the one we think is THE ONE

I wanted to wait to put this out there...I wanted to wait until we signed on the dotted line that it's official. But, well...I should share my excitement with you. If it falls through I will have to start all over, right?

So, the second house of the morning...next door to the first house of the morning. We knew it was bigger, we knew it had a pool and online it...well, didn't present so well. I was skeptical. There were some really nice photos but I just couldn't understand what rooms were what -- I didn't like the wallpaper that was shown in the photos and on and on. BUT, the house had a pool (above ground - grr), a partial basement and 4,700+ sq ft. Those things definitely interested me.

We walked in and it had lovely hardwoods, a beautiful living room and a spacious dining room. Then, we saw the kitchen. It was THE KITCHEN. Spacious, storage for miles and nice finishes. And you know what?! It had character. It wasn't a big box kitchen -- nothing that had been chosen off the floor at Home Depot. Then, next to the kitchen? An amazing eat in area with a bay window with window seat and built ins flanking the window. PLUS a door to the screened in porch AND a large doorway to the sun room. There aren't words for the sun room. Bright, and windows for days. A view of the gorgeous yard and connected to the family room. AND, if that is not enough...the sun room has a bathroom right off the door to the pool.

{sawyer is in the eat in kitchen area headed out to the screened in porch. the other side of the room that you can't see is the way to the sun room}

Yes, it's an above ground pool. BUT, it's a pool and it has a a nice deck built around it. We'll take it! Plus, there's plenty of room on the deck for a table AND it overlooks the expansive, flat fenced in yard.

Then you head down the open stairway to the basement playroom and storage area. It's going to be the perfect space for 3 growing boys. We can hear them and keep an eye on them, but they feel like they have a space of their own.

This isn't all, there is definitely more. Off the kitchen the other way is a laundry room (Spacious!), a powder room and a stairway to an extra bedroom/bonus room.

Going back to the front door and up the stairs. Two great bedrooms connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom, each with a walk in closet. Another spacious bedroom -- then the master -- all perfect and wonderful for us. They aren't the newest or the fanciest...but you put all the spaces together -- and they are wonderful!

After we finish negotiations tomorrow, I will post new and better photos. But, I hope, in time, you will all find reason to come to our lovely new home!

day 2

Starting out today I wasn't very hopeful. I was sure that we had already seen our house. I was positive that either the 2 laundry room house or the house with the amazing mud room was going to be the house our boys remembered as their childhood home. But, we were still seeing a few more houses, despite my doubts about them.

We turned into one of our favorite subdivisions to see two houses that were next door to each other. The first one was a little smaller but was also a lot less expensive. I was sure it was not for us. But, you know what? It was awesome. There was a huge level backyard, a beautiful eat in kitchen and really nice spaces. It also had a wonderful screened in porch we loved.

Yes, there's wallpaper. But, it's removable. Once removed, there would be one really lovely kitchen.

After this we walked next door. We loved it. So much so that I knew this would be the one for us. In fact, we placed an offer this afternoon and we're waiting to hear back!

A short drive away was a lovely home in a golf community. It was really cute from the outside and had some super finishes inside that we really liked. The real problem was the house really only had 3 bedrooms plus a office and bonus room. Unfortunately, that doesn't really work for us.

So, we went back to the subdivision we'd been in before this home. This time, another smaller and less expensive home. This time, a home that had been left in a less than good shape. Even though it would take a little work, it was a nice house.

Look that that view from the windows above the tub! Now, you'd have to cover them to not give the neighborhood a show -- but still lovely!

It just wasn't meant to be

We knew when we started this morning that this house had an offer on it. We also knew that they would wait to counter that offer until we'd seen the house, just in case. Based on the photos and the amazing location we knew we had to really take this seriously. I had no idea we would put in an offer a couple of hours after viewing the property.

The house is located in our desired subdivision. It backs to a little lake with a gazebo and a little dock on said lake. One can ride a paddle boat out there. it's wooded and shaded with a lovely deck to enjoy the serene setting. (Nothing at my house is ever serene, however) There are so many gorgeous windows on the back of the house to enjoy the view.

The house has storage, the perfect kitchen configuration and CHARACTER. Tons of it, too.

the view out the kitchen window -- wash dishes and look at this! (well, not me because I don't wash dishes. but you get the point!)

the family room windows from the back deck.

family room!

the office. it was really amazing and felt magical!

dining room

bonus room

the secret closet behind the closet

And across the street, the community pool, tennis courts, basketball court, and playground.

There were somethings that needed to be changed, but it's truly a warm, cozy and charming home. The buyers are really lucky!

That is it for today! Until tomorrow...

At this stage...

At this point in the game, I was sweaty. We'd seen many houses, it was 90+ degrees with mucho humidity. I was really unsure about this next house ... it looked like 3 bedrooms and a bonus room. I knew it looked good, but the house MUST have 4 bedrooms.

Driving through the subdivision I was unsure about the surrounding houses, but we pressed on. By the time we reached the cul de sac I was even more unsure but it was worth our time to look.

As you can see, there was lots to love. Great finishes, great spaces. BUT, we would need to add a wall and even then it's not perfect. In addition, this house IS the most expensive one in the subdivision. By $30K. That added to the other factors makes it not the one for us...but the bedrooms, bathrooms, bonus rooms and pocket doors were fantastic!

And, then there was this house. I have found the perfect nearly new construction there is. It's a few years old but looks like new. And, it's perfect.

I want to buy this house almost solely because of this mud room. It's the perfect area for shoes, shoes, backpacks, shoes, and any other extraneous items. Seriously. And, the kitchen is the perfect configuration with great finishes. Sign me up.

Around the corner was a new construction that was totally not for us. But, it will make some family a nice home.

Up next, the one that got away...

I never knew...or maybe I did

I never knew I was so skilled at distinguishing a house I would love from photos on the internet. In case you wondered, I am. I knew from the photos I would not like this one. I also just told you about the other house to look anyway because you might actually like it. Despite the pictures we looked. I was spot on -- this one was definitely not for me. It was, however, also a short sale. This is not even an option for us due to time constraints.

This staircase was massive. Think wedding dress down the staircase massive. Good thing we have no daughters nor a need for this staircase. And yes, this carpet is yellow!

On and on we go...I knew driving over this was a short sale. I knew once we pulled into the subdivision that this wasn't for us. I don't know why, it just wasn't a community -- it was only a street or two of homes in this area. Despite the shortcomings, there was a couple of great things. One, the side yard -- beautiful. Second, the kitchen was pretty nice.

And then we went...again.

try not and be jealous of this gorgeous carpet on the stairs. i know you're trying to find out where to purchase some just like it!

Now, this house. This is the one that I think of when i think about moving to the midwest. BIG! (4,000 sq ft!) NICE subdivision. Upstairs AND downstairs laundry. Screened in porch! 5 bedrooms. Office! Living, dining and spacious kitchen. Ahhh...this is the life!

But, there were more houses to see...so off we went. Again. Two more great houses and then the one that got away...