And now for some news that falls in the “big” category: we’re in the market for a new Casa Petersik.
That’s right, after tons of thoughtful deliberation we’ve decided that it’s time to sell our current home after four and a half amazing years spent here. Why? Because we love a project and we’re can’t-sleep-excited about the prospect of taking on a new home makeover and sharing every moment with you guys. We know it’s a sickness, but we actually crave remodeling and painting projects, so instead of feeling overwhelmed at the idea of starting all over again we’re actually pretty psyched about it.
Of course it’s bittersweet to leave the place that we love so fiercely, but as John put it best “we’ve enjoyed transforming an old dated house way too much to stop at just one.” And there are definitely some old houses out there that could use some love. At first I was in denial, making statements like “I’m never leaving- this is our forever house!” but John knows me too well. One day I just woke up (a few months ago) and was like “maybe we should look around at some open houses, you know… just for fun.” That sentiment soon turned into “oh my gosh, if we got a new place we could do this… and that…” and my mind nearly short circuited from all the possibilities. It was like someone turned on a light or opened a door and I suddenly couldn’t wait to explore.
So we mulled it over for a while to be certain it was what we both wanted (there’s no sense in being rash about matters of the heart like leaving your first love, er, house). We also discussed the idea with both of our parents (who are all so wise beyond their 35 years, har har) and they were amazingly supportive and excited for us.
So it’s official. We’re about to put our house on the market and we’re actively looking at other homes for sale. For any interested locals (wanna buy our house?) we figured we’d share the news here before it hits MLS. So feel free to email us if you’re seriously interested and ready to move (we’re in Bon Air which has awesome schools and charm to spare, and well, you can essentially take a virtual house tour here).
As for where we’re going, we’re planning to stay in the Richmond area, and we’re definitely in the market for another older dated home that could use our help. So we’d welcome suggestions for areas with great schools and charming older neighborhoods beyond our beloved Bon Air (which we’re definitely still considering, but not limiting ourselves to).
Oh and it’s probably fairly obvious that this won’t happen overnight. Finding a house to love as hard as we’ve loved this one definitely isn’t something we expect to do in a day (plus the act of selling our current house could easily take a few months or even longer). But we’re already actively on the hunt, and we plan to keep you posted about all the projects that we’re tackling to get our house in prime selling condition. We’ll also take you guys along on our journey when it comes to touring other houses, considering other areas, and figuring out exactly what we’re looking for (and what we’re not) before signing on that dotted line and grabbing the keys to our new casa. Of course with the holidays coming up we’ll still be taking on a lot of seasonal decorating projects along with whipping up gift guides, and serving up the regular blog fare like mood boards, House Crashings, Reader Redesigns, and more. Can’t wait.
dana says
I didn’t expect that, but I’m super excited for you!
Happy house hunting..wooo!
kate says
how exciting for you guys! When we sold our first house a few years ago (we were moving across country) we got on offer from the first showing. i was at work when the real estate agent called and i immediately burst into tears. everyone was like “isn’t this a good thing?!” but i was having separation anxiety. that was a great house, but i love our current house too. there’s something about the charm of making an older place yours while still respecting it’s history that is so much fun! can’t wait to follow your journey! keep us updated on the hunt :)
Rita says
When I opened your blog today and saw this post I said “Noooo!!!” I cannot imagine leaving the sun room behind. That is definitely my favorite “room” in the house.
But on a more practical term, and since I am an economist and I’ve noticed that you keep track of your expenses with the updates, it would be nice, after you sell the house, if you wrote a post on whether you were able to cover your costs. You could also enlighten the readers on the feedback you get from potential buyers about their favorite features, etc. I’m sure these are redundant requests, since you’ve probably thought about them already, but I’ll voice them anyway…
Of course, since the house is associated with the blog, I expect it to fetch a premium over similar houses so the information might not translate really well for other places but it still would be fun to know.
Thank you for all your hard work, good luck and all the best!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rita,
We definitely plan to spill those beans. Stay tuned!
xo,
s
Sarah says
Yes! I’m so excited to see you renovate another home. (And I suspected this day would come soon. I knew you had too much fun remodeling your home to stop with one.)
Jackie says
I am excited for you guys, but also sad knowing that you are leaving a house with so many awesome adventures and memories! Good luck with the buying and selling process.
Oh and if you are ever really bored, please road trip up to Ohio and visit me. I own a 1929 colonial home that has plenty of projects that need to be completed! :) For me it’s a matter of so many projects, so little time. My hubby and I are tackling painting the kitchen and replacing base board this fall. Wish us luck!
amanda says
how exciting! good luck with everything :) i hope that you’ll share the how-tos of ‘for sale by owner’
heather s. says
Of course you are moving! You have a home-related blog and once your house gets to a certain point you either renovate or move to keep the blog going. Good luck in the house hunting and with selling your current home. I admit – I’m hoping you go with a colonial or some two-story (possibly with basement) home for a change of pace.
Katrina says
Wow – This is great news, happy house hunting :)
Tiffany says
Cool stuff! I know you all love 50s vibe, but I’m rooting for a much older gem..maybe a turn of the century type house with some period details? Are you open to other style homes? Well whatever you choose just be safe and please don’t let anyone know exactly where you are! I’ve worked in the courts and I know that people can be just as crazy as the stuff in movies and worse..I know you’re both smart and resourceful but if someone from the blog really wants your house they can go through the agony of not knowing where it is until you don’t live there anymore right? Please please be safe! Good luck and happy house hunting!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tiffany,
We’re open to everything and anything- as long as it’s old and not too big. Can’t wait to see where we end up!
xo,
s
Joni Tyrrell says
sooooo excited for you guys! Hope everything goes smoothly for you. And excited for me cuz i get to read all about it on your blog!
Jeannine @ Small & Chic says
It’s only a grim market for sellers who don’t price their homes properly or who have monster homes. You don’t have a McMansion to unload and I highly doubt that you’ll be asking 2005 prices. What’s more, you’ll be head and shoulders above comparable listings when it comes to photography if you go to the MLS. I have a feeling you’ll do just fine.
As for the comment about schools, I’d like to say that Chesterfield County Schools are just fine from my perspective (I have contact with the high schools).
Good luck, Youngsters!
Amanda says
Congrats on the big decision, although… I admit, my first thought was that April 1st must have come early. ;) I didn’t even read this post top-to-bottom right away, I scrolled down to make sure there wasn’t a “PSYCH! We’re kidding, of course we’d never leave this place!” at the bottom. I predict that with all the publicity your house already has, somehow you’ll find a buyer in no time, so my hope for you is that you find the new place quickly- just in case that ‘too-good-to-pass-up’ offer comes along!
My question (and I apologize if it’s already been answered)- if the new owners make any major changes, would you want to know/see, or would you prefer to remember your house exactly as it is now?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
We totally want anyone who buys our house to do their thing! We constantly talk about making a house work for you and your family (and know that everyone has different taste and style and needs and wants) so we want them to go crazy! We’re excited at the thought of what our house could become for someone else, actually!
xo,
s
TThomas says
How exciting! We’re planning on house hunting in the new year. It will be our first house so we’re chomping at the bit to get started. I can’t wait to see what you guys do with a whole new place. It’s like fresh meat for you guys!
Ashley says
I did a double take when I saw that first picture! I had to assure myself that this was not an April Fool’s joke. Congrats!
liz says
Check out Westham (near U of R) – GREAT schools and a beautiful neighborhood with homes from the 50s that could use some love…speaking of…..we would love young fun neighbors!
Casey says
Come live in my neighborhood! This fabulous house is for sale at a great price… lots of square footage and plenty of opportunities for you to fix it up and make it your own! Check it out!
http://www.snipesproperties.idxco.com/idx/5648/details.php?idxID=237&listingID=1024282
Whitney says
This is very bittersweet!
I was really hoping you guys would wait to sell your home until my hubby-to-be and I were ready to buy! I would totally relocated to the Richmond area. I love NC, but Virginia is my favorite state.. so much history!
I’m curious as to how much the how has risen in value what with all your renovations. Have you had it appraised yet?
Roshni says
I guess your current house was just too small for your growing family anyway! Good luck finding a new house! We are currently in the same process!! :)
Rebekah C says
You guys are on Apartment Therapy’s website today!
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/frame-your-old-house-keys-young-house-love-128301
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rebekah,
Cool! Thanks for the heads up!
xo,
s
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
Oh my gosh! I literally went to the blog, saw the picture with the sale sign, and said “WHAT?!!” incredibly out loud. I knew you were considering it, but never realized you were very very serious. This reminds me of the post you had when you informed us Clara was born!
Are you at all worried that the market isn’t going to fetch a good price for your house? Also, have you been saving up for big projects in the future house? There are so many questions! Also, does that mean the blog header, as well as archived posts are going to change?
YoungHouseLove says
Laura- Everything on the blog will remain (the before and after pics, the archives, the tutorials, etc) and we’ll just add new stuff as we tackle those makeovers in our new house, so fear not! As for the market, we’re thankful that our house appraised around 30K higher than we bought it for (even though we got it in the bubble and are selling it in this market) so we’re crossing our fingers that it’ll work out to be a great thing for our family and our future!
Whitney- We have and it has appraised for around 30K higher than we bought it at (even though we bought in the bubble and are now selling in this bad market). We’re thankful and hopeful (although appraisals don’t mean much, it’s really about how the sale of it pans out). We’ll keep you posted!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Wow, guys, this is big! I’m so excited for you, and I can’t wait to watch as you transform your next place! Good luck with the househunt!
Amber says
What fantastic news! If you all are open to the idea of paying for private school, I am crossing my fingers that you land in the fan or in the near west end (park ave area).
No matter where you all end up I am glad you are taking us on the ride. Best wishes with the house hunt.
Sarah says
Congrats on your big decision, and good luck in your search. As avid DIYers, is there anything that you’ll be want your new house to already have DONE, that you won’t have to undertake again? For us, it is definitely drywall taping/patching/mudding, which if we have to do again may be grounds for divorce.
PS Overnight cloth diapers update: right after we started our 6-month-old in cloth diapers for the overnight stretch, she pooped in them, twice! Oh, the irony.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Sarah,
Haha, that’s hysterical. Gotta hand it to the little ones to keep us on our toes! As for something we don’t want to undertake again, we’re actually open to all of it! It’s so worth it in the end!
xo,
s
renee says
Would you look at all the comments this generated?
I think it’s safe to say you have “made it” to the big time with all the emotion generated by your adoring fans!
Best to the four of you always – It will be one heckuva ride!
Robyn in Chicago says
No way!! I always believed you when you said it was your forever house, so what a fun surprise! :) This is all too exciting. I love it – and can’t wait to follow along!
Amanda says
I did not see this coming! I think it was last year I watched one of your Q&A videos & Sherry was pretty sure she never ever wanted to leave.
I have to hand it to you guys though, this is the ultimate DIY project.
Best of luck in the search/selling process! I loved house hunting :)
Reem says
I was shocked, sad, excited, sad and happy when I read your post. You guys have done an amazing job on your home. The next home owners are mighty lucky. Are you guys considering selling the home furnished? It just matches with the home so well! Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Reem,
We’re planning to leave a fair amount behind and take some stuff with us. We’ll spill those details in a bit!
xo,
s
Becky says
Wow! What a shocker. I had to read the first sentence twice before I believed it! But congrats to you guys for knowing that moving on is right for your family. I’m so excited to follow along on this journey!
laura says
Very exciting news! I’m in Richmond, too, and after 10 years in our gorgeous 1913 home and a killer renovation, we’re packing up to put our house on the market!
I’m eagerly anticipating some some projects, DIYs and such, just like you. After loving a house and starting a family here, the next house will definetly have to be a really special place too!
Best of luck, I can’t wait to follow along!!
Caroline says
I’m so excited for you guys!!! You will have so much fun! I can’t wait to see all your new projects!
Amanda says
I’m very excited for you guys! We just recently flipped a home and I know how exciting it is to start with a blank slate (i.e. old, outdated house).
Wouldn’t it be neat if the new owners had a blog and blogged about transforming your house to suit their needs?? That could also be a bit hard to watch.
Best of luck with everything!
Amanda
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
We’d love to watch the new owners blog about making this house theirs! That would be so much fun!
xo,
s
VOL25 says
WOW! Great news guys. :) SO excited and happy for you both! I have NO doubt whatsoever that your house will sell super fast. :)
Jazmin says
So exciting! I bet you will sale your house super fast! I mean it’s gorgeous and pretty much perfect! I kind of knew this was coming, since Clara made things tight! I remember bringing our 2 baby home and the moment we walked thru the door we realized that we had outgrown the place! Congrats! can’t wait to see all the new fun stuff! and YES! get on House Hunters!
Jen Miller says
Awesome! I’m really looking forward to this.
I hope you blog about the process of looking for (and buying) your new house. As someone who is still renting, the whole process is a terrifying mystery to me. Someday when we buy, I want to have a good understand of all the complications that go into it (inspections, title research, earnest money – all that crazy stuff)!
Good luck!
Julie says
It’s about time! I was thinking that you cannot redecorate another room in that small house. So excited for a new house and new projects.
Funnelcloud Rachel says
What?! NO! Oh, I’m so sad – how can you leave that beautiful sunroom behind? The amazing yard? The gorgeous nursery? The sparkling kitchen? The new bathroom? I really thought you guys might stay there forever! Funny how I even get attached to other people’s houses!
Anyway, congrats – can’t wait to see what you do with the new place!
Emlyn says
have to admit the initial thought was “you know, I was wondering what else they could do to their house – it’s so great now!” wish I lived in the area so I could snatch it up myself.
excited to see the search and new home with new possibilities! best of luck in the search!
Ellen says
So exciting, to have a new blank slate project! I’ll be very interested to see how you tackle (in your own DIY way) a brand new (old) house. We just bought last year a big old house in need of lots of fixing up on a very limited budget, so I’m super psyched to see what you do! Good luck with the sale of the old house!
Natalie says
You’ll need more boxes for the ceramic animals! lol. I’m so excited to see the new projects…i live vicariously through you. Your house will sell in a week i bet, it’s so beautiful! Congrats on the decision : )
JennyB says
Wow, this IS big news! What will your new “slogan” be? I’m really looking forward to a whole house full of new renovations! Congrats to you both!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey JennyB,
Maybe: two crazy people with their trusty dog and adorable baby going to town on an old needs-love house? Haha.
xo,
s
Sara says
WOW! Shocking, yet exciting news. Congrats. I very much admire you guys for everything you’ve done. You don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen, you make things happen and you are living your dream as a result. Can’t wait to watch all of your new projects unfold! Best of luck.
MP says
Maybe an old run-down house in the Fan or Museum District, or even an older Richmond neighborhood? That would be so amazing to watch you update one of those houses, and I bet your non-Richmond fans in particular would enjoy it, since neighborhoods like those certainly don’t exist everywhere. But I think you guys might like having a bigger yard than those would let you have.
Carolann says
Very exciting!!! I can’t say I’m shocked though, as I figured this would happen at some point since the heart of the blog’s content is turning a house into a home via projects, and you two have pretty much tackled all the big stuff at the current one. Plus, you have a growing family!
I always thought I’d buy an old house and fix it up, but we ended buying a new house, so I love living vicariously through you two :) I do have to say that even though our house is new, there is still a lot of projects, in order to give it some character (have you SEEN the light fixtures builders use!??), just not huge renos.
Good luck with the hunt and the sale!!!!!!
-Carolann
Sarah @ Comfort and Joy says
Wow! That certainly is major news. :) I can definitely see you three (point five) needing some extra room to spread out! Best of luck with the house hunt! Looking forward to projects galore!
Annabelvita says
Just a comment about the time capsule idea: we’ve done this at my parents’ house, left a letter in a protective envelope under a counter top. We just wrote who we were, what date it was and our plans that day. It was a last minute thing, photos would have been great if we had more time.
Well done as ever for being so great in the comments, it can’t be easy having so many people second guess your decisions. You know what’s best for you and your family!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Annabelvita,
Love it! We’ll definitely have to do it (and blog about our little hidden package)!
xo,
s
Lucy says
Very exciting. As you go through this process, it would be great to hear your tips for buying/selling a house – e.g., what you do to get your ready to put on the market (not that it needs much!), what you look for in a new home, in a real estate agent, etc.
Megs08 says
So exciting!
I am going to second Ab’s recommendation for Bellevue. My husband and I bought a two-story brick fixer-upper in the neighborhood in June 2009 and have never looked back. It’s our first home and we’ve enjoyed putting our design touches on top of the house’s existing “good bones” (with helpful tips from YHL et al). The neighborhood is walkable and has an active neighborhood association.
Through my work, I am involved with Holton Elementary School’s outdoor classroom/garden and have been amazed by the fabulous staff, students and parents. We do not have children (yet) but I am excited at the thought of walking our kids down the block to school and knowing they will be in a structured, caring, challenging learning environment.
Middle school and high school in the city, as you know, are challenge.
Also love the near West End and Westover Hills! Best wishes!
Amber West says
Wow- Congratulations! I love your house, and I know you guys will be able to sell it so fast! I am really excited to hear as much as possible about the buying process. We are looking to buy our first home in the next year and it would be great to get tips and hints from some seasoned pros! I know the next Casa Petersik will be just as wonderful ! Good Luck!
Alicia M says
WOAH! Congrats you guys!!! I feel like I had a bit of ESP going on…I just (like JUST last week) thought to myself, “what are they going to do? their house looks so complete and perfect now…and they’re eventually going to need room for Baby P #2. I bet they MOVE!” I really didn’t expect it to actually happen though! This is awesome! I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures I’m sure your creative brains will come up with all kinds of new projects. :)
Best wishes!!
Alicia
ps: If your lovely house (and yard) were for sale in NW Iowa…I’d buy it up in a jiffy!
sarah says
I kinda saw this coming when you talked about “future kids” (I was like, where would those kids even GO??? Would Clara move into the basement? The sunroom??) but after all the work you just did personalizing the office space (you can’t take that door-desk with you!) and making so much of the house perfect for YOU and you alone, I am still a little shocked! But I think it’s a great solution overall and a way to keep everyone coming back to check in :) Good luck on the hunt!