It’s no secret that I have a passion for real estate. I enjoy looking at houses and pondering about what I would like (and would not like) to have in some future fictional home, or just in my dreams. I know I am not alone. I often see the same people wondering in and out of the same open houses that I frequent. (Unfortunately, the ones I most want to see don’t usually have open houses. Did you know there is a Champaign home on the market listed for $2 million??? It’s on Armory, the street that borders Champaign Country Club.)
Last year, before we even knew about my pregnancy with Jellybean, I started a quest to find a new home. I was desperately seeking a (dry) basement, as well as a little more elbow room, knowing we were hoping to complete our family soon. We put in a bid on one house, and retreated after a rather odd sequence of events. And that was that. I always keep my eyes open and aware, but nothing else has fit the bill since.
That’s until we got a call the other day from our realtor, who I hadn’t talked to in ages. “I have a house for you,” she said. It fits most of our criteria, including the location (check), finished dry basement (check) and sink in laundry room (don’t ask). It is dated, and needs a little bit of a facelift. But as my mom says, it has “good bones.”
So why am I so ambivalent? Because the idea of getting our house ready to sell makes me want to throw things. Because the idea of living through showings, and keeping the Killer Cockapoo in check, makes my head spin. Because two > one. Oh, and did I mention the packing? Even if it would be to move five blocks away?
Mr. lbotp went to see the house today and we both agreed — for several reasons, this house would be great for us five or six years from now, but not right now. So I think we will pass. I just hope I don’t regret it.
4 responses so far ↓
Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom // July 11, 2009 at 8:16 am |
We are readying our house to sell. Though we won’t put it on the market until the spring. Since my husband bought this house before we met, I have not had the pleasure of the home buying experience yet (that was sarcasm).
Unfortunately I found the house that fits the bill ALREADY. Its still on the market and priced at about 10k more than I think it should be. Maybe they will be desperate to get out when we are finally ready.
But I wonder how we will show our house with two kids who are at home (not daycare).
Misc // July 13, 2009 at 1:08 pm |
What on earth makes this house worth $2 mil? It didn’t seem anything special, and it’s 76 years old.
A house down the street from us listed for $1 mil, but it had a lap pool in the (totally finished) basement.
I shudder to think about moving. I hate it: the packing, the moving of boxes, the unpacking. Ick. My husband and I have agreed that unless we absolutely have to, we’re not moving. Ever.
lbotp // July 16, 2009 at 5:47 am |
I’m guessing it’s location and history, as well as very fine improvements. A lap pool in the basement? Cool!
my future realtor « little blog on the prairie // July 28, 2009 at 9:08 pm |
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