The Number Eight

Eight. That’s the number of houses we looked at before we decided on ‘the one.’ I have thoughts and worries about whether or not we saw enough houses. Did we jump the gun too quickly? Did we choose something that isn’t the right fit? Most of all, how do you know?

The first house we walked into was in western MN and Brett was really excited about it. It was a split level that had been moderately updated. As soon as we walked in, we knew it wasn’t for us. I have a strong dislike for split levels and we both agreed it was too small. On to the next one. And so it went for four more houses. We found one, a  1920’s farmhouse that we be loved. Unfortunately, we didn’t want to deal with the extremely slanted roof and needing at least two dormers upstairs.

After that first round of house hunting, we got a much better idea of what we wanted. What we weren’t willing to compromise and what could be flexible. I was ready for a fixer upper. I wanted to “HGTV” the crap out of the house. Brett wasn’t interested in doing a full-on renovation. He was okay with having to do a little here and there, but was pretty adamant that he didn’t want to take on an entire house.

Fast forward to round two of the house hunting the Monday after Christmas. Since we were coming right from a great holiday weekend, our spirits were high and so were our hopes. Well that quickly changed after the first house. It was a five bedroom, three bathroom house. It was on two acres and a great location just north of Saint Paul. Unfortunately it backed up the a major highway. On to the next one. And the next one. After three strikes, we weren’t feeling too great. And as we pulled up to ‘our house’, we both looked at each other like yea right, this isn’t happening.

And then we walked in. When people say that you feel it when you walk in, I can attest to the fact that it isn’t complete BS. No, I didn’t have that specific moment or life-altering feeling. I did however get really giddy and excited and I was smiling the whole time. And when Brett said that he could see this place becoming a home… well I got even more excited.

The last house we looked at was a two-story walkout and was move-in ready. It had a beautiful front porch, was on almost three acres and just needed some work in the basement to finish it up. Other than that, the house was good to go. Yes, there were updates we could do, but they weren’t necessary for us to live there.

So, we finished round two with two possibilities. The fixer upper that needed work in every. single. room. Or, the house that was basically done and just needed a few things here and there. We talked. And talked. And talked some more. Until we both came to the conclusion that the fixer upper was the way to go. Buying a house is a big decision. Buying a house that needs to be completely renovated is an even bigger decision. But the possibility of what this house could be is what has us hooked. We are so excited to start this process and make this house completely ours. We have the opportunity to put our touch on every square inch of this place and make it exactly the way we want it.

 

So the house has been decided on. Now on to the various inspections and closing. Here goes nothing!

All our best,