At the time, my daughter was attending college (Go Rams!) in Richmond, Virginia and my son had moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for work. So, I got out my map and started looking for a place that was close to both of them and found that Rocky Mount, North Carolina was exactly two hours away from both of them. Finally, I found the location and began looking for houses.
I found our current dream home completely and totally on accident. I didn't realize it at the time, but it turned out to be perfect.
We've been moved in since August and I am so happy with our decision. The kitchen was renovated right before we moved in so I have brand new cabinets, floors, and appliances. The French Doors to the dining room make me feel glamorous. I have a shelving unit for my books built right into the mantle. The TV fits perfectly above the fireplace. Finally, my living room is super cozy.
However, not everything has been peaches and rose'. Since moving in, we've found some places that need work. They need work as in for the first time in my life, I have to call for roofing services.
It's not our house roof, but the workshop roof. Hubs has an entire little house in the back that is set up like a workshop/garage (and yes, he is stupid happy about it) and the roof sustained damage in Hurricane Matthew. The house roof is brand new, it had to be replaced after the same hurricane. Oak City was hit pretty hard by it!
We had the hardest time at the beginning of the winter with our heat. The air conditioning works wonderfully well but we could NOT get the heat to turn on. After about 4 times of the guys being out here to work on it, they finally got it working. Yeah, I don't think that was a brand new HVACC system...but things happen.
Our driveway has a giant hole right as you are turning in. Hubs drives a truck so it's not a problem for him but no one else can park in the driveway. I don't even know where to begin to fix it but, it's on the Honey-do list, definitely.
Even with these little snags, I am tremendously happy with my first home purchase. There's nothing really that we haven't been able to work through. Our next project will definitely be windows. Don't even get me started about how much heat and air conditioning we're losing right out of these windows!
What was your first home purchase like?
Congratulations on your home! Rocky Mount is a really nice area - I remember visiting it when we lived outside Charlotte, NC. Mild winters (except the occasional ice storm!) and not too godawful hot during the summer. Plus, being near the kiddos... that counts for a lot! And about that driveway hole? You could always call it a moat!
ReplyDeleteHa! A moat, I like that :)
DeleteMy home purchase is a little different. Originally my parents owned the house I live in and my ex and I rented from them. Now that I'm remarried, my husband and I gave my folks a hunk of money and we are now part owners, with the intentions of renting to own. It has worked out so well and it's much more house than we could afford on our own.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! I love it when things just work out :)
DeleteI regret my first home purchase so much. After getting in, we realized evvvveeerrryything was wrong, or needed fixing. Held together by duct tape and chewed bubble gum, it seemed. Not good for a family on a tiny budget. It's gone out of our lives now, so that's a plus. but it was such a bad investment that we actually decided to have our future home built to our specifications.
ReplyDeleteI was soooo worried that was going to happen. We've rented some pretty bad places before so I was scared that would be the case buying our first home. Luckily, it's not. I wish I could just build my own house, OMG. That would be so awesome!
DeleteOur first home purchase we knew we were staying in Orlando, but we didn't know anything about buying a home. I didn't even know what it meant when one was "pending" and was getting frustrated at how fast the market was moving at the time. We ended up building in a new neighborhood which was wonderful. The next time we move, we want to get property and build our dream home which will include a chef's kitchen, built-in bookshelves like you mention, and a separate work area for my husband and me.
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome plans!
DeleteCongrats on your first home purchase! It crazy how expensive having a home can be but also how awesome it is to have your own place!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Thank you!
DeleteCongrats! That's such a big decision. Our first purchase was actually a condo downtown. Then a few years there and we realize we're ready to move out and into the suburbs. And we moved in April into what I am hoping is our forever home. We're loving it but you're right...for the first time in our lives we have to worry about pipes. And shovelling the driveway!! It's nice though :)
ReplyDeleteWe are learning so many things (because someone else fixing it is expensive), lol!
DeleteI feel your pain! My husband and I just moved into our first house together back in May. We bought it in September 2017 and did all the renovations ourselves, but there is still so much left! Our big project for the summer is putting on new siding and adding insulation because man, these winter days are cold!
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes! I *need* new windows. It's too cold in the winter here! We like the renovation projects, though! Right now, we're working on my office! I just got a brand new desk and we're going to refinish it for my office. I don't know what our next project will be, but there's definitely a few to choose from.
DeleteCongrats on your new home! How exciting! Even with the downs of home ownership it’s so worth it!
ReplyDeleteAwwww congrats on your first home!!!! So exciting. I remember when we bought our first home. Such a great feeling of accomplishment
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCongrats!!! If I had a shed in the back I would be so happy too!! Sounds like you have your hands full with home projects. I have a few things I wanna do like paint, clean up the garage - we build our first home and moved in last March. Best thing ever!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! Yeah, home projects are probably going to take at least a month but it will be so worth it!
DeleteHaving a first home is an amazing thing! Memories, and hard work go in there! It’s funny how different it is then you think it will be going into it!
ReplyDeleteI am beyond happy, it's so awesome! I've already changed my mind on a few things, lol, but found even better stuff so I'm ok with it!
DeleteOur first home was a fixer upper, and we spent a lot of Time and money (mostly time) fixing it up. Definitely a labor of love. We were sad to leave, but were moving countries. There's always work to be done when you own your own house.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. It's always something!
DeleteI love fixing up a home and makin it your own! I’m sorry the process hasn’t been easy, but glad you’re enjoying it! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the best part, fixing it up and making it home :)
DeleteI am so excited for you! I can't wait to follow your story and see your improvements and hopefully new windows too!
DeleteThose windows are going to murder my wallet, but I definitely need to modernize them!
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