03 March 2016

I Shoulda Stood in Bed

For those who don't have a predilection for watching movies from the '40s and '50s, when the Bowery Boys were popular, you're missing something.

Missing what, I'm not exactly sure, but you're missing it.

They spoke with a stereotypical New York accent, and were wildly popular at the time.  And in at least one of their many films, uttered the line which is the title of this post.

But I digress.

We went through five more houses last evening. It would have been six, but one had received two offers that day, and we elected not to waste time touring a home which was probably on its way to a sale already.

We drove ... we climbed lots of stairs ... measured, explored, saw garages and closets and kitchens and decks and bedrooms and bathrooms and ... and ... and ...

And we saw way too many large square-footage homes with too many tiny rooms, making a 3,000 sq.ft. house feel like a rats' maze, instead. Too many recently-built homes with identical hollow-core, six-panel doors, and white paint everywhere.

Too many felt like a Barbie house. No personality, you know?

To be fair, some also had some really nice features. Many had very expensive kitchens, but tiny living rooms. And it begs the question: if you're going to build a five-bedroom house, wouldn't you think enough occupants to need five bedrooms would also need a place to sit down?

Oh, well.

Most of you know what a home search is like, so I won't go on. You're welcome.


But we had fallen in love with the home pictured in my previous post, just looking at the pics on-line. Last night's visit merely cemented that feeling, and we found ourselves comparing every subsequent house to that one. And each failed on important comparisons.

So we'll see if the sellers accept our offer, and go from there.



Oh - about the title of this post? I'm tired, and would rather be home than at work, this morning. Tired, but elated to have found such a wonderful place for my family to live. And after more than a dozen years in the "big city" of Anchorage, it's nice to be getting back to a wooded, country setting. I can relax there. :)

16 comments:

On a Wing and a Whim said...

You have my complete and total sympathy. Not only did we see a whole bunch of huge houses with tiny rooms (and low ceilings!), but we also saw a bunch or older houses with structural damage at high prices, and the early 90's craze of non-symmetrical windows and weird-dimension rooms.

(No, it's not a dining room. It's twelve feet across, octagonal, and you have to walk through it to get to the lone bedroom on that side of the house. That makes it a strange foyer, and the house dining-room-less. And what's with walls that stop at 8 feet up, making the place feel like it was designed as a cubicle maze?)

At least house hunting lets you know how much you like the final place compared to the alternatives!

Rev. Paul said...

Wing, that's it, exactly. I saw way too many illogical & unreasonable homes when I was a building inspector, years ago. Ain't gonna buy one now.

Anonymous said...

From one wannabe-rural household to another, we'll keep our fingers crossed for your offer. Good luck!

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, sir!

drjim said...

BTDT when my first wife and I were looking.

We finally found a 3BR, 2BA in a fairly nice area for a price we could afford.

It was a real fixer upper, but we got it for 20% lower than the comps in the area.

Really hoping you get the one in the previous post....

Rev. Paul said...

Jim, I appreciate that. This particular house is move-in ready, but in an age of cookie-cutter McMansions is perhaps too unique in appearance.

We, of course, like that part the best. :)
Thanks again.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev.Paul,

This house is gorgeous, I've said a prayer for y'all the seller accepts your offer. God Bless You and Yours.

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Sandy; I appreciate it. :)

Max said...

Excited about your new home prospect. I like the photo, can't wait to read all about it. Hopefully it will all work out for you both.

Old NFO said...

Purty! :-) But all that white stuff on the ground... Brrrrr... ;-D

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Max. I'll provide a detailed description once the place is ours. :)

NFO, that's not even snow; just a little ice. But I know how you regard the cold, and won't rub it in.

Chickenmom said...

A beautiful spot for sure - Oh, how I miss being surrounded by pine trees! Good luck with your offer, Rev, Paul!

Guffaw in AZ said...

RELAXING!
THAT'S the ticket!

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Chickenmom. We'll keep all y'all posted.

gfa, it sure sounds like a good idea to me. :)

Keads said...

Good luck! It looks fantastic.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Kelly. :)