OK step 2 is to declutter- so I went and rented a storage unit in the area where we would like to relocate. In some ways it seems weird- move your stuff so far away-what if you need something? that's a heck of a drive.
ON the other hand, its going to be that much closer to where we would like to move so if it takes a few trips at our leisure to unload the storage unit, it will be closer in the end.
While at the storage unit I noticed signs for a new neighborhood, so I went to check it out. They had just re-opened this development to sell again. Evidently they had a moratorium on it for a while as sales were pretty slow but business does seem to be picking up again. Unfortunately they have two models finished, but no homes finished to purchase so it would not be possible to get the the tax discount as 5 months is there time line. HOW ever these were pretty nice homes, with decent square footage, and priced similar to the town homes we had looked at the week before. The townhouses have location going for them close to the freeway, and downtown walking area. The houses have no shared walls going for them and two stories versus 3 stories. I can see as we keep looking its going to be more challenging this time. I'm really liking the variety of home styles with square footage available. Location plays a big part, but then I started thinking, about hoping my daughter eventually has children, and a place for them, ease of living etc. So it will be hard to choose in the end. Especially if we can get GAS in the places we think it should be, like fireplaces, water heater, and stove top. I've been through so many power outages thru the years that these become mandatory. Being able to take a hot shower, keep warm and cook during a power outage is extremely important. Some of the place we are looking at have been built "green". I love the idea of built green- but electricity although is a renewable source- is often higher than the cost of gas and leaves you in the cold when the power goes out.
And for my dear friend, I promise I will get the photos up fo the crochet blankets in the next day or two!
29 March 2010
25 March 2010
the challenge- to sell ones home.
Oh in this day and time its rather a challenge to sell and buy a new home. I wanted to put my home up for sale in January, but two of my immediate neighbors put their homes up over the holiday season, and I was worried it would look rather awful for three of them to be up for sale at the same time. The house across the street sold last month, but the one next door still sits. Its rather large 4000 sq feet so that makes it a challenge I think.
However I have reached a point that I need to get my house out on the market. With the buyers credit coming to and end soon, (unless hopefully its extended once again) I don't want to miss that opportunity.
There's nothing wrong with our house. Its only 5 years old, and we were able to put some wonderful touches to it like cherry solid cabinets throughout, hardwoods, tiles, and granite. It has a gourmet kitchen which I will miss. Our issues is that our daughter is graduating and going to college out of state, and we need to downsize- no longer a need for so many rooms for her and friends to stay in, and my husband has been driving a 100 miles a day for the last few years, and its really wearing on him. He is always tired and has little time for fun. So its time to move on for us. We still need some specific things, like an office for him, and a room for me where I can work. But definitely not the additional bedrooms, etc.
I have realtor coming tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous. Mostly I have a huge amount of clutter going right now, which I will be getting rid of this weekend. A trip to the dump, and a trip to the good will take care of most of it. Then Craig's list will have to take care of another large portion of it. I'm very sensitive to clutter. Unfortunately being both an artist and a designer/seamstress, I have overloads of clutter coming out of the woodwork- fabric, patterns, supplies, not to mention a hobby of making cards and scrapbooks.
Then we did take a look a few townhouses last week. That was kind of stressful, even though they are smaller and closer to his work, they are no where near as nicely made as our current home. It sits on a greenbelt and backs to the golf course. Of course we are talking about the fact that we chose everything for our house, upgrading the carpets, tiles, cabinets, speaker system throughout for music, stairwell to wrought iron and maple and it curves down to the foyer. If we buy something already built, it means we will have to do the upgrades ourselves and it will be awhile I'm sure. By building we have the issues of waiting- our current home took almost a year from the time we put the down payment and started selecting things. The builder had a set way he was going to proceed with the development and our house wasn't necessarily developed in the time line we thought was going to happen. I don't want to move to and apartment in between selling and buying. That is too stressful as well, and adds more expense.
Moving in general is a stressful for me. Our last home we lived in for 15 years. after moving every 2 years prior to that while my husband was in school and the air force it was extremely hard to move out of. Our daughter had been born in that house, and many memories were made there. This home is beautiful and served its purpose- we were able to find good schools for our daughter to attend with more interested instructors. As she moves on, so must we though. I suspect this may be the last home we purchase until my husband retires. So I'm thinking we will be there at least 15 - 20 years. I want it to be the ultimate location, and provide enough attributes that we won't be thinking of moving again before then.
How is moving for you? Is it easy, hard, exciting?
However I have reached a point that I need to get my house out on the market. With the buyers credit coming to and end soon, (unless hopefully its extended once again) I don't want to miss that opportunity.
There's nothing wrong with our house. Its only 5 years old, and we were able to put some wonderful touches to it like cherry solid cabinets throughout, hardwoods, tiles, and granite. It has a gourmet kitchen which I will miss. Our issues is that our daughter is graduating and going to college out of state, and we need to downsize- no longer a need for so many rooms for her and friends to stay in, and my husband has been driving a 100 miles a day for the last few years, and its really wearing on him. He is always tired and has little time for fun. So its time to move on for us. We still need some specific things, like an office for him, and a room for me where I can work. But definitely not the additional bedrooms, etc.
I have realtor coming tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous. Mostly I have a huge amount of clutter going right now, which I will be getting rid of this weekend. A trip to the dump, and a trip to the good will take care of most of it. Then Craig's list will have to take care of another large portion of it. I'm very sensitive to clutter. Unfortunately being both an artist and a designer/seamstress, I have overloads of clutter coming out of the woodwork- fabric, patterns, supplies, not to mention a hobby of making cards and scrapbooks.
Then we did take a look a few townhouses last week. That was kind of stressful, even though they are smaller and closer to his work, they are no where near as nicely made as our current home. It sits on a greenbelt and backs to the golf course. Of course we are talking about the fact that we chose everything for our house, upgrading the carpets, tiles, cabinets, speaker system throughout for music, stairwell to wrought iron and maple and it curves down to the foyer. If we buy something already built, it means we will have to do the upgrades ourselves and it will be awhile I'm sure. By building we have the issues of waiting- our current home took almost a year from the time we put the down payment and started selecting things. The builder had a set way he was going to proceed with the development and our house wasn't necessarily developed in the time line we thought was going to happen. I don't want to move to and apartment in between selling and buying. That is too stressful as well, and adds more expense.
Moving in general is a stressful for me. Our last home we lived in for 15 years. after moving every 2 years prior to that while my husband was in school and the air force it was extremely hard to move out of. Our daughter had been born in that house, and many memories were made there. This home is beautiful and served its purpose- we were able to find good schools for our daughter to attend with more interested instructors. As she moves on, so must we though. I suspect this may be the last home we purchase until my husband retires. So I'm thinking we will be there at least 15 - 20 years. I want it to be the ultimate location, and provide enough attributes that we won't be thinking of moving again before then.
How is moving for you? Is it easy, hard, exciting?
10 March 2010
Spring in Seattle
Oh Spring in Seattle is so confusing some days. You can start out perfectly sunny, and within a short time have clouds in part of the sky and sun in the other. Then in the blink of the eye you have some sprinkles and a hail storm while the sun continues to shine from a bright blue sky. Go Figure.
But during all this I found a wonderful cotton yarn from Bernat that is the colors of Seattle spring: white, Lt blue, medium blue, grass green and sunny yellow. Its such a lovely 100% cotton yarn. I whipped into a delightful baby blanket. I will post photo tomorrow. I always wash and dry to eliminate any shrinking before putting up for sale. Will be available on etsy tomorrow.
While in San Francisco with my daughter last month I picked up some wonderful bamboo yarn. I threw together a pair of infant booties with a lovely variegated yarn- pastel pink, lavender and mint. I also bought some bamboo & silk blend that I started to make into a pair of socks. One thing about this yarn is it has no nylon, so it has no extra stretch. But she tried the first one on- not finished yet- checking for length before the toe and mentioned it felt "very Good". Always a good sign, that means she might wear them.
But during all this I found a wonderful cotton yarn from Bernat that is the colors of Seattle spring: white, Lt blue, medium blue, grass green and sunny yellow. Its such a lovely 100% cotton yarn. I whipped into a delightful baby blanket. I will post photo tomorrow. I always wash and dry to eliminate any shrinking before putting up for sale. Will be available on etsy tomorrow.
While in San Francisco with my daughter last month I picked up some wonderful bamboo yarn. I threw together a pair of infant booties with a lovely variegated yarn- pastel pink, lavender and mint. I also bought some bamboo & silk blend that I started to make into a pair of socks. One thing about this yarn is it has no nylon, so it has no extra stretch. But she tried the first one on- not finished yet- checking for length before the toe and mentioned it felt "very Good". Always a good sign, that means she might wear them.
3-D Movies
So have you seen the New 3-D movies in the theatres? I have to admit I'm remiss in not seeing Avatar- I wanted to see it in the IMax version, where my brother in law stated its like having a movie in your lap. But I did go see the Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp. Two coolest creatures in this movie and any Alice in Wonderland are the Caterpillar and the Cheshire cat. I love the Caterpillar, he just oozes Cool. The Hatter was good but my favorite Hatter is from and Old Tom Petty Video. Sorry Johnny.
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the 3-D flick, but it has some cool effects that's for sure.
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the 3-D flick, but it has some cool effects that's for sure.
04 March 2010
movie time
Have you seen the movie Precious? I just went with a friend today and was blown away by the acting and the intensity of this film. The film was based off a book called Push, written by Sapphire. The casting was done extremely well. The young actress who pulls off the character of Precious does a remarkable job, and the mother played by MO'Nique is outstanding. I have to say there was more than once I was wiping tears away as they dripped down my face. This is a must see film.
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