We moved into our new house about two and half weeks ago and we are LOVING it.
And. . .there is still a lot to do.
I’ve had some people ask why we opted to move in when it wasn’t fully finished.
The main reason is that Bart and I both hugely value our own space, and while there couldn’t be easier people to live with than Bart’s parents (who generously let us stay with them for the past two months), we were beyond anxious to live in our own home again, plus get settled before school started.
Also, the main things were done – all the major painting was done (some touch-ups remain), the flooring and trim are all done, 95% of the electrical work is finished, and most of the bedrooms are fully finished and functioning.
The things that still are in progress are:
- My office. This is the biggest annoyance for me because while they work on it, all the things that SHOULD go in my office are sitting in the living room which means the whole house feels like a disaster to me. But we’re close – the floor to ceiling shelving went in yesterday and the closet door finally arrived which means the carpenter can build out the closet and then it’ll be done (except for the replacement window which will arrive in a few weeks and then need to be installed and trimmed).
- Tally’s room. Her room didn’t have a window so we’re waiting on that to arrive and the whole wall around the new window had to be repaired, retextured and painted. We also had built-in shelves added into a wall cutout which are in but need to be painted. She’s been sleeping on a mattress on the floor in another room, which doesn’t bother her, but I’ll be glad to get her things unpacked and settled (and out of the other spaces). That should be done in the next day or two.
- The gym. The flooring in here hasn’t been installed yet or the mirrors, which are being cut from the old mirrored closet doors, so it’s basically just a catch-all room right now.
- The laundry room. The lockers have been built for weeks, but still need to be painted and hooks installed. We also discovered that with a washer and dryer in there, it’s very tight, so we ordered a stacking kit so there is more room in there.
- The fireplace. The original fireplace was a double-sided fireplace, but we closed up one side and are having the fireplace retiled. The gas insert will be installed next week, so the tiling needs to happen this week . . .
- The deck. This was literally the first thing we paid for but it’s ended up being the last project because they’ve used the deck as a work area for all the power tools. I cannot wait for the deck to be sanded and re-stained, plus some rotted stairs and boards replaced. It’s going to be the BEST outdoor space!
Because this house is a bit bigger than our previous house, we have some blank spots, including the dining room (we’re on the hunt for a good table and chairs for in there), and our beloved blue sectional is in the library, which means we needed a new couch for the living room (we picked this one and I cannot WAIT for it to arrive).
Also, we have had the WORST time getting our Internet set up. The previous owners didn’t use Google Fiber, but it’s so much better than anything else that we weren’t about to stay on Comcast, but that meant the signal to the house hadn’t been set up already. Bart had an appointment for it to all get connected before we moved in, but now it’s been nearly three weeks and despite multiple appointments, many phone calls, in-person visits to the office, and a million emails, we still haven’t gotten a connection. Crossing our fingers big time that tomorrow our appointment finally works and we can actually get online.
Thank goodness for unlimited data, because the only way I can connect is by hot-spotting my computer to my phone (Bart’s continued going back to his parents’ house to work).
So, yes, there is a bunch of chaos here right now, with our contractor, painter, carpenter and others in and out all day long, plus plenty of unpacked things, but we are SO happy to be in our own home and again and slowly, but surely starting to settle in.
Almost every day, Bart and I say to each other, “I just LOVE this house.”
And we really do.
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Malissa says
Can’t wait to see a tour!!!!
Elisia H. says
Keep us updated! I especially want to see what happens with the gym.
Christine says
Congrats, congrats! Nothing beats getting settled into your own space, and it sounds like this house is a winner! Wishing you lots of joy and blessings in your new home. 🙂
Malissa says
When you move, do you have to repaint your navy walls to help your house sell or do you find sellers don’t mind that color?
Janssen Bradshaw says
We didn’t repaint them in either our AZ house or our first Utah house! I don’t think buyers mind a bit.
Molly says
So fun to hear about it all & I absolutely cannot wait to see pics & such when you’re completely settled – it all sounds SO wonderful! xoxo
Vanessa says
Congratulations on moving into your new home! Everything will fall into place, it’ll just take some time. I’m sure the worst is over now (moving is usually the worst hurdle).