Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Which One?


House #1 is on a busier street but it is 25mph and monitored very closely by police to make sure people are going the speedlimit, 1/4 acre, 4 bedroom, mud room, separate room for a pantry and freezer, large kitchen, two fireplaces, 1 1/2 bath, large living room, deck off the back, large garage, about 1400-1500 sq feet, same school district (very important!) and comes with a swing (Jovanna likes that!).

This home has a lot of character and I really like that. I can envision my family living inside and it just feels right. It was built in 1968 and there hasn't been much updating done. So, as you walk up to the front door there is a vertical window running alongside the front door and...it is orange glass!!! Yeah!!! That's what I remember from my childhood - orange glass! But I think it would be fun projects that would keep me busy.

House #2 is in a nice neighborhood on the corner of the entrance to a culdesac, average size lot but the house is set back on the property, it is small (1000 sq feet) with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, goodsize garage, small kitchen, smaller living room, 1 fireplace, bedrooms are descent-size, smells very bad like dogs (I suspect the carpet will need to be replaced soon!) but the downer is that it is in a different school district and I suspect we would have a fight on our hands to get Jovanna's educational needs met.

We would be tight in this place and I really feel strongly that we would need to build on an additional bathroom and a scraproom/office (of course!) in order for me to be happy in this place. It does look like there is plenty of room in the front of the property to do that.

We are still waiting to get anything in writing on either one of these. It seems that we are very close on a deal on House #1 and there is a verbal confirmation on House #2. The way the market is, I suppose things could change and neither one of these would be an option. Hope I have some more firm direction soon!

5 comments:

Tara said...

Wow.. they sure look alike. unny how we tend to do that. I would pick the first one because it would make things so much easier with Jovanna. Just think of the great pictures you could get of her inthe yard on the swing.

GinniG said...

Carrie, If you think that house #2 is too small and you'd have a fight with Jovanna's education, I'd take house #1! It takes time to do remodels - you have to pull permits, you'll be squeezing everything into other rooms, etc. HOWEVER, with that being said, I live on a busy street corner with a 25 MPH speed limit near a school zone. It's busy and noisy and if you like your windows open it will add to the dirt levels. BUT, you get used to the noise and you just dust a bit more often. : I love both of them - the orange glass would have to go first tho! :) Saying prayers that you get the one you LOVE and that's right for you and your family! Can't wait to see which you choose! Keep us posted!!!

Kandi said...

I'd personally go for house #1. It seems like it has better bones to work with (size) and that's big lot!

I actually saw you at that house on Monday (I think) as I was driving by I noticed your van in the driveway and at first I thought you lived there.

Then I noticed you "peeking" in the front window and figured you must be looking at it to purchase. I think the same school district would be nice, too.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!

Heather Lough said...

House #1 definitely seems like the better option but don't know if that one is out now or not. Hope it all works out well. Buying a new house is so stressful. I'd be happy if I never had to do it again.

Colleen said...

I think I have to agree with the other ladies that House #1 sounds like a better fit even if it needs a little work in the long run...

Good luck!