WV Home? Wait-and-See Activated... Again
We have not given up on our house quest. The home in Bellaire had drainage issues that we just couldn't afford to fix properly to pass a VA inspection. It was with a heavy heart that I tossed its fact sheet into the trash.
Other listings were out there but none really felt right. Until tonight.
We have a specific things in mind when searching: a tree, appliances, bright interior, old charm, a yard for the Discordant of Dogs, A/C, city water and sewer, bathroom on the main floor. And it can't be falling apart.
This 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom home is ready for occupancy. The owner has completed the remodeling with an addition of the half bath on the first floor. There are new appliances, vanities and carpet. The dining room, both bedrooms/walk-in closet and hallway has refinished hardwood floors that shine to perfection!
That doesn't even come close to describing this home.
It does have the things we wanted, but it goes on to complete the list of things I hoped for.
I don't need fancy cabinets painted white, or marble counter tops. I want workspace. I want a place for my percolator and our electric tea pot. I have canister sets that haven't seen the light of day in eight years.
Cooking (and wine tasting) is one of those couple's things we enjoy. We try new recipes. We invent a few of our own. We work as a team.
That doesn't happen often where we are now. Jeff buys frozen crap and slaps it in the oven. I eat frozen crap as well. Enough is enough. I want to sit down and eat dinner at an actual table. With Jeff. In the same room. How's that for a wish?!
There is a down side, though. We left behind our dishes and utensils. We'll need to buy more. (Our "couples plates" would work fine for a while.)
I just noticed the dishwasher. Bonus!
A nice dining room would be better than an eat-in kitchen. This house has that.
I don't know if my Nonna's breakfront will fit in it. Both walls have windows. If necessary, I can stuff it in the basement or find a snug spot elsewhere.
It's difficult to gauge wall color in these JPG images. The walls look white. I don't mind that - if in moderation.
A cozy living room with a tasteful fireplace also works for me. The half bath is off to the left (and NOT incorporated with a kitchen).
There's a lot of natural light coming in. Who needs walls when you can have windows?
Though this house seems surrounded by trees, it has a warm and welcoming feel due to all the windows. I'm hoping we can't see the neighbors' houses. I won't put up blinds if their view of us is blocked during winter as well as summer.
All bets are off if the folks across the street can see in, though. We don't walk around naked or anything but low windows mean the view of the world is at dog-level.
[Momentary break from the topic: Toronto decorates main streets so the light post out front will have lit snowflakes, or American flags, depending upon the season. Those flags went up today. Zoie darted into the office and demanded to be held. For once, she didn't bark. The dude in the bucket crane was too scary to yap at, I suppose.]
The living room "window wall" has wood paneling. It's not the cheap kind and I think it blends well with the old woodwork. It flows up the stairs, tying both stories together nicely.
Yes, that stairwell can accommodate a lift chair.
We had this setup on Pembroke - it was one of the major factors in my decision to purchase that house.
The second bedroom is also nice. I'll need to use part of it for my office, but I also want a bed in there so friends and family can come for a visit. Jeff hasn't seen his friend Nate in years, and I'm pretty sure his little bro would appreciate a break from all the stress at home.
Another issue that has weighed heavily on my heart is the Russia attacks on Ukraine. I've been desperate to find our former exchange student, Vova. I believe he lives outside the country but his family is still there. Jeff and I would have no issues with them staying with us until shit overseas stops. So, Volodimir Pogrebnyak, reach out to us.
We see the house tomorrow at 2pm. It's Jeff's birthday. Who knows? We might buy a house for it. Fun fact: almost every major purchase, from homes to vehicles, falls close to our birthdays or our wedding anniversary.
Viewing is everything when house-hunting. As charming as this house is, and as much as it matches all the things we want, it is still just one fish in the real estate sea. We might not like the yard/incline. Or there could be issues with drainage. If it's meant to be, we'll have a house. If not, we'll have more to look at.