Oh how times flies!
Life has been really fun and exciting lately, not that any of you would know since I have been completely M.I.A. So sorry about that!
Here’s an update:
Last month, Eric & I bought a new house! I didn’t really talk much about it because in this real estate market, it’s not a sure thing until you’re sitting at the closing table. I just didn’t want to jinx anything! It’s a newly renovated 1940’s ranch in one of our favorite intown neighborhoods of Atlanta. When the original owner had decided to move out, an local designer bought it and transformed it entirely. He must be the last “flipper” in the real estate world. He took down walls, totally renovated the bathrooms and kitchen…and basically turned it into a new house.
We took one look at it in photos and immediately knew that it was meant to be our house. We went to look at it on a Saturday and made an offer the following Monday. In all, it was on the market for three days. Throughout the entire period of negotiations, I was a nervous wreck that someone would try to buy it out from under us. Thank goodness we had a very patient and reassuring realtor…more on her in a bit.
We moved in a few weekends ago and have been incredibly busy turning this house into our home. We are fortunate that everything on the inside of the house is top-of-the line, ready-to-go. (In fact, it took us a while to figure out how to operate the microwave…and I still think it’s smarter than me) But, there is just SO MUCH to do…order window treatments, buy a washer and dryer, install shelves, hang artwork, etc. Our to-do list somehow gets longer each day….and I simply couldn’t be happier.
The outside of the house has required a little more sweat equity. While in negotiations, the inspector recommended we get an arborist to examine the red oak tree in the front yard. Sadly, what he thought were just a few dead limbs actually turned out to be much worse…the tree was very sick and would be coming down; either by a tree service or by a strong storm. The slope of the lot positioned the tree to fall away from the house. We knew as tragic as it would be to take down this magnificent 100+ year old tree, it would be far more tragic to see it come down and hit a car, neighbor’s house, or worse. So, the tree who we named “Big Red” came down…and left us with a HUGE pile of mulch. We’re tackling it, one wheelbarrow at a time, spreading the mulch in beds around the yard. It’s a slow-going process but I’m realizing how much I enjoy yardwork…even the manual labor part of it!
So, needless to say, my tools lately have been rakes and shovels instead of glue guns and knitting needles. The scope of my “creations” will be changing for sure. This new stage in life has inspired me to take upholstery classes, start a vegetable garden, and I think we’re even going to design and build a work shed/art studio in the back yard. I’ll keep you all posted, for sure!
In the meantime, here are some photos of the work-in-progress. We are simply in love with our new home.
pansies & a church pew
main living area (dining room table coming soon)
our favorite room in the house
Um, yea...that's a wet bar. Totally ridiculous.
our little patio
lower backyard
upper backyard (I've got one word for you: POOL)
Finally, I do not possess enough positive words in my vocabulary to describe our realtor, Kate Burke. She should teach a course on how to be a powerful negotiator. She’s that good. What’s even more impressive was her complete objectivity. Regardless of the price of the house we looked at (and we looked at a LOT of them) she remained driven to find the best house for US. She would be the first one to point out possible ‘cons’ on the higher priced homes as easily as she shared excitement in the lower priced homes. There was never a doubt that she was sincerely looking out for our best interest. She’s totally fabulous, and someone I now consider a friend.
So, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in Atlanta, you gotta call her.
Kate Schneider Burke
Dorsey Alston, REALTORS
404-441-5283
kateburke@dorseyalston.com
