Thursday

Am I Crazy?

*Update* Okay, I quickly learned you can't buy a house just because of the porch! We walked thru the enormous house and had periods of shock and awe. Some of the original fixtures (like the red claw foot tub) had me singing.  Other things were so shocking, like the slope of the house heading downhill and the tens of thousands it needed just to be habitable, left me in shock.  If the owners would take half of the half, we might consider it!


Wait. Don't answer that.

I saw this old house, built in 1900 in a neighboring small town. It's been on the market 697 days and the price has been reduced by half.

It needs some major work and I haven't even been inside it, but I'm willing to change my entire life for the front porch, alone!

Okay, I think I just answered my own question.


With the scary economy, we will probably sit tight, but a girl can dream, can't she?



49 comments:

Janis said...

I love it! It sure would be tempting! :)

Janis

Juanita said...

I love it also! It's always nice to say "what if"

Missy Wertz said...

I would at least hire an inspector and see what I would be looking at. Compare equity... LOOK AT IT!!! Is it in a good school district or do you homeschool?

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

like Melissa says unless it means you would move more out west ;D
then I say we should be neighbors! lol! a girl can wish can't she ;D

Kristen said...

It's 30 minutes from my current home, in a fabulous, but smaller school district and we have an appointment to see the INSIDE (just for fun) Friday at 5 p.m.!

KWolfAK said...

It's so beautiful! My dad bought a house built in 1890. Ugh! I think that house will end up killing him! But when I look at this house, I can see what his vision was. Beautiful!

Happy Mommy said...

WOW price cut in half! And a front porch is so very important for sipping sweet tea!

D... said...

What a gorgeous porch & house! Gathering information doesn't hurt...

Wifeof1Momof4 said...

Breathe Kristen, Breathe!!!! :)

It SURE is perty though! (With a drawl)

Anonymous said...

That is a gorgeous porch! THere's a home in our downtown area that is painted similar and is beautiful. Can't wait to find out how the inside looks!

a Tonggu Momma said...

I am a sucker for a good porch.

Anonymous said...

I'd be as crazy as you for a porch like that.
Let us know what the inside looks like.

Judy said...

Well, crap. Where is THIS one, and how have I missed it in my realtor.com searches of all housees within 400 miles of my current home?

Valarie Lea said...

ooooooo Pretty!!!!

jOni lAnE said...

Nice. I can just picture you sitting on the porch with your fresh squeezed lemonade, rocking in your thrift store find of a rocking chair, reading some fabu book. Looks like fun...and VERY tempting. ;)

Sonya said...

Ahhh, what a great porch!

Ugh, 697 days?! Seriously? Not exaggerating? And cut in half from the initial market price...WAH, we are trying desperately to sell our 5 year old home. We've dropped the price 75k after 5 months on the market. Nothing...No way we could drop it another 200+k.

Jeanette said...

It does have a great porch but I the first question that pops into my mind.

What is wrong with it? Worth looking at but be careful!!!!

Hugs!

Jamie said...

On the market for 697 days and cut the price by half? Hmmm...the porch looks lovely, but I am wondering what is wrong with it? But with the drastic price reduction maybe it would be worth putting some work and money into. Let us know what you think after you see the inside.

Lori said...

Checking out the interior will be so exciting - keep us posted!

danandmarsh said...

Wow, look at that wrap around porch! Reduced more than 1/2, wowsy! Just sit tight, it may go down more girl!

Jenileigh said...

It's beautiful, I'm an old house lover myself!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful. But I am willing to bet that after one time painting that wonderful porch you would be willing to change you entire life again but this time to get away from that porch!!!! Good Luck!!!!

Lorie said...

I love that porch! I would change my whole life for it too!

Anonymous said...

My husband and I have always said that if we ever built a home...it would have a wrap around porch. I love it.

Anonymous said...

For that porch alone I would consider leaving Minnesota. Wait, maybe I'm crazy too! At least we're in the same club, eh? Thanks for letting us dream with you! Blessings, Whitney

Anonymous said...

I like it too! Check it out, pray, and then decide. Then you'll know one way or the other.

Shannon said...

Ohhhh that is so my dream that after we are done living overseas I want to buy an old house with character fix it up and living it and NEVER move again. It's not my husbands dream (yet-i am working on him) but I can definitely see the appeal! I know you are smart enough to check all the details but I really hope it works out for you. LOVE that porch, goodness I miss having a porch!

marky said...

Spectacular Porch!!

I moved 4 years ago from an OLD house with a huge porch, to a newer (smaller) house with a door stoop... I MISS my porch too!

Nancy M. said...

I love big wrap-around porches! If I loved it and had the extra money and stuff paid off I might buy it.

Dawn said...

The front porch would make it almost impossible for me to resist, too. But, that long on the market and price cut in half? The market hasn't tanked that badly in TX so I'd be a little concerned - but would still take a look and maybe even get an inspector to check it out if you still like it. Try to leave your emotions out of it (right!) when you look at it - as if this were strictly a business deal.

You will take your camera tonight, right?!

Mandy said...

I think you should go look just so you can get pics for all of us curious viewers! :-) Oh, but painting the porch railing....uhg to up keep...even thought it makes a girl's heart melt!

3XMom said...

can't wait to hear what it was like inside. SOOOO gorgeous outside!

Patois42 said...

That's a hell of a sweet dream to have.

Heather said...

Your right that porch is breathtaking!

Dallimomma said...

I completely understand. That porch could transform me into someone who lives between the covers of a paperback book! We never sit out on our (tiny) porch now, but I'm sure that if I had THIS one, I'd have to buy myself a glider!

beckyjomama said...

I am all over that porch!!!!

Anonymous said...

At this point in my life, I'd never undertake something like that. NOTICE I said at this point. An old, turn of the century farm house is my dream. I just passed one yesterday and said, "Please, someday, Lord? Please?" I envision it happening after the kids are out of the house . . . . granted I'm a lot closer to that day than you are (8 years to be exact).

I understand the dream.

Anonymous said...

At this point in my life, I'd never undertake something like that. NOTICE I said at this point. An old, turn of the century farm house is my dream. I just passed one yesterday and said, "Please, someday, Lord? Please?" I envision it happening after the kids are out of the house . . . . granted I'm a lot closer to that day than you are (8 years to be exact).

I understand the dream.

Lori said...

I'd check my brain at the door over that porch, too!

Anonymous said...

It doesn't hurt to put your house on the market and see what you might get. You are such a great decorator I bet it would sell better than you think.

I love fixer uppers. We've been in 2 houses and both needed work. I just love putting ourselves into a home (making a profit is cool, too).

That porch really would be awesome.

Sarah said...

Wow... a porch is a very important part of the home! Being on the market that long, you'd probably be able to get a pretty good deal! You should go inside, talk to someone and see how low they might go... You just never know! The Lord blesses us when we don't think it would be possible!

Anonymous said...

BUY it.
Yup I am the crazy friend who is telling you to BUY it.

Follow your GUT.
Oh and get an inspection to see just how bad it is. Might not be THAT bad. And since you are THAT family...it could be a perfect fit!

Anonymous said...

That is a gorgeous house! I love the porch. You are not crazy!

Mary B said...

That porch is incredible...I would investigate further.

Jennifer said...

wow! what an awsome front porch! and it can't be too bad inside- unless all they did is paint! anyway- it's not as bad as my house- ours is 200+ years old,a nd needs everything. but my dear husband bought it for me because i loved it, and we have loads of kids. so our lives are spent fixing it up. (and our money, too!_

Muthering Heights said...

That's an amazing porch, I don't blame you!

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

I love it! What a precious house! If you don't buy it, maybe I will.... ;-)

Unknown said...

So cute! That is the best porch!!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Wow! That is some porch! I would be tempted, too. -Julia