My own private money pit

It's NOT really a money pit, of course. The house was built in 1996 and passed our inspection with almost flying colors. Also, the changes we're making are primarily aesthetic; it's not like they have to be done today or tomorrow or even next month. But hot damn, Luke and I haven't even owned the place a full week and already it feels like we're in over our heads.

But first things first.

In my last entry, somebody asked for details on the closing. Closing...was very boring. Basically it was an hour and a half of signing papers and passing Kara between Luke and me and our realtor. Which is pretty much the way you hope those things will go. No surprises, no bad feelings, just hammering the final nail on the home ownership coffin, so to speak. Our sellers bought another house in the same town, and they said they had a horrible experience with the owners, so horrible, in fact, that the parties were placed in separate rooms at the closing. Yikes.

Anyway, by 4:30 p.m., the keys were in our hands. We forgot the camera, so there are no symbolic photos of us removing the "For Sale" sign from the front yard, but we did walk through the house again and talk out ideas for potential improvements. Good thing part of our negotiations involved the sellers paying for a professional cleaning service to give the house a once-over, because apparently four dogs leave behind one nasty smell. Also, more animal hair than I've ever seen at one time. It's STILL not up to par, but it's better than nothing, and it didn't cost us a dime.

Our first weekend in the house didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked. My parents-in-law came from up north to help, and Luke and his dad performed some crucial wall repair while his mom and I hung out with Kara. (I'm suddenly not so crazy about my pregnant self breathing in paint fumes for hours at a time, so I won't be much help in that area.) They had a slow start, what with the master bedroom ceiling eating up a gallon and a half of paint and a bunch of time besides. Then, when Luke went back on Sunday to start on the second-floor hallway, he found that the color we picked is considerably lighter than what's already covering the walls, so we'll have to prime the whole thing, something we didn't plan for.

With limited childcare options, a house forty minutes away from our current residence, floors too dirty (read: HAIRY) for us to want Kara horsing around there much before move-in, and no paid time off for me to spend on this project (we're saving my last eight days for the actual move, Christmas, and Kara's birthday), we're looking into hiring professional painters to tackle the more time-consuming aspects of the house like the hallway and staircase, and maybe even those blasted green cabinets. Tile and carpet installation begin in two weeks, and my employer pays me well, so if spending a little more money is what we have to do to swing a completely painted house before move-in without sacrificing our new floors or our sanity, the choice is a simple one, for us.

Kara approves our choice of carpet, which we decided to install in the living room as well. The sellers scratched up the laminate flooring something fierce when they moved out, and while they left behind plenty of spare planks to deal with the aftermath, I'm not such a fan of it anymore, especially with very small children who are learning to stand on their own two feet. Plus, I just think carpet is cozier.

Thanks for protecting my accident-prone forehead, guys. Much love to you.

As nerve-wracking as it is, though, to determine which tasks would benefit from professional help (tee hee) and which ones we can handle on our own, it's wonderful that these decisions are within our control, and we don't have to go through a landlord to ask about painting or adding a phone jack in the loft. This house is ours. The choices are ours. Apartment living served us well, and we don't regret our time as renters, but this new chapter in our lives? It's pretty effing cool.

Comments

[Jen L.]

Isn't it frickin' awesome!?!? Our first night in our house was spent on an air mattress on the floor with Dean next to us in the pack n play because we had NO furniture yet. And we didn't care! It was OUR floor! The quirky parts of home ownership are certainly interesting (I say as I finish setting *^$& mouse traps), but still SO much better than renting. Just think of how happy and productive you'll be when your nesting instinct kicks in right before Baby Brother comes. Congrats!!!!

[Liana]

Congratulations again!

And- I think hiring professionals to paint, since you can afford it, is a REALLY good decision. I see less stress in your immediate future because of it- and a lot less paint fumes.

Also, I LOVE that photo of Kara with the carpet samples book. So. CUTE. :)

[Mrs. Higrens]

It sounds like you and Luke agree on what needs to be done. Again, much better to tackle everything before you move in than wait and have to work around furniture, etc.

Can't wait for "after" pictures.

[Molly]

Remember how we just talked about the double standards we have for ourselves versus our friends? I'm so glad you're not going to do too much painting while pregnant. Partly because I know that it's much more difficult than painting while not pregnant, but also because of the fumes. Three cheers for not taking my own advice.

I can't wait to see the place!!

[Michelle Z]

oh - house, schmouse! Look at that big girl standing up! She's amazing!

[r+k+mama]

OK- I'm beginning to think Kara only owns PJs and I'm incredibly jealous. What a comfy life. Enjoy it while you can, Kara! Grown up fashion hurts!!!
I say professional painters all the way but I am lazy and painting cuts into my precious baby thigh nibbling time. Really, though, I think you guys should give yourself a break when you need it.

[Isabel]

Dude, it IS cool! I can't wait to hear more about the work you've got ahead of you.

(And as for hiring professional painters...why not just hire Molly? She does such a great job and I'm sure she has free time to help!)

(I kid!)

Carpet is a great idea. Perfect for kids. We didn't have any carpet in the first house and it was odd. The new house has it in the bedrooms and the living room. It's lovely. And yes, so much cozier. (We got that cheap commercial carpet and let me tell you, I'd recommend it. Seriously, look into it!)

Good luck and post more pictures of Kara. I can't get enough of her!

[AJU5's Mom]

It always take twice as long (or longer) to do home improvement things. And, the cost is always higher too. We prime everything because in the end it is cheaper (one-two coats of primer and then 1-2 coats of paint is our normal). I think you have made some good decisions as to what to do yourself and what to have professionally done.

[Becky]

I totally think it's worth your sanity to hire professionals - especially if it's financially feasible. Moving and unpacking is stressful enough!

[eva]

Ceilings are VERRRYYY paint-thirsty, especially if they're the bumpy stucco-y kind. Hiring pro painters definitely sounds like the way to go, but isn't it hard to part with hard earned money for things that really don't give you nearly as much enjoyment as...toys/clothes/gear/other fun stuff?
Also, gross as I think our carpet probably is, it has definitely been a lifesaver for Megan, so that sounds like a smart move. Enjoy the house!

[Jana]

Okay, Congrats on the house. It's a neverending investment. I love my house, but I like to change paint in the drop of a hat. I recently repainted Ryan's bathroom and bright, fun green with a bright ducky theme! Anywho, did Susan Lucci get a boob job? Her boobs are ginormous on Dancing with the Stars.

Like how I slid that in?

[daddyd]

The house plan for painting is coming along. The coverage of the old colors maybe/is harder than you would want it to be. It will be getting done, even if two coats are required. Then the joy begins with the space in and out of the house. Great back yard. Love the trail out back.

[Liz]

Congrats! I'm glad the whole credit fiasco didn't affect your ability to get a mortgage.

Sometimes I miss our old apartment, even though it would be way too small for us now. It was cozy, and the first place we lived after we got married. Plus it was down the street from the coffee shop. :)

[Fraulein N]

Congrats again! I'm so happy you found the perfect place for you guys ... and in this market, too.

[HollowSquirrel]

Here's how it is when I read your blog and there's a picture of Kara: read, laugh, read, get ready to leave a post-related comment, then see pictures of Kara (usually towards the end of the post), forget anything written and just want to fly to your house and give her loads of squeezes. Seriously. No idea what you just said, but ACK IS YOUR DAUGHTER DREAMYCUTE!