I have actually been dreaming of fixing up a large vacant home right downtown for years. I even tracked down the owner and talked to him - but the house has been in his family for generations, since it was built, and he did not seem in a hurry to sell it. Boo. So I had to move on (at least attempting...)
So we started looking for homes on the market. Nothing. We couldn't find a house in our price range, that was the bedroom size and in the location we wanted. So we snaged up one of these:
We were amazed that a brand new, beautifully done 3 bedroom ranch fell into our price range. But we quickly realized: that we needed to build the walls of the house we would be happy with 10+ years from now. We can easily change counters, flooring, fixtures. But we can't easily add whole rooms or rearrange for a better layout. So we have upgraded some parts, and downgraded others. We traded in granite counters for 9 foot ceilings. We traded in a third stall for a layout that had another bedroom. We traded in a larger deck, for an extra (half) bathroom.
We also realized: why should we pay interest on upgrades we can save up for and do with free labor. I understand having a mortgage on a house, but I don't know if I want to pay interest on the sliding barn doors I am dreaming about for the office... We also know we have some major expenses coming, and want to do our best to steward as much as we can to the things that really need it instead of our mortgage (adoption(s), kids educations, maybe even a car for me?!). Everything will be new, clean, low maintenance, and to our liking (within budget) anyways.
So everything in our house is builder basic and super standard, with only the following exceptions (to date):
(1) Trim: we are not craftsman, and this is not something many people trade out after a couple years. (2) Furnace: another thing you don't replace quickly, so the update now for the difference it will make was a no brainer. (3) Gas stove: a want more than a need, but a minimal upgrade and will make mama happy. (4) Windows in our big garage door: for a minimal charge, it is something that we would not update later, and with no windows in the garage (since we didnt want to waste one where we will pull it out later for our future third stall) it just makes sense, and it looks good! (5) Stairs off the deck: we gotta let the dog out. (6) A second exterior water spigot: every kid needs a sprinkler in their backyard. (7) 9 foot ceilings on the main level: this was a last minute addition. A lot of people told us it is good for resale, and it helps things feel more open.
I am excited to slowly DIY update all the builder blah over the next few years. Lots of fun budget-friendly ideas, but we will see what ends up where. Maybe I shouldn't get too ahead of myself, we need some walls first :)
So we started looking for homes on the market. Nothing. We couldn't find a house in our price range, that was the bedroom size and in the location we wanted. So we snaged up one of these:
We were amazed that a brand new, beautifully done 3 bedroom ranch fell into our price range. But we quickly realized: that we needed to build the walls of the house we would be happy with 10+ years from now. We can easily change counters, flooring, fixtures. But we can't easily add whole rooms or rearrange for a better layout. So we have upgraded some parts, and downgraded others. We traded in granite counters for 9 foot ceilings. We traded in a third stall for a layout that had another bedroom. We traded in a larger deck, for an extra (half) bathroom.
We also realized: why should we pay interest on upgrades we can save up for and do with free labor. I understand having a mortgage on a house, but I don't know if I want to pay interest on the sliding barn doors I am dreaming about for the office... We also know we have some major expenses coming, and want to do our best to steward as much as we can to the things that really need it instead of our mortgage (adoption(s), kids educations, maybe even a car for me?!). Everything will be new, clean, low maintenance, and to our liking (within budget) anyways.
So everything in our house is builder basic and super standard, with only the following exceptions (to date):
(1) Trim: we are not craftsman, and this is not something many people trade out after a couple years. (2) Furnace: another thing you don't replace quickly, so the update now for the difference it will make was a no brainer. (3) Gas stove: a want more than a need, but a minimal upgrade and will make mama happy. (4) Windows in our big garage door: for a minimal charge, it is something that we would not update later, and with no windows in the garage (since we didnt want to waste one where we will pull it out later for our future third stall) it just makes sense, and it looks good! (5) Stairs off the deck: we gotta let the dog out. (6) A second exterior water spigot: every kid needs a sprinkler in their backyard. (7) 9 foot ceilings on the main level: this was a last minute addition. A lot of people told us it is good for resale, and it helps things feel more open.
I am excited to slowly DIY update all the builder blah over the next few years. Lots of fun budget-friendly ideas, but we will see what ends up where. Maybe I shouldn't get too ahead of myself, we need some walls first :)
