Room to Grow

Image via WikipediaIn 1978 selecting a house to buy was not the ordeal it is today. You decided on a price range, went to a realty, viewed photos in a book and were shown what you liked and/or could afford. The sellers' attitude at that time was take it or leave it. There was no pandering to buyers, no HGTV guidelines to follow, no video tours posted on the web. In 1978 although mortgage loan rates were slightly rising, no crisis existed in the industry.

We didn't look at a lot of properties, maybe five or six. The first house we saw seemed to be a perfect fit, but who makes such a monumental decision that quickly? So we continued our search only to arrive back at the start. We chose the first house. It had the most potential, lots of room to grow, and interesting features which gave it a certain uniqueness. Since houses in our price range were mostly one or two bedroom homes, we thought choosing a house we could alter and add on to later made sense.

My favorite feature was, and remains to be, the fireplace. It can be a place for the whole family to gather around and enjoy or for only one to sit by and relax. It's a great background for entertaining in the winter. Anyone coming in from the cold out of doors to a warm, inviting fireplace will feel welcomed just by its glow. Each autumn I looked forward to that first chilly evening when I would light it again!

Showing In the Morning

My realtor called today to set an appointment for a showing tomorrow morning. Other than the initial open house, this will be the fifth time in four weeks my home has been shown. Not bad, I'm told, for this time of year. No interest, nor any offers, but still I'm told things are going well.

So, tonight I took a little extra care in straightening up the kitchen and checking the bathrooms. The iron and ironing board were stashed away along with any other offensive household objects. I'm told people shopping for a new house don't want to be reminded of what everyday living entails. In this house, if they buy it, rooms will remain clean and no chores will need to be done.

Then my teenage daughter came home from her summer job announcing she was cleaning up her bedroom. Good timing. Although we often differ on the definition of a clean room any improvement is welcome. I won't and don't clean her room for her, even lately. I figure, the more I contradict my spoken expectations with opposite actions, the less cooperation I will get. So far, my maternal psychology usually works and she does her share, or at least what she deems to be her share. And on the days her bed is not made and yesterday's clothes remain on the floor, I remind her I but don't make a fuss.

Because, no matter how much HGTV I watch, I just won't believe that an unmade bed or a sink full of dishes can be potential deal breakers.