House Hunting...Err, Stalking

Marc and I met on his lunch break to look at a house today. I had already had a doctor's appointment set up for Bella so we decided to meet our realtor there before the appointment. Marc and I have been stalking this house since May. We are constantly checking the MLS for "our bargain" and about mid-May I found this one. It was late at night so I called our realtor the next morning, she called to get an appointment and the house was gone! Well, the house was still there but the listing wasn't. And no one knew what happened. Hmmm. So, I did what any house stalker would do.......I checked the county auditors records three times a week waiting to see if a transfer of title could be found. Nothing.
Three days ago I checked the MLS again and didn't see anything exciting. The next day I saw the house! It was back on the market. I emailed our realtor and set up the appointment for today. Why am I so excited about this house- or any house in this market?? Well, there are several reasons. Number one is the price. Number two is that it is within 6 miles of all of our doctors- and when I am running with Bella 3 or 4 times a week 6 miles is perfect! Third.........Marc and I have always wanted to buy an old house and renovate it. I have dreamed of doing a complete remodel on an old home probably since I was twelve years old. Marc has been in the construction, renovation and maintenance fields for the last 20 years. There is nothing my husband can't do, repair or build. He is amazing. And I'm pretty darn handy too, if I do say so myself.
So, here's what you get for $26,000.00.



Yes, you heard me right. 26 G's baby! A three story colonial built in 1928. It has three bedrooms, 1 full bath, a full basement and a third floor walk-up with potential. Newer windows and siding within the last four or five years. Solid foundation. And NO! It is not in the ghetto. Far from it. The county records have it appraised at $109,900 in it's current condition.

Oh! What's that? No, not the gutter.........and no, that's not blue icicles hanging from the roof. That's a tarp. But we'll get to that later.

This is on the side of the house. Ivy EVERYWHERE!!!!!!! I had a great conversation with the next door neighbor who told me as much as she could about the house and answered all of my questions as well as she could. She even told me she feared that the ivy would sneak over and take over her house!! There is A LOT of ivy. But it is very pretty.

This is the back of the house. And more ivy. The ivy is covering the one car garage.

Tiny little back yard. Perfect for me who hates to mow............

Driveway to the left of the house....................

Now we go inside. Are you ready?? This is where it gets exciting...............

Welcome to the living room. Yes, that is the ceiling in a pile on the floor. Demo IS DONE!!

Bella was TOO funny. Clear through the house she kept saying "Yuuuucky! YUCK! Oh WOW!"

Look at these cute arches! At first I thought that paint was peeling from the walls but later realized the whole has had been wallpapered and the wallpaper was falling off the plaster!!

A view of the fireplace wall...............

Front window that leads to porch...............

A little peak hole into the staircase. I'm thinking a stained glass piece custom fit for the opening??

Ugly pink coat closet................

Ceiling laying on the floor............

Isn't that a great fireplace!?!?

Close-up of living room ceiling.............

Living Room and Dining Room floors are............mountainous! Can we say water damage??

Not a huge deal though. Next up is the dining room...................

Check out that chandelier!!!

Gorgeous!!!!! And made out of copper!

The built-in china cabinets are equally as beautiful. Just look at the scrolled trim........

Moving into the kitchen...................

Again- demo is done! Well, started anyway!

Breakfast nook/butler's pantry.........Apparently they did take everything BUT the kitchen sink!

This is the part I LOVE!!! This is where the range goes. Look at that arch!! I think my 36" 6 burner stainless steel range would look great here!!

For the kitchen I see white cabinets, marble countertops, black and white 1" hexagonal tile on the floor, period lighting fixtures and stainless steel appliances. Can you see it?

Now, let's go to the basement...............

I have to admit I am terrified of basements. Absolutely terrified. Spiders live there. However this wasn't all that creepy. I was actually surprised by it. It wasn't bad- as far as basements go. And there were treasures hiding down there....

Look at that stove!!!!! The realtor and I squealed we were so excited by it!

Now let's go to the second floor. First bedroom on your left............

The master.................

I have always loved the look of exposed brick. But I'd at least like it to be real brick! LOL!!!

All original hardware is still in tact! Love the glass knobs!

Pretty hole in the ceiling.............. wrong place for a skylight I think.

Here is the only bathroom in the house. It actually isn't terrible.

Still trying to figure out the two toilets though. Interesting.

This is the third bedroom. Complete with bright red carpet and an entire wall of cork tile. I kid you not. Classy!

If you go through the master bedroom closet you will find a staircase. Let's explore, shall we?

Holy square footage Batman!!!

Bonus!! After looking around carefully we found no holes, no damage to the roof that would explain the blue tarp. The neighbor said the bank sent someone out to winterize the house last September and covered the roof as a precautionary thing. At least that's what she was told. Who knows............we've never heard of that before.

We guess that there is another 300 or so sq ft of usuable space up here. A private oasis for mom and dad? An office..........a craft room...................a place to hide from the kids??

Oh! I almost forgot. In the bathroom there is ivy coming in through the window. Told you the ivy was everywhere. Sneaky stuff!

And once again outside on the front porch. The beadboard ceiling...................

Beautiful brickwork railing.................

Me. Awful picture- but hey, it was like 30 degrees with snow and sleet that just happened to be pelting me in the face. But I am happy despite the weather. I'm smiling because I think I just found my house...................

My husband's thoughts you ask?? Well, he thinks his wife is on the Looney Train headin' to Crazy Town!! But I have a feeling that he will be in line to get his boarding pass real soon.

When walking through this house most people would see a mess, filth, an impossible feat. I see potential. I see something my husband and I can build together. I see an investment for my children's future. I see a dream unfolding into reality. Most people would say it's not worth it. I say you can't put a price on a dream.

So what do you think? Am I crazy for wanting this house??

~Heather:)

And The Winner Is..............

Last night I closed the giveaway and prepared for the drawing! I wrote every one's name on a piece of paper and threw them in a bowl.



And then my trusty assistant helped me draw a name...............

He took his job very seriously......

And after he drew a name Miss Bella started to cry. She felt that she was being left out of the game and was broken hearted. What's a mom to do??? Kyle looked at me and said "I'm gonna draw the winner and Bella's gonna draw the slowest winner. Then everyone will be happy!"

Well, TWO WINNERS IT IS THEN!!! (although I'm not sure what a "slowest winner" is- we'll go with it!)

She was very serious too and excited to participate- although I'm sure she had no idea what the point of this was!!! LOL!!!

Okay kids! Let's reveal the winners!!!!!!!! Kyle drew...................

Shannon! Shannon has a fantastic blog called Bless Our Nest.

Miss Bella.................who do you have??

Seems she is trying to build suspense!! Show us the name Bella............

Kim! Another fantastic blog- Kim's Treasures.

Congratulations to both of you!!! Do you want to know what you have won???

First, BOTH of you win a Melt Your Heart Snowman!! But wait! There's more!!

You also win a pair of earrings. The pair that you said was your favorite!!

Shannon- you get the green Round-A-Vue earrings............................

And Kim- you get the Spearmint earrings!!

Betcha didn't realize you were picking your own prizes, did ya ladies??? LOL!!!

Okay Kim and Shannon- send me an email with your mailing address so I can get your prizes shipped off to you! kybella26@yahoo.com

For everyone else- Thank You all so much for participating in my first giveaway! This was so much fun I want to do it again- soon!!! LOL!! Hey................I think my 100th post is coming up soon...............ahh yes...................another giveaway opportunity!!

Hope you all feel like winners today!!!

~Heather:)