Monday, September 28, 2009

Avenues All Lined With Trees

Here is a sign either pointing to Kansas City or showing you the way to the lead singer of the Sunshine Band.

I've always dreamed of houses. Big, rambling, impractical houses with secret passages and miles and miles of twisted hallways. At some point in every dream, I realize that I have an apartment, and so the big rambling house, really couldn't be mine. I wonder if I'll still dream like that if I actually buy my own home.

Today I met with the realtor and her assistant at lunch. They asked me what I was looking for in a house. I assumed they meant, what was I looking for in a home I could afford. I've thought about it a lot lately, as I obsess over the realty sites in my town. Ideally, I'd like a two bedroom bungalow with hardwood floors. It wouldn't have to be that big, as long as it didn't need a ton of work. I guess, if it were possible, I wouldn't mind one of those extra upstairs rooms that Stinky likes to refer to as a teen room. As in, "Hey, mom. If we get that one house, can that big upstairs room be my teen room?" I told the realtors that I didn't have to have a garage, but after being without one during the tornado, a basement would be very, very welcome. Oh, yeah. I don't need a huge yard, but I'd like enough of one to have a garden. I would settle for a decent Ranch style home too.

In order to get the tax credit, the realtor said I had just about 3 weeks to find a house in my price range. Eek! That doesn't give me much time. They seemed pretty confident that I'd be able to find something and they were going to get back to me on when we can actually go out and start looking. I'll keep you all posted on the process.

14 comments:

rel said...

Churlita,
EEWWW, this is exciting! I can't wait to hear the progress updates.
rel

Tara said...

That house you described sounds really nice. And with the hardwood floors, all you'd have to do is run a Swiffer along it now and then, instead of a vacuum.

Have you heard of the Winchester mansion? It's a huge mansion that does ramble on and on, with secret doorways and passages, and doors that open to brick. The lady built it to protect her from ghosts.

AlienCG said...

Remain calm and go into each one with an open mind. When I saw this house, I knew I loved it, but decided to bring in dad to look at it critically. It's a good idea to bring in a neutral third party to help you.

By the way, the "teen room" as Stinky calls it can also be called a dormer. I have one that serves as my computer room.

NoRegrets said...

I don't even need to go beyond the photo caption. Already laughed out loud.

Poptart said...

Awesome, Churlita! This is so, so exciting. You will find a great place. In fact, the 3-week parameter might be the best thing to focus and make it happen.

Poptart said...

Awesome, Churlita! This is so, so exciting. You will find a great place. In fact, the 3-week parameter might be the best thing to focus and make it happen.

Susan said...

3 Weeks?? I may pass out now.

jeci said...

Good luck, good luck, good luck! Does it hearten you any to know that it took us one (1) week to find our place? One day, in fact. We saw it on a Saturday and had an accepted offer on the Sunday. Here's to you having the same good fortuen!

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I have house rambling dreams all the time and you really freaked me out when you said that at some point you realize that you have an apartment cause - me too! I'm never disappointed in the apartment - it's more like a relief.

Good luck - house hunting can be so fun, but so nerve wracking! Enjoy!

BTW - Owning your own home won't make the dreams stop - I've owned my own home for years and had a variation of the dream just a few nights ago. I think of theses dreams like a way of indexing my thoughts because in the dreams I'm always sizing up the house or apartment to be remodeled or restored. Thinking of how big changes can be made.

Ananda girl said...

So that means that in 3 weeks you may well be a homeowner!!! Very cool beans.

laura b. said...

I've had similar dreams, I think, where I suddenly discover this whole extra part of the house I never knew was there :-) I think it might be about being open to new possibilities?
Anyway, I am really excited for you! I bet you will fall in love with a piece of real estate within the next three weeks.

MrManuel said...

Buying a house is one of the most stressful times of your life, but so worth it in the end. I hope it goes well....

Churlita said...

REl,

It is. Exciting and scary...But mostly exciting.

Tara,

That mansion sounds really cool I bet it's fun on Halloween.

AlienCG,

I have a friend who assesses homes, so she said she'd look at some with me.

Nor,

Thanks. That's all I needed.

Poptart,

The realtors said after you get a house, stop looking or it will make you crazy.

Susan,

It might be different for you.

Jeci,

That's great. I hope mine goes that well and that fast too.

lady,

That's a great idea. I think some of mine is pining for my own home, but also just feeling a little lost.

Ananda,

I hope so. If my head doesn't explode first.

LauraB,

I hope I do and I hope the piece of real estate falls right back in love with me too.

MrManuel,

I hope all of this is worth it in the end.

Johnny Yen said...

Good luck!