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…
Molly says
Congratulations you guys!! This is seriously awesome news, and I’m so excited for you!
Weezie says
Congratulations!
RVA NATIVE says
It is like Season 3 of YHL!!! I love that you all have taken on a new project…and a heck of a large one to boot. I can’t wait to watch, learn, and feel like I am growing with you guys!
Hilkary says
Congratulations!!! The new house already feels very “you guy” and I can’t wait to see a walk-through! I’m curious about whether you’ll sell or rent your old house. If you’re like me, you haven’t slept in weeks, awake thinking about all the things you want to do at the new place…
Colette says
Wow, you guys certainly don’t mess around! Congrats. What an awesome house for you to work your magic on. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds. xx
Rachelle says
Amazing surprise!! We fell into our dream house on 2 acres 4 yrs ago. Not suspecting it at all. We’ve gotten a Bunch of projects done but there’s always something to do and enjoy. Congrats YHL!
Silvs says
How exciting – i can’t wait to see the projects you’ll be working on in your new home … i was wondering what you would do once your current one was all finished, now we know ! Congratulations, good luck on selling and all the best for the move. Happy dance for you. x
Lindsey says
Apparently I’m late to this party, but after I also had to check for a possible April Fool’s, I am so excited (and to be perfectly honest- jeaaaaalous!)!!! That house has your names written all over it. So exciting to find that awesome deal, get to know a new place and start putting your mark on it. I’m anxious to buy our second home after transferring for work and turning our previous project house into a rental. Love that someone else is paying our mortgage now though (u should turn your current property into a rental when u r ready!). Lots of luck to you! -Lindsey
Saskia says
Congratulations!! I have loved what you have done to the current house and can’t wait to see what you will do to this one! So much fun and adventure!! We are living in out first house now for two years in Belgium, it’s 100 years old and had not been touched for 54 years! We, like you only bought it as rest was far out of our reach and slowly have fallen in love with DIY ( that’s how I found yhl and follow it for ideas daily).
Kyle says
I woke up this morning after having read this yesterday and was SURE that I had dreamt it. I came over here this morning to make sure I hadn’t invented it and, lo and behold, it’s still true.
Still in shock and super excited for you
(and me…I get to read about all of your new projects while I take on mine this time!! WOOP!)
Marianne says
Congratulations! So proud of you both!
gail says
Am very excited for you. This will be interesting–your new home reminds me of the inside of our 200 year old home. (Very colonial.) And in need of updating, though I want it to be in keeping with its age. I wish the best for you, including a quick sale!
Victoria says
Congratulations!
I got the stomach butterfly feeling when I read the first line, as if you were leaving me, a reader, instead of just a house! Hmm, that isn’t meant to be creepy. I’m so excited for you and to see what you did with the new place.
After 8 years in a single storey flat, 5 months ago we moved to a fixer upper house with stairs, so I can relate. It’s a lot of work but this weekend we should have the first two bedrooms in a state to actually be lived in.
Good luck with selling the old place.
Barry says
Congragulations to you both (all). A great blog which I found via an article in the online Daily Telegraph (UK) property section, yes I am a real estate agent!
However I am also in the process of buying a property here in Spain needing that “tender loving care” so I will be a keen follower of your great blog in the forseeable future.
All the best with the sale and move!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Barry! Best of luck with everything!
xo
s
Korie says
Wow, Congrats guys!! This is exciting news. We have been showing our own dated colonial in a great neighborhood some serious love over the last year….can you say brass everything???…. So I’m excited to see what you guys do with your new gem. I’m sure you will inspire me to do something new with mine. So glad to be on this journey with you!!. Wishing you much happiness always!!!!
Kim K. says
Wow! What a great surprise! Like so many others, very excited to see what you do with it! Glimpses of brightly colored trim have me a bit queasy – knowing you folks are there to work on the house makes me feel much better! Enjoy and celebrate!
Susan Akers says
Congrats! This is what I call a “Home Alone House”. haha! Very nice!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahaha! I will forever call it that now.
xo
s
Jessica says
And when a house project has you exhausted, you can look to John and say “Do you give up, or are you thirsty for more?”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah!
xo
s
Erin C. says
Yay! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see what you do with the new place. I have no doubt it will be spectacular.
Tracey says
Thank you so much for reminding me to set aside money for a “sunny day”. It’s easy to plan for those rainy days, but i forget to have that little egg set aside for when the stars all align. Even more inspired by you guys! Congrats!!
Christina says
From Rad Ranches to a Charming Colonial!!
I LOVE the vintage wallpaper… can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned! Take care : )
Linda says
Love it!! What an awesome story! You both should be so proud that you waited and ended up exactly where you wanted to be. I can’t wait to see what you will do with this new place. Isn’t it funny how things always turn out just how they should?! Life is amazing!
Sarah S says
Congratulations! I am late to the game and just started following you about a month or so ago. You inspired me to (finally) get back to work on an entire foyer full of forest green trim that needs to be white! Good luck on the trim in the new house :)
Michelle says
Oh my goodness! I literally fell off the couch while casually reading through my emails, seeing yours and realising the BIG change you were presenting! How exciting – good for you ! I have loved your two previous houses but am already incredibly excited about what’s going to happen with this one! Congrats on finally moving into your dream neighbourhood. You deserve it – you’ve worked your butts off for it. And by the way, are you aware of how incredibly inspiring you are? Right now I have an incredible urge to get to work and paint something! If I wasn’t a 24 hour flight away, I would come and help you paint that mauve trim!! Enjoy!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Michelle, you’re so sweet! Thanks so much!
xo
s
Anna says
I am so excited! I’m actually a little freaked out at how much this brightened my morning. AND I have nasty mauve trim in EVERY ROOM of the house we bought a year ago. I’m slowly tackling it room by room. I can’t wait to see what you guys do! Congrats!
Kelsey says
I had just woken up from a nap when I read this, and had to reread it several times before I was sure I wasn’t still dreaming! Congratulations! If wasn’t a poor Canadian university student living in the UK at the moment, I would totally purchase your old house from you!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kelsey!
xo
s
Elizabeth says
Many many congrats Petersiks!! The new home looks beautiful and I hope you enjoy many happy years there as a family. We are *also* in the process of moving from our mid-century ranch to a two-story brick colonial that has some outdated wallpaper and other 70s decor so I’m extra excited to see what you do with the new place! Thanks for sharing your lives with us.
Meredith says
Wow, congratulations!! That’s so exciting for you guys. MMMmm, man that blue trim along the stairs is awesome, haha!
Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says
Congratulations you guys!!!! That is just wonderful news!!!! :-D I adore the exterior with that Chippendale porch railing – it’s gorgeous!!!
Kate says
Can i just say how EXCITED I am for you guys! Look at those before pics!! the afters are going to be a total transformation I’m sure. I am constantly inspired by how the two of you seize opportunities.
I’m putting in my vote for painting the front door emerald green. ;)
Congrats and best wishes, -Kate
Deborah says
Good Things come to Those Who Wait (and work hard, getting dirty, frustrated, and covered in paint drips). Living modestly always means more eventually. Best Wishes to you all and your families, Deborah
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks so much Deborah!
xo
s
Jenn says
Congratulations – so happy for you and so incredibly excited to see what projects this inspires! Best wishes, all around!
Carmel says
I’m so happy for you guys!!! Let’s talk about curb appeal – I want to kiss the front of this house -is that normal? Can’t wait to follow this transformation – looks like lots of work – which means lots of juicy diy stuff for us! WOOT!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, totally normal! I hugged the mailbox and kissed the front door on closing day.
xo
s
Ashlee says
YAY!!! Congrats on the new casa! How exciting! I can’t wait to see how you change and decorate this new place! Especially since my bathrooms still kind of look like those do…
Deb Praus says
Congrats…..Looking forward to the new adventures with you!
I hope those railings on the front are some of the first thinks to change…lol
Kimberly says
What an exciting surprise! Congratulations!
Jenn says
Congratualtions YHL! I echo everyone else- cant wait to see what you do with it. I hear ya that it can happen really quickly. Within the past two weeks we bought a home similar to your new one and sold our condo in Boston. To say our heads are spinning is an understatment….good luck keeping the house clean for showings with the babe and the dog running around!! Im sure it will sell quick!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, we forgot how hard it was to keep the house clean for showings with a baby and a dog, and this time the kid’s a lot more mobile! Haha!
xo
s
Meg says
Beyond excited for you guys!! The house looks lovely, thank you for taking us along on this new journey:)
Leslie says
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now admiring the maturity of your young family. How I wish we had known what you two knew at such a young age. Congrats on staying on financial course and achieving the goal. You are an inspiration to others–style wise and financially. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Leslie!
xo
s
Mariangeles says
WOW!!! I’m so happy for you guys! I had to read the whole post again, i just couldnt believe it! It looks like a beautiful house.
I really hope you house sells soon so you dont have to be paying too mortgages, but im pretty sure it will sell really quick, so have done such a great job, its no longer a house… Its a beautiful home and anybody could live there happily ever after. CONGRATULATIONS!
Cant wait to see all diy projects!!!!
Ingrid says
Congrats! Have to say I found your news bitter sweet – I’ve become attached to your current place and love all your improvements, but I was starting to wonder what was left to do. Glad that you will have a new slate to express all your creativity and talents on. Can’t wait! So excited for you! :)
Michele says
I am in tears, I’m so happy for you all! Congratulations!!! What a moving story!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Michele!
xo
s
Beth says
Jigga WHA?!! Jigga WHO?!?!
Dang that was a good surprise!! Congratulations! So excited to see more of your new abode (especially since it looks so much like mine, squeee!!)
Angie says
Eeeeeee….this is so ridiculously exciting! I CAN’T WAIT to read all about the new house adventures! Oh…and we could totally be wallpaper twinsies. That white wallpaper with the small floral-ish print was also in our guest room…complete with blue shag carpeting. Congrats again on the new pad!
Zoe says
I got suspicious when you were paying so much attention to the bathrooms (even the teeny little ones). Making them look good but not spending much… that sounds a lot like ‘getting ready for sale’ to me!!
I really like your current house (I mean the layout). But I guess you have done so much too it. you need a new place for new projects.
last time you kind of changed your style (from mostly white to more bold and pops of colour) do you think you will go for a big style change this time?
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely think our style will evolve again since it’s not only a new house, but not a ranch this time! So excited to see where we end up :)
xo
s
Eliza says
I am SO jealous of whoever gets to buy your current house! I can just imagine walking in with an agent and being like, “WAIT! This is the YHL house — where do I sign?!?!” Seriously, luckiest home buyers EVER!
mirka says
Congratulations! Big Awesome News! I can’t wait to move in…ummm, I mean you guys move in and we see all your great ideas in your new space!
Kelly says
I am SHOCKED!! But excited for what is to come! Congrats! You guys sure know how to keep your blog fresh!! ;)
Ashley [7th House on the Left] says
Oh my goodness!! That’s crazy exciting!! We’re so happy for you guys! Knowing all too well how it is to paint trim in an entire house (ugh!), better start toning up those painting muscles, haha.
Whitley S. says
CONGRATS! OMG it’s like my favorite book just ended but the author just announced another sequel coming soon! I’m so stoked for you guys and I can’t wait for so many more updates! :)
Scully says
I feel sure that this comment will be lost here, it’s insane the amount of people commenting on this post. First of all, congratulations! Even to me, a person who doesn’t know you at all, I feel a sense of happiness for your family for being able to purchase such a lovely home after years of patient savings.
My question is this: you have several times in the past stated your preference to ranch-style homes. I’m curious as to how you ended up with this style.
I’m so excited to see what you will accomplish in this house. Your projects are a joy to read about.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s so funny! I totally would have been happy in a ranch forever, and have always waxed poetic about their positive attributes, but even when we were house hunting last time we looked at two levels and never felt any connection but then we saw this baby and it was on. Love at first sight! I guess there’s some lesson in there about not discounting houses just because they have carports or have two levels. Haha!
xo
s