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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

How I Met My House

This is a wonderful and very original idea of AnNicole at Our Suburban Cottage .
Write up YOUR story and head on over there... sounds like a lot of fun!


How I Met My House
(or 'Sabotage' at it's finest)

When I bought my current house, I was in the market for something very specific.  I wanted to find a home with a completely finished basement, complete with a kitchen and a bedroom. I had my nephew staying with me after my sister passed away and I needed more room

I constantly scouted  homes on the internet. Daily I would drive down the streets where I wanted to live.  I found the perfect house, on the perfect street, with the perfect little apartment in the basement!  Perfect!  Or so I thought.  

I called my agent and told her I wanted to get in there as fast as I could.  This happened to be on the very same day that they had a scheduled open house for later that afternoon.  I wanted my viewing before then.   I got in.. and immediately knew this was the one. 

Perfect? Not so much.  Although this house had great potential, it  was VERY lived in.  The owners had two massive dogs who used the backyard as one big toilet. The parquet wood floors were so scuffed and scratched that there was no finish left on them. The shed roof was falling off. The sprinkler system was leaking. The concrete driveway was cracked, (ok that's still cracked.. hehe) . The kitchen cupboards were  replaced with homemade plywood ones.  I've lived there 3 years and I STILL cant figure out the light switches. It wasn't a show stopper by any means, but I loved it. 

I just had to convince everyone else to hate it.

Thankfully the house was priced accordingly.  Had this house been kept up, it would have been way out of my price range.  Immediately I put in an offer. But I had a plan.  With four offers pending even before the open house, I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have anymore competition. 

I showed up at the open house, (along with about 50 other people)

I walked around the house with Mr. Charming, and in my best whisper voice, I was heard to say "Wow, these floors are in terrible shape, they'll all have to be replaced"... or how about.."The entire banister is loose"..... or even..."This house needs a LOT of work".  Couple those comments with the odd...  "all the sod needs to be replaced"  and  "This is highly overpriced for all the work it needs"   and mission accomplished. 

In all fairness, I must add that between the original 4 offers and the bidding war that ensued I ultimately did go in a couple of thousand over the asking price so the owners were thrilled and I got the house. 

It all worked out in the end.  Slowly the house is turning into something beautiful.

  ::heavy sigh:::   I just love my money pit!

(For a peek inside, view a couple of pictures here.)


15 comments:

  1. haha! I'm going to have to remember to do that if we're ever in the market again to buy a house. Your house is lovely and charming! I love the ivy growing up the facade!

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  2. Great story, Lisa! I love that you got the house & it's really charming on the outside. Just checked out your kitchen makeover and WOW, is it gorgeous. Great job to you & the mister for making it beautiful. Love, love it all. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Oh I love this story!
    Your house is beautiful, and I'll bet it's very grateful to YOU for saving it from all those other people who clearly weren't RIGHT for it, and making it a stunner again.
    It's a gorgeous home.
    Cass

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  4. LOL about the open house! Great idea!

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  5. You have a gorgeous house and a really great story. I am just dying over the ivy crawling on the side of your house-love it!

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  6. Thank you so much for your compliments! Your house has quite a bit of charm itself, it's just beautiful! What a funny story, you are tough competitor. LOL! I'm adding you to follow, as I want to come back and tour your home photos and blog a bit more.

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  7. Beautiful money pit. Your sweat equity has paid off. I love your tactic to getting the house. You were truly in it to win it.

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  8. Haha - you whiley little lady you :). I can just imagine you walking through the open house making little comments...ha!

    Your home is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your story, and for linking up to my party!

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  9. You crack me up with the comments you used walking around the house! It was meant to be.

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  10. Hi Lisa! I really enjoyed reading about how you met your house. And I just saw your kitchen and it is gorgeous! Hope you have wonderful weekend
    Janice

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  11. Wow! You were ruthless...talking so badly about the house at the Open House. I never would have thought to do that. I love how your home is turning out. Your kitchen is to die for.

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  12. Oh you are hilarious! At least your method worked and you got the house of your dreams. Your home is beautiful beyond belief! It looks like a storybook house.

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  13. What a lovely home you have! I am so glad you were able to buy it and redo the inside with so much care and love.

    thank you for visiting junkblossoms. Blessings, Pat.

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  14. If you have vision, anything is possible, you prove that to be true! Your home is beautiful!!~

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  15. Whilst it might have its faults inside, it certainly looks amazing from the outside! Good job on deterring other potential buyers!

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