We're buying a house!

[prettyinpearls]

Backstory: FF’s grandparents own 240 acres about 10 minutes from where we live now, most of which is farmland (wheat, beans & hay) that FF and his dad farm for “hobby”. The main house sits on about 15 acres of gorgeous lawn/trees with a beautiful tree-lined paved driveway. It truly is stunning (and is where we got married!). The original house sits on the far front corner of the property, and FF’s grandpa built it from the ground up in the late 70’s. It’s where his mom grew up and where FF lived for 5 years when his mom and dad divorced. FF’s grandpa sold it when they built the house they’re in now and it has had 2 owners since then. The last owner lost the house to the bank 3 years ago…it had three mortgages on it! (How does that even happen?) Anyway, the house has sat vacant for 3 years, it’s had two accepted offers on it, both of which have fallen through due to financing.

The house came back up for sale last week, and FF took me through it. The house is structurally sound and well built, it just needs some serious cosmetic updating inside. It’s 3-4 bedrooms (it has 4, but one is in the basement and I’d like to avoid using it until DS is closer to his teens), 2.5 baths, 3 fireplaces, living room AND family room, huge kitchen, finished basement (just needs floor covering), a 2-car attached garage and a 3-car detached garage/workshop AND an in-ground pool. Oh, and it sits on just under 5 acres. Even though it needs some work, I could really see us living there and making it our own house, together as a family.

We put an offer on the house two days ago, the bank countered and we just found out that we’re unofficially the new owners of the house! FF’s grandpa is elated, because this means he and grandma can stay in their house longer since FF will be close by to help out with lawn care/maintenance, etc. FF is stoked too, because the house means a lot to me. And, it makes me happy that he is so happy

Now I’m going to drive myself crazy trying to pick out paint colors, floor covering, light fixtures, etc. Our goal is to move in late winter/early spring and put FF’s house on the market at the same time. He had it appraised 2 years ago when he tried buying this house the first time around (he lost the bidding war) and we should be able to break even if not make a little profit.

Phew…sorry that was long! Anyone love home renovations and have any suggestions/tips??

[roselis]

I'm with MCC. Check out the Home & Garden board. They have great ideas.

[formerlyak]

Pinterest, of course!!

[Deleted]

Great! I love doing home renovations! That's what I did for 3 years on my last house. I would gladly volunteer if I lived close by!

[prettyinpearls]

Oct 10, 2012 11:19:00 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Pinterest, of course!!

I'm Pinterest obsessed. At our BBQ I said to my BFF, "Well now that the wedding's over what am I going to pin??" She told me baby stuff...but i like the idea of house stuff way better!

[achase123]

OMG!!! So exciting! That's awesome and I'm sure you'll make it look great with paint/updates, etc!

[heavenly]

Congratulations! Have fun making it your own. My only suggestion is to take your time, maybe even live in it for a while before you decide what colors or what to buy.

[udscoobychick]

Congrats! That's awesome!

[marigoldgirl]

How exciting for you guys. Have fun making your house.

[formerlyak]

Oct 10, 2012 11:28:05 GMT -5 prettyinpearls said:

Oct 10, 2012 11:19:00 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Pinterest, of course!!

I'm Pinterest obsessed. At our BBQ I said to my BFF, "Well now that the wedding's over what am I going to pin??" She told me baby stuff...but i like the idea of house stuff way better!

I've seen your baby pins of late ... some cute stuff on there.

[incognitotoday]

Oct 10, 2012 10:18:39 GMT -5 prettyinpearls said:

Phew…sorry that was long! Anyone love home renovations and have any suggestions/tips??

Yup: www.houzz.com/

Best.site.ever when buying/buiding a home!

[leslieknope]

That is such a sweet story! Congratulations!

[naeljun]

Very exciting!!!

[bullygirl979]

No advice but wanted to say congrats!

[turtle1120]

Congrats! New houses are so exciting!

[prettyinpearls]

Oct 10, 2012 15:41:06 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Oct 10, 2012 10:18:39 GMT -5 prettyinpearls said:

Phew…sorry that was long! Anyone love home renovations and have any suggestions/tips??

Yup: www.houzz.com/

Best.site.ever when buying/buiding a home!

I love you. For reals.

[prettyinpearls]

Oct 10, 2012 22:12:22 GMT -5 dynamoo said:

Are you still calling your DH, FF?

This is so exciting, congratulations!!!

I guess I could call him DH, huh? FF just seems to stick

[doriswe]

Oct 11, 2012 8:03:51 GMT -5 prettyinpearls said:

Oct 10, 2012 22:12:22 GMT -5 dynamoo said:

Are you still calling your DH, FF?

This is so exciting, congratulations!!!

I guess I could call him DH, huh? FF just seems to stick

Anyone can have a DH....only a select few can have a FF!

[hainesherway]

Congrats, that is awesome!!!

[stephbfan]

Oct 11, 2012 8:03:23 GMT -5 prettyinpearls said:

Oct 10, 2012 15:41:06 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Yup: www.houzz.com/

Best.site.ever when buying/buiding a home!

I love you. For reals.

Congrats and I LOVE that site too.