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Thursday, January 5, 2012

This Small House



In 2005 real estate prices seemed to increase weekly. The newspapers (yes, real paper) and analysts had us believing that if we didn't buy soon we would be priced out. That was actually true...for a while. We all know what has happened since.

We never intended to live in this house for this long. After living on one income for two years, we wanted a smaller mortgage payment so that the monthly budget wasn't so constricting. Our options were to sell this house and purchase a lower priced home or to refinance. Honestly, the homes available in our price-range are either awful or a short sale (it's practically impossible to buy a short sale property when you have to sell your current home first). We also would have to give up neighborhood and spend quite a bit out of pocket. So we will make this small house work for us.

And this old house is small - less than 900 square feet of living space. There is a porch, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, one bathroom, two small bedrooms, one closet in the entire house, a partial basement, and a garage. Everything seems cluttered, so if we can just get the clutter to a minimum the space will feel better. Organization will have to be the first step - so initially things may not look different to someone who doesn't live here. But it will feel different for us! Then we can have the luxury of focusing on the fun (and expensive) stuff.


4 comments:

  1. I'm thinking the basement is an untapped resource!

    --Scott E

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    1. You could be right! Currently the basement is used for storage and laundry. Also, it is a partial basement with the stepped foundation - so the floor space is pretty small.

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  2. Adding built in (or IKEA) storage cabinets/shelves on your living room wall(s) might be an attractive solution. Built in window seats with drawers are also nice added storage if you have a spot to do that. Have you already considered this? Also any thoughts of adding a stairway above your cellar stairs and adding a second floor just above your 2 bedrooms and bathroom? anonymous aunt L

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    Replies
    1. We have a sketch of built-in's for the north wall of the living room. We have considered a window seat in the dining room. And we do not have the budget to do the addition you suggested. Still all good ideas though!

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