So, funny story about the house below. We bought it and we’re moving in.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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!
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.
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.
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…
Anne G. says
Such exciting news! I think your decision not to re-do the yellow guest bathroom was a clue that you might be moving. Still, I was very surprised and actually had to check the calendar that it wasn’t April 1! :)
I cannot wait to see all the amazing upgrades you guys do in this new house!!!!!
Selina says
Congratulations and good luck! This one looks like a bit more work, but I can’t wait to hear all about it. We’re almost 2 years into our 1973 fixer upper in the perfect neighborhood, the end is in sight! You guys inspired me more than you know!
Aimée says
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT – it’s TRUE!!
Your honest, ‘real’ approach to making your house a home has always been so inspiring. I didn’t think it was possible but I am even MORE inspired by you now. Your very ‘real’ journey from each house to this gorgeous house-soon-to-be-home is so incredibly inspiring.
Well done Petersiks – rejoice in your cleverness (is that a word?)
And now, let’s dance.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Aimee!
xo
s
Tasneem says
Like many others, I thought it was a joke.
So happy for you guys. Just curious what your favorite thing(s) about the house are….what really drew you in??
I’m drooling over the banister on the the porch! : )
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll definitely share pics of all the rooms and the floor plan and a video tour to explain what the features were that stole our hearts! Can’t wait!
xo
s
Jenny says
I totally want to know what you’ll be happy to walk away from, too. The mismatched floors?? The quasi-naturalized side yard? The now-reasonably-nice master sink nook??
YoungHouseLove says
That would be a really fun post! I was thinking about doing one about what our first house and current house have taught us. Many of the lessons have been different!
xo
s
Stephanie says
I thought this was a joke for a split second!! Then I got super excited for you guys!! I cant wait for what is to come!!I too had a feeling you guys were going to find another place to call home, this house was pretty much done, and I wish I could buy it! :D
CONGRATULATIONS!! I will send my trim painting self in spirit all the way from California!!
Anna says
Wow! Congratulations! Waiting those seven years really paid off for you guys! That is so awesome.
I am really excited to see what you do with this house. Looks like it has some new challenges, like the carpeted floor and potentially super dated bathroom (though you aren’t really new to the whole bathroom renovation thing!)
Emily @ LaForce Be With You says
Congrats! We had a very similar approach to buying/selling/moving. We closed on our new home on Friday and the closing on our current home is *fingers crossed* in a few weeks if all goes well. We could have moved to our new home right away but wanted to leave our current home staged. I have no idea how people manage to close on a current home and a new home and move in the same day! Even a few weeks apart is busy enough!
Barbara says
I’m just guessing, but I bet that porch gets bigger once you move in…
PS: That is a LOT of wallpaper to remove. And deep blue tile? You are brave…very brave.
Abbie says
I gasped. I literally gasped out loud and clutched my throat. I feel like I’m being broken up with! It’s all so sudden…!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you had me laughing out loud with “it’s all so sudden”
xo
s
Ang D says
I felt the exact same way!! It felt very personal! Haha
Courtney S. says
While I am ecstatic for you all – and for all of us who read your blog. YAY new makeovers!!! – I am also very sad and can’t quite wrap my head around leaving that gorgeously perfect kitchen and wonderfully beautiful living room so soon, especially after working so long and hard to make them that way. Yes, yes, the logical part in me totally gets where you are coming from, but..!!!!
Kari says
Congratulations!! We also just purchased our third home, and get possession in one month – yay!! Fixing up the houses isn’t our job, but we sure do enjoy it. We should have known better when we finished our kitchen (and last major project) in January – all of a sudden we were house-hunting again. We did the same thing as you guys…bought reasonable houses, paid them down as fast as we could, and lived below our means. And now we are moving to another area of town so we can be just a couple of minutes away from our kids’ school and our church. I hope your house sells quickly!! What is the housing market like around you?
YoungHouseLove says
It seems good now that it’s spring. Here’s hoping!
xo
s
Zulfa says
Sorry, I’m still stuck on “the Carlton”! What a blast from the past!
Alicia says
CONGRATULATIONS! You two are such a testament to the fact that good things come to those who wait (and save)! I’m so inspired by your story of securing a home in your dream neighborhood. (I too have the same dream). So congrats again and on to house #3!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Alicia!
xo
s
Jess says
Congratulations you guys, the place looks charming and fun! When purchasing our first (major fixer-upper) home 2.5 years ago we also bought on one income, purely out of necessity. I’m glad we did, I don’t want a $2000 a month mortgage, I don’t want that stress of knowing if one of us lost our income there’s no way we could scrape by for a few months. 2009-2011 really made that fear real, that you could lose your job at the drop of a hat and go a year or more without finding another. It was also a very bad period for my husband’s small business, so being able to get by only on my income really saved us.
And you’re right, bigger house just means more to clean. Best of luck on your future upgrades! I just love that front porch, LOVE!
jbhat says
Well well well! This is SUPER exciting. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, guys! I smell book material….
xo
jhbat
Kristin D. says
Wow, what a shock but so happy for you guys. Today is the day we closed on our first townhome in the Northern Virginia area 3 years ago. As much as I love our first home, I’ve been itching to get out of the area and you’ve shown that if it’s the right time and the right reasons, then why not? Thanks.
Stacey @ Likes to Smile says
YES!!! Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to see where your imagination and DIY-ness takes this house! I feel like us readers somehow ‘won’ something today! Can’t wait to follow along in the journey!
Ida says
Congratulations on your new home! I know you will do some amazing things with it and can’t wait to see more! Much success on your new journey!
Carol says
Congratulations! An exciting new chapter. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do to update the place.
Ginny says
So very exciting!! Congrats! You two work very hard and deserve all great things!!
Alex says
Congratulations Petersik Family!!! I had to calm down for a couple hours so I didn’t rant like a crazy person, but I’m so excited for this new chapter for you all!
By the way, it looks like your April Fool’s post for next year might be a harder sell. But please, don’t let that keep you from doing it anyway! The giant fountain was my favorite! In fact, I’m laughing in my office hoping no one walks by to see me chuckling like a fool thinking back to it… Clearly I’m still giddy over your big news.
Brynn says
Jaw dropped. Mind Blown.
Amazing, so happy for you guys.
Also I am SOOOOO Interested in your house. If only I could get the hubs to move with me! Womp Womp!
Taylor says
OMG!!!!! I feel like this is the season ender to a TV show and this was the cliff hanger! CONGRATS!
Kathryn says
Ha! Perfect analogy. These guys work their secrets like pros.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh who saw The Following finale last night?! That was crazy!
xo
s
Michelle @ BirdsofBerwick.com says
Congratulations guys! I have to go with my gut and say, “I knew it!”. You were running out of rooms!!! House #2 looks amazing and you’ve done an awesome job! I can’t wait to see how big your living/family room is in House #3…Karl is a BIIIIG boy! :-)
Elizabeth A says
Congrats!
Chelsea says
So happy for you guys, just recently found your website and now find myself checking it everyday! Can’t wait for all the new posts surrounding the house. Congrats!!
Bonnie says
Congratulations! I’ll join the “I’m shocked” chorus, too. I am sad that you’ll be leaving your house, I’ve grown creepily attached to it, but you’re doing what’s good for your family and fulfilling a dream, so good luck!
Adie says
Congrats! Can’t wait to see what you do with the new house, I was worried you were running out of projects woth ypur current house!
Jeremy says
Congrats guys! The house is looks like a great project, and will be a great home.
Just my opinion: Towards the end of the post I feel like you were feeling the need to defend your success; you shouldn’t. You two have done really well at honing your craft and turning a hobby into a successful business (whether it was intentional or not). This has no doubt come with a sacrifice of time, energy and money. Your planning, hard work and sacrifice has paid off, be proud of what you have done and the opportunities that have emerged. Your readers want to rejoice in your success as well. All the best in the new adventure.
Carrie Lea says
I totally want to “like” this comment!
Alison says
Second comment “like”!
Kathryn says
I think it was just that around the winter time there were some who thought that the successful book suddenly made them unrelateable millionaires or something. They did a great post on that. I just took it as a friendly reminder that they’ve not changed from the philosophy and headspace that’s helped build a loyal (and growing) readership, not them being on the defensive.
Jaye says
Seriously? When I first started reading this, I had to check the date. April 30th not April Fool’s Day! Congratulations! This is so exciting! Can’t wait for this journey!
Carrie says
I don’t know how you two do it! I’ve been wanting to buy for 3 years now and I still haven’t jumped on the bandwagon. I am too afraid that I’ll change jobs and have to move and be stuck with two mortgages/rent.
I’m happy for y’all but still a little sad. Your second house is like my dream home. I love brick ranches with front porches. It’s like your readers have to move out too. :)
Karen says
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing how you decide where to start- not that there is anything wrong with that lovely wallpaper!!
Elizabeth McKinney says
I’m not surprised a bit. I figured you’d move one day. Congrats!!!
Deb says
SHUT UP! How exciting! I was wondering what you guys were going to do – you were blowing through the remodel of your current home pretty quickly and I figured you had something up your sleeve ;) Congratulations! Can’t wait to see a boat load of before and afters :)
Sabrina says
What the wha? Congratulations guys! I totally think you should cut out a piece of the wallpaper and frame it, ala Uncle Jesse and the pink bunnies (squee full house reference)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s on!
xo
s
Deb says
Ha ha!! We did that in my youngest daughters bedroom too LOL!
Sayward says
YES! When I left my apartment of 8 years I took a scrap of the horrible wallpaper to frame ala Uncle Jesse’s bunnies. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thinks in terms of 90s sitcoms!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! I love it!
xo
s
Olivia says
Did not see this coming – WOW!! Never a dull moment with you two :) Congrats on finding a gem in your dream neighborhood – how exciting! Can’t wait to find out more about the new place.
Ruth says
So happy for you! I was just wondering recently how close you were to the end of your list for your 2nd house. Very exciting to think that you’ll be starting over with loads of new projects in a new space! Good luck to you all.
Kiki says
I’m not going to lie, I thought this was a late (okay, super late) April Fool’s Day joke. But this is soooooo exciting! I can’t wait to see what projects you have in store for this house + take another peek inside. Congrats, Petersiks! :)
Karen says
Congrats, it’s beautiful! I can’t wait to watch you turn her into a home! I had a feeling that you were inching towards putting your house on the market but I had no idea you were so dose… And I totally get that neighborhood stalking thing, I do it all the time!
Michelle says
We are at a point where it just makes sense to sale and move (schools, space, etc), but I am having such a hard time letting go of our current home, with so many milestones and memories in it. Thanks for taking the big kid leap off the high dive and showing me that it can be done and in the end it’s just a house and the memories still exist.
Congrats! Like many other comment-ers, my first instinct was to pick up the phone and call someone to share the news!
Beth A. says
OK, I have to say I’m a little sad — I’ll miss seeing your current house everyday. (Is that crazy?) But, I’m mostly really excited for your family. What a great new adventure!
Jordan says
I definitely thought there was going to be another “april fools!!!” underneath the picture! Congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Angela T says
Gee whiz, you sure know how to keep us interested! :) I have to add in my two cents to say Congrats! And good luck in all the fun stuff of moving!!!! And as a transplant south-side girl, I have to say that I wish you’d answer the question about what side of the “rivah” you’re on…. my intuition says #southsidealltheway!!!!!!
Antonia says
I didn’t realize how much I love your work until this post. My thoughts:
1. I knew it!
2. Omg exciting, new projects, what an awesome adventure for these guys *tears**more tears*
How did this post get me to happy cry at my desk during my lunch break?? Haha. So happy for you! Have fun :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet Antonia!
xo
s
Ally says
Holy crap! That’s awesome. I’m going to love watching you guys start from scratch with a new place!! (Shoulda known something was up with all of the outside / curb appeal work you’ve been doing lately. Just kidding. The porch and carport may have just been inspired by the warmer weather.) Can I tell you something though? I moved into my new house about the same time you moved into your current home. This whole time I’ve done basically 0.00 things to update my home and have watched in amazement as you have totally transformed your place. You guys are amazing. Congrats on the new place! Best of luck on the sale of your lovely home.
Kim says
Oh fun!!! Congrats! I’m dying to know more about the new place. I’m such a house junky!
Donna says
Yay! How exciting for you all! I just love the fact that even though you guys are admitted oversharers you were still able to spring this surprise!
I am excited to watch this next phase!!
Jess says
Congrats!! Your new home looks gorgeous. And on a completely selfish note, I’m so excited to see how you update and decorate a two-story home as I’m looking for ideas around staircases, upstairs hallways, etc. to snag for inspiration!
Sarah M says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I cannot wait for all of the new improvement projects! Yay!!
Bridget says
Congrats! I’ve learned so much from you guys to look past a house’s current style to what it could be and I’m so excited to see what you do to make this new one your home! How sweet to be in your dream neighborhood!
ps. I don’t know why but I thought when you posted about painting your kitchen blue that maybe you’d be selling soon…
Thanks for sharing your journey with so many people! :)