The month's challenge is a must write post! Thank you to Kathy Streib for this month's ActiveRain April Challenge... Tell us About Your First Home Buying Experience . Knowing my story is a bit unique, I figured it might make a fun read!
In my home state of Kansas in the 1950's, ranch style homes were very common like most other states. Single level or "tri-level" they were the same floor plan - one long hallway or the split up and down. My first home in a decent neighborhood in Wichita was close to schools, so a great place to raise a family.
There were occasional rental homes, but mostly owner-occupied homes in this area. The neighbors must have been ecstatic when the "rental" became an owner-occupied home. During the previous 4 years, the house had hosted a variety of boys and weekend parties were the norm! I don't know the noise level, but I'm certain it was louder than the other nearby homes.
So when my fiance' purchased this "frat house" as our first house from his parents, I knew my work was cut out for me! We had been given the same price as they had paid, which was a blessing as it was only $44,000 in 1984! That price no longer exists and to date, I see it is worth closer to $195,000. A starter house for the right buyers.
Thankfully, interest rates are no longer 14% like they were in 1984. AND there are loans available for home buyers with as little as 3% down. Back then we had to come up with 20% down - $8,800! It was a stretch, but we did it!
After all of the boys moved out of the "frat house," except my fiance', I started work. I painted the entire inside, but not till after filling all of the nail holes, pin holes, hooks and everything that held anything, including the inflatable variety! It was a slow process. Every time I thought all of the nail holes were filled on a wall, I'd start painting only to find more holes!
The gold striped vinyl wallpaper was stripped from the kitchen wall, which also hosted a washer/dryer. EEK! Creepy crawly things appeared after lifting off one roll of ancient wall paper! Removing each strip of that old wall paper was not for the faint of heart! An entire wall was treated and reconstructed for subterranean termites that had done their mining work!
The gold shag carpet was laid to rest in a dumpster. Oh wow - the stuff that fell out of it was just nasty! Stories told the next day at the wedding included patterns on several of the "friends" cheeks that had slept over with no furniture in the house.
About a year later, the hall bathroom was updated. Walking into the "updated" bathroom, I could barely see my nose in the mirror even if I looked up. Next time, I'm hiring the contractor! At least everything else worked!
The home was sold three years later with a tidy profit thanks to the updates and changes. Lots of lessons learned in painting, termites, hiring the right trades, and getting a home ready to sell with 3 little girls!
Here's a recent photo of our first home on "Arcadia." The garage was always closed in for the helpful 4th bedroom and a half bath! The trees were planted after we sold the home in 1988.
P.S. The header photo is not this house - just making a point. I took that photo while out showing homes 5 years ago! The house didn't look like that, but it felt like it!
Designing and building a second home was thanks in part to the experience of that first "frat" house. We knew that a split floor plan was better for sleeping babies. A living and family room allowed a separate space for entertaining. And a play room was useful with 3 little girls! Ahh the memories. Thanks for allowing me to "write" down memory lane - pun intended!
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