I know my posts have been rather spotty lately...I've been incredibly busy. Soccer season is in full swing with my girls, so the weekends are taken up with shuffling them to all their games and trying to do laundry and grocery shopping in between. I am also on the committee for the annual halloween haunt at my daughter's school, making creepy things, creepy people, gathering supplies and making costumes. We have always handmade our costumes never store bought so that takes a bit of time doing. I'm also taking a class at UCSD online to fulfill my CLAD requirement for teaching {along with subbing when I can} Lots of reading, watching teaching videos and writing papers. Add to that...we are officially house hunting, so I'm not just stalking the houses . I officially can officially stalk them. hee hee. So between all that I got going on, I'm looking online every minute, driving through neighborhoods to see what is out there and hitting all the open houses I see while driving around. We are really excited about this new venture. Here are some of the types of houses that I like in this ONE neighborhood that I like....
I like the pitch of the roof on the Classic Cape cod.
I think having a nice porch is important to me...and I love the wood sash windows, perfect to display your Tree at the holidays. Perfect for a cute bench welcoming visitors to sit a bit.
I want a house that has some kind of wood on it, it can be shingles like the photo above or clapboard or board and batten.
So..this is the current house I'm in love with...so you think I need to check myself into the insane assylum? I see so much potential...
I can see with some added brick to make a patio, some hydrangeas planted here and there, some hanging plants. Shutters and some new siding...maybe shingles, maybe some brick....lots and lots of potential and you should see the beautiful across the whole wall wood fireplace mantel, my favorite part.
This is a outdoor porch that needs a whole lot of work..could be closed up and turned into a family room or dining room area beacause it is off of the kitchen and living room. It is on a corner lot so it has lots of space in the front yard. Here are some houses in the same area that I snapped pictures of to get inspired...What do you think? Which is your favorite?
this house just sold about two months ago...isn't it cottage cute?
Checking out the houses in the neighborhood, would give you an idea of what to buy. You'll also get an inspiration how to design your new home. The 8th photo is my favorite because of its roof and brick facade, it reminded me of the Little House in the Prairie.
Posted by: Armandina Skerl | May 12, 2012 at 12:13 PM
After checking 70 homes, thank goodness you've found the right one! I bet this looks fabulous now. The shaded patio is a real charm and you can enjoy barbeque in a lovely afternoon. What did you replace with the avocado counter top?
Posted by: Armandina Skerl | May 12, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Hi Barrett...We bought in this neighborhood and our house that we bought is down the street from that yellow house..it was never for sale...but I love a yellow house and ours is "the ugly house in the hood" according to my daughter and her classmate. They say it looks like mint choc chip ice cream. We eventually will paint the house...and I always lean towards yellow.....Wishing you too luck on your house hunt...
Posted by: gabrielle | October 17, 2011 at 09:17 AM
I like the 4th house better 'coz it looks bright and sunny! But among these 10 houses, which one did you pick? I also love house-hunting with the entire family. We are going to hunt for a new house again next week! Wish us luck!
Posted by: Barrett Clepper | October 17, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Hi Cristina and Manuela. Yes we are really trying to stay in our area to keep the girls in their school district.
Thanks Manuela...We had a blast at Snickers party...she was so "over the moon" with all her doggie friends. I'm so excited to see what you guys buy and how you'll fix it up. Well...I don't like new construction..and you have that huge yard...what a plus.
Posted by: gabrielle | November 12, 2010 at 07:24 PM
You are busy! Happy house hunting - I love looking at houses. We're not to that point yet. Still trying to tackle some last projects to make our house competitive with the new construction that's around us.
Snicker's bday party is just tooo cute!
Manuela
Posted by: The Pleasures of Homemaking | November 10, 2010 at 07:37 AM
Are you looking to stay in Whittier? I noticed a few sale signs up in our neighborhood. One has been for sale for a number of months by owner, now a new sign went up. The other house is two street over from me. :-)
Biggest intersection is La Mirada & Imperial. We're behind the southern end of Creek Park.
Posted by: Cristina | November 01, 2010 at 10:53 AM