Let me introduce you to our new (to us) home!
Yeah… it doesn’t look too welcoming now. But, have faith in us. With a little fairy dust, some hard cash and a heckuva lot of sweat equity, it’ll be a lovely little thing. (Don’t forget that we’ve done it before.)
I’ve been holding out on you for what seems like forEVer. Remember this post about house hunting way back on MAY 6? (No? Me either.) In that post, I showed you two houses. One would have been a rental. One would have been a home for us. You overwhelmingly voted for the rental house.
And, believe it or not, we actually had an offer in on that very house. But, then, when the other home came on the market, we wondered if we had made the right decision. After looking at the house and crunching numbers, we knew that it was the right detour for us. So, we withdrew our offer from the rental (we were going back and forth with the bank seller) and put a bid on the other home.
It was a HUD foreclosure, which meant we were blind bidding. The offer had to be in by Sunday, May 9 at midnight. We looked at recent HUD listings and what they sold for, analyzed those numbers and made a bid based on them. Because we know that HUD goes strictly to the highest bidder, we wanted to avoid losing the house by $50 (which happened to us before).
On Monday, May 10, at 5 p.m., while I was getting my hair did, I got the phone call from our realtor that we won the bid. Yeehaw! We ended up outbidding six others and won by $500. Whoa, right?
And, then began the waiting game. We were planning and hoping to close by the first of July. But, that didn’t happen. We waited and waited. And waited. And, if you know me, you know I don’t wait well.
Finally, I began emailing the title company directly. That was the best decision I ever made. I found out that there was a $1,000 water bill lien with the city that needed to be paid by HUD. After a little back and forth, it was approved for payment by the seller. And within two weeks, we had a closing date.
Monday, Aug. 2. Yesterday.
So, we closed and now we have lots to do. But I couldn’t hold out any longer. Ryan asked me to wait to broadcast the news until the papers are signed. Now, we’ll have months of work before we move in. (We’re aiming to put our house up for sale in the spring. Possibly. Unless something changes.)
For now, below are some photos to show you the potential that we saw. Beautiful woodwork, huge rooms, loads of character, a large yard, a fireplace, wood floors. It’s all there. (You can click on the links below the mosaic to see the photos directly.)
1. Front exterior with fence (before), 2. Side exterior (before), 3. Front porch exterior (before), 4. Window dummies (before), 5. Garage (before), 6. Back of the house (before), 7. Outside garden shed (before), 8. Back door and porch (before), 9. Kitchen (before), 10. Kitchen (before), 11. Kitchen – to be a bathroom (before), 12. Half-bath to be (before), 13. Dining room (before), 14. Staircase and banister in the living room (before), 15. Front door – entryway (before), 16. Second front door (before), 17. Living room (before), 18. Living room (before), 19. Bedroom 1 (before), 20. Bedroom 1 radiator ( before), 21. Bedroom 2 (before), 22. Bathroom (before), 23. Tub (before), 24. Wall texture (before), 25. Brick fireplace (before), 26. Living room woodwork (before), 27. Basement shower (before), 28. Kitchen exposed brick (before), 29. Entry way tile (before), 30. Banister detail (before), 31. Dining room ledges (before), 32. Door detail (before), 33. Basement (before), 34. Basement (before), 35. Yard (before)
So, *phew*.
I’m glad the cat’s out of the bag. My posting may eventually become more sporadic than usual. With this new house, we’ll both be spending most weeknights and free weekends with our new baby.Β However, I have scheduled posts for the next few weeks with content I already had ready. (After all, I did have a full month that we thought we’d have the house when we hadn’t closed.)
And, I hope to figure out a way to fill you in on the progress as it’s going, without losing my precious sleep or sanity. But, this is the first time we’ve been in renovation-mode while blogging. (And, this post is a snippet of our lives during the first renovation. Wendy’s, powertools and rubble… here we come.)
The first things on the agenda:
- Get all the junk and carpeting out of the house (Ryan) and bleach it (Kim).
- Pull out the junk and weeds, clean up around the house, paint the foundation and transplant perrenials (Kim).
- Get gas, electric and water turned out by some act of god (Kim).Β
- And, maybe begin creating a working bathroom (Ryan)?
Most of all, we’re excited for this new adventure. To make another neglected house into a well-loved home.
So, I hope you’ll tell us what you think and wish us luck. You can even tell us we’re lunatics. (But that probably won’t change our mind.)
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
ashley morgan says
I’ve been MIA in the blogosphere, so I’m late to this news, but congratulations! Fixing up and moving into a new home is such an exciting time. I see a ton of potential in that home, and with your and Ryan’s talent, it will be unbelievable. Can’t wait to see the progress!
Anonymous says
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
I think its a fantastic house, I love the fireplace and the moldings. If we didn’t have a four year old, we would be ready for a big project like that.
Can’t wait to see progress.
Londen
Anonymous says
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says
Yep, I’m in love with it already. I CAN’T WAIT to see all of the amazing improvements you make to it!
Amy Rittenhouse says
How exciting! Can’t wait to see the after pictures! You guys do such great work and have such a good vision! Good luck! I’m sure it will turn out even better than the other house now that you’ve had practice!
Anonymous says
Hi, I like this information so much, that I would like to post some of this information into my blog. Can I?
Anonymous says
You are really talented in writing posts and sharing ideas. I like very much your posts and your thoughts.
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
I am SO excited for you! What a great find and I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do to make it home. My favorite part is that you labeled all of the photos with “before” because it makes me so excited about the gazillions of “afters” that you’ll have to share.
Cheers to you and Ryan!
Stephanie says
oooOOOOOOoooooo! excited to follow along – again!
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
First I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for you. That place is definitely a diamond in the rough and I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Second, when I saw your post on FB I thought to myself “yeah….can’t wait to see pictures on the blog in a couple of days” And then they were already there….and having a couple weeks of posts saved up. You are my new blogging hero/idol.
Good luck with all the first steps!
Amanda Sevall says
Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!!! That is awesome and I can’t wait to see what you do with the place!! π
Emily @ Longley's in San Diego says
Congrats! I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you do it the house.
Wendy says
Kim,
I am so so so very happy and excited for you and Ryan! It looks fantastic! Can’t wait to watch you bring it to life! Congratulations!!
Wendy
Aubrey@My Forever House says
So jealous! I’m sure you will do a wonderful job. Can’t wait to watch the progress. Congrats!
Mary-Carolyn says
Oh wow! I love that woodwork, especially the banister! I can’t even imagine what this is going to look like when you guys finish. Fantastic I bet, especially the kitchen – it looks like it get fabulous light!
Oonafey says
OH MY GOD! I am sooooooo excited!!!!! A whole new, fresh crop of fabuloso Before & Afters just waiting to be seen! I seriously wish you could hear me squealing in delight right now!! Yay!
Leigh says
awesome! I’m sure your magic touch will make it look awesome in no time fast. Where do you get your energy from? The front is so cute and that bathtub- amazing! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Breanne says
Congratulations! I’m really excited to see what you do with it! I wish we had the guts to take on something like that. It really does look like it has fantastic potential, and like another comment mentioned, I love the tub!
amber waves of grain says
That’s so exciting! Can’t wait to see and hear about renovations. Perhaps it will be the motivation we need to keep working on our own home!
Amanda says
I love it! I know that you guys are going to make it look stunning! I see hours and hours and hours and days of work in those photos- but I also see an AWESOME canvas to start with. Congrats!
Leah says
EXCITING!!!!!!! keep us updated! i am really interested to see what you do with this one!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
CONGRATULATIONS, Kim!!! π I am so excited for you. This house does have a lot of potential, and I know you’ll make it great again. Can’t wait to see what you do with it…you’ll have all sorts of updates to share at my next Progress party. π
Juggling Thoughts @ One Fine Wire says
It’s beautiful – great choice! Is this your second house? Or are you all moving?
Congratulations!
Valerie says
Well it looks like you have your work cut out for you but I know you can turn it into a beautiful home, you did it with the home you are living in now. I can’t wait to see the progress. I’m just drooling over your ability to transform things.
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
Wow! I’m lusting after that claw footed bath tub. The molding detail is pretty sweet as well. Happy renovating! I look forward to seeing more!
Allison and Jared says
Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll do wonderful things!
The Brick Cottage says
Congratulations! I sure do love old houses with lots of charm…I can’t wait to see what you all do!
LizzieBeth says
oh Kim, it’s lovely! Best of luck on this new venture. I can’t wait to see the outcome!!!
LB
Tricia says
Oh, Kim and Ryan, how exciting! The house does indeed have great potential!!! So excited for you both!
(Wow, that was a lot of exclamation points. π
Joi says
OMG. This house looks like it has super potential! What a fun project!!! I’m excited for you guys!
Cara says
Congrats on the new home!! So many neat little details that make it really charming. Can’t wait to see you work your reno magic!
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says
Wow, congratulations!!! That is so exciting. The house looks like it has a lot of charm. Can’t wait to see how your renovations go. Good luck & best wishes for your new home!
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
Congrats! I can’t wait to see the “after” pictures! Loving the claw-foot tub.
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
I think it’s awesome! Good for you guys! Buying our foreclosed fixer-upper and restoring it is one of the most fulfilling things we’ve ever done (and tiring…and stressful… π Looking forward to seeing your before and after pics!!
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! Can’t wait to see more pictures and hear more stories. Looks like a gorgeous house. You know…in a diamond-in-the-rough kind of a way. : )
Shannon says
Congrats guys! What a huge project, I’m sure you will work wonders with it! I think it looks pretty freakin cute from the front already. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Working bathrooms? Who needs em?
Mrs. Adventure says
Wow GOOD FOR YOU GUYS! I can’t wait to see what your fariy dust makes shine this time… what a beautiful “base” to get started on… I can’t wait to have an old farm house of my own here in a few years… but for now Bungalow 34 suites us fine.
Kristi says
That’s awesome news. I can’t wait to see you work your magic on this one!!
Mrs. 5C says
EEEEE!!!!! I’m so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see what your magical fairy powers can do!! π
Emily says
Are you going to paint the claw foot tub a la Sarah Richardson???? I want to do this, but B and I are not that handy.
Congrats you two! I cannot wait to see you transform this gorgeous home!
Heather says
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see all the things you do to it.
Heather
*claire* says
that’s so exciting!! good for you guys – i’m sure it will be super hard, but also fun at times – and very rewarding in the end. π can’t wait to see how it progesses
Deb says
LOVE the entryway tile – hope you keep it! Great house.
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
Congratulations! And I do hope that you can update us a bit along the way, although dramatic before and afters when it is all done would be fun too! π Here’s to house renovating!!!
Karla says
Congrats! So exciting!
Mom and Dad says
Congratulations! We look forward to August progress!
clink says
AWESOME!! If you need some perennials let me know.. I would be happy to share some with you.
I also have lots of old-house literature etc… I’m kind of a geek that way!
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Congrats! The details in the house are amazing, and I’m sure you guys will make them even more amazing!
Danielle and Clint says
OMG! The entry way tile, the tub, the hard wood floors, the radiators! I am jealous! What an awesome find! Would this become your forever home?
Kelli says
I think it’s great that you are brave enough to take on this major renovation. It will really be like home for you because of all of the work you will put into it. I can’t wait to see the results! Enjoy.