Monday, January 12, 2009

Real World: Realestate World

"How do you like this place?" She asked, half-smiling.

"Eh..." I responded helpfully.

"It's big, I'll give it that." Mandy added.

"Yes, it's big. Maybe too big?"

"It's not that..."

"What is it?"

"Well, there sure are a lot baby shoes nailed to the wall." I offered.

"And all the surgical masks laying around." Mandy added.

"And an attic with a wet bar, toilet, shower, sink, and dishwasher in the same room."

"And the shower downstairs with three shower-heads on each side of the shower (making 6), one with a long neck, sticking halfway into the shower space, and the three shower heads on the top ceiling... making for 12 shower heads in one shower. With no lights inside..."

"The closing door is glass, I bet some light would get through." She tried, the smile almost totally gone.

"It doesn't help much if the interior of the shower is painted black."

"Ah, yes."

"I almost want to buy this place out of the sheer madness of it all. I could so be a crazy old man here." I said.

She laughed nervously and looked at Mandy for help.

"Ok, let's knock this one off the list." Mandy said and headed for the giant, 12-foot high door with the doorknob on the wrong side.

We've entered the world of real estate in a search for a home out here in the mountains, and if the above story is anything, it's true. This real estate world is a strange, quirky place where the laws of logic and reason have no authority. Our goal is to have the purchase wrapped up and be ready to move in by mid-Spring. I have no idea if this is possible, but I am having a hell of a good time just wandering through these houses of madness.

I expect the search for a home that is A) Cool B) Not going to break the bank is going to fraught with much peril, but I also think it will be entertaining to watch from afar. With that said, I am going to post a few entries about the crazy houses we see, put up pictures, and solicity for feedback. For those of you who've been through this process before, please give us tips and ideas. The more we know, the informed we can be when it comes to signing that dotted line.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah yes. Been there, done that. If you need a tad of advice, let me know and if I think of anything note-worthy I will share. Best of luck to you as we saw some odd freak'n places ourselves. It is amazing what agents will show you and try to explain away, ha, ha, ha... Love you! Jess

Dean said...

Nooooo! Don't do it! The whole housing market is a scam! Ponzi Scheme of estate-sized proportions.

Unknown said...

location, location, location and of course the handle on the right side of the door! Mom

Angie said...

picture yourself carrying out activities in the house. Example: if you are thinking of kids ever, you will want to make sure you can see them from a window (like the kitchen) instead of the back of the house through a bedroom. Drive through the area during the day, in the evening and weekend. Why? Because it will give you a more realistic view of the neighborhood. AND do this when it warm out. What kinds of folks does the warm weather bring out? And last but not least, what does your next door neighbor's backyard look like? This tends to be a good indication of what kind of neighbors they will be! lov you and good luck! Cannot wait to see pics!