appeal, and so incredibly cute! Best of all the equity! Our new "old" home, because of location is in the same boat over the last 6 months. It is fabulous you both got such a great deal! Did I see a white picket fence? Do those still exist? Are there fences? I'm a bay area, Cali-girl,we aren't used to Wisteria lane perfection...What a fabulous house and very happy for you and the family!
I'm so happy for you guys-- its adorable!! I can't wait to see more :)
Congrats on the house!!!
I think it is funny that it has dark walls in it! :)
Congrats!
Congratulations! How exciting. I can't wait to see how you two decorate and make this place your own :)
Wow, things sure move fast for you two. Congrats!
Ahh! Congratulations! That house looks adorable on the outside! I can't wait to see more pictures!
I've never commented before, but felt the need to today! We are closing on a new home soon that has a very similar lot - it's just under 1/4 acre and has a smallish backyard and huge side yard. We've reworked the fence to include the side yard and now it feels SO much larger and more appropriate for our 1 year old and dog. So, just wanted to confirm your hunch that it'll be perfect once you add in a fence! :-) Congrats on a quick and successful sale and house hunt - pretty amazing!
Erin, that is actually incredibly reassuring! Right now there is no fence (just one lining the back from the neighboring property) so it has been hard to feel 100% confident, even if there is all this space. Thanks so much for the extra boost!
oh congratulations! that's great news and it's a beautiful house on the outside. I can see why you fell in love with it! Can't wait to see more of it as you settle in.
Will there be enough yard room for Charlie?
Even though Charly is an inside dog, that was a major consideration (maybe the BIGGEST consideration) when looking at this house and we believe once we fence in a good chunk of yard, there will be plenty!
It looks great! I was following along on instagram and really hoped you'd pick this one. I love the charm of it - such great curb appeal! And I can't wait to follow along as you make it your own :) Congrats!
It has such nice curb appeal! What is the building located next to it?
That's a very large house--our back of house neighbors!
Congrats! Man, you guys are giving me house fever. Kinda like baby fever, except, you know, I want to be in a house and not look like a house. Can't wait to see the inside!
Hi Angie, so sorry for the lack of recipes lately! It's been a bit crazy, as I'm sure you can tell. We plan on making changes to the site that will make this easier, but for now you can click on any of my recipe articles and click on the "chris cooks" tag. That should show you everything.
Thanks Angie! :)
Awesome, thanks! And if you guys are anything like us during our move, you will be hitting the drive thru. And then you'll feel super disgusting but also excited to eat a salad in your new kitchen.
What a pretty exterior. It looks so inviting. Congrats on the contract. Hope everything goes smoothly from here on out. I also have a question which you probably don't have time to deal with right now, but I'll ask anyway so I don't forget: Is there a recipes tab or link somewhere on the site? I'd love to click a little button and then have all of Chris' recipes to peruse. Thanks!
We're up there (across the street) for Sunday dinner every week. We'll be stopping by a lot ;)
Congrats!
Aly! Yessssssss!!!! That makes me so excited.
That's awesome! Congrats. Looks like it's going to be a great house.
Pretty, pretty. You guys are going to be really happy there. I can tell.
Awesome! Sounds like you got a great deal, so glad it all worked out! I told you it wasn't over yet ;)
Congratulations!! That first picture makes me so jazzed for fall AND now I'm jonesin to buy a house!
Congrats, it looks gorgeous!! I had to laugh at the lack of closet meaning not a bedroom. We're currently apartment hunting in Switzerland, and it is *rare* for any bedrooms to have closets. At least at our price range. I'm going to use it as an excuse to get innovative with wardrobes! :)
I am so excited for you guys! I knew this was the one the moment I saw it. Congratulations!!! :-)
Congratulations! It's gorgeous from the outside(!), and I can't wait to see/learn more about the inside.
Congrats! This house looks amazing! I'm so excited for your family!!!!
What a gorgeous house! Looking forward to seeing the inside and what you can do with it :)
So excited this is the one!