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…
Kaitlyn says
OMG!! That is SO EXCITING! It’s so funny because my hubby and I have that same dream neighborhood that we’ve been stalking like CRAZY for a new listing to come up! This gives me hope that something could come up soon :) Can’t wait to see how you guys put your own touch on everything!
Wayne says
No way! Congrats Guys. A new exciting adventure.
Sandy says
Aww! Good for you guys! I thought there might be something up. What an awesome find!
Michael says
Congrats! This is kind of like hearing that your favorite TV show has been cancelled, only to find it’s just moving to a different (and better) network!
Carmeon @ CohesiveRandomness says
Furnished?????????? I’m now considering packing up my family, leaving Memphis and heading your way! Good luck with the sale. So excited about all of the new wallpaper stripping/trim painting/carpet ripping/furniture sourcing post!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry for the confusion! We’re not selling it furnished, we just want furniture in the house when it’s for sale (empty houses sell slower and for less money) so we won’t move our furniture out and truly move into the new house until we get a sale :)
xo
s
Vanessa says
HOLY CRAP! I actually thought this was an April Fool’s joke, at first! Haha, congrats you guys! So excited to see where this takes you!
Brittney says
Wow! Even though I haven’t been reading your blog for very long, I am totally shocked! The house is super adorable and I cannot wait to see what you do with it. We have 2 bathrooms and 2 rooms to renovate still so now, I can finally go through the journey with you guys. Our house was renovated in the 70’s, so I totally feel ya on the sweet painted trim, wallpaper, shag carpets, and paneling. Congratulations!!
Laura says
Wow – congrats! Every once in while, when reading your blog, I wonder what will happen when you finish all your updates, so I’m happy to know that there are lots of projects on the horizon with the new house!
Laura
Adria says
I had to restrain myself from squealing and jumping around with excitement! Can’t wait to see y’all tackle a new home. I’ve only been reading your blog for a year, so I can’t wait to be there at a new beginning!
Jamie says
SO EXCITED! It only makes sense, as you’ll need new projects to keep your business going. I could totally be talked into driving from Michigan to help you paint. Congrats, you guys!
Theresa says
That’s AWESOME! Good luck on your new adventure and whoever buys your current home will be very lucky!
Linden says
Oh my gosh that’s so exciting! I’m SO excited to see what you guys do with all those new spaces. I must admit, I’m a little sad to see you guys leave the current house. As a certified YHL addict, I’ve grown super attached to it. But yay for new adventures!!
Kristen says
Wowzers! I am shocked, but excited to see everything you guys do to update it!!
Chris says
Oh my goodness! Congratulations!! I’m so excited for y’all and cannot wait for the next chapter this opens up for the blog. I can’t wait to see how Clara’s style emerges with her big girl room and big girl closet. :)
I remember my first big girl closet!!
ReneeW says
I too, thought this was a joke at first. I noticed in the past few weeks many of your loyal readers had been asking if selling was in your near future. So very astute!
The house looks like it has great bones. I’m excited to see it slowly transform.
Whitney Smith says
Fantastic!!!! What an exciting time for your family!
I think this post could have been written by me. Today we close on our third home and think of our first two as stepping stones in DIY to get us to the wonderful place we are now (blue toilet and all!!).
CONGRATS!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats right back at you! Closing day is so exciting!
-John
Amanda says
Whoa. Like Stephanie, I was totally waiting for the “April Fool’s!” You know, on April 30th.
I guess it has been 2 years now since you guys moved. And that means I’ve been a regular reader of your blog for 4 years now? Wow.
Also, I can’t believe that’s how houses look that were built around the time I was born. *old
As always – can’t WAIT to see what you have planned for it. CONGRATS!!!
Alison says
My first thought was..they are late with April fools. Big news, Congrats!
Hilary says
Stoked is the only word that comes to mind right now. YES!!
Meredith says
Wallpaper. Upper left little photo. In my childhood home!!! It has a coordinate, too…just in case you love it! Ha! Good luck with the transition. I am a newer reader, and love your writing. Plus we are moving into our second needs-love place soon. It’ll be tougher than the first, so I am stoked for some extra inspiration!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! We’ll put a scrap aside for you. :)
-John
Meghan, UK says
Wow, congratulations! This is such an exciting new step, and I can’t wait to see how you dive in and get properly excited again. How soon can you get floorplans up for us all? ;) Huge good luck wishes for the sale of your other house too.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Meghan! We’d love to get floor plans up asap for you guys. It’s going to be crazy to do two floors this time, haha! :)
xo
s
Shari says
Wow! Color me SURPRISED! I had to scroll back up and look at the date to make sure this wasn’t an April Fools’ joke! Is it weird that I’ve become emotionally attached to this house all the way from Kentucky? And I’m sad to see you go? BUT HOW EXCITING!!! Congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you end up doing with this mamma-jamma!
Kristy says
Wow, congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you do with this new house!
Nicole says
Holy Crap! I seriously had to check the date like 4 times to make sure I somehow hadn’t lost an entire month and we were back on April Fools day! You guys are so sneaky! I’m so so so excited for you, and can’t wait to see all the new projects! Good Luck!
Katie says
Definitely just scrolled to the end of the post to see if this was a joke, haha! So excited for you guys, probably more than I should be. Can’t wait to see what is in store. This is going to be a fun summer. :)
Heather says
I’ll come paint trim… or babysit Burger =)
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see the journey!
kearney says
omg – we’re moving? i’m so not ready for this! I was wondering what else you were going to find to do at your current place since no room has been untouched. good luck with the sale/move. new house = new book?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I think since houses take us years and years we’d rather blog about the in real-time than go dark on the blog for a few years to write a book :)
xo
s
Kate R. says
I am amazed the new place has the same square feet as your current place! The new one looks so much bigger! Congrats!
YoungHouseLove says
This current house always looks small from the front since a lot of the square footage (the addition) is on the backside of the house, so yeah the new place definitely looks bigger with that second story all up in your face! :)
-John
Katie says
Wow! What exciting news, but I’ve gotta say…I’ll miss that gorgeous kitchen!
Liz says
Woooow! Big news! That’s awesome!
I’ve moved quite a few times in the past few years (as a renter), and thought I found my forever home too — an amazing 1 bedroom loft. I was even talking to my landlord about buying it. Then disaster struck, a family member of my landlord’s got sick and needed a rent-free place to stay, and I was on the hunt yet again. I took the first thing I found, and crammed my loft-style life into a very-not-loft apartment about a year ago. It was in a great neighborhood for me, it just wasn’t THE place. Just a month or so ago, my neighbor from downstairs moved out, and I got the opportunity to move into her space, which had a lot of the loft-style feel (big rooms, high ceilings… the exact opposite of what I’d been living in, upstairs), and I JUMPED on it. In spite of a less-than-understanding boyfriend, who couldn’t see why moving ONE FLOOR DOWN was a big deal… it’s been perfect. He’s even eating his words a little. I still have boxes stacked up waiting to be unpacked, but I am pretty darn happy at the moment.
So, it’s not forever. And even this new house-adventure of yours might not be forever… but if it fits for you, right now, it’s the perfect move. Go get ’em, Petersiks!
Colleen says
As an avid reader for the past two years, I have enjoyed seeing your adventures in home renovation. While I love both of your houses, I literally thought of how much I wanted to see a two story brick home (my favorite style of house) redone by both of you. So excited to see this news and can’t wait for further posts on this new home adventure. Congrats! :)
Erin @ The Great Indoors says
Congratulations! What a surprise for the readers, but it sounds like for you guys, too. But good surprises are always fun! Can’t wait to see the new place and what you have in mind for it.
Erin
Ashley says
Wow! I thought this was a belated April Fools joke! Congrats on the house…she’s a beauty and I can’t wait to see what you guys do with it!
Ashlee says
This makes me unrealistically happy. For you, sure. But more for me. :) Your new house is the exact.same.style as my house. I bet it has the same layout. I wonder what you will do? I wonder if it will be something that will inspire me too? Yippeeeeeeee! Oh yeah, and congrats!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ashlee! Thanks to everyone for all the kind words! We’re so happy to finally shout this from the rooftops!
xo
s
Katie says
Definitely just scrolled to the end of the post to see if this was a joke, haha! So excited for you guys, probably more than I should be. Can’t wait to see what is in store. This is going to be a fun summer! :)
Betty says
Wow – I had been thinking that maybe recently you’d been on vacation – but noooooo, you were buying a house – nice works kids – will Miss C sleep in her big girl room before you move?
Again, nice work kids – the fun continues
YoungHouseLove says
We’re just waiting for her to decide she wants to sleep in her bed, so whether that’s here while we sell, or after we move- we’re just going to follow her lead :)
xo
s
Liz says
I knew it!! Once you started to fix the outside and doing little updates here and there, something told me that you might be moving soon. How did I know? You did the same in your first house :)
Very excited for you, wishing you all the best in the new adventure!!
Kelli says
Ahhhhhh!!!! I’m freaking out! So excited for y’all!! Congratulations!
Christine at www.idratherbesweating.com says
This. Is. Going. To. Be. AWESOME!
So excited for you guys. Cannot wait to see how everything turns out!
katie says
Congrats! Can’t wait to see what all you do with the new place :)
Floriane says
I was already wondering what would happen when you crossed the last line of your wish list. Then came the answer : a new wish list!
I wish I had your sense of adventure!!!
Good luck in your new challenge. Be sure I’ll keep following you!
KitS says
I am SHOCKED! I had a physical reaction (this is going to sound so dramatic, but you know when you hear big news and it’s almost like you get tunnel vision? maybe not. maybe I’m crazy) before my mind caught up to what I was reading. Just so surprised! Can’t wait to see what changes you make to this beautiful new place! You’ve done such a great job with your first two houses, and I love that we all get to go along for the ride!
Kristi says
Wow congratulations! Can’t wait to see the renovations!
cck says
Awesome! Congratulations to all of you – can’t wait to see the new journey!
Jenn says
I am SO excited. Can’t wait to see how you guys take on this new set of challenges. Good luck!
Adrienne says
Holy. Crap. I thought this was going to be a joke when I read the first sentence! How incredibly exciting for you guys!
LMN says
totally thought this was a joke until I got to the end and there was no “SIKE!” crazy excited to see more projects!
also, i called my friend and on the voicemail said, “OMG nikki, JOHN AND SHERRY ARE MOVING”. like we’re super tight or something…
:-) CONGRATS!!
Misty says
So glad I’m not the only one who calls friends and gives them YHL gossip! LOL
Carrie @DreamGreenDIY says
WOW!!! So exciting =) Congratulations! So wish we could scoop up your “middle” house…Alas, jobs are keeping us about 2 and half hours away in Lynchburg.
Hope the transition goes smoothly!
Joanna says
Good luck on your new adventure!!! I am so happy for you!!
Angie says
Phew! Your current house is in such great shape I was worried about what you were going to blog about! Can’t wait to read all about the new adventure. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait!!!