We looked at three houses yesterday.

The first was not too far from my home. It was built in the 20’s and has been remodeled a time or two. It has a garage in the back yard that would make a fine studio/shop. The lot is small (a plus) and it is fenced. The downsize is that the house is 1200 square feet. Could Shar fit into that space. The price was right but it is essentially a one bedroom house with an office.
Verdict: If Shar can fit it would work well for us.

House two was 10 or 11 miles away. Same vintage, but much larger.
Two story with a quaint rather diminutive kitchen. Two baths, but not terribly wonderful. A small two story garage that looks totally out of place. The lot is big, wrapping around the neighboring tiny house.
Great project for someone with ambition and a bit of cash. We have some cash (very finite) and less ambition than we might have had a decade ago.
Verdict: Not for us.

House three was on an acre lot. It had a carport by the house, a barn and a nice sized metal shop. The lot was fenced with a block wall across the front of the lot.
Some previous owner had spent a pile of money putting on new stucco. But the house had been vandalized and would require a lot of work to get it habitable, and it was in a deteriorating neighborhood.
Verdict: No. Definitely.

But, Shar keeps bidding on  a house around the corner from where I live now. Three bedroom 60’s. Two car garage, parking and a decent metal shop. The downside is that the occupant seems to be a hostile renter, meaning that you might have to force them out, and while they are paying no rent the forcing process can take some time.
And because the renter is not cooperating (or seems so at this point), we cannot see the inside.
Verdict: It seems to be a decent house for us.

So the search and the financial gymnastics continue. Shar purchased the house we live in now from a bank last June. She had spent several months fencing with the bank before they arrived at an acceptable price.

I like little houses that have a lot of character.
Share likes them larger with lots of space.
We are working on that one!

house hunting

I have bought exactly one house in my life and it did not turn out well.

The lot where my house house sits was part of an inheritance and I built the house in 1976, 38 years ago.

Shar has bought and sold dozens of houses. Idaho, Washington, New Mexico, and those are just the ones I have heard her talk about!

So we are looking for the prefect house for us. Unfortunately we don’t have a perfect budget. But we look.  We see all sorts of interesting and even intriguing houses. But, so far, none have been right.

There is one around the corner from my house. It is a bit larger, on a corner lot, good parking spaces, a double garage and a shop in the back yard. It is being auctioned to the highest bidder, but there are dozens of ways the bank can make that last a long time. At the moment we have the high and only bid. But the process could take a long time, and success is not guaranteed.

Shar bid on one house last year. It was as close to perfect as any house we have seen. The bank said it was hers. Closing date was set, then the bank magically canceled her bid and sold it to someone else for less money. Obviously someone had a friend.

It is a crazy project, this houses buying thing.

My request for the new year

The last few years have been way to eventful.

In 2011 Miriam and I moved from the houses I built to Washington State to be closer to daughter 1 who was to help me care for Miriam as Alzheimer’s slipped deeper into her body.

In 2012 I thought I had sold our house in Idaho, but when the sale fell through I decided to not sell because “There may be time ahead that I cannot possible see when I will wish I had the house.” Then in May that year the storm sewer overflowed and dumped 30” of water into my house. The insurance company (State Farm) came through. They paid me more than the house was worth!

2013 My beloved Miriam lost her battle with Alzheimer’s. I moved back to our house and began the slow process of rebuilding: electrical; sheetrock; paint; trim; cabinets; floors etc.

2014 I met Shar and nothing has been the same! 

So with all of that drama I’d like 2015 to be a bit boring, but with Shar I know it won't be!

Please.

I didn't take this one last week!
I look forward to spring!

Happy Happy

2015

I have to wonder how this one will work out.

Last year was a year of change and not all good changes. I was holed up in the smallish master suite at my house. I was lonely and sad. This year I am not lonely and not so sad. That is good.

But as is my habit I am constantly analyzing everything. Shar says I am excessive about that one and she is right.

I used to start a long essay on new years day, evaluating my basic beliefs and wondering if they were still valid. Haven’t done that for a while.

This year may not have as many big changes, but there will be definite changes, maybe ore than I anticipate.

But it will unfold a day at a time and meanwhile: Happy New Years day.

May 2015 be a banner year.