Call Me Unreliable
Just yesterday we were certain that we would love this one house in Northern Georgia with a huge lot and an in-the-ground swimming pool. It had the woods, and a large wonderful house, with plenty o'room for all our stuff and a great kitchen. But late last night, right before Ugly Betty came on, Dave had a change of heart. It would be too much work for him to maintain, and certainly not worth having if we had to hire someone to mow all that grass, and clean the pool. It just didn't seem right to get ourselves into that kind of situation.
We brought out our collected fave listings and went over them and tried not to be emotional. But we are emotional and it is about being in love with the dream house.
Our remaining faves were in places that would be easier to fly to my work and that meant they were 'in town' and not in the country.
Suddenly we were not so in love with them, and they represented 'settling' even tho they are each spectacular homes...just not in such an idyllic setting.
But then, could we find a dramatic home in the woods? Near enough to an airport and yet still be out of major traffic patterns? And would there be a Mexican grocery in the vicinity? And would it/could it have a hot tub?
Arggh. We fell asleep and slept hours later than usual, out of sheer emotional fatigue.
Back at the laptop this morning, I decided to try looking closer to Chattanooga TN while still in Georgia, and on the edge of North Carolina too. Confused? Ha! You bet.
Dave decided to take a morning nap, while I searched and got more and more befuddled. Soon I made him wake up and help me clarify our most essential desires. After looking at so many listings, I had lost the ability to prioritize anything.
But sitting together, and going through 250 listings it did become easier to discard those that weren't right, and finally saving 10 that we think we will look at first. I emailed the website and in short order got a phone call from an agent with only a tiny twang, making me feel immensely better about communicating with my Chi-cah-gah accent.
He wanted to know if we would continue to travel south after looking at his listings. Who can say? If we find what we want, we can come home happy and if not we will stay on the road until we do.
I am planning on staying at free-internet motels along the way. Just in case you are not bored to death with this already.
I'm just back from 3 days with a realtor in Chicago. *Head-is-spinning.* Your confusion is somewhat comforting to me.
ReplyDeleteHang in there...I'm not bored.
Noboy asked me...but that never stops me. I think Dave's needs should take priority. He needs to be near good medical facilities and in a house that he can manage to get around in(steep staircases not good) now, and more importantly, later. There are gorgeous homes today in suburban areas with lots of green space and MEXICAN grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteDitto on Dave. ANd an in-ground pool!? OY! Very expensive and labor-intensive. You will get more use out of a hot tub fer sure.
ReplyDeleteThink medical center with really good PD rep and a gym with trainers who are knowledgable regarding movement disorders. Have you considered Austin, TX?? My dad's original trainer is there and I can get her number from my dad. Or Boca Raton? Dad goes to IHP there (gym) and Dr. Isaacson treats ONLY PD.
teri
It's a big decision and there are many things you have to consider so the confusion is certainly understandable. It's better to go slow, take your time and get your bearings. I'm not trying to be snarky but couldn't you mow the grass? Get yourself a lawn tractor or something and you can make short work of a big lawn. Either that or you can make a small lawn out of a big lawn by letting parts of it go natural. Just a thought.
ReplyDeletePick an area based on your geographical needs, then go to the chosen area and find a house. You can't change anything about the area. Without knowing what the roads, traffic, shopping, schools, airports/airplane traffic, hospitals, and crime is like it's a waste to fall in love with a picture on the internet. Get away from the real estate websites and focus on all the other things that matter. All areas have some nice houses you'll like. Do your research and pick the area in which you want to live. Then go to the area and house hunt. You can change just about everything about the house but you can't change anything about the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteOf course Dave's needs come first, which is why we are moving in the first place. I cannot be counted on to be home long enough to mow the lawn and clean the pool either.
ReplyDeleteSo POOL BOY comes to mind!
Just kidding, sort of.
But we do hope to find a place for the hot tub or like one of the listings we did find, with a hot tub already in place. And this one is RED! Perfecto!
No, not bored here. Enjoying going through the journey with you without having to engage in the hard work of the search.
ReplyDeleteA pool would be nice, but I agree that a hot tub is more essential. Other than that, I just wish you the best of luck.
Say Hi to Dave,
LB
When I first started work as a lawyer, I did a lot of conveyancing - helping people buy or sell their homes. I soon learned that otherwise perfectly sane and pleasant people can suddenly become very loopy and odd when playing the property game. Part of it is the natural stress involved in making a significant financial investment but mostly it is the emotional stakes coming into play. There's so many work, life, health factors and you don't want to get it wrong.
ReplyDeleteFor my part, I've only bought two homes. The first was a nine month quest with many disappointments along the way but when we found it, we knew it was THE ONE. The second time was when we bought Casa da Praia . We had spent all day looking in real estate agent windows and nothing appealed. We were about to walk away when we thought we would just check with the agent inside. He had a new listing and it was truly love at first sight. We did a little more research before becoming betrothed but there is no substitute for being on the ground in person. Magic can happen. Bon courage!
Oh, I know this is totally tying you in emotional knots. What do people who don't trust God do when making a major decision like this? I don't know, but you know all things work together for good...this trip south on Monday will probably be the thing that eases your minds the most. La Casa Perfecto is waiting for you somewhere.
ReplyDeleteBut just in case, is the house up the street still for sale? For me, not for you!
I'm enn route to new digs and presently homeless, I feel your angst.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda diggin' that whole pool boy idea. Maybe he could mow the lawn when he's not taking care of the pool, just to keep in shape!
ReplyDeleteI would be greatly disappointed if I was not kept abreast of your travels and discoveries. Hang in there. Juanita
ReplyDeleteHope you find the place of your dreams- you will know it when you see it. And since Easter is the right time for new beginnings this has to be auspicious.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you check out the local city politics too! I feel like our little town is run by the mob or something - so much corruption and we never knew till we lived here! (We still love the town, but we may have looked at some other areas more if we knew - just for the frustration factor.) Find the local TV channels/newspapers web sites for the towns you are looking and check out the headlines each day. One more thing to add to the growing list?? GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteBeing near an airport is tres important. As much as I loved Somoma County, it was at least a 2 hour trek to the airport. Now we are 15 minutes with a lot more options for times and cost. Lots of yard work is not a good thing as you age or have physical limitations. It is good that Dave is being realistic. Good luck!! You need to go experience the area and drive around and check out the shopping etc. You will know when you get there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a previous comment. Location, Location, Location! Visit some places that you like first and then find the house. I don't think there is ever a perfect house, but you need to decide your top priorities (i.e. single level, close to airport/shops, room for studio, near lots of nature, etc.)and not worry too much about the rest.
ReplyDeleteWell... whatever you do, have fun doing it... 'K?? ;0)
ReplyDelete"closer to Chattanooga TN while still in Georgia, and on the edge of North Carolina too"
ReplyDeleteSounds like the area around Brasstown where John C. Campbell Folk School is located--very scenic and within range of Asheville, Chattanooga and Atlanta.
Check out Charlottesville, Virginia. At the foothills of the Blue Ridge, local airport, several universities, (liberal la-la land so it does have its negatives), and plenty of houses in the mountains and on lakes and rivers. 2 hours from the ocean, 20 minutes from 3,000 ft mountains, far enough north that you don't cook in the summer yet far enough south that you see little snow, and Smith Mountain Lake is nearby - very nice - that's where they shot the movie "What About Bob".
ReplyDelete