The Next Mid-Century

We are about to take the long-awaited plunge into home ownership.  Not just any home ownership.  For the past three years, we have owned and occupied a rehabbed vintage condo where we were able to choose the finishing touches from a limited palate (uba tuba granite countertops, bubble light fixture in the kitchen, penny tile in the bathroom, stainless steel appliances) prior to closing.  But we have spent much of that time dreaming about the chance to make a place (and an attached yard) our own.

Not that we didn't try to change our situation during this time.  Last year, we went so far as to put our condo on the market, panicked at the first hint of an offer and put a bid on a beautifully rehabbed bungalow.  We were crestfallen when both the inspection revealed the need to replace the big three (roof, plumbing, electrical system) and the people making the offer on our place could only afford $1,000 more than we originally paid for it.  After we "returned the house," we apologized profusely to our real estate agent, lawyer and everyone else involved and vowed we would stay away from the ordeal for at least a year.

A series of events including a new job that would require an emotionally damaging commute, a new addition to our threesome family, and the growing difficulty of managing two children, one large German Shepard, and other daily needs made inconvenient by living on the third floor of a three story walkup put us back into the fray.   Peapod or no Peapod, it was time to go.

We put our place up for sale, but the market being what it was and after two showings in the space of two months, we began to look at other options.  What if we could rent our place (thereby waiting out the market and getting ourselves closer to my job) and buy a place up north?  Under the advisement of an agent knowledgeable about properties along the North Shore, we began looking in earnest.  For our first outing Rick took the express train (a 90 minute trip) and met us in the downtown area.  We looked at several depressing places and I cried the entire way home.  I had known that things would be expensive, but wow.  We promptly left on vacation and on the beach continued to talk about one particular house that we'd seen.  Maybe we could make this work after all.

Upon our return, we made 3 subsequent trips to "the house" - a 1957 mid-century modern number being sold "as is" by the original owner.  The place definitely had its drawbacks, chief among them its proximity to the expressway (a key mid-century accessory according to Rick).  An inspection would reveal many more problems (decades old mechanical systems, significantly depreciated roof, animal traffic in the attic, water damage, an overgrown box elder with an overly sophisticated root system).  Shirley, the owner, had done little maintenance over the years due to health reasons, but as she put it, the house contained many happy memories for her and did you know that the school district is fantastic?  Other bright spots included the basement clock (which we asked for in the contract) and a fabulous vintage sofa that we are now trying to purchase. Despite all of the negatives, the place was what we'd been looking for - good modern architectural bones with the opportunity to make design and materials changes in keeping with the spirit of those who pioneered the mid-century movement.  We decided to make an offer - a very low offer.

A frenzied week involving counter offers, locking in renters, several calls to the mortgage broker, signing contracts, securing money, and a four hour home inspection ensued, and here we sit hopeful that somehow this will all come together in the next few weeks.  As for me, I am hopeful for a full night's sleep that does not include wondering what comes first - regrading the yard, installing a new roof, ridding the attic of animal traffic, putting in a new HVAC system, cleaning and sealing up the crawl space, replacing the flooring, kitchen and baths, or removing the shedding, rotting, 50 year-old Box Elder in the back yard.  I am hopeful that we can navigate the overwhelming world of contractors, products, and options that lay before us.  I am hopeful that we can watch a new tree grow in the back yard over the course of our next mid-century.

 

Comments

[Judy Prouty]

Ah yes, my dear DIL, I have been where you are with all the anticipation of the new adventure. I did not have to do it with 2 babies. But I had no project partner. You will be much more successful. I will enjoy reading your account.

J

[Priscilla Yeager]

Hey, lady, where is the next installment????
Mom

[Judy Prouty]

DIL:

So glad to read about your adventures. The souveniers of others' lives are so interesting. You are part historian, part anthropologist, part seer as you excavate your property. Peeling layers is certainly the appropriate metaphor. Looking forward to new installments.

J

[HVAC services Minneapolis]

That's nice. Putting up ventilation and calling HVAC services (Minneapolis area) is one of the ways to add up value to your house, especially if you're planning to sell it. I have seen several renovations done in some of my neighbors' houses, and I think most buyers are looking for those with heaters and ventilators.

- Gail Connick

[Trey Hopson]

An HVAC system does raise the value of one's house when it's put in the market. Once you have them installed, you must remember that you have to check them regularly so that you can avoid extra repair costs.