You never can predict where the Schaacks will end up. My sister-in-law says James and I buy and sell more things than anyone she's ever met. As James always says, "Everything is for sale for the right price." So....we sold our subdivision lot that we were going to build on.
As you may recall, I once told you how excited I was for that lot and subdivision. James, however, was never very thrilled with it. He has always preferred that we buy multiple acres away from people. Early this summer I was driving some back country roads and the beauty and peacefulness of the farmsteads I was passing really pulled at my heart strings. I thought, "What did I get us into with the subdivision lot?!?!" I have always thought it would be neat to live in an old farm house, but more than anything, like James, I want freedom and space. Those are two things that definitely do not come with subdivision living, at least not the one we owned a lot in. It was originally the attraction of having neighbors that made me want to live there, but as we have had neighbors all summer now, I realize it's really not that great, and I would prefer to be on an acreage. Plus, even though all the neighbors we met in the subdivision were very friendly, neither of us really felt "at home" there.
As James and I met with builders and tried to create a custom floor plan, it was obvious that neither of us was overly excited. It just didn't feel as fun as it should have and we didn't have that fire lit under us to keep the project moving. Seperately, we we were each checking the internet daily trying to find some place else to build. I have always been open to an existing house and one day I saw this beautiful victorian farm house for sale and texted it to James. I didn't even expect a response at all, let alone the one that I got: "Wow. I could live there, Let's go see it soon!" What?!?!?! So, we drove out to check it out that evening and then called our realtor to have her set up a showing. She called us back and delivered the unfortunate news that the sellers accepted an offer the day before. Darn! But...this opened our eyes a little to look for more than just bare land. We broadened our search to include existing homes and looked at several acreages with said homes.
At this point, we both came forward about definitely not wanting to live in the subdivision and we let the neighbors know we were going to sell it, in case they wanted first dibs (so that no one would build next to them). The following day, a neighbor with horses called us and asked to purchase the lot to be used for their horses. We easily agreed on a price and 5 days later had it sold and closed.
One of our favorite past times is to drive around the countryside. We loaded the kids into the van one Sunday morning and drove around an area we hadn't seen yet, that I thought James might like. We both really enjoyed the scenery and decided to focus on that specific area. It also happens to be very close to his current work facility. I was planning to tell our realtor to keep an eye on this area too, and hadn't gotten to it yet when she sent us info on a place coming up for sale....in that area!! And even better, on a paved road!! James used to say "It's not country living unless you live on gravel, " but has since changed his mind about that.
James looked at the aerial map (and all of the other technical maps that look foreign to me) and got incredibly excited about this place. It was nearly exactly what he had been hoping for. There was timber, tillable ground (for income), pasture ground and outbuildings. We didn't have any pictures of the inside of the house, but the one exterior picture we had was all I needed to see. The ONLY thing I have cared about for the exterior of my next house is that it have a long porch. And wouldn't you know it...this one did! As we figured this place would be a hot item, we called our realtor right away and expressed our very high interest in this place and requested to see it the second it was available. Unfortunately, the sellers weren't going to be ready to show it for 5 more days...but our awesome realtor was on the ball and got us the very first showing.
Over those 5 days we did some more research on the place to get information on the soil, possibility of splitting the acreage, did a drive by, etc. We were pretty certain this was going to be "the one". A few hours before we got to see it, we received pictures of the interior. It wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be and I was a little disappointed....but still hopeful.
When the time finally arrived, we made the turn into the property and made our way down the long drive. I was already in love and hadn't even stepped foot into the house yet. We got out of the van and I turned 360 degrees in my spot, taking in the view from every angle. Yep, in love! I thought positive thoughts and headed into the house with the rest of the clan.
Surprisingly, we really loved the layout of the house and it wasn't near as bad as I thought from the pictures. I mean, blue carpet and green countertops are easy to change out :) Even Rylee, who had zero desire to go see this place, was already picking out her bedroom. "We have to buy this place," I thought. From a construction stand point, James was pretty blown away with how well it was built and there were plenty of features he enjoyed as well.
By far my favorite part of the showing was what came next. You see, I have always dreamed of a large flat country yard for my kids to run in. We didn't have this at our last house as it was super hilly and one could easily twist their ankle running through the yard. The large, flat, beautifully manicured lawns are what have always attracted me to farmsteads I see on the side of the highways. So after the kids had seen every room in the house, they asked to go outside. I opened the front door for them and when they took off running full speed into the yard, my heart melted and I held back tears. Wyatt even fell down and rolled around a bit. At this moment I knew this place would be ours. Rylee has expressed her feelings about country living a lot this summer...she has no interest in it. But, after running through the yard for awhile, she told me she loved it and wanted to live there. She also asked if we could keep the horse, dog, and kitties that were there.... maybe we can get a goat instead.
We were at the property about an hour and a half and made an offer before we left. We knew there was another showing after ours. Long story short...we both made offers and endured an incredibly long four days, but were finally blessed to make a deal with the sellers. We couldn't be more thrilled and are hoping for a smooth next 45 days until we close!!! Now, to find a subleaser for our rental....
Although we are beyond excited for this place, it means a change in schools for Rylee.....just a week before classes start. I'm probably stressing about this way more than I need to. We already had the school supplies for her original school, and had been planning to attend the four events at the school this week. I had taken Rylee to the school several times over the summer to tour it and get used to the idea of going there. We also had a play date at the playground there with some other kids who would be in her class. I felt we were both prepared for this new transition. And now we start over....
Luckily, the new school district still had some spots available and they have the same start date as the school she was originally going to attend. I have explained to Rylee why we are switching schools and she is more than okay with it. Phew! I have a good feeling about this new school already, as the principal was extremely friendly, provided me with wonderful information, and really helped me feel better about this last minute change. I think it will be seamless.
We welcome positive thoughts for our next 45 days until we close, and if anyone knows of a family or students looking for a house to rent, send them our way!
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