An exercise for my california friends.... you know I am having a hard time finding a two bedroom house for 400k out here. Go ahead, try it. Try www.realtor.com and enter berkeley and see the quality of homes you can get.
Then, try Alpharetta,GA. Guess what? You can't find a two bedroom home for 400k there either!!! Unfortunately if you want to spend that much money you'll have to make do with a little more space... sob. Every once in a while I just have to think about moving back ;)
FINAL FOUR!!!
And a new pic... to let those back home know I accidentally went purple again! Hi mom!
So another one bytes the dust ;) Apparently, I was pretty far off on my offer on the last place. While I love it, I'm scared to go any higher on price. I guess I am a bit of a play it safe kind of girl, so I need to have some wiggle room after I buy 'a' place. (note the 'a' instead of 'the'... sigh ;))
Don't laugh at my next anal retentive comment, but it kills me that I've got my down payment only earning like 2% while I do this search ;) Some day I will have to explain the silent auction style of real estate in california on this blog for all my friends back home. I wish buying a house was like visiting a Saturn dealership - no haggling, price is on the car hehe.
So I found a house in berkeley - one that is even better :) Yes, I know Mom told me that would happen, but it was hard to believe at the time. I am caught between trying NOT to like it (so it won't hurt so much if I lose it), and just giving in to reality: I want it. The place is rather spacious overall. It's in a GREAT neighborhood, walking distance to campus, to the cheeseboard, coffee shops, drugstore -- everything, even the Vine St. Salon where Caroline works . I am dreaming bigtime. This home has a DETACHED bedroom with a private bath, so that my current roommate who is awesome, can continue living with me. She is an artist who would really appreciate the garden/tranquility - she works on Shattuck, so the location is probably perfect for her too. I can picture my beautiful burgundy and black decor in the formal rooms with their dark wood builtins, and light hardwood floors with maple inlays. I could put an aquarium (eventually) in that front foyer. Aquariums are a huge time commitment so I'd have to wait a while ;) I'll have to make do with my imacaquarium until then (built in an old imac shell in my office). I can sit on my front porch in a rocking chair like I would down South and read the morning paper. If I get this house, I bet I can make curtains on my visit home in July (I have to wait for the Incredibles to wrap before I'm allowed to leave ;) since I don't have a sewing machine. Last time I borrowed one it took longer than expected... hehe. I guess I just feel like the style fits.
I can totally see connecting the back bedroom to the main house a few years down the road if I need the room. I am a southerner who likes to stay warm, so adding central heat would be a priority , but that should be a trivial project considering the amount of space in the basement. Thinking of which, wow, it'd be super easy to wire it with cat 5...
As opposed to the last place, this one is not only perfect NOW (okay, so there is that one foundation thing... ;) ), but it is large enoughf for me to grow into and has huge expansion potential, meaning... I wouldn't have to move unless something major happened (like Pixar went under, yeah right ;) ).
Okay now I am officially rambling. Let's put it this way... the one thing I am most attached to, my sleigh bed, I would sell in a heartbeat (it would overwhelm the bedroom) if I could get this house :) So what to do... pray? cross fingers? I'm calling on everyone to wish me luck.
And if you know anybody looking for a beautiful cherry sleigh bed, let me know ;)
Seriously bummed. Lost out on the house (by like 5k), and discovered I have arthritis in my neck -- serious at c1/c2, mild at c3/c4/c5. Shrug - guess that means I AM dependent on my chiro for a long long time ;) At least I have her!
So my realtor just called and the presentation of my offer went very well. I am indeed very attached to the property in question. I could walk to church, and my favorite restaurant and could live there for YEARS.
I want it. I used to build houses with Habitat, which did teach me a thing or two about fixing places up - the amount of work poured into the place... sigh, it would be amazing. It's flawless. I indeed will likely not get it; I bid as high as I could and can only pray that that is enough :)
The owner was even up front about small things (eg. water in one corner of the basement - which to me seemed directly related to the door and not a serious issue!). I know "there will be other houses" but for now, I anxiously await their decision. I actually had a pretty wicked migraine this morning, which thankfully has weaned away. Now I think I will go make some southern comfort food - I think grits will suffice ;)
