Back to see the house
July 17, 2007 at 17:21 This morning we went back to the house, to meet the owners and to be present during the home inspection. The owners were very gracious and provided lots of information about the house.
They're retired and moving to North Carolina, and selling this house, which they've invested so much of themselves into, is wrenching. My hope is that they liked our family, understood that we appreciate all they'd done to to the house to make it a wonderful place to live, and that our joy in it will ease the pain of letting it go.
It was great to have them give us a personal tour and point out features we missed when we visited with the realtor: a broom closet tucked into a side wall, pocket doors separating the kitchen from the office area, a jewelry drawer hidden in a small space. the antique bathroom cabinets. It was good to just linger in the spaces, envisioning where I'd put things and how I'd arrange the rooms. Every minute I spent there, I felt more and more thrilled with our decision to buy this house, more convinced that storage would not be as big an issue as I'd imagined, and that we would spend hours outside enjoying the landscaping and the incredible deck and patio.
I realized that this house feels like home already because it reminds me of all the homes E and I have lived in and loved. Our first house was a brick rambler, and this one is as well. The hardwood floors, heavily wooded lot, brick fireplace, and big windows remind me of our Cape Cod, and the dark stained cabinets, brick sidewalks and fan-shaped patio made from pavers remind me of Belgium.
The inspector found some issues we'll have to resolve before moving forward, but I'm confident they can be worked out. I haven't posted photos because I don't feel it's quite appropriate to do that before we close on the house and make it our own. For now, it belongs to W and A, but when it becomes Chez V, I'll open the front door and take y'all on a tour.
July 17, 2007
Reader Comments (7)
Belgium's experiencing lots of rain at 70°F, with deserted (if you ignore the tourists) city streets as many Belgians are on vacation in July.
For the time being, you're better off in Virginia.
I can imagine the heartache of the family moving. There is excitement in moving on down different paths and to new adventures. There still is sadness in leaving years memories, the tears and laughter of days gone by, all the love that makes a house alive. It gets locked in the walls and stays behind.
I can't wait to see the pictures.
I bet when you get back to Belgium you will be looking at all sorts of bits and bobs from there and elsewhere in Europe that you will find just the right spot for when you move back. :-)
The owners had a tapestry hanging on the wall above the stairwell and I thought, "Now I have a place to hang a traditional Belgian tapestry!"
What you say makes so much sense! Maybe that is what I should be looking for-- a house that has those elements of places I have felt at home, or safe and loved. When we were looking at houses, I liked this one house. It was kind of old, and Kory didn't get it at all. But I realized it reminded me of a foster home I lived in for a couple years. It was the first home I think I ever lived in, really. Like a "family" home.
The house we were going to buy did not feel...familure. Not homey.
I am so happy you are happy with yoru choice.
:)