June 07, 2007
Welcome
If you find me puking in the bathroom, let me assure you that it is joyful vomit. We are officially in escrow. Pinch me.
I just got off the phone with Simon, and the conversation ended with him calling me a homo(wner). I called him a homo(wner) back. This is going to be awesome.
***
We'd planned all along to wait until fall to shop seriously for a house, thinking that by then the kids would be in school, the market would be cooler, and we'd have less competition and more leverage; no one wants to move during the holidays, so we figured that November would be a good time to get out there in earnest. That doesn't mean we ever stopped looking at available properties, though (see also: self-inflicted whiplash from rubber-necking anything with a realtor's sign out front), and thus it was that we spent Sunday last hopping from open house to open house, just to get a sense of what was out there and for what price.
Some things that looked great online ended up being not so great in real life. One house looked like a garage from the outside, but when we walked in and looked around, Simon declared it (albeit prematurely) to be "perfect." One house was massive--a dining room as big as the Ritz, and a grand staircase leading up to four or five bedrooms--but it needed to be gutted and redone; whoever gets it will have a $750,000 house on their hands when it's finished, but it won't be us. Mostly Craftsman-style bungalows, the properties under consideration started to look the same after a while and it was hard to keep track of which one had the pocket doors to the dining room and which one had the big storage basement and which one had the clawfoot tub. We started referring to them by name--the "Safeway house" (being across the street from one) and the "freeway house" (having one literally on the other side of the backyard fence) and "the one that smells like pickles" (dill). The monnikers weren't exactly the flattering, but in truth the houses themselves were okay. The experience was about ten times better than the last time we went looking, when we didn't go inside a single house because we were too afraid to get out of the car. On Sunday, our hope was restored.
We showed up at The House--Our House--on a whim, because we'd heard some wacky things about it and needed to see them with our own eyes. It reminds me of August 2005, when Simon was looking for an apartment (the one that later became our apartment): I forwarded him the Craigslist posting with the subject line "If only...," meaning that it was clearly a bitchin' apartment, but not in the neighborhood or price range he was considering, and so out of the question. He went by and saw it anyway, and you know how that story turned out. And now you know where we're at in this new chapter. If all goes well, we'll spend our first night there before you can say "rabbit, rabbit."
Between now and then, though, we have inspections to schedule and mortgages to forge. (It's impressive how far into debt the experts will allow people to go.) I think we'll get in there for a few hours tomorrow, which will allow me to take pictures that will prove to you the utter awesomeness of this place. You'll see that we haven't settled with something that will "do for now," as we'd planned; Simon said this is a house he could die in (meaning fifty years from now), and although I won't go that far, I have to say that this is the type of place I imagined us in at ages 38 and 42, not 28 and 32.
While we were waiting to hear if our offer had been accepted, doubt seeped in through our chinked armor and we were always careful to use the word "if" when discussing things like where we'll put the little orange couch (in the library) and what color we'll paint the living room (undecided, although something in the traditional Craftsman palate). Rumor was that there were three other offers besides ours, and although we had a 75 percent chance of rejection, my mantra was positive (as mantras should be): "Someone is going to get it; why not us?"
I don't know what happened with the other offers, but it seems we had made an impression beyond our scribbled initials on disclosure documents. The realtor who was hosting the open house told her higher-ups that we kinda sorta spazzed out about the place, but also that we were very cute. As we got in our car to drive away that day, Simon yelled across the street to her, "If it makes any difference, tell the people in charge that we will love and take care of this house better than anyone out there." And that's what it feels like--that we will become caretakers of something bigger than us, something greater than the sum of its parts. It feels like a new member of the family. Welcome, Home.
***
p.s. The answers to yesterday's game are:
A. Leah
B. Leah
C. Simon's mom
D. Simon
You're not only getting a house, you're getting a Craftsman? Do you know how long I've been dreaming about living in one? The pangs only got worse when I started watching Numb3rs where the main character lives in a gorgeous Craftsman in what I think is Pasadena.
Wow. Wooooooooow.
I am dying to see photos.
How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? Is the kitchen open to the dining room and living room? Do you have a place for laundry? How's the back yard? Is it in a quiet area? TELL ME ALL!
And congratulations!
Posted by: gimmy at June 7, 2007 01:50 PM*HAPPY DANCE OF JOY AND JOYOUSNESS AND HOORAY* for you and Simon.
Also, I just left you a really weird voicemail. Pardon the slip; I just got back from the gym and haven't eaten yet.
Posted by: Emily at June 7, 2007 02:04 PMHot tub.
HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB! HOT TUB!
-Simon.
Posted by: Simon at June 7, 2007 02:07 PMOh my gosh! So very exciting! I've been wondering all day if you got it or not. So glad you did.
Posted by: Jennie at June 7, 2007 02:13 PMWoo-hoo!!! Congratulations! That is fantastically exciting and I can't wait to see pictures! Yay!!!
Posted by: Cora at June 7, 2007 02:15 PMYay! Congratulations to you both! I am taking this as a sign that the Housing Fairy is out and about and we will sort ourselves out with something that's not in Dublin's red light district. Doubt we'll manage a hot tub though.
Posted by: Cath at June 7, 2007 02:28 PMYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! I'm so excited for you! I want to buy another house! =)
I'm assuming your asking for price reductions due to the foundation and termites? Can we at least get a square footage? Good lord I'm so anxious to see PICTURES PLEASE!
Posted by: beck at June 7, 2007 02:34 PMfantastic! congrats on your first home. can't wait to see photos!
Posted by: a-m at June 7, 2007 02:35 PMMany, many warm congratulations. I'm so thrilled for you!
Cath, I'm on the lookout for the housing fairies, too. If they show up at my place, I'll send them your way.
Posted by: Ky at June 7, 2007 02:42 PMGAH! CONGRATULATIONS! A HOME! OF YOUR OWN! AND NO, I CAN'T STOP TYPING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I AM JUST SO DAMN THRILLED!
And don't you worry about those photos of YOUR NEW PLACE. I'll just be sitting here, twiddling my thumbs, staring at the clock, checkin' your blog every few minutes. You know, no pressure.
Posted by: Clink at June 7, 2007 03:02 PMWoohoo!!!! And Simon is right - you need a hot tub! They are a necessity when you own a house :)
Posted by: Angella at June 7, 2007 03:05 PMOh, it already has a hot tub.
Posted by: Leah at June 7, 2007 03:20 PMCongrats! The fun part has just begun! Are they paying your closing costs? Watch out for those- they can rack up way more money than you ever thought... but the house is still way worth it. Worth every damn penny, heartache, frustration, and all that.
But yay! A house!
Posted by: ayankintexas at June 7, 2007 03:22 PMYAY! House love!
Posted by: whoorl at June 7, 2007 04:02 PMHot tub and one of these swings that hang from the ceiling.
Posted by: will at June 7, 2007 04:14 PMIt already has a hot tub! Are you kidding me?
Congratulations! Can't wait to see pictures.
I'm so excited for you and I can't wait to see it!!
Posted by: Elizabeth at June 7, 2007 04:54 PMI can't really add anything to the general hubbub of congrats, except more of the same! It all sounds oh so very exciting.
Posted by: Abby at June 7, 2007 05:05 PManother latecomer to the party! CONGRATULATIONS! on the birth of your home! I am so interested in how the whole process goes for you, seeing as though we have just gone through it Downunder! Can't wait to see photos, and hot tub, oh wow!
Posted by: The Real Mrs White at June 7, 2007 05:36 PMok, I haven't read the whole post yet, but CONGRATULATIONS! :)
Posted by: leandra at June 7, 2007 05:47 PMCongratulations!! Lucky you, both of you, homeownership!! Something I only dream off at this stage...
Also, can't wait to see pics!! :)
Posted by: Michelle at June 7, 2007 06:01 PMPorch swing.
PS: That's amazing news and congrats to you two!!
Posted by: Shirley at June 7, 2007 06:24 PMCongratulations. And just not too long ago you were a bit down about your current location and here you are now, moving on to much better things.
I'm sure you don't want to reveal your location to all of the Internet, but being so very dejected about my future home buying potential in the bay area as I am, any hint as to what general area/county/etc. you were able to buy in might possibly boost my belief that it may be possible, somewhere around here, to purchase relatively affordable property around here.
Anyhow, yay and lots of congratulations to both of you!! Here's to new homes and not having to settle.
Posted by: m at June 7, 2007 06:29 PMNow you'll have to have another house warming party!
Congrats on the deal and I can't wait to hear of the continued adventures of aboyandagirlandtheircoolnewhousewithahottub.com
That's completely awesome, L. I'm so happy for you guys!
Posted by: Kristin at June 7, 2007 07:25 PMwoot! woot!
Posted by: jeorg at June 7, 2007 07:49 PMShirley--Tire swing!
m--Honestly, we just happened upon a good deal. The property was listed below its appraisal price for various reasons, but even then it isn't so much "affordable" as it is just too awesome to pass up. Definitely worth a few extra work projects and a few fewer sushi nights.
Posted by: Leah at June 7, 2007 07:56 PMThat's fantastic!! Congratulations!!
Posted by: felicity at June 7, 2007 08:31 PMGood luck! We're putting our place on the market in a week or so and I'm officially freaked out. I know where you're coming from.
Posted by: Chris at June 8, 2007 04:17 AMWow, so awesome. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Posted by: Lulu at June 8, 2007 04:52 AMSo awesome. :) Can't wait to see the pictures - the internet world is so happy for you!!!
Posted by: Missy at June 8, 2007 04:56 AMcongrats, you crazy kids.
Posted by: dutch from sweet juniper at June 8, 2007 07:08 AMCongratulations again!
You know we were also told about other mysterious "offers" that were supposedly higher as well. But we were talking with a friend who went through the same realtor who said they were most likely fictious based on his experiences with this realtor.. which makes me wonder if they were real or not. Of course in the end it doesn't really matter as you have the house of your dreams AND a hot tub.
Congrats!!!!
Posted by: Tripping Daisy at June 8, 2007 08:50 AMAndrea--I don't think the offers were fictitious, especially since we didn't end up having to offer more than the asking price. Also, our realtor is a champ; I'd kiss her on the mouth for being so great if I were into that sort of thing.
Everyone else--Thanks! We're excited!
Were they kosher dill pickles? Because if so, that was my dream house you were talking about.
Congratulations! Can't wait to see pics!
Posted by: Texas T-bone at June 8, 2007 01:03 PMExcellent news.
Posted by: justJENN at June 8, 2007 09:54 PMCongratulations.
Posted by: Jodi at June 9, 2007 11:44 AMOh excellent! Our realtor.. well .. over the weekend he came by to finally take off the lock box and our dog would not stop growling and barking at him. We've never seen him like that with anyone before. Even the cable and phone guys he followed around and begged for pets. But that is so good that you found a great realtor who is willing to really help you with everything and sounds like has a great sense of humor too!
Posted by: Andrea at June 11, 2007 10:35 AM
