This post is sponsored by Brazilian Wood Depot. I’m so excited to have their support (and yours!) as I start my homeownership journey.
If you’re following along on Instagram, you know that I recently got catfished by a home listing. What was posted as a single-family home turned out to be a home the size of my bedroom with another home tacked on the back. However, there was a silver lining to this experience. It inspired me to sit down and make a wish list for my future home.
The more I look at houses, the more I hone in on what I feel comfortable owning. I went into the process thinking a house had to be absolutely perfect, and now I’m realizing that’s probably not going to happen in this market with my budget. Having a list of what I know I need and what I know I’m capable of tweaking helps tremendously. It’s like a little dating profile for my future home.
Non-negotiables
A single family home
Renting taught me that I do not want to share walls and touring the “PUD home” confirmed that. There was a really long stretch during quarantine when my apartment vibrated from the bass on my neighbor’s sound system all day and night. I can’t imagine owning a home and being in that situation. So my original dream of a fancy little condo has been put to rest, at least temporarily.
Two bedrooms
I will continue to work from home post-pandemic, so for my mental health, I need a space that’s strictly for work. I’m excited to set up an office for work and blogging. My goal at the moment is to have a murphy bed in that room so that my friends will always have a place to stay when it’s safe to have guests again.
A yard
Not only has Willie gotten super used to yard life, I feel a lot safer taking her out at night in an enclosed yard. I’m hoping to adopt a second dog when I get my place so that Willie will have a playment, and so I need just enough space for them to zoomie and potty safely. A tired dog is a happy dog, and I’d much prefer them to tire themselves out in the grass and not by eating my furniture.
Storage
When I toured the catfish house, there were two tiny closets in each bedroom and a pull down attic that was probably three square feet. There wasn’t even a place to store towels! I’m not expecting to purchase a large home by any means, but I do need to be able to store my seasonal decor and my dog’s 200 toys.
Room for a Christmas tree
I’ve always dreamed of having my own Christmas tree and being able to decorate it however I wanted. I never had one when I lived in my old apartment because Francis was, well, Francis. And then I moved out of my Nashville apartment before Christmas. I know that wherever I move, a couch and a Christmas tree must fit, even if it is a pencil tree.
PS – I don’t buy into the law of attraction. I think it’s so unfair to believe that people have “attracted” bad things that happen to them. However, I am a big fan of “putting things out into the universe”. When my brother had an official visit at Yale, I bought a bunch of Yale stuff because I was confident he would go there. He’s kicking off his second semester of sophomore year 😁 In December, I bought a bunch of Christmas ornaments on major sale with the full intentions of putting them on a tree this year. It is happening, y’all!
Things I can work with
A less than stellar exterior
If the bones are good, we’re going to be okay! It’s amazing what a coat of pain can do to freshen up an old brick ranch. Even better, so many cool things can be done with Ipe Wood Siding! I’m looking to buy in East Nashville, and the wood siding fits perfectly with the aesthetic here. Wood originally made me nervous, but this ipe wood siding is naturally resistant to rot and decay and virtually maintenance free. Maintenance free is my love language.
Kitchens and bathrooms that need minor work
The kitchen and bathrooms in my old apartment had me spoiled. The kitchen was bright white with beautiful subway tile and dark accents. My bathroom was also a bright white, with a soaking tub and rain shower, and double sinks.
That’s not the case with most of the houses I’m looking at. But I’m realizing there are small things I can do to make big improvements in a space! I’m fully capable of painting some cabinets. And buying a new vanity that has a little bit of counter space can actually be pretty inexpensive. I love a good project, so bring it on!
I cannot wait to keep you posted as I continue on this journey to buying my first home! What was your experience like buying your first home? Any fun DIYs? Let me know in the comments!
I am so excited for you my friend!! Fingers crossed you find your dream home soon!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Author
Thank you so much!
I’m starting the process of looking at buying my first home, too! I love the idea of a single family home; however, in the area I live in, I’ll probably have to get a townhome first!
xx,
Lindsey
http://www.lindseyemartin.com
Author
A townhome is a great way to go! I always thought I’d own a townhome, but having a dog threw a little kink in my plan. Cheering you on as you start this process!