Young House Love

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The Process Of Selling Our House By Owner & Buying A New House

To the tune of Katy Perry’s “Hot N’ Cold”… WE’VE BOUGHT AND WE’VE SOLD!

Well not really, but we’re headed in that direction. As of 5:57 pm yesterday evening we got word that the the last of our negotiations with some potential buyers of our house have gone through, so the contract on our home is officially “pending.”

Contract Sale Pending Sign

Which means that the contract that we’ve got in on our sweet new house (yes, we fiiiinally found one) should move right along as well (since it was contingent on selling ours first). In fact if all goes well, in a little over a month we’ll be moving from our current house directly into our new casa. Holy bananas. We’re geeking out over here (high fives, jazz hands, the charleston, my own spin on the Elaine-from-Seinfeld dance, the whole nine).

You’ll have to excuse us for not sharing anything sooner. We just wanted to be sure this new found casa could really be ours before getting all excited-slash-attached and making a big ol’ blog-nouncement about it (it would’ve been such a buzz kill if things fell through). But now that both contracts are well underway (inspections have even been completed) and are only dependent on the lending process going smoothly – which should be fine, fingers crossed – we’re ready to shout the good news from the rooftops internet.

We’ll fill you in with all the how-we-priced-&-marketed-&-sold-our-house-by-owner details soon, but first let’s chat about our new house. We’re on the brink of obsessed. Picture us doodling our new address with hearts all over our notebook. It’s a total throwback to how can’t-sleep-excited we were about our current house back in 2006. And we’re so grateful to have that feeling again – especially because we were beginning to doubt that we’d find anything that gave us butterflies. But the moment the front door swung open and we found ourselves standing in our future entryway (complete with some amazing built-ins) we just knew. Which means I broke out my creepy permasmile and probably scared the realtor. So much for a poker face.

Speaking of the realtor, we ended up using a buyer’s agent after calling her to see one of her listings and, well, one thing lead to another and she ended up showing us this other home that she felt would be a better fit. We were skeptical at first because it was one we had already nixed during a late night realtor.com hunt. Why did it get nixed? Get this. It had a carport.

Contract No Carports

I stupidly decided that we strongly prefer an enclosed garage (for storage reasons, bug control reasons, and so-people-don’t-know-when-we’re-gone reasons). So I ruled out all homes with carports. Little did I know that odd parameter was keeping us from finding The One. So we begrudgingly agreed to see the house anyway, and the rest as they say is history. Even more amazingly, the sellers of the house were offering a credit to cover the entire cost of enclosing the carport to create a garage. Is that proof that it was meant to be or what? So the lesson here is to widen those parameters because your perfect house might be right under your nose (and hiding behind a carport).

But enough jibber jabber, let’s meet the future Casa Petersik. Admittedly, it’s not a Jeff Lewis exterior (yet) but we probably wouldn’t buy it if it was already there. And yes, it’s more than a little reminiscent of our current home at first glance, but the inside is larger, more flexible, and it runneth over with potential.

Contract House Filtered

THE STATS:

  • Age: 1960’s
  • House size: around 2,500 square feet
  • Lot size: .75 acres (almost exactly the same size as our current lot, but it’s more square and less long & narrow)
  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Bathrooms: 3

THE PROS:

  • Gave us that “this is IT” feeling the moment we walked inside
  • Open & flexible floor plan that will accommodate a growing family and a home-based business
  • Three modestly sized bedrooms just like the ones we have now PLUS a large master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom & a walk-in closet
  • Great blank slate with tons of potential (we love all the projects that we see when we look around)
  • Large centrally located kitchen- which makes it perfect for family gatherings (we can’t wait to knock out some walls)
  • Amazing neighborhood near our family with great schools (it’s actually very close to where we live now)
  • It’s a ranch, just like our first love house (we were open to all house types, but 50 yr old ranches never fail to steal our hearts)

THE CONS:

  • A bit larger than we expected we’d like (but still very much within our budget)
  • The landscaping will be more of a challenge than our current home’s (but we do love a challenge)
  • There’s a carport (but oh happy day, we get a credit to transform it into a garage)
  • The lot is less private than our current lot (but we have plans to change that)
  • We can’t think of anything else (we’re blinded by love I tell you)

Oh, and I guess we can meet this one minus the artistic photoshop filter. Ooh. Ahh. So crisp and non-blurry.

Contract House Unfiltered

We’re so glad that we found our perfectly imperfect house. The potential is so thick you can cut it with a knife. So cross your fingers that all continues to go well for everyone’s loans and that we end up closing in mid December without any hiccups. Until then you’ll find us gushing about our future home, playing around with paint swatches, brainstorming all sorts of layout ideas, virtually shopping for every room, charging the batteries in John’s drill, organizing and paring things down, packing, and just generally being freakishly excited. We can’t wait to share the next chapter of our lives with you guys.

Comments

  3. Jennifer says

    Holy giant house. I am SUPER psyched you went with a ranch b/c we are closing on a ranch at the end of this month too…. It has similar stats as yours, only half the size. :-) Unless you’re counting the basement, in which case all bets are off!

    When you get a chance, you know, in your free time, I’d love to see a quick floor plan. We want to (someday) add a bigger master bedroom with a proverbial ensuite bath….so I’d like to see how they managed to fit one in, still keeping the ranch-ness of the house. We have a few ideas floating around, but I feel like I need to SEE examples.

    Congratulations and good luck with the move. Do you know if the people buying your home know that pics of it are all over the interwebs? Are they YHL readers?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Jennifer,

      The buyers of our house aren’t readers so they had no idea about the blog. Although we did disclose it just so that they’re well aware that pics of our furnishings and the house as it was when we lived here would be online. They’re cool with it so we’re happy campers.

      xo,
      s

  4. Jen @ The Decor Scene says

    Love it! Can’t wait to see the inside and what you two will do with it. Congrats and best of luck in the process of Home Buying. ;) Boy this was quick. Everything really fell into place on both ends of the selling and buying. Awesome. :D

    Reply

  7. sarah says

    Congratulations!! One bit of pre-holiday moving advice – get your shopping done early. I closed on my condo between Thanksgiving and Christmas and knew that the time I usually used for shopping and wrapping would be used for unpacking and organizing. It was such a relief having all of that done before I moved and I didn’t have to dig through a bunch of boxes looking for gift wrap!

    Reply

  8. Joya says

    That is so exciting! and to repeat what others have said, that was SUPER fast – you’re almost making me forget what a long and tedious ordeal my own home purchase was ;) Can’t wait to watch you guys make it beautiful!

    Reply

  9. Mariah says

    So happy for you guys…Congratulations!!!
    Like many other readers I am sure, I have been rushing to switch on my computer every morning and see if there is a Petersik home search update…I feel excited for you both!

    You have already given me so many ideas for our 1963 Levitt and Sons Cape Cod (my husband and I bought it two years ago as only the second owners), can’t wait to see what this new house brings.

    Reply

  13. Carrie says

    Congrats, you guys!!! I’m so looking forward to all the great inspiration I’ll find here as you create a beautiful new home. P.S. I’m absolutely LOVING all the color you’ve been adding to your style in the mood boards and such. Can’t wait to see how the new place turns out!!

    Reply

  14. Emily says

    Congrats on the house! You mentioned not posting pics for fear someone might discover your address. But couldn’t someone look up the listing based on the exterior photo?

    Can’t wait to see what you do with the place!

    Emily

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Emily,

      Haha, I guess they could, but we shared a photo that we specifically took from a different angle so it doesn’t match up with the one on MLS. We’re sneaky (and paranoid) little buggers.

      xo,
      s

  17. Renae says

    Cute stuff guys! I’ll be anxious to see the inside and to hear what you’ve got planned! We went from 988sf to 2200+ so this will be about the same “upgrade” for you guys!

    Reply

  20. darshika says

    I read ur blog first thing in the morn and past few weeks I was waiting to read something exciting..my wish is granted! I will look forward to waking up and reading abt amazing makeovers from u guys!

    Reply

  21. Nikki says

    It is soooo weird that I like literally squealed when I read your post! It cracks my husband up to no end that I’m so happy for you guys, and I’ve never even met you! All weirdness aside, congrats on finding your next dream home!! Fingers crossed that everything goes well, but when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be! (and this one sure sounds like it is!)

    Nikki

    Reply

  22. Susan says

    Congratulations! What a great adventure.

    Yesterday I was wondering about the living room mood board, and mood boards in general, that are created without a specific room in mind. I wondered about lighting, windows, the general feel of a place. And before I could ask that question — this post! And maybe it answers my question; did you have the new house in mind when you did the mood board?

    Reply

  25. Crystal Verbeke says

    CONGRATULATIONS! I cannot wait to see what you guys have in store. I think ranch’s make the best family homes.

    Reply

  26. Jenny says

    Yay! Congratulations!!
    How exciting! I can’t wait to see inside pictures and transformations! And how funny that it looks so much like your current home! I mean, there’s even the two trees in the foreground! Maybe that’s a sign that it’s meant to be yours :)

    Reply

  31. Brandi says

    CONGRATULATIONS!! My that seemed quick and everything worked out so well too. Can’t wait to read about all the new updates and changes in your new home. =)

    Reply

  33. Heidi says

    CONGRATS!!! So exciting!! I can’t wait to see what you do next!

    I purchased my first home last year, but with such great interest rates, I’m refinancing again. Have you decided whether to go with a 30- or 15-year mortgage yet? Just curious, but feel free not to answer if I’m being too nosy:)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Heidi,

      We’re still waiting on the bank to tell us if they’ll let us go for the 15 year mortgage (our preference) or whether we’ll end up with a 20 year one (since we’re both self employed we’re viewed as more “risky” so we’re at the bank’s mercy). Fingers crossed…

      xo,
      s

  35. Bonnie says

    Sherry and John,

    Congratulations! … similar to one of the readers above I am illogically happy for you guys, even though I have never met you! I even turned to a co-worker and started to explain why I have a silly grin on my face :)

    If you are ever in California, please come visit! Not because my house is pretty or anything, but because I would love to meet you guys :)

    -Bonnie.

    Reply

  37. Megan says

    Congrats – this makes me want to move – weird.
    Question on selling your old place – did you offer your furnishings as part of the deal? I would think that a lot of the value could be from the awesome decorating and was wondering how much of your old stuff you’re parting with for the move.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Megan,

      Some things like all of our window treatments, light fixtures and even the bedroom built-ins and bed frame are staying with the house, but other furnishings will be coming with us (we love some things too much to part with- plus the new buyers have their own furniture so they’re good in that area)!

      xo,
      s

  38. Holly says

    Congrats! I’m so happy for you guys.

    We will be buying our first home next year (summer or fall) and I can’t wait. I will be living vicariously through you!

    Reply

  40. Kathi says

    Congrats!!! You guys must be over the moon. Have you actually slept at all or are you both doing the “it’s 3 a.m. and I really need to sleep, but what it if we did this…” brainstorming?

    Going from a 3 bathroom house (just like the new place) to a 1 bathroom house, and then having two beans of my own, I can honestly say that you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having an ensuite to call your own, especially when Miss Clara is up and mobile and learns how to open doors.

    Can’t wait to read all about the new ideas and projects you have in store. Congrats to you all!!!

    Reply

  42. Michelle says

    Congrats, you all!! I’m sorry if this has been asked and answered before, but are the people who are buying your old home readers of your blog? Congrats again!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Nope, they didn’t even know about the blog! But we told them just so they’re aware that pics of our house as it existed when we lived here will remain on our site.

      xo,
      s

  44. Adam says

    “charging the batteries in John’s drill”

    That single line perfectly conveyed your excitement as I read it. Good for you, I am anticipating great things from your blog for many months to come!

    Reply

  47. Sam says

    Hi! Congrats, first of all. And then, this might be a very stupid question, but still: you will still have all the old posts here from working on your first home once you move out, right? RIGHT? dunno why you wouldn’t, but my husband and I are juuuust about to jump into the house hunt world, and we’ll definitely go for something small and in need of fixing, so I was just wondering if all your first house info will stay here, even once you start posting about your new one.

    Reply

  49. Kristie says

    YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Another stranger completely excited for you guys! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Now, the all important question: Does Burger know? :)

    I apologize if you have already answered that, there are a lot of comments here!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Kristie,

      We’ve told Burger many a time, but the jury is still out as to whether he understands english! He’s going to have so much fun hunting bugs in his new yard!
      xo,
      s

  50. Marie-Ange says

    Congrats on the your new house!- and on the new logo too! (it fits perfectly your new situation with both Clara and the new home!) Looking forward to following more of your projects!

    Reply

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