House Question and PIP's

[Deleted]

We kind of fell in love with a house today and may possibly be putting in an offer.

My biggest issue is that the house in on a creek. Like, we would have a dock. And there were people kayaking!! We could kayak!! We have a kayak. Anyway.

It's plenty big enough to grow into and has some really cool features. 2400 sq ft. We loved it. But being on water with two small kids- y'all. I'll never feel like they are safe will I?

We could put in a fence. And it is 3/4 of an acre and has a huge side yard that the kids could play in not right on the water(and a huge fire pit!!) pips and I'll add more in another post below.

Also. Water = Bugs. But that's Florida. So I could possibly overlook that with good pest control.

Would you have a house on water with kids?

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More

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The all brick room with the fireplace is a massive mud room off of the backyard.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2013 14:59:50 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

It makes me nervous, but when I think about it, I am such an anxious person that I'd probably always have an eye on them anyway. I think if you fenced in the side yard, you would be fine. Do a tall fence or some kind of lock they can't open.

Now, the mosquitoes and snakes are another story.

I saw a very weird looking bug in the backyard. Lol.

Yes - the snakes. Gah. It would be so cool when the kids are older. And we love the house.

I'll never feel safe with them though. I just know myself. Gah.

[tacokick]

We grew up on the water and it was fine. If you like it, go for it!

[goaskalice]

That's a beautiful house. I'm torn, I think it would be awesome once you don't have to worry about the kids. But, it would be something I'd worry about daily until they were older.

[margotmacomber]

I would buy it.  I would be anxious, but stress water safety and swim instruction, fence in a play area and you will be fine.  It's a lovely house.  

[Jalapeñomel]

It's beautiful.

The mosquitos and bugs would be a huge turn off for me.

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Jul 6, 2013 15:04:06 GMT -5 goaskalice said:

That's a beautiful house. I'm torn, I think it would be awesome once you don't have to worry about the kids. But, it would be something I'd worry about daily until they were older.

Exactly. Teenagers having their friends over to hang out and fish and kayak. Awesome.

My 4 year old going outside to swing. Heart attack.

[Deleted]

Also. It's ten minutes from both our work and also off a dirt road. Prime location.

It's crazy that we can even consider it. It's at the high end of our budget but doable. One bathroom is original from the 70's but the rest are already updated.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2013 15:05:06 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

It's beautiful.

The mosquitos and bugs would be a huge turn off for me.

I kept a keen eye out for palmetto bugs. It's July and it was empty. I expected to see at least one, but I didn't.

Doesn't mean the little shits weren't there.

[Booze Raccoon]

Jul 6, 2013 15:04:27 GMT -5 margotmacomber said:

I would buy it.  I would be anxious, but stress water safety and swim instruction, fence in a play area and you will be fine.  It's a lovely house.  

I was pretty much going to say the above.

I'm the kind of mom (helicopter???) who would not let the kids out alone until they are much older (than my 3 year old) anyway.  I wouldn't be worried as long as they had supervision.

Fuck the snakes though!  

[snickers]

As long as there was a fence, or potential for a fence I would buy it if I loved it as much as you do.
But snakes? Yuck.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2013 15:34:17 GMT -5 snickers said:

As long as there was a fence, or potential for a fence I would buy it if I loved it as much as you do.
But snakes? Yuck.

Our townhouse development we currently live at - I have seen snakes. There was a small alligator that once crossed one of the busiest streets in town.

It's FL people! Lol.

[Jermys]

We grew up with water super close and neither of us ever drowned! And my brother is an idiot and a daredevil!

[Yankees21]

That backyard is to die for! I think it would be worth it to have to keep an extra eye on your kids if it'd be your forever home. Put in a fence, get those alarms that go off when the door is opened, and teach your kids not to go outside without checking with you.

[Deleted]

My brother and I both grew up around a pool that wasn't fenced in at all. We weren't allowed outside unless an adult was present until we both learned how to swim, I was around 6 and my brother 4. It seems crazy now to think about.

[hopecounts]

I grew up living on a lake.
Take precautions and teach your kids safety as they get older.
For me a few years of watching them closely would be worth it to live there long term.

[Monica Geller]

Hmmm... I understand the worry about the water... BUT! they are only little for a short time and the long-term enjoyment of the place may be worth some temporary inconveniences:
-Fence the yard and put a padlock gate so there is less chance of the kids figuring it out on their own.
-Immediate swimming lessons for your DS and then for DD as soon as she is able.  Didn't someone, maybe Muffin, just show a video of her baby swimming?!? Maybe look into that too.
-Rule #1- No playing outside without an adult present.


The bugs, snakes, and alligators are a whole other story.

[macmars45]

Jul 6, 2013 15:03:09 GMT -5 tacokick said:

We grew up on the water and it was fine. If you like it, go for it!

Same. None of my sisters or I ever had any mishaps or scares while playing by the creek in our backyard. My parents moved 13 years ago and live by a different creek. My nephew and niece have yet to have any issues (and they lived at my parents' house with my sister & BIL for a year).

We were taught safety around water as well as how to swim. Also they never let us go out there alone. It was either with each other (when we were older- 7/8 years old) or with one/both of my parents when we were younger.

[rupertpenny]

I grew up on the lake, it was NBD. I guess we were a little older than your kids when we moved there, 4 and 6, but my brother has lived there since he was born. Overall it was really, really fun. I only saw snakes in our backyard a few times, and alligators only once or twice. We saw otters a lot more often.

I don't think there were ever more bugs there than anywhere else I've lived in Florida. They are just everywhere, you can't escape. Anyway, I wouldn't let a creek stop me from buying a house I loved. It will be nerve-wracking now, but it will be so, so much fun later.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2013 16:04:55 GMT -5 gravytrain225 said:

We need kitchen pictures! I would probably not put an offer on it due to the creek, but I am crazy too.

Nothing special. But I love the brick. We would re do it as soon as the funds became available.

[jane6672]

I would 100% buy that.

Kids can kill themselves all sorts of ways!

[snickers]

Jul 6, 2013 15:43:19 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

Jul 6, 2013 15:34:17 GMT -5 snickers said:

As long as there was a fence, or potential for a fence I would buy it if I loved it as much as you do.
But snakes? Yuck.

Our townhouse development we currently live at - I have seen snakes. There was a small alligator that once crossed one of the busiest streets in town.

It's FL people! Lol.

:|I could not live in Florida, lol

[iamgrace]

We live on a lake. No fencing. Yes, you have to be vigilant, but it's just life.

Gorgeous house!

[kaybee85]

I think if you install a fence, like you said, and maybe an alarm on the back door, so if a little one wanders outside you are alerted, maybe you'll feel more secure

[Deleted]

I'm thinking yes. Dh is a hell yes but I was wavering.

There is a big front yard and its on a dirt road so we can just play there for a few years till the kids grow up. Lol.

Dh is our realtor and just found out there are already other offers. So fingers crossed. We will go in as high as we can and hope for the best.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2013 16:42:02 GMT -5 jane6672 said:

I would 100% buy that.

Kids can kill themselves all sorts of ways!

Freaking lol.

Truth.

[pinkplasticdoll]

That house is absolutely beautiful.

I would just make sure that your kids know the importance of water safety and can swim. My sister has a strict rule in her house of no swimming unless an adult is outside and it works well, all of my nieces have known how to swim since they were less than a year old and are all very strong swimmers but that rule still holds.

[Deleted]

Honestly. There would be NO swimming in that creek.

See above mentioned weird bugs and alligators and snakes. Newp.

My fear is falling in. Actually, I have alot of fears, but I'm a helicopter parent who always assumes the worst.

Still love the house though.