Monday, March 08, 2010

The Cottage


Thank you all for your enthusiasm and cheers re: my making an offer on the THE HOUSE or better said the cottage, as it is only 800 square feet, plus a basement. The home inspection is on the 16th and then we negotiate the Purchase and Sales agreement when I have to pay some more money. I fear the house may need a new roof. It is 20 years old and that is the life of most roofs.

So perhaps the price can be renegotiated if the inspector mentions the roof needing repair. I can also mention the decrepit appliances if I choose. That is the juncture where the sale could fall through depending on what happens.

I discovered on my second viewing that the land with the house ends before the pond in a woodsy area, then you walk a short distance to a service road for the town Conservation (a dirt road that is barred from other traffic), then you cross over the road to a short bit of woods and the pond.

The house is so small, I will probably have to get rid of half my current possessions, which are half what I had in my 20 year rental. But I am ignoring that for now.

My son has volunteered to come down and sand the hardwood floors and repaint the yellow walls. The owners just had the walls painted, but the yellow is so garish it would be nice to banish it and son says you have to paint the walls before sanding the floors. Otherwise I would wait a bit to paint the walls.

I didn't take any photos and so far have been unable to upload any of the website's photos. I'll try again.

27 comments:

MyCretanlife said...

I bet you have mixed emotions now. Though this is about to happen when you take on a house purchase. Just go with it and I'm sure you will come out the other end the new owner.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

When I looked at houses, I always envisioned where I would put my holiday tree, even though I seldom have a tree anymore. What are you envisioning Suki? Can you add a small storage building to the property?

Cate said...

from the view in this photo, I say it has lots of glorious potential! I can see it with beautiful green shrubs and flowering vines lovingly cradling it...

follow your heart... :)

Tess Kincaid said...

The cottage is SO charming, Suki!! I can imagine you being very happy here! Looking forward to seeing all your house tweaking projects.

Lynn Cohen said...

Okay, that is about half the size of our house, maybe 100 square feet more than half. And we are two people. Maybe one person doesnt' need as much room. ??? Trying to imagine myself is such a space. How many bedrooms and/or rooms in general does it have? One bathroom? Is the basement a good place to do art? Or is there another room upstairs for that?
It does sound cozy.

Very sweet of your son to volunteer to do this work for you.
I sure would let him do it all.
Wood floors are so nice and rustic and cool in summer.

I hope this will be ideal for you and you will be happy there. I hope all goes well with inspection to your benefit. Just sending lots and lots of positive thoughts your way.

soulbrush said...

i love this photo, it just looks so quaint and peaceful and warm, so here's holding thimbs that all goes well and it will be yours, to me size just doesn't matter, it's what you do with it that does. yipppeeeee

marianne said...

hAHAHa!!!
You won't believe my mail art postcard I have sent you last week from Chicago. You will find it when you come home!!!!!!!!
Buying a house is scary, but you will do just fine!
Getting rid of a lot of stuff can be a blessing too. Just keep the half you like ;)

Yeah!!!!
Too bad it is so far I would come over and do something, but so nice your son is going to help you!!!!!

Can't wait to see how it developes....

Julie said...

How wonderful that your son can do these things for you! It is just such a cute house!!!!!!!

studio lolo said...

You'd be surprised at what you can do with 800 feet. There are wonderful books out about decorating/living in small spaces. Check the library and get inspired :)

It's an adorable cottage Suki. I'll bet you could get something knocked off the price. The roof does look a bit 'needy' but the rest is so hopeful.

How wonderful of your son to do the labor! And I see a nice bay window for the cats ;)

It will all work out Suki. I can already picture pulling into the driveway!

Lilacrobin said...

Suki, this house radiates YOU! You will re-paint and make it your own haven. The cats will love it - and I can already envision it in Summer and Autumn... you will be close to your friends on the Cape... the positives definitely outweigh the negatives!

Congratulations! ♥

Robin

Anonymous said...

Well I think this looks beautiful - looking at the photo from way over the Atlantic, I think it 'speaks'. I believe it is not a bad thing to pare down as circumstances dictate (something I find almost impossible to do!) and coats of paint and sanding floors all help to make the place your own. Best of luck; I look forward to reading more.

Hilarywho said...

Such a cute little place, I hope it all works out for you.

Annie said...

Hey, that is 300 more feet than I have :-).
The sale won't fall through, but I would get them to pay for the new roof!
Good luck!
xoxo

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

The more space you have the more you have to clean and the more you have in upkeep so this just might not be that bad. How big is the basement? will that make up for being small? You can store things there? Can you get a little storage unit to put on your land for things? Yes Lolo is right there are books out there for small spaces and Nice of your Son to offer to help. Fingers crossed for you.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Now you are entering the thick of it...painting walls, sanding floors and replacing appliances. The key is moving forward and making the best decisions but knowing this isn't all perfect...you come out ahead in one area and not so much in another area but the point is you have begun.

Katiejane said...

It's so cute!! It is small, but then how much house does one person need? I figure if I have a kitchen, living room and bedroom, then I have all I need. It looks darling and I can tell that you already love it. Good luck!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

When I first saw this prospect I heard it calling for you Suki. I hope all goes well and you are happily ensconsed soon.

~Babs said...

I like what Marianne said: Just keep the half you like. Most of us could easily do that and still be quite happy, I think.
The more room you have, the more you have to clean,,,it sounds fine to me with some organization and personalization, it could be perfect!
Congrats,,,and hope all goes well from here!

Mim said...

oh it looks LOVELY and cozy and perfect. 800 feet is good (says me with overflowing junck) and a basement can come in handy. What about the attic? can you make it a loft?
anyway, fingers crossed for you. Don't get cold feet!

Mary Richmond said...

i raised two kids, entertained, have a studio, many pets, etc. in my 1100 sf so you'll do just fine, i would imagine. as others have said, less work ;-)

also, i thought it looked like you the first time you showed it--it's a great area and you'll love being close to nature and your friends....have fun ;-)

ArtistUnplugged said...

Probably would be freeing to purge some of the things collected, really doesn't take many things does it? It looks to be very quaint and cozy with much promise.

Marion said...

I can't wait to see photos of your house in the Spring! I really like small homes...they allow my minimalist side to come out and it feels really good. If you have any built-ins they will help a great deal for books, knick knacks and art. And utilities are much cheaper, in smaller homes.

I hope everything goes well with the inspection and your offer for purchase.

Kim said...

Suki, this house is so wonderful and it seems as though it was meant for you. I bet you will be able to negotiate with them after the inspection to have a lot of things addressed.

You have a dear son to be there to help you get settled. It is always a comfort to have that kind of help and advice. Excellent!

I look forward to all of your projects as they will be great fun. Your summer will be very full this year!

Jude said...

It is so sweet...go with it..letting go of 'things' is hard, I know! but you'll feel so much lighter...honest!!

Jude said...

ps.800ft is big,compared to what we have here!!

layers said...

best wishes on your new home adventure-- look at it like that and it will all come together before you know it

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

fingers crossed XXXXXXXXX