B... is for Build!

So, luckily looking at the fixer upper a few weeks ago did not pan out! :)  I have said I would only move if I could build my own house (or totally gut and old house and essentially re-build the inside).  I have no desire to ever move, but the only thing that could make me do it is if I could make everything EXACTLY as I want it.  I am very decisive and I know what I want.  I have a few friends who are building houses.... exciting!

IF we were to build- it would have to be in a neighborhood where you can pick our exterior house style.  I am not a fan of the neighborhoods where all the houses are the exact same.... color, etc.  Variety is the spice of life! :)  There are so many options to choose from.   I like houses that look steeped in tradition.

I am open to a variety of different styles, but a front porch (or wrap around porch) would be a must have.   

These would all "do"! :)

Federal Farm House

Country

Farm House

Craftsman

Country

Victorian

Greek Revival

A smart woman recently told me that if I were to build my own house (or gut) make sure my "wish list" is long.....very long!  I have a good list going.  I will share more of it with you at a future date.  But for now,  I will dream of sipping a cocktail on my front porch!  Until next time...xoxo

F.U.... Fixer Upper!

So, last week I temporarily lost my mind!  The husband and I went and looked at a house!  Now, I have no desire to move, but I was temporarily tempted though.  There is one street not too far from where I currently live that I love.  It is full of AMAZING houses.  It is one of those neighborhoods full of big trees, wide sidewalks and gorgeous houses!

Houses like this:

Then there is this baby!

This is a house that is currently on sale but needs a TON of work!  I thought it had such potential.  It has 12 foot ceilings, amazing historic details, 5 fireplaces, and open staircase where you can see all the way up to the 3rd floor.  It is HUGE.... 3,500 square feet.  When I say it needs work .... I mean kitchen needs to be totally gutted, has a ton of wall paper,  wood paneling, old bathrooms, and so on and so on!

Well, luckily... we could not be tempted.  The price is still too high for the amount of work it needs.  It is more than cosmetic... it has original windows, has gas line but running on oil heat (expensive), needs electrical upgrade and has two old air conditioners built in that would need to be removed.   These are things that require experts and that are VERY expensive.   The final straw is that it has an "easement" for the driveway... meaning they don't "own" the driveway.  That is a deal breaker for us!  

So, thank god we were not tempted.  I have a new job (promotion) and a new baby... if I took on a new house too... I would have to have my head examined!

Until next time.... xoxo