We finally have a house under contract! However, it’s a short sell so it could all fall through. Our offer was accepted the beginning of June and we are still waiting for bank approval. We got an amazing deal on it so it will be wonderful if it all works out. Since everything is so unsure, we are still looking at houses. We actually applied to be on House Hunters and they emailed us back! They said to email them once we know our closing date. I’m not sure if they will actually film our house search but we’ll see!
So let’s have our own version of House Hunters, right here! Some of you may know which house we have under contract, so don’t just pick that one because of that. Pick the one you think will work best for us. I’m interested to see what you guys think!
House #1 is located in an Atlanta neighborhood that is somewhat transitional. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. It’s brand new with top of the line finishes. The shower in the master is large enough to fit 10 people (not that we would ever need more than 2). It even has two shower heads! There isn’t a bathtub in the master though The inside of this house is my favorite so far. I love the layout, granite counter tops, and cabinets. I also like that the whole house has hardwood floors throughout. It has adequate closet space but no basement. There is one bedroom on the main floor which would be convenient as a guest bedroom/sewing space. The worst feature of this house is the backyard. It’s tiny tiny and has an awful shape. The houses next door are pretty close and we wouldn’t have much privacy in the backyard. There is also not a garage.
House #2 is located just outside the perimeter and would be a 30 minute commute for Normer. It’s in a large safe neighborhood with sidewalks, tennis courts, walking trails and two pools. It is 2, 278 sq feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. All of the bedrooms are upstairs including the super large bonus room. The backyard is huge with a nice deck and patio but there is no fence for Lulu. There are hardwoods throughout the main floor, on the stairs and in the hallway upstairs. The bedrooms have carpet. This house has the most storage space with tons of closets and an unfinished basement that is bigger than our old condo. My least favorite part of this house is the outside of the house. I also would prefer to be more in the city. The master bedroom is also abnormally small but does have a bathroom. My favorite features of this house are: the storage, kitchen (double ovens!), dining room, and large laundry room.
House #3 is located in south Atlanta and is 5 minutes away from Normer’s office. You can’t beat that commute! It’s located in a neat neighborhood right next to Woodward Academy. It has 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The master bedroom is on the main floor with the other 2 upstairs. There are hardwoods on the main floor and carpet in the basement and upstairs bedrooms. The living room is pretty small but there is a nice finished basement with more room to hang out. Things I don’t like about this house; stone fire place that is a safety hazard for babies, that the bedrooms aren’t located altogether and the lack of outdoor space. I love the outside of this house, quaint front porch, screened in back porch and kitchen. It has a 2 car garage but there really isn’t a great area to put a grill. There is no backyard and the front is pretty small, so there wouldn’t be a place to put in a fence for Lulu. We could possibly put in a picket fence in the front for her but it’s not ideal. I really love the look and style of this house. It would also be nice to live so close to Normer’s job since he could come home for lunch.
Which house should we choose????
Okay…first of all they are all super cute!! Your main theme throughout has been the yard issue and we understand that! I would probably not choose 3 for that reason alone, but three is very cute and probably my favorite in terms of well everything…except not having a yard. If I had to pick between 1 and 2, I would pick one for the shear fact that there is already a fence. You can always improve that at some point since you would be homeowners. Does one have a driveway?
If your okay with just putting in a fence later down the line, 2 is your best option because it has a huge yard, deck, garage, huge living room, and lots of storage. You could always take out a little extra on your loan to put in a fence. The McClendons (Sam and Megan) just had a wooden fence put in for there dog and I think they got a fairly good deal on it.
So with all that being said…..my vote would be 2.
Hope this helps. -Jennifer
I love the curb appeal of three and the interior of one, but honestly I think I see you enjoying #2 the best… I know you want somewhere for Lulu to run and play, and I can tell you that in a few short years (really just one!), you’ll want the same for Badge. Also, all the storage space and a huge unfinished basement?! Bestill my heart! I do have a feeling that’s the one you have under contract, but I’m truly not pulling for it for that reason. If it is the one you have and you decide to pull out, let me know because I may convince Mike we need to move. Hee hee.
I would think ahead to when Badge is going to be in school. Which one is located in the best school district? Chances are you’re not going to want to move again before he goes to kindergarten (unless you’re going to pay for private) it’s something most people don’t consider until it’s too late! I vote for house number two because with a dog and an active baby you’re going to want the space. It’s amazing how small a house feels once they start running around! A fence is an easy fix and eventually you can finish the basement if you need more room. Can’t wait to see which one you go with!
Unfortunately, there aren’t any good schools in the city. We can’t afford the neighborhoods that have the nice schools and we can’t live too far outside the perimeter because of Normer’s job. So I will most likely be homeschooling until we move in a few years.
All are great! And you know I don’t care at all about yards so my choice would probably be the first because i love both the outside and inside! it’s like a dream! but honestly they are all great
Two is so suburbia, but probably the best for Lulu & a GROWING family. I like #1, except the yard. Homeschooling, hmmmm. It’s popular, but you don’t have to decide now. Can’t wait to hear which house you have under contract.
I like #1 … so pretty! But I agree with other comments that say #2 is probably more practical for Lulu and YOU! So what’s it gonna be??!?
I liked them all! I like the looks of 1 and 3 more, but I know a yard is a big deal and it seems 2 has the best yard option. The kitchen in #1 is to die for! Good luck with the search! I can’t wait to see what you end up with.
We emailed House Hunters as well and they emailed us back! We are supposed to contact them again when we are closer to buying. That would be hilarious if we were both on it. (Once again, something that is similar about us!)