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November 2022 Gratitude Challenge: My Home

By Carol Williams

Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

November 28, 2022 01:00 AM

"Buying a house won't bring you happiness, but turning it into a home certainly can." -Carol Williams

My last gratitude post was about my gratitude for being able to travel. Today I am thankful for a warm comfortable home to come back to.

I am currently in my 5th home, which will most likely be my last. My home ownership journey has gone from filling wants and needs to more wants and back to fulfilling needs as they change.

My first home (21st birthday present to myself) was from "wanting" my own home, so I bought what I needed at the time. It was a basic 3-bedroom rambler. The current home I am in was purchased based solely on fulfilling "needs". Wants and needs change throughout our lives, don't they?

We bought our current home in 2004 because the home we owned previously had stairs and no bedrooms on the ground level. We knew as my husband's Parkinson's Disease progressed, he would not be able to do the stairs.

This home is not my dream home. We had that when we lived on the river. However, this home is extremely well-built and has the perfect floor plan for one-level living. The 750-square-foot upper level was ideal as private quarters for a caregiver, which we knew we would need at some point to help me with Max's care. It worked out perfectly when I had to hire help. Now, that space serves as comfortable, private guest quarters.

I don't know what the future holds. I do know that I will have the option to age in place or move to a senior living facility, whichever I prefer. Hopefully, I won't be faced with that decision for a long time, if ever.

In the meantime, I enjoy my home as a safe, convenient, and comfortable sanctuary with its eclectic collection of memorabilia from our various travels. It's all a reminder of how blessed we have been throughout our lives.

As a retired person, it is a secure feeling knowing I will always have an affordable mortgage-free place to live, no matter what happens with the economy. Priceless.

Thanks, Debe Maxwell, CRS, for hosting the November 2022 Gratitude Challenge.

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Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Carol - the difference between a house and a home are significant for many reasons. Part of it is situational, circumstantial and based on countless factors because it is individual. And that may be the number one reason.

Nov 28, 2022 04:08 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

So true, Michael Jacobs
Always individual!

Nov 28, 2022 08:25 AM

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Carol. When a house can become a home, it does not have to be perfect, you accept it that way! Enjoy your day.

Nov 28, 2022 04:12 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

True, Wayne Martin
We can pretty much turn any "house" into what we want it to be and it's "home".

Nov 28, 2022 08:26 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

You've got a home that works perfectly for your life at the moment, and that's what we should all hope for. A great thing to be grateful for!

Nov 28, 2022 04:50 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Yes, Kat Palmiotti, I remember thinking I was going to be so sad when we sold our house on the river to downsize (in acreage and house size), but I found myself looking back on it as a wonderful chapter of our life. We moved on to something more appropriate for life's changing needs.

Nov 28, 2022 08:28 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

A home we love and that suits our lifestyle and needs is something to truly be grateful for, Carol.

Nov 28, 2022 05:47 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Yes it is, Nina Hollander, Broker. My house is perfect for where I am in life.

Nov 28, 2022 08:30 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Carol Williams and that's what matters at the end of the day, Carol!

Nov 28, 2022 08:39 AM

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

There's no place like home! Yours looks and sounds just perfect. I like to travel, but it is always nice to get back home.

Nov 28, 2022 05:52 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Agreed, Brian England
It is always good to have a home to go back to.

Nov 28, 2022 08:30 AM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

You have a lovely home Carol, and it is nice to have one-story living, just in case. Someday we may need it.

Nov 28, 2022 07:21 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Thank you, Joan Cox
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and getting geared up for all the holiday cheer.

Nov 28, 2022 08:32 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

You're home is a lovely, welcoming space for your family and friends and it's perfect for what suits you best, previously with Max's needs and now yours. It's a nice feeling, isn't it, that fits your lifestyle and allows your inner travel bug to come out every now and then!

Nov 28, 2022 10:44 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Thanks, Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
Yes, it's perfect for now and as far into the future as I want it to be.

Dec 03, 2022 02:42 PM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Carol having the peace of mind of a secure, comfortable place is huge in our more mature years.

Nov 28, 2022 11:34 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

It sure is, George Souto .
Happy Holiday Season!

Dec 03, 2022 02:42 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Your home looks delightful, Carol. Like you, I treasure my home. And, it is likely my last home as well. They'll need to carry me out in a box!

Nov 28, 2022 05:20 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Thank you, Myrl Jeffcoat
That's what I told the kids when we moved here: "You'll have to take me out in a pine box". LOL

Dec 03, 2022 02:53 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Carol, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!

Nov 28, 2022 05:26 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Aura Alex

Seattle, WA

Retired Real Estate Pro

Carol, nothing feels good like coming HOME! We call a place "home" where we're comfortable and feel "belong" and safe.

We had to give up our "dream" home to accommodate Jim's conditions. Who knows where he or I or both of us will end up as a "final" home?

Nov 28, 2022 07:21 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Been there done that, Aura Alex

I completely understand your situation. ❤️

Dec 03, 2022 02:54 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

There's no place like home in my mind and heart, Carol! I know never having to worry about a mortgage in any economy is, indeed, priceless too! Your home is lovely and decor from travels is so much more meaningful than store-bought items that a decorator selects.

Thank you for participating in this month's challenge. I loved all of your posts, Carol!

Nov 28, 2022 11:28 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS
Thank you, Debe. What a wonderful challenge. So many amazing entries.

You know I love to travel but I also love knowing I have my home to come back to.

Dec 03, 2022 02:58 PM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Carol Williams - your home is truly beautiful. You are blessed.

Nov 29, 2022 11:38 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Thank you, Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
I am blessed and, believe me, I know it! 😊
Thank you for stopping in to read my post.
Happy Holidays!

Dec 05, 2022 05:09 AM

Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Carol Williams What a beautiful home you have. I have found in my life as I have owned five homes. It is not the size or the value it is the love and the joy inside.

Nov 30, 2022 12:36 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Absolutely, Hannah Williams
It's a warm comfortable place to call home.

Dec 05, 2022 05:09 AM

Barbara Michaluk

Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD

Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Carol, your home is lovely and sounds like it aligns with your current life style. Since I work primarily in a senior community, I am aware of the importance of buyers being aware of what they need to satisfy their physical and social needs.

Dec 02, 2022 05:25 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Hi Barbara Michaluk
Thank you for reading my post. At my age, we do have to be keeping our future needs in mind.

Dec 05, 2022 05:10 AM

Leanne Smith

Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ

The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Yes our wants and needs change especially as we grow older. Our home in NW AZ is a ranch because we too didn't want to climb stairs any more. Thankfully husband has been able to undertake more of the work to make this house our home.

Dec 03, 2022 06:01 AM