This was of course long before I sat down and really thought about my must haves that have now been so eloquently captured on this website (I crack myself up). But nothing came close to appealing to my good senses. That is, until he showed me 44 Chester Way.
Lord have mercy on my poor soul... !
At the open house, with our little one in tow, my husband and I split up and explored the home on our own. Very little was said, even after we left. But I knew that he was thinking what I was thinking, that I LOVE this house, but where are we going to get $6 million?
For months on out, I became obsessed with 44 Chester Way.
I had brought my professional camera to the open house to take photos of us, in and around the home, so I could add them to my vision board. I tacked the sale brochure on the wall next to my desk as a constant reminder.
When another open house came about, we went yet again, knowing that the price had gone up another $500,000. And when my mom came to visit three months later, I also took her to see it. Fortuitously, there was another open house while she was in town, on August 12, 2018 to be exact. She too liked it so much that she took a sale brochure to show my dad.
I believe in the power of visualization and in manifesting things into being, having experienced it before in life-altering ways. So the price tag didn't stop me from spending a great deal of my down time really imagining what out lives would be like day to day if we lived there.
Ironically, it was that very exercise in visualization which lead me to realize exactly what I want for our future, and that a 6,000 sq. ft. house would not serve us well at all, no matter how beautiful. Because all I kept seeing was an endless "To Do" list of areas that need to be cleaned and organized, items that need to be repaired and replaced, service providers that need to be contacted and scheduled, and clutter everywhere I turn. If I lived alone, I can keep this house neat and tidy. But with a husband and a little one who both need to be reminded incessantly to put their things away... ? Forget it.
That I kept watching videos about luxury small houses instead of homes on the cover of Architectural Digest was a big clue. Still, it took me awhile to come to terms with it because, doesn't everybody want a nice, big home?
IMO, 1,500 sq. ft. or less is the right size for us. And indeed, this post directly relates to my other must have: very low maintenance.
It is really "easy" to buy too much house if you aren't careful. Smart move to set practical square footage parameters at the outset. What is the square footage of the condo?
ReplyDeleteBetween 1350 and 1380 I believe, as it's stated differently depending on the source.
ReplyDeleteWe bought a 4000k square foot home and all it satisfied was my ego. Just too much house and unecessary. I,would never critisize you for buying a home of any size if you loved it but it is reasonable to look at what your needs really are. We all work hard and want the best for our family but that must be tempered with rational thought. If a 1500sq ft home is designed and configured properly it can look,and function as twice that size. Keep that in mind. Decor and proper use of space is key as you well know Christine.😘
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has lived in multiple countries, and in various types of accommodation, such as single family houses, condos, and apartments (as well as many many hotel rooms), I can honestly say, human beings are VERY adaptable to our environments ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved from San Mateo to Hong Kong, I moved from a 800 sq feet one-bedroom apartment that I thought was JUST the right size for me, to a 900 sq ft 2-bedroom apartment that I shared with my brother, which I thought was a bit too small for 2 people. However, as time goes by, I have downsized my apartment almost by half each time I moved, from 900 sq ft for two people to 600 sq ft for 1 person, and now to a 350 sq ft 2 bedroom apartment for 1 person. And I now find my 350 sq ft apartment just the RIGHT size for me!
Of course "size" is a very subjective thing, but from my personal experience, we do adapt to the size, as long as the space has all the things / amenities we need ;-)
Whoa 6 million dollars is a lot of house, of course it's beautiful. But you'd never see each other in there, too big! And the upkeep would be brutal.
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