On the Hunt!
House-hunting, that is. I think all of the Whine Sisters have had a major move or remodel in the past year or two, and I guess it's my turn. In 2002-3, we took a chance and moved from our little Massachusetts college town to Michigan for the husband's job. After a year in the greater Detroit area (Canton), we knew it wasn't quite for us, husband got a great new offer, and we moved back. We chose a new town based on proximity to family, school system, and "only" a forty minute drive to my husband's work. Lucky for me, I can write anywhere. [image error]
Cut seven years and three dozen or so major snowstorms (and gas price hikes) down the road, and that forty minute drive has become the bane of someone's existence around the Erwin house. Our youngest (the violinist) is about to graduate from high school, so no need for that fancy school system with the award-winning orchestra. Proximity to family is nice, but we still see them once in awhile, and the husband drives to work five (occasionally six) days a week. Better to be forty minutes from family (some might argue, much better) than forty minutes from work. We've decided to buy a new (to us) house![image error]
I'm loving the search. I'm obsessed with finding the perfect house, and hitting all the open houses, and discussing floor plans, layouts, decor, new furniture. I haven't gotten around to the harsh reality of packing yet, so it's all fun and poking around other people's houses. My must-haves? A lovely new kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and at least one with a big tub I can soak in. My husband doesn't care much about the tub. He wants an open floor plan, space for entertaining, and maybe a cool area to set up a man-cave. Pool table, bar, big screen TV. Oh, and maybe a private spacious backyard surrounded by trees. Yep. We both know what we want– in our dreams. Finding the reality, in our price range, not as easy. But we'll do it![image error]
My Realtor friend thinks we should just build our own. I'm not sure. We don't want the wait, the hassle, and it's hard to find new development in our preferred CT town. I'm pretty sure we can find something that's ready for us to move right into and make our own. Something with character, history, and maybe some recently completed renovations.
What's your moving experience? What do you love most about your house? What did you think you needed, but find you could do without? What don't you love? Any tips for house-hunting?
