is a penny farther away from those amazing Louboutins I dream of. I kid, I kid. Although I'd give anything to own a pair of those amazing red bottomed heels, we all know I have bigger priorities.
In line with all that is Melissa, now that life is settling down I have decided it is time to purchase a homestead for me and the littles. As amazing as apartment living is (snort!), no I won't miss the girl upstairs who obviously lets the Browns practice at her place around 11:00 pm - 2:00 am and attempts to flood my apartment as she waters the huge garden sitting on the patio directly above my door. I definitely won't miss the slamming of the door leading outside - that is directly by my bedroom wall. This place was good for what I needed - a layout that allowed me to keep an eye on Will 99% of the time and a price I could afford (plus a monthly special and a discount for working for my company).
I swear, nothing brings my anxiety to a boil quicker than discussing this entire thing. Mortgages, credit, down payments, monthly payments, house hunting, making an offer, taxes, pmi, home owner insurance, home repairs, etc., etc., etc. But then I go to someone's house with a yard and watch Will just light up when he sees a playground he can climb on or a sandbox to spend hours in. I see Gabbie disappear to a bedroom on the second floor or basement with the other teens and preteens and I realize, this little apartment just isn't cutting it.
I have house hunted before but the funding for that little project was not me so the impetus behind any decisions was not from me. I found a few homes I really loved - and today I watch others enjoy them. I did own a home in my marriage, well I was on the title and paid half the bill. He picked it, he found the appraiser, the mortgage, everything. It was the old century farm home on 83 which requires either the winning lottery numbers, a complete demo or the heart to do a room at a time, completely, thoroughly. I loved that house, I still do, but I could never afford the rehab it needs for it to be safe for my kids (I lived there, I know all the problems it has). Plus going back to my marital home would be a daily struggle with PTSD anxiety. I'm sadistic, but not that much.
I stopped today at the Landings to see a unit that is on the market. I have always wondered what they were like and I know they have a younger occupancy than most condo developments (lived in Waterside condos not so long ago - not exactly family friendly). The condo was absolutely stunning. The owner had bought it, gutted and did a stellar job refinishing it. Honestly, if it were just Gab and I it would be absolutely everything we needed. But it was a stretch making it a three bedroom and had very very narrow hallways and a kitchen entry that was impassible if someone were in any kind of device. The absolute deal breaker was the 20 or so steps that needed navigated to even reach it.
As luck would have it, I have time to look. I'd like to find the closest thing to ideal for us because I really don't want to have to move down the road. The market may turn drastically but right now, flipping a house is not my idea of fun. I'd like to find someplace we can stay long past Gabbie going to college and starting her life. Somewhere that can accommodate Will now and down the road. I have been accused of over thinking and over worrying but I am looking at these properties like this: Will is doing amazing right now. I have nothing indicating he will ever be anything but my little achiever. That said, I am very aware of the risk of seizures and the stats that are stacked against us. I also know seizures can damage the brain and cause a deterioration in motor skills. So, I look at houses like this - should we ever face a time where Will is immobile I need the house to accommodate him and his need to be mobile, however that looks. I need bathroom and bedroom able to house a lift should we ever need it. I need as few steps as possible. I know, lots of needs. I'm really not needy.
So what does the ideal house look like for us? OK I'm thinking three bedroom, 1.5-2 bathroom ranch (or townhome - someone else doing the outside stuff would rock). All rooms on one level with a basement and a garage. Attached would be nice, two car even nicer - but not having them is not a deal breaker. A yard Will can play in and maybe, one day in the future, a family/service dog will be out in. The basement would house the laundry facility, a rec type room for Gab and teen friends to be out of my hair and the most amazing therapy/play room for Will. Right now, there is not one square foot of my apartment that doesn't have a toy in it. My bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom. I want a place he can go and just be Will. I want a therapy swing anchored into a beam. I want one of the lighted bubble tubes they have at therapy. Sensory boards on the wall, a tv mounted out of reach for his beloved Sesame Street and all the therapy toys his little heart can imagine. He deserves it and more. He deserves his own bedroom with a bed safe enough for him to be in it, equipped with video monitoring so I will always know he is safe. A room "angel proofed" enough to not have to worry he will hurt himself. A place that, when I pull in the driveway, I am proud of and can call home. I really haven't felt "at home" since I left my parent's home 14 years ago.
This could be quite a ride . . . hopefully it is all worth it in the end and I don't just say screw it and rent again lol. Any first time buyer tips would be greatly appreciated. OR if you own the above house and think you will be listing it in the next 6+ months, hit me up ;-) Or the winning lottery numbers. Or the frog that will turn into my Prince Charming.