Our Search to Find our First House:

Some exciting news on this front.  Since returning from our honeymoon Chris and I have decided to start the process of looking for a house.  We feel this is the next logical step in our relationship as we move towards wanting to start a family.  We feel it is important to have a house before we think about that.

We found a realtor we like very much, Jack Broderick (www.jackbroderickhomes.com).  We have spent quite a bit of time researching homes and towns.  When we find a house we like, we let Jack know and he sets up times for us to go and see the homes.  We have also been spending almost every Sunday going to Open Houses.  We are truly enjoying our time looking for a home.

We made an offer on a house, 36 Elmfield Road in Framingham on Monday, February 25, 2008.  We went in very low and anticipated the sellers would not take the offer.  They did not take the offer and let us know they also rejected an offer for $21,000 more.  They feel they have lowered the price on the house enough.  Chris and I did not agree with them and we decided to keep looking.  This was a huge step for us and it was exciting.  So, here we are still looking and having fun...

March 8, 2008:  Another full day of house hunting.  We saw eight houses yesterday and learned a lot but did not find a house.  Ronnie came up for the weekend to celebrate his birthday with us and also to help us look at houses.  His help was invaluable and greatly appreciated.  He helped us look for things we probably wouldn't have looked for before.  It was very wet and a lot of fun.  We learn something every time and even though it seems like we will never find a house, we will at some point and will have seen so many houses that we are sure we will find something we really like.

March 15, 2008:  We looked at six houses today and only one was even a possibility.  This is the hardest part of the search...  We found a house we absolutely love but there are two things holding us back:  1.  We don't think there is enough storage space and especially as our family grows we will run out of space.  2.  It is not on the "good" side of Route 9 in Framingham and we are concerned about the street being too busy.  The problem is that the house is perfect otherwise, it has charm character, a great kitchen, a master suite, two bathrooms, should I go on...  We will continue to look and I know we will find something.  The market is incredible right now and new properties are coming on every day and prices are dropping every day.  We have found though, that there are a lot of bank owned properties and the families who inhabit those homes have given up on the property and almost destroy the homes.  We are not giving up yet and confident we will find something.  Regardless though, please keep your fingers crossed...  By the way the Elmfield Road house sold, we are anxious to find out for how much.

March 29, 2008:  We took last weekend off from house hunting.  Being Easter weekend, not many homeowners were willing to let you see their homes.  This Saturday though (29th) Chris went out looking on his own with our Realtor.  I went home to CT for the weekend for some quality family bonding time.  They looked at three houses and none of them are a go.  Chris liked the second one and wanted to set-up a time for me to go and see it.  He took some pictures for me and based on those photos I am not sure how I feel about the house.  The house is at the top of our price range and needs complete updating.  Every room has wallpaper, the kitchen needs new appliances, new counter tops, probably a new floor and the living room has rubber ducky yellow carpets.  Buying a house at the top of our price range and then having to update everything would not be a smart move for us.  Oh, did I mention the mint green master bathroom that is straight out of the 50's?  It feels like we just keep striking out.  My mom keeps telling us that we will know when we see the house.  I am hoping so...  I don't mind doing some updating but redoing the whole house is too much for us right now.  The search continues.  It is interesting though, with the market being so bad, people don't want to sell their homes but are being forced to by their lenders.  Because of this they do not make it very easy for you to see the home.  As Chris found out yesterday as appointments were being canceled the same day they were supposed to go and look at the homes.  It seems to be a sad state of affairs out there.  I know our home is out there though and we will find it.  Patience and Persistence!

April 4 & 5, 2008:  Okay - we found it - YES - We found IT - THE HOUSE!!!!!  Now we just need to have our offer accepted.  So Friday night we went to look at 2 houses with our Realtor.  The first one had just come on the market and the minute we walked in the house we fell in love with it.  We loved everything about it - okay well we didn't love the pool and the kitchen needs some updating - oh and there is a hot tub outside.  BUT everything else - we loved!  We went out looking at 5 more houses on Saturday and nothing could compare to the house we saw Friday night.  We did our usual research and then made an offer on the house Saturday afternoon.  It was a solid offer and we are really hoping to get the house.  We heard from our Realtor tonight (4/6/08) and the other Realtor is a bit nervous because we are 100% financing, but we let our Realtor know that has changed due to the market and we will be putting 2-3% down now.  We should know by Noon tomorrow if they have accepted our offer.  Please keep your fingers crossed and say a few prayers...  We also forgot to update you on the Elmfield Road house, it went for $306,000.  We look at this house that we have now put an offer in on and the Elmfield Road house and there is just no comparison.  We are getting so much more house for not much more money.

I don't want to jinx anything so I am not going to write much more, but here is a picture of the house :)

                        

                                      ***Breaking News***

Monday, April 7, 2008:  After negotiating and counter offers all day today, Chris and I just signed (9:30PM) and accepted the offer on our first house (see above.)  We are very, very excited and very nervous.  This is a whole new process for us and we are learning so much.  We will keep you updated as time goes on.  We should have our inspection within a week and then we need to sign the purchase and sale within 14 days.  We are tentatively looking at closing on June 20th.  Anyone volunteering to help us move :)

You can also visit:  http://www.cryan.com/house.php for more information on the house we are buying!

Friday, April 18, 2008:  It's official, we signed the purchase and sale agreement.  Our closing date is currently set for June 20th.  So much to do now - cleaning out, packing, planning...  The excitement is just beginning...

What have we done since we moved in?

September 27, 2008:  It has been a crazy summer that was very, very busy.  I think we are happy that fall is here now and we can finally take some time for ourselves.  From the time we moved in until now, it has been non-stop.  Along with moving in we also had to help my parents move my grandfather into assisted living.  We spent quite a bit of time in CT cleaning out his condo and moving him into the new facility.  Now everything has settled down.  Grandpa is in assisted living and starting to adjust to that lifestyle.  Chris and I were very fortunate to get the furniture pieces that meant the most to my grandparents - their dining room set, bedroom set and most importantly the grandfather clock.  Every time it rings I remember my grandmother and spending time with her.  We have not made any real changes to the house since we moved in, we have just spent the time making it our own.  We have a lot of work to do still, but enjoy taking our time.  It is amazing to come home every night to our house, a place where we feel safe and enjoy life.  We had a couple of "parties" this summer and were able to enjoy the pool and hot tub - as well as the large deck in the back.  This house is great for entertaining...

Now that fall is here, we have decorated the front of the house with mums, a scarecrow and cornstalks.  It also means we need to close the pool.  We have been planning on closing it since August, but now the water is turning green and I am afraid it will be filled with leaves soon.  I will keep this updated with our progress.  You can find pictures of our new yard on my home page.  Enjoy...

What we have done since we moved in:
1.  Installed a chandelier in the dining room
2.  Installed a light in the master bedroom
3.  Put flooring in the attic
4.  Built a new gate for the fence
5.  Paint the master bedroom - completed in April, 2009
6.  Paint the large bathroom - completed in July, 2009
7.  Stain the exterior of the house and decks - in progress July, 2009

What we plan to do next:
1.  Re-decorate the half bath - including paint and bead board

There are many things we would like to do at some point including the kitchen but right now we are focusing on the smaller less expensive projects.