Category: before

Taken the day we got the keys. And yes, we are aware of how brave we are.
We call it VISION. It’s in my genes.

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It’s still a couple weeks away from the end of summer, but, the weather on the morning that we closed on Leo was crisp and lovely.

Smelling the flowers with all his mite.

We had the final walk-through where we didn’t notice anything unusual – at least not more so than we were already aware of.

Our realtor/mortgage team were the best by far that we have ever experienced. And not just because we got the cutest gift basket upon closing:

Their perseverance, professionalism, positive attitude, and extraordinary knowledge of the market is the reason we ended up with this special property. We are extremely grateful for Courtney Oldham’s team but, most especially Gena Carter.

Marc and I celebrated the closing with lunch out then picked up the kid from school and took him straight to see his new house – for the very first time. He was overwhelmed and a bit confused, asking tentatively, “So… who’s going to live in this house?” You can’t blame him… this summer has been quite confusing dwelling-wise. In May we put our rental house in Tahoe on the market to sell, then in June rented our old house here in town and moved in with Grandma. Given all the talk about houses, I’m certain H just tuned out.

But, after walking around the property for a while he started to understand the vast space that our home now encompassed. And he didn’t miss his single, spindly climbing tree from our old house as much anymore. I’m sure the fact that his Aunty Kylie sent him a trampoline that we set up first thing didn’t hurt either.

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Now, there is nothing that really stands out when you see the listing for Leo. I’m certain that most people breezed right by it on their tireless internet searches. In a market like ours in 2014 most homes in the price range and location we were looking at are fought over — either because they are ripe for flippers and priced low (pending from the listing date) or have already been flipped (multiple offers the first weekend.) The already flipped homes have perfectly decent granite counters, fresh paint and just fine landscaping. They are easy for people to see the possibilities. Leo is a little different.

It’s 1.2 acres of overgrown brush and trees, under-grown grass, abandoned vegetable and fruit plants, and fallen limbs surrounding a 1,300 sf modest home that needs some work – aesthetically as well as fundamentally. We are downsizing in living space while upping our yard-work commitment tenfold. And it’s way south – 20 minutes from downtown. Whereas parking in San Francisco can take 20 minutes, in this town if you have to drive 20 minutes to the city, it’s considered the country (or at least that’s what we used to call it when we lived downtown.)

The work. More than we originally planned for when setting out on the adventure of a new house. The purpose of this blog is to document that entire thing, so I’ll simply start here with a quick list off the top of my head of improvements we need/want/plan to make over the course of the next few years:

• open kitchen/living room wall
  replace backsplash, countertops
  paint kitchen cabinets
  build a pantry
  replace back door
  replace damage from termites, get termite treatment
  paint every wall and surface
  replace flooring in kitchen and two bedrooms
  add AC ducting/venting into living room for better air flow
  add french drain the length of the house to solve drainage issues
  add gutters
  fix the holes in the roof around the rotted non-functioning chimney
  clean the fireplace, fill inside with pretty wood, turn it to faux-fireplace
  replace some of grass in front with pea-gravel-areas and sparse plants
  clear all brush
  trim, clear trees
  turn carport into a screened in porch
  build a fence in front for additional privacy
  garden
  save fruit trees
  bocce ball court
  bmx pump track
  replace pink tile in bathroom
  add another bathroom
  extend back tiny bedroom to give a bit more space
  firepit, sitting area
  turn metal clothesline poles into volleyball court

Finally, there was the issue of karma. Anytime you buy a house that was a rental there can be some hard feelings – especially if the folks living there want to continue to live there. And even more especially if those folks also want to buy the house and make an offer that isn’t accepted. Let’s first start by saying that given that situation things could have been way worse. The renters were incredibly helpful and kind – letting us tour multiple times to measure and inspect. But, I believe we had to cash in all of our good karma to get this house. Because when you kick the daughter and godson of two different beloved music icons out of the house they want to buy – it costs more than just dollars. And it’s hard to forget the former residents when even the utility company asks in a sweet slightly southern accent: “Oh my! Do y’all know who used to live in your house?” So, while the deal was all above board – we truly just got lucky – we will have to live with knowing that we stole our house from Willie and Waylon’s kin.

CLICK FOR LISTING PHOTOS and see the online listing below.

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