First Time on the Market!

$659,000
3 bedroom, 2 bath
1,555 square feet

"First Time on the Market!" read the opening words from the real estate ad. The homes in this particular neighborhood were all of the 1960's vintage, and from the pictures on the website I could tell the home was in it's original state. I had to visit.

The home appeared average from the curb. What was not average, however, was the love and care given to the home in 55 years of ownership.The first clue of superb care: pocket doors. In 1966, pocket doors were the rage. It was a simple way to block off rooms of the house so ruckus adults could cocktail in the front while precious children slept in the back. The doors also streamlined rooms and made bathroom quarters more private. I once lived in a vintage 1960's home (which had had several owners before me), and most the pocket doors had been removed and sheet rocked over. The one door that remained was sticky on its tracks and sometimes didn't like to move. I attributed the stickiness to the age of the door, never tired to fix it, and just lived with it. I was wrong.

The house yesterday had numerous pocket doors and they all slid along their tracks as perfectly as the day they were installed. I marveled as I slid the first door back and forth. This simple example showed me that when something is well made and you take care of it, it will always take care of you.

After obsessing with the pocket doors I wandered into the kitchen. It too was model home 1966 perfect. There were Formica counter-tops complete with flecks of glitter and the

original cabinets had been painted in two tones to enhance their sleek styling. I recognized the stove from my childhood; a GE push button stove. It was not stained nor in any ill-repair, but again lovingly maintained so it could aid in nourishing the people who lived there.

In my tour of Open Houses, I've seen many remodeled homes with the latest gadgetry and trends (i.e. kitchen islands and granite). This home reminded me that there is beauty in working to maintain what you have. In our society we are pushed to think having the newest item is the goal. The home I visited yesterday reminded me that maintaining and cherishing what one has should be the goal.

Buyer Beware: Don't Trust the Signs

$899,950
4 bedroom, 3.5 bath
3,195 square feet

I wrote this blog post a few weeks ago. The blog entry wrote itself furiously fast, then I carelessly hit delete instead of post. I've tried to re-create those original words to the best of my memory, and I present it here:

Today's open house was gargantuan in comparison to the homes I've been visiting. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. The ad claimed the home was over 3,000 square feet, however the size didn't hit me until I actually visited the home.

A steep staircase carried me from the driveway to the front door above. I opened the heavy door and found an entry way littered with shoes. New carpet had been laid and the realtor asked all visitors to remove their foot wear. I donned my sweet baby blue booties and started my trek.

Off of the recently remodeled kitchen one could peer down into the neighbor's pool below. It felt odd and somewhat wrong to stare, the neighbor had zero privacy. The view toward the pool was slightly obstructed by an old arbor with dead vines. As I stared out the sliding glass door toward the pool, a sign taped to the door caught my eye. The sign read: "neighbor plans to remove and rebuild arbor." Buyer beware: you should never buy a house with the promise of what a neighbor might do in the future.

This sign turned out the be the first of many odd signs hung about the house. Some were taped to the wall haphazardly, while others were presented in thick stylish black frames and hung with hammer and nail. I couldn't decide if I liked the the entire signage concept.  Besides signs promising what a neighbor might do in the future, other signs talked of a room's potential or a space for a future laundry room (even through the house already had one). There was also a 'Do Not Enter' sign taped across the doorway into the garage which wasn't right at an Open House.

Considering all the signs, this Open House seemed to be offered as if it were still under construction or a model home on the subdivision tract where developers are trying to sell empty lots, however this home was neither of those. The home was finished and inhabited by a family so the signs did not help, but hindered my visit of the large home. 

The Open House & Curb Appeal

$760,000
3 bedroom, 2 bath
2,083 square feet

The photographer they hired was talented. I put this particular Open House on my list because the backyard looked like a fabulous oasis and the front of the home gave a hint of art deco glam, circa 1930. As my husband drove down the narrow street with cars parked haphazardly and no real estate signs in view, I began to have my doubts. I watched the house numbers as he drove slowly in the rain. The best I could tell, we were almost there.

"Maybe they canceled because of the weather." My husband doubted aloud.

"No, it's right here," I pointed as a small real estate sign jumped into view. There was no curb appeal, I silently questioned why I had put this home on my list.

"Should we do it?" He asked.

"Yes..." 

And I'm glad we did. After we parked our car (blocking the driveway on the tight street), we walked into one of the most surprising homes I've seen. It was almost like walking through the wardrobe door in a CS Lewis novel. 

A bright naturally lit flagstone entry with a well varnished gnarled wood bench welcomed us. I wanted to hang my coat and stay, but I was just a temporary guest and began to wander.

The home owner had updated the 1930's home with every modern convenience imaginable, and it was beautiful! The bathrooms were Architectural Digest perfect with white porcelain sinks and modern stainless steel fixtures, the closets had been fitted with the Elfa storage system, a fabulously large laundry room had been carved out in the center of the home and the large kitchen was gourmet at its best.

I almost skipped from room to room, ecstatic that I had put this home on my list.

"Did you go in the backyard yet?" The realtor asked. "Don't let the rain stop you."

Out the sliding glass door off the kitchen, was the huge backyard I'd seen in the on-line photos. There were majestic redwood trees, a swimming pool, a classic cedar hot tub, a small shed which housed pool equipment and changing room complete with a shower and toilet. The yard also had stand alone building furnished as a guest bedroom. 

The rain fell harder, my husband and I did not stop wandering, but stood in the shelter of a rain proof umbrella standing over an outdoor dining table. "Do you love it?" He asked.

"Yes, this place did not look like anything from the street. What a treat!"

Going to Open Houses every week, I see much of the same thing over and over. This house is why I won't stop. Those homes which are unique or surprising are incredibly fun to look at and even more fun to imagine living in. This home would not be a good family home, but a perfect artist retreat or space for hosting salons. 

Next Sunday will be Easter, a holiday for many and probably even fewer Open Houses than Super Bowl Sunday. It's a good thing the Open House I saw yesterday was so incredible, it will tide me over.