Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Great House Hunt Part III

Sometimes things just feel right.


After our second showing of two properties, we knew which one we wanted. It was clear. It had the edge ever so slightly in terms of amenities, plus is had the zing.

We made an offer the same day. Last year the property was listed for 125K higher than its current listing price. Of course, that offer was totally inflated, but still, 125K is a HUGE drop. We offered 15K below their current asking price, which they accepted.

!!!

So not only are we getting a great house, but we're getting it at a good price. The seller's accepted our purchase price, but they wanted to quadruple our earnest money. It seems they were jerked around quite a bit by the buyers they were previously under contract with. They were very pleased with our "clean offer", as their agent put it.

It just felt like it was meant to be. Within four days we went from despair, to seeing the house twice, to having a signed offer. After months and months the actual deal seemed to happen rather quickly.

It's not the 100% perfect dream house. But it's awfully close at maybe 90%. It's a rambler, not a two-story. It's in South Jordan, not Cottonwood Heights. (Although the more I learn about South Jordan the more excited I am to be living there.) It means a 25 minute commute for Brent rather than his current 8 minute commute. It was built in 1985 instead of 1905 or 2005 (at least it's not 1975. I've had enough of that decade's architectural design.)

However, it IS red brick with light mortar, black shutters, and black front door. It is on .99 acre which will give my children all the room they could want to frolic, plus have room for a big garden, chickens, beehives, fruit trees, a pool, a miniature golf course, and a putting green. Maybe even a shooting range.

It has a shed the size of an airplane hangar. We can't decide whether to turn it into a pool house, a music studio, a casino, a bowling alley, a spook alley, or a dance club. Or we could just buy a boat, some ATVs, snowmobiles, a trailer, and a few trucks to store. Since after we get our new mortgage we will be able to afford all these things, I'm thinking we somehow make a combo of a swimming pool beneath a sport court, like in "It's a Wonderful Life."

The house has main floor laundry. It has a huge kitchen. It has a walk in closet. It has a tiny formal dining room that we're going to convert into an office. It has a small formal living room that we're going to turn into a music room. It has a great family room off the kitchen. It has a big brick hearth and mantel that houses an old fashioned stove. It has a big blank wall where Brent can have some built-in bookshelves for his leather book collection.

It has a game room decorated in a grey, black, orange, and chrome Harley Davidson theme. It's awesome. I'm definitely keeping the chrome paneling.

But the best thing about the house is that it puts me in a position to bless others. It will be a place to gather with friends and family. We'll be able to have people over and have the space to socialize comfortably while the children run amok in the yard. I'll be able to have my children and grandchildren over, the house overflowing with love and affection. I can't wait to start making memories there.

We close at the end of March.

So. 4th of July barbeque at my house. Who's coming?


Oh, and did I mention that the shed has a moose weather vane?


10 comments:

shelley said...

I drove by your house and I don't think the shed is an airplane hangar. I just think it's extra parking for the motorhome and boat you will be buying next.

Gentrey said...

South Jordan!!?!!

I. Am. So. Jealous. But very happy for you and Brent.

Let us know when the next roommate party is. :)

Menner said...

1. Motor homes are lame. I am not. Therefore I will never own a motor home.

2. Boats are a nuisance. Totally not worth the hassle if you are interested in anything other than boating and boat maintenance.

I was once told how to determine if you are a boat person. First sit in a bathtub full of ice and water. Once you are completely numb, having lost all feeling, pull the drain, and as the water swirls down, start pushing $20 bills down the hole. If you determine that you're having a good time, then you're definitely a boat person.

I might be convinced into a sailboat one day, but otherwise I just want friends with a boat, I don't actually want one myself.

How about this: anyone interested in owning a boat but don't have a place to store it? You can keep your boat in my shed in exchange for taking me and my family out in it every other weekend during the summer months. Deal?

Just what is a Clair? said...

I wanna come! It sounds like a dream house! I can't wait to have chickens and beehives and fruit trees, etc. We really want a goat and chickens at our next house. Yay! I am so excited for your family! We are coming to Utah in June for a college reunion we shall have to come visit so you can show off your gorgeous new home!

aubtobobtolob said...

I just clicked on your blog since it was on Jess's blog list. You must be Matt's sister. :)
It sounds like Jess could fit two of her houses in your shed. WOW! Have a fun time with the bee's my husband and I have kept them, it is more work than a boat, less money to maintain and easy to sell the honey to drunk people as I recall. Enjoy! ;)
We just closed on a house built in 1870 on 1.75 acres backing 5 more acres and a hill with a forest.... I might head down honey lane again. Eggs are in the future, and a garden is something we do well. I doubt Jess can make it to my 4th of July, so I hope yours is lovely. :)

JaeReg said...

Blogs are weird. All of a sudden, there is my other sister on your blog.
So many sisters....so blessed am I.

I can't wait to see the before and after pictures. Because I am fairly certain the chrome paneling you speak of will come out just as the tongue in your cheek will :)
But you had better capture the essence of the Harley Davidson-ness of it for posterity before you go decorating it in roulette motif, or playing-card wallpaper.

In fact, I want to walk through it with you before the renovations start - see it with my own eyes, you know. The descriptions you gave me the other day sound nearly unbelievable. I want to see the kitchen so I can ooh, and ahh over the miracles you have worked when it is all over. And the stone stenciling in the bathroom, and the tile counter tops...

You are just plain brave. Even now, every time I come over to your house you are in the midst of major projects that you fearlessly tackle on your own.

Maren's got moxie.

And a new house to wield it on.

Congratulations - you've hunted hard.

shelley said...

LOL at the bathtub test! I agree. Maybe you'll use it for your fleet of Aston Martins then? And please, no bees or chickens. I won't be able to leave the house.

The Laubs said...

Yeah! So exciting. Good luck with all the rennovations, we have an amazing Contractor if you still need one. He's been simply wonderful and has turned into a friend through the whole process.

Annie said...

I'll come on the 4th of July as long as there's Famous Dave's bbq sauce. But there always is. So I'll be there. :)

I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to see it!

Cammy said...

Congratulations! I must admit I am a little jealous but very happy for you. After looking for over a year ourselves, I wouldn't wish this long tiring process on anyone.

It does give me a glimmer of hope seeing that you found something. Perhaps our house is just around the corner.

Best of luck as you make your new house a home. So exciting!