When we bought our home about 5 years ago we looked at a ton of houses, put a few bids on some and as they say things happen for a reason. I really LOVE my Cottage on Cullen, is it perfect? No but it is perfect for us. I loved this neighborhood, that was located a block from my girls' middle school, so after I dropped them off in them morning I would grab a cup of coffee from Starbucks and drive around looking for homes for sale or homes that look like they might be on the market soon due to unfortunate circustances. As you might of remembered it was the recession and their were a lot of foreclosures, it was a buyers market. In fact, I think most of all the bids we put in were either short sales or foreclosures {the Cottage on Cullen was one}.
This is what our house looked like when it went up for sale. Sometimes I feel like we are working at a snails pace getting our cottage looking the way we want and when I'm online looking at folks who are fixing up or renovating I feel, well a little deflated as to how fast others work gussing up their homes and I forget how far we have come. So taking a step back in time helps me with that mind set.
This is what the Cottage on Cullen's porch looks like today. We are still putting in plants in the other garden bed {Mr. Incredible's garden}a few weeks ago we added brick to the bottom 1/4 of the stucco part of the house and took out a gutter and repainted the trim and shutters. We need to redo some of the sprinkler heads and add a battery operated system but like I said "snail pace". But I thought I'd take you on a little stroll down memory land and visit some of the sweet little homes we looked at to buy in this "hood" and another one that went up for sale this week it's a favorite in my neighborhood, it's a 1930's Cape Cod with shingles, go figure, right?
Remember Old Yellow, I think this is the only one I'm saddened we let get away, we waited too long to put a bid on it. I'm so glad the current owner takes good care of her, clearly she loves to garden and keeps it neat and tidy but I would still add a window box on the dormer.
This one is across the street from Old Yellow and we looked at it but it was in really bad shape, with a room that was not permitted, it did not have the best floor plan inside because of the non-permitted add on. They really have changed the outside a lot, a Mediterranean style with the wrought iron and wood door, tile walkway and choice of a terracotta paint color. I think they are working at a snails pace too, now I don't feel so bad, but I do give them credit because this house, I think sat on the market for awhile.
Ok, now I feel bad, they have been busy bees at this home great looking planter boxes planted with Witches broom and colorful flowers and with a new white fence and new paint. This one we looked at but Mr. Incredible was not up for the challenge, it did need a lot of work. I think they did a fabulous job fixing her up, adding on a master bedroom, with on suite bathroom, laundry room. Their outside paint choices in gray and black with white trim are up to date and fresh. I approve not that it matters, they are not knocking on my door and asking for design help.
Now here is the sweetest, cutest little 1930's shingled Cape Cod that just went on the market. I'm dying to see inside, I already took a peek at it online but I'm hoping they have an Open House soon so I can see it in real life! That front door with all the windows and sidelights and brick, lots and lots of brick that goes all the way to the back and around into a back patio.
Look at that little stainglass window up there...I wonder if that's a bathroom or another tiny quaint room, I'm so curious. I may just call the realtor and ask to see the home and pose as a buyer, I just might.
Here is how she looked with the Weeping Willow out front when I was "stalking" homes to buy in our "hood".
As you can see it has a shade tree on the other side of the property, perfect for a picnic on the grass. Maybe you want to put in a bid and we can be neighbors. I make a mean Margarita and I'm always up for a glass of wine on my porch if you'd prefer that instead!
See an Adirondack chair for me and one for you. Speaking of neighbors..
This is my neighbor's house down the street. We have the same floor plan and almost identical houses. He recently painted his home a sage green with black trim, he also added brick to his bottom half of the façade of his home like us. We are the only two houses that have this brick wall in front of the homes. It's kind of neat to compare the two homes.
His house is very cute and charming. I love it when people take care of their homes. It makes the neighborhood look loved.
Ok, so that was a little tour down memory lane and walk in the my neighborhood. I'm off to the BEACH today and tomorrow since the weather is going to be in the 100's and since our Cottage on Cullen has no air well, where else would I be?
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