Young House Love

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We Bought A New House!

So, funny story about the house below. We bought it and we’re moving in.

New House

We know this news probably evokes a whole range of reactions. Excitement for new makeovers. Sadness for leaving our current house. Curiosity about all of the logistics. Confusion. Anger. The inexplicable urge to do The Carlton.

Starting this story requires rewinding seven years, back to our first house hunting experience in Richmond in the spring of 2006. We had just moved from New York City and Richmond real estate felt very spacious and very cheap by comparison. It made dreamers out of us. We checked out a bunch of neighborhoods, and fell for an awesome old area with nice big wooded lots, great schools, charming tree-lined streets, and kids on scooters.

But none of the sweet old character-filled houses in that neighborhood were in our price range, especially because the bank had no faith in us. The issue was not our savings, but the fact that I was less than 2 months into my new job and Sherry was just as deep into her career as a freelance copywriter. In the eyes of the bank, Sherry was unemployed since she was a newbie self employed person (even though she was earning more than me!) so I ended up being the only name on the loan – basically cutting our buying power in half. Goodbye dream neighborhood, hello this looker.

Final Exterior Before

As deflating as that financial reality check was, it turned out to be one of the biggest blessings. Had we not been steered towards a fixer upper, we might not have ever started this blog or learned the advantage of buying a home that’s well within our means. By not stretching financially, we could stash away a lot more project money and build up our nest egg – because we hadn’t lost sight of that neighborhood we first fell for, we had just put that dream on hold.

Final Exterior After

Fast forward 4.5 years, past a new puppy, a wedding in the backyard, Clara’s birth, and me coming home to work full-time. Our beloved little 1,250 sq ft ranch (with only one full bathroom) was suddenly feeling cramped and we found ourselves house hunting again. Dream neighborhood here we come, right? Try again, compadre. This time I was the financial deadweight (having just left a salaried job six months earlier to come work at home – great timing, right?). So once again we found ourselves approved for something far below our actual mortgage-paying abilities thanks to the bank’s you-haven’t-done-this-self-employment-thing-long-enough-for-it-to-count doubt.

But it dropped another gem of a fixer upper in our laps. And this time we knew that an affordable needs-work home meant even more projects and more money squirreled away for our “maybe someday” neighborhood.

Current House Before

Now, I wouldn’t say we ever consciously thought of these homes as “stepping stones” or rungs on a property ladder that we were itching to climb. Even though we always loved that dream neighborhood from afar, Sherry was fully convinced our first house would be our “forever home” (we even have that statement on video). When we fall in love with a house, we fall hard. But the experience of outgrowing and leaving our first place made us realize that we enjoy the process of loving an old house back to life way too much to stop at just one.

So when we moved into this house, we went into things with a more open attitude. Knowing we’d soak up every second of living here (you know we’re nuts about the journey) but no longer making bold declarations like “we’ll stay here forever.” Admittedly, at halfway through year three of living here, the end came a bit sooner than we expected, but our time here since 2010 has been jam-packed. We’ve celebrated three Christmases in this house, created a book from start to finish here, and enjoyed countless Clara milestones (crawling, walking, talking, Gangnam Style-ing). So this place is by no means a blip on the timeline of our family history. It has been “home” through a heckova lot, which makes leaving it that much more bittersweet.

Pergola After Full House

We just knew we didn’t want our current place to be our last fixer upper (it’s not only what we love to do, it’s our livelihood), so when we felt ourselves tackling the last few untouched rooms on our list we started casually keeping one eye open for a deal that could be a potential rental or even a future Casa Petersik. We’d occasionally flip through real estate listings and drop in on open houses. We always hoped that something would come up in our price range in that dream neighborhood so we could jump on it like a velociraptor, but after two house-hunting experiences that didn’t lead to us ending up there, we weren’t very confident.

And then it happened. Pretty much out of nowhere, we found the sweetest needs-lots-of-love home in that old charming neighborhood that we’ve driven through at least five times a year just to stare creepily since 2006. Yes, this is a seven-years-in-the-making house coup of ours. We would have loved to take you guys on the house hunting adventure with us like last time, but it all happened so fast and before we knew it we were closing on it.

Closing Shot

And thanks to putting some of that saved-for-years cash down at closing, our new house’s mortgage amount is almost exactly the same as our current house’s – but our interest rate is even lower. We both spent closing day waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out and scream “you got punked!” but all went well and the house is officially ours. We’ve even had it long enough to fix some first-priority issues like a leaking roof, a broken furnace, and even hooked up the alarm system.

The house hasn’t been updated since it was built around 35 years ago, and knowing that its interior might scare off others trying to buy in a mostly turn-key community, the sellers priced it way under assessment. It was over $100,000 less than another house of the same size that was for sale down the street. A low-priced fixer upper in a neighborhood that we’ve dreamed about for almost a decade? Yes please. 70’s wallpaper, blue trim, lumpy carpet and all…

House Peeks

Beyond the price, neighborhood, and glaring need to be rescued – this place is perfect for us in so many other ways. It’s nearly the exact same size as our current place (huzzah, no more extra square feet to clean). The street is beautiful and quiet (perfect for someday teaching Clara to ride a bike). It’s still just as close to our family (maybe they can watch Clara while we strip wallpaper). And it presents us with so many new design challenges and opportunities that our minds are spinning with ideas. I mean, hello, we have stairs for the first time in seven years of home-ownership!

Clara Burger2

Perhaps the funniest thing is that at our age, my parents were moving into their third house, which was where they stayed for over three decades. So apparently it’s in the Petersik blood.

Rebuild End Of 4th

We know that you guys probably have dozens of questions – When are we moving in? (Don’t know yet) When can you see more pictures? (Soon) What does Clara think? (She already picked out her room… based on the closet size. Is she 16?) But this post would be ten thousand words if we tried to cover everything, so we’ll get to those things in time. We also have a few things to finish around here to get our current house sold (anyone interested?) so in an effort to keep our own minds focused on those to-dos, it won’t be all new house posts all the time. We’ll just be moving at our usual real-time pace and sharing a little bit of everything that’s happening (selling, packing, planning, moving, and diving into our new house adventure).

Did I mention these two are the most excited of all? Okay, three if you count Ariel.

Clara Burger1

We can’t wait to continue sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly with you guys. Seriously, who wants to come paint some mauve trim with us? And if there were a moral to this story, it’s patience. This is not “the house the book bought” (we still haven’t hit our royalty point), it’s the house that seven years of saving up and living within our means bought. Had we strained our wallets and gone for a larger or more turn-key house back in 2006, we probably would’ve had a very different financial path, and most certainly would have had a different career path. So even though we had to wait a while, it just makes this new chapter in our lives that much sweeter. Who knows, we might just stay there forever…

Comments

  1. Stefanie says

    I think that you have written before that the family that bought your first house followed YHL, or at least they do now. I would love for you to House Crash your first house just to see what the new owners have done to the place. Just like when you sell your current place, I would love to see what the new owners will do with it. You set the bar so high with your design and style; it would be hard for me to envision it looking any other way, but it would really demonstrate when you make substantial changes to the flow and structure, those quality changes make the biggest impact for your dollars. Maybe one day all of your homes will be like the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes in Oak Park, IL on permanent tour! The NYT Bestselling Authors, YHL Tour of Homes! I would travel to Richmond and buy a ticket!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Actually if you look on MLS there are pics of our first house full of the new owner’s furniture (they’re selling too!). We asked the realtor if we could share the pics on our blog and she said no. Boo! We would love to post about it for you guys :)

      xo
      s

  2. lizaanne says

    Ahhh – Williamsburg Blue paint of the 80s – I remember it well (I think I have about 20+ years on you guys) ;-) !!! LOL

    What a BEAUTIFUL home – it reminds me so much of the home my aunt/uncle/cousins had in Rocky Mount, NC. We called it “the big house”, and it was where all of our family holidays and gatherings took place. SO many wonderful memories there, I just know this new home will do the same for you.

    So happy for you – so exciting!!

    Happy wallpaper peeling!! Woohooo!!

    Reply

  3. Lindsay says

    Congrats! I was really hoping to see you add French doors between the dining room and office and refinish the floors but when you find the right home for you, you have to go! Your new house looks like it has lots of great projects to tackle… it motivates me to keep working on the house I just bought!

    Reply

  6. Stephanie says

    My first thought was ‘is this for real?’ – and I looked at my calendar (fully knowing it is not April 1st) and confirmed that it is April 30th :) Second thought: ‘Holy $h!t!’ Third thought: ‘this family and this blog are one of my favorite things to check in on each day – can’t wait to see what happens here!’ Congratulations!!!

    Reply

  7. maddy says

    OHMYGOSH! I scrolled down like, this is a mean trick, congratulations! its a beautiful house! definetly didn’t expect that!- just wondering though, does it make you regret all the time and money you guys just spent doing up claras room, and painting the kitchen ect?
    definetly excited to watch this progress :)

    Reply

  9. Julie says

    Congratulations !! It is crazy how excited I got about this post… Like as if you were friends of mine that just bought a house. It is crazy how attached to you guys through reading your blog! I can’t wait to read about the new adventures!

    Reply

  10. Emily says

    It’s a beautiful house, and knowing you, it will be MUCH more beautiful in a few years! I don’t usually post, but I want to say that you all are so impressive. Too many young couples want everything their parents have. It’s unusual to have a young couple willing to live within their means and take their time getting what they want. We try to do the same, and I just wanted to say that you are very inspiring! Keep it up :-)

    Reply

  11. erica says

    congratulations you guys! i’m not only happy for you i’m also a little selfishly happy for me (we bought the same style house about a year ago… and i foresee creepily copying your every house move)
    plus the phrase “so we could jump on it like a velociraptor” made me laugh

    Reply

  12. Heather J. says

    Holy smokes! Congratulations – and thank you for refacing your fireplace before you moved, otherwise I wouldn’t know how to pull it off in my own house!

    Looking forward to seeing the progress!

    Reply

  13. Amy says

    Congratulations! I look forward to seeing how you turn another house into a “home”. Your love for your homes inspiring.

    Reply

  14. Samantha says

    Omg! I am so very sad you guys are leaving this house, I love it so so much. Its so charming! I am very excited to see all the makeovers in the new house, but I am sort of attached to this house, lol! I am in Northern VA, and sure wish I could move to Richmond TODAY, because I am sure your first tour is going to snatch it up!

    Reply

  15. Barbara M. says

    Wow! That was like the sweetest post I’ve read in a long time. It made me want to cry! I am SOOOOOOOOO happy for you all! Good luck with the move. I can’t wait to read more about your adventures and your family. Hugs to all of you!!!

    Reply

  16. Katy says

    I literally did a double take at that first picture – it looks so much like my house! (seriously – I’m going to email you a picture!) I thought that y’all were doing some kind of surprise makeover at my house!! Ha!

    Then I read the rest of the post – Congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you do with the place! If it is anything like mine it will have great bones and just need some love.

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      I know replies to replies are a little awkward, but no joke Sherry just caused an honest-to-god LOL there. I think I lived in abject terror of the doorbell as a child for fear of being accosted by Ed McMahon. I seriously knew nothing of his Johnny Carson days until years later – he was just the guy that terrorised people at their houses with large novelty cheques.

  17. amy c says

    please, please, please do a house tour video of all the “unique” before you move in or start changing anything!! this will be my first house to be in it from the beginning with you! i’m sad because you’ve just done all these wonderful things to the current house, but i get it and am excited for the new adventure. at the same time, just the thought of tackling some of those pictures makes me tired and my wallet hurt. i wish i could buy your current house, i love it!

    Reply

  18. Katie C says

    Congrats! I, loke a lot of people it seems, thought this was a joke too at first! but i am super excited for you. and although it looks like you have a LOT to to on the inside, the outside it like my hubba-hubba dream house. i am slightly jealous but mostly excited to see what you come up with! good luck in the new journey!

    Reply

  19. Rebecca says

    Uh, wow!?!?! So excited for you guys and to follow along on another chapter of your journey. My husband and I recently purchased our (hopefully) forever home after buying our foreclosed townhouse to get started. Thaankfully we were able to move on in just 2 years, not 7. Hope this is the one for you!

    Reply

  22. Erica says

    So excited for you and excited that I get to read about the new adventures! I’m not surprised at all…I know once I have something complete I’m ready to start on the next. Love the house! So much potential!

    Reply

  23. Devon says

    Yay! I’m so excited for your new adventure :) and maybe even a bit selfishly so because it looks like you new place and the home we want to buy are pretty darn similar! Except we have cobalt blue trim instead of mauve haha. Can’t wait to see how your new project goes

    Reply

  25. Stephanie M. says

    Wait…WHAT?! I’m stunned! I knew it would have to come eventually but I totally didn’t expect to read that this morning. How exciting!!! I can’t wait to see more photos and see what y’all do with the place!

    Reply

  29. Kari says

    Congratulations Petersiks! So excited to see what you do in this new home. Love love all if your bold and modern choices in the current home, but I hear that neutral decor is ideal for selling. Any plans to make your current place more market ready to the masses? It’s be really great if someone bought it as is though with your great style and all that hard work put in.

    Reply

  30. Joelle says

    Congratulation! I thought a lot of those projects were getting finished with your current house!
    We are saving for a house too…and I’m glad you said it takes patience (something I’m not good at) and saving. We are saving like crazy but still trying to live a little bit. but we are casually going to open houses as well, so maybe our dream house is around the corner of patience and waiting too!

    Reply

  31. Kelsey says

    So shocked!! I cannot wait to see what you do with the house. I have a feeling that your style will more than likely evolve again as you move from a ranch to a two-story. I am anxious to see how your huge couch will fit in the house!

    Congrats!!

    Reply

  32. Kami says

    WOW! Congrats! A slight misty eye though because I was following and recreating some of your projects in my own house (similar layout). I have painted my living room Moonshine, started a gallery wall, stenciled backs of bookcases and painted my guest room a fantastic blue color. O well, I still have the memories! Good luck!

    Reply

  34. Mallory @ R.Simple Life says

    One question… does it have a giant toilet in the living room/are you planning on putting one in? I had a dream last night that I was at a party you were throwing at your house (though, weirdly it was not your current house…) and there was a giant toilet in the living room.

    Needless to say I was surprised you had been able to keep a picture of that off the blog for so long.

    In all seriousness, congratulations! How exciting!

    Reply

  35. Sarah F. says

    Add me to the list of folks waiting for the April Fools joke 30 days late! I think I yelled out loud when I realized it’s for real!

    So happy for you guys! It’s great to hear you found a house that meets all your requirements – fixer upper, size, location. I’m also excited for patially for selfish reasons, since my hubby and I just bought a house. Now I’ll have fresh inspiration!

    Reply

  36. Kay says

    CONGRATULATIONS YOU GUYS!!!! :throwing confetti and blowing a party horn!: I am so excited to see what ya’ll do with each and every room! So very happy for the entire family. Now I patiently wait for more pics……

    Reply

  37. Leslie says

    Congrats, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m totally crushed :( I love your current house so much, and it’s total inspiration to me as a 950-square-foot ranch owner!

    Reply

  38. Megan says

    You guys are my idols! I am so impressed on how you handle things financially. Where I live, it the cost of living is higher then the pay we receive. We are always paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet. It’s exhausting! So, even though I’m older and have more kids then you two crazy young housers (not really much older though), I hope to grow up someday and be just like you!

    Reply

  40. Avery says

    Whoa Baby so exciting! My husband and I are about to close on our first house and we will have lots of wallpaper removing, nasty tile demolishing, and popcorn ceiling scraping days to come, so im glad to know we wont be alone! I cant wait to see what you guys do next!

    Reply

  41. Melody says

    Aw, congrats. In a future post, will you tell us if you felt like you had a chance to enjoy this house? It feels like you JUST built the deck, did the fireplace, etc. Did you have time to get use out of everything you did?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Here’s a post about that! We actually have had the deck for almost a year so we got to enjoy late summer, all of fall, and this spring out there! I think decorative things like the fireplace you soak up with your eyes and you’re good, but we love getting actual use from things we demo/rebuild like the kitchen, the patio, the deck, etc (so it’s nice that we got a while to enjoy those).

      xo
      s

  42. Jennifer says

    WOW!!! Congratulations!!! What exciting news! I am really looking forward to seeing and being inspired by your new home.

    We had a similar situation a couple months ago when we purchased our third home in the neighborhood we always dreamed of. It is a fixer upper and we got it for $200,000 less than other fixer uppers in the neighborhood. It was a miracle and we are so thankful to be in it! We have to fix it up SLOWLY since we are in CA in the Bay Area and mortgages are ridiculous here! But we’ll save our pennies and celebrate every small step toward “home.”

    Woo hoo!!!

    Reply

    • Kathryn says

      That’s the way to do it Jennifer. What a coup! Turnkey condition is overrated. A congratulations to you too!

  43. Chelsea says

    Congrats times a million! For reals though, how is it humanly possibly to do the Carlton. His arms are flinging around independently of his body. It is a rare talent. Tell me that you actually tried.

    Reply

  44. Lindsay says

    I would LOVE it if you guys did a post about being a first (second/third) time homebuyer. My fiance and I are at the starting line of buying our first house and it would be great to have some advice/foreknowledge from an unbiased source (i.e. not my mother or mother-in-law). Maybe you already have, and I just haven’t found it yet?

    Reply

  45. Maggie says

    I am SO excited for you guys! I’m surprised so many people guessed – I figured you’d stick out the current house another year maybe? But I love that this new house will have new challenges and opportunities! Another Christmas ripping out cabinetry, perhaps? ;)

    Reply

  46. rachael says

    I have tears in my eyes! I loved your first house so much and now I have to let go of this one too! How many break ups are you guys gonna put us through? haha!
    Seriously, I am thrilled! I want to say I’m shocked but I did notice your posts were “different” these last few weeks, almost like you were going to write that you were in Hawaii again or something.

    Reply

  47. Sandy says

    Holy Moly!! So exciting!!! Wowowwo, congratulations Petersik fam! Can’t wait to see where the new journey takes you. :)

    Reply

  50. Jenn says

    Dudes! holy sh*t! I’m reading this at school (I’m a college professor) and I am totally gobsmacked…in a good way!

    We just bought a house last year and my husband and I already talk about our next house.

    I’m so excited for you guys!

    Reply

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