Why We Chose Our Home And How To Know You’re Choosing The Right Home For You
Whether purchasing or renting, whether you want a fixer upper or move in ready, whether you’re downsizing or upsizing, you’ll benefit from watching for these signals to know if you’re selecting the home that’s right for you.
When we purchased our current home (five years ago!), it was the fulfillment of a long standing dream of mine. We (mainly me) knew that we wanted something to remodel and that’s what we specifically looked for during our house search.
BEFORE & AFTER KITCHEN REMODEL
Today I’m joining a group of bloggers in a bloghop, hosted by Jennifer from Town And Country Living, to talk about why we chose our homes. We all have very different and interesting stories, so be sure to scroll to the bottom where you can click to read everyone else’s posts.
Signals That You Have Made The Right Decision
You know, our minds and our hearts are constantly sending us signals about all sorts of things. When it comes to hunting for a home, I’ve learned the hard way to pay attention to them!
Much to my regret, I’ve ignored them to many times. Yes, you have to be practical, but when it comes to selecting your home you also need a healthy combination of those mind and heart signals to go along with that practicality!
I COULD NOT WAIT TO SEE THE INSIDE
Maybe you can relate – you’re on the hunt for a new place to live and haven’t found anything that creates a sense of anticipation when viewed from the outside. It’s hard to get excited about what might be on the inside of the house, when you don’t have any positive vibes about the outside.
Then! Then you drive up to THE one. The one that sets your heart aflutter because the exterior excites you so much you can’t wait to see the inside.
Our home wasn’t so much to look at when we first saw it – but oh, the potential that I could see!
THE HOUSE EMBRACED ME AS SOON AS I WALKED IN
I felt the embrace of our home within the first 5 seconds of coming through the front door! It just felt right. Oh, it was nothing great to look at inside because it was so dated, but all of the bones were there and I could easily envision myself living here for years to come.
With every remodel and room makeover project that we tackle, that feeling has only grown stronger for us.
I COULD IMMEDIATELY ENVISION OUR FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
Not only did I feel like our current home was embracing me, it was easy for me to visualize where all of our furniture would go.
I could just imagine the perfect spot for my husband to recline in the evenings. His spot would be right off of the kitchen, so I knew it would be easy to converse with him while I was busy in the kitchen.
BREAKFAST ROOM BEFORE AND AFTER
I FELT POSSESSIVE ABOUT IT BEFORE WE MADE THE DEAL
Maybe that seems silly, but even though it was obvious that there were many, many things to fix and update and a lot of renovating to be done, I didn’t like my husband, my realtor or anyone else pointing them out. I quickly came to our home’s rescue – if only they could see it with MY eyes, they’d know it was perfect. 😀
I DIDN’T WANT TO LOOK AT ANY OTHER HOMES
I didn’t want to make a rash decision, no matter how emotionally attached to this house I felt from the very beginning.
The more homes we looked at though, the more it seemed to confirm what I’d been feeling – this was the right house for us. So…..I only agreed to continue looking because I thought that’s what I should be doing, not because it’s what I wanted to be doing!
If you happen to be the hunt for a new home, I hope you’ll listen to your signals too!
Be sure to visit the other homes below.
Monday’s Homes
Town and Country Living / Designthusiasm / StoneGable
Tuesday’s Homes
The Happy Housie / The Wicker House / Sincerely Marie Designs
It All Started with Paint / Maison de Cinq / Jennifer Rizzo
Wednesday’s Homes
Worthing Court / The Happy Housie Cabin / Duke Manor Farm
Your home is beautiful!! You have been an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your day.
We purchased a fixer upper two years ago. I know it’s partly because the year prior my husband was 1100 miles away at his new job and I watched a lot of HGTV. I wouldn’t go back and do things differently as we love our house and the land it sits on, but I will admit I was naive on how much time it takes to do renovation projects on your own and how little time my husband has to help to them. Then our daughter became engaged so throw in her wedding and there went our budget for hiring any contractors. (Which is totally ok)
I’ve learned several new skills and it is truly rewarding to complete a DIY project. While I’ve learned to tile I still have yet to master the hot glue gun 😉
Your post was very well written and I’m sure it’ll be quite helpful to others.
You continue to be such an inspiration! We purchased a MAJOR fixer upper just over 30 years ago (and of course, we’re still not “done!” — paying just $24,000 for the darling four bedroom Cape Cod that we lovingly call home. We’ve completely remodeled the downstairs — major demo job, replacing every windows, removing plaster, overhauling the bathroom, gutting the kitchen, etc., etc., but it is perfect now to us. Our current project is adding a shed dormer to the back of the house, giving the upstairs bedrooms more breathing space, adding a bath, and building a deck over the porch (this will kill two birds with one stone — not only will it give us another outdoor relaxing space, but it will semi-fulfill my dream of a treehouse as the new deck will put us up into the branches of our beautiful maple tree! Keep the great ideas coming!
Well…when you think about it, we purchased a fixer upper 34 years ago. We are still living in the same home…and good news…we still have a few more things to do! It never ends. You are moving much quicker than we are! 😉
Having a handy husband is needed for so many of the projects, which I don’t have. Your house is beautiful and you did a terrific job. It is so satisfying to do the projects yourself.
I didn’t realize that you set out to buy a fixer upper, or how much you have done to your house. Great job!
We built our home in the 80’s, so technically it wasn’t a fixer upper, but after nearly 30 years we have done lots of changes and updating. We still have more to do. We are fortunate that we haven’t had to hire professionals except to replace windows and install granite countertops. Your home is an inspiration to me, and I look forward to reading your blog!
Love your kitchen and all the inspiration you provide. I look forward to your blog every day.
Linda
Great tips! I love everything you did with your home.
I love being able to fix up my home and you give me many tips. When my husband and I bought a brand new house, never before lived in, we still ripped out windows and put in doors, added a fireplace. It doesn’t matter to me if the house if old or new – I’m gonna DIY it to death to make it mine. LOL My hubby and I do as much work as we can ourselves – it just seems to mean more and I appreciate the changes so much more than when someone else does it.
Thank you for all the inspiration and tips I didn’t consider on my own.
Your home is so charming! While I’d love move in ready, I think I’m personally drawn to fixer uppers because I love to “save” a home!
Love the home! I like the idea or both move in ready and a fixer upper.
I love your tips and all you have accomplished in your beautiful home! Much to think about!!!
I’m so glad you are sharing your fixer upper with us. My husband and I have tackled several small renovations on our house, but haven’t been brave enough to redo the master bathroom or kitchen yet.
Super helpful post, Suzy! Thank you!
I just shared with my kids on FB, too!
Everything we have, including our house, is or was a fixer-upper! In fact, we have been fixing-up our house a little each year since we bought it 32 years ago. We even took out a wall between the living room and kitchen and raised our low 7 ft. ceiling to a vaulted one a few years back. Big job, but the best thing we could have done for this house.
I have wanted to purchase a fixer upper, most that I see are sooo bad! Not just cosmetics. Your “afters” are magnificent, they do give you incentive, but it looks expensive to do a whole house.
Every room looks fabulous! BTW can you share where you got the recliners and coffee table bench?
Thank you! The recliners are the Emma recliners from Haverty’s and the upholstered coffee table is actually my old coffee table that I painted the base of and had upholstered. 😀
I always enjoy seeing your beautiful home, Suzy! I really love what you’ve done with this house. And isn’t it funny – that feeling you get when you first step inside a house and know it’s “the one?” A few other bloggers have said the same thing. Thanks so much for being on the tour and sharing your story!