Some may say I am being very sappy and too sentimental over a house. But I know some of you will completely understand how saying goodbye to our Bradford Street house is both emotional and exciting.
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Nearly six years ago we had an unexpected opportunity just fall in to our lives. We were not looking to buy a rental property at the time even though we had dreamed of investing in real estate for nearly 20 years.
Then one day out of the blue, we get a call from the father of one of our son’s close friends and collage dormmate.
Luke had spent plenty of time at our home, and even assisted my husband with installing a new flooring one day. He was a groomsman in our son’s wedding. When his father took a job out of state and decided to liquidate his real estate investments, Luke told him about his friend’s parents.
His father reached out to my husband, and we soon became the owners of a tiny little 780 square foot 70 year old home.
We called it the Bradford Street House.
Of course I shared our journey here on the blog about how we replaced all of the old wavy glass windows – and how those old ones were stolen off the property from us too. I am still a little bitter about that one I guess.
The project became a whole family affair as my daughter joined in the demo of the kitchen, while my son and daughter-in-law helped with the overall painting and yard work. My husband and son installed the new kitchen I had meticulously worked through every detail so that this small 9 x 13 space could have a dishwasher and a custom made island.
It was my first tiny kitchen design project.
It was during one of those work days that my daughter-in-law first voiced her idea that her and Mason could live in this little house while he continued his education in seminary. So our very first renter ended up being our son. A year later, our daughter would move in with her sister-in-law while our son was out of state finishings his master’s degree.
For the last three years, we rented the house to a close family friend and her husband.
In our mind, each update and renovation we completed on this tiny little house was more than just to make money off a rental house. Our emotions were tied in to each renter and every tiny update to create a home. One that blessed those who lived there.
Too sentimental? Probably. As an Interior Designer, I have the mindset that you should be creating a home and not just a showcase house with walls.
At the first of December when our renters purchased their own home, we were faced with a decision. Did we keep the Bradford Street House or sell it? More renovations? Raise the rent and find a new renter? There were so many conversations and options to choose from during the holidays.
Right after the holidays we started some updates to the house, mostly in the bathroom. The very dated bathroom was one area we never had time to complete before. In my designer’s mind, I needed to complete the plans for the house before selling it or renting it again.
Again, crazy thoughts, but my husband went along with it and created a beautiful looking bathroom with some budget updates.
It was during those weeks that we finally made the decision to sell the Bradford Street House instead of finding a new renter.
Our decision was based on several factors. One, my husband’s new job responsibilities were going to make it harder for him to maintain the house for a renter. Two, because of my mom’s situation in North Carolina, I needed to be available to travel more which made it harder for me to manage the house. Three, we had two more grandkids on the way and we wanted the freedom to travel and visit with them as much as possible. And fourth, we needed some major repairs to our own mid century fixer upper and the income from the sale of the rental house would more than cover those costs.
In the end, selling the Bradford Street House was a good decision for so many reasons.
But it was bittersweet to walk through the house for the last time.
An answer to prayer.
Last week at the closing we were able to meet the new owner.
The new owner turned out to be a young lady who is establishing her first home and career in the area. She was thrilled to find a home she could afford and in her words, one that had been renovated and taken care of so well. It certainly did my heart good to hear that she was excited for her new “home” and was looking forward to letting her dog run around in the fenced yard.
My designer’s heart was blessed and my prayers answered that the new owner is not just an some random investor wanting another rental property to add to their portfolio. Turns out it is someone who will love and appreciate that tiny little home we worked so hard to create.
Now on to the next renovation adventure coming soon to our home!
Hugs,
Psalm 3:3 “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.”
Such a cute little house! And it’s worked for you when you needed it, and the same as you’re selling it too. Here’s to a new chapter!
Thank you!