We got it!
The reality is still sinking in, but the house in Underhill is going to be ours. It was SO hard to be patient all week waiting for the seller to review multiple offers and decide, but today was the deadline so we knew that one way or the other, we'd be put out of our misery soon. Thankful for the time difference, I got word by 9 am that we were well on our way to becoming homeowners again.
Click the photo for more pictures.
In a nutshell, this house embodies many of the reasons we are moving to Vermont in the first place. Fifteen wooded acres at the foot of Mt. Mansfield, and very private. There are enough trees between us and our neighbors that we won't catch sight of each other, even in winter. We have a few hiking trails through the woods on the hill behind the house, and a camp site up toward the top. Oh, and Lisa is already giving me a list of different fish that we could stock in our pond: Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch are evidently the top contenders.
The house is about 40 minutes from Burlington and Colchester (where Paul will be teaching), and about 20 minutes from Essex. A little farther out than we'd planned, but it will be a worthwhile drive. The road is far enough from the main highway that it gets only residential traffic, and the current owners have been buying most of their dairy, meat and produce from local farms in the neighborhood. Can't get too much fresher than that.
Let's see...
The house has about 2000 square feet, and is 19 years old. The current owners did a lot of work on it, and the place has been immaculately cared for. Three bedrooms upstairs, living room and library downstairs, 2 and a half baths. Lots of garage space, a workshop, and a full basement.
I will be living in the kitchen, but Mike there will be plenty of room for you as well.
The house comes with a few handy extras, including a riding mower, a small 4WD vehicle with an attachable snow plow, an emergency generator, and a chain saw for Paul. (A little scary, but there it is.) Heat is a combo of electrical and oil/forced air, with propane for the stove. We have data from the sellers on the winter heating costs, but I'm sure the first year it will be a shock and a learning experience.
Simon will have so many things to chase, he won't know what to do with himself.
Inspections will happen next week, and we are set to close on July 13th (a Friday, but who's keeping track?). Roof and well are both quite new, so the only real potential hitch might come from radon and water tests, but the current owners checked that out when they moved in, so the chances should be slim.
All right, here are a few pictures. (The interior shots were taken by the sellers after they staged it.)
Our New House
Moving Right Along...
"Footloose and fancy free! Getting there is half the fun, come share it with me."
Me and Fozzie Bear - we're like this.
OK, so it's been a few of weeks. Four packed, manic, fun-filled weeks. Paul did not get the full-time band director gig at Essex High School, but the good news is that we fully expect that Colchester H.S. will be hiring him as their new choral teacher. We won't get the official word until Wednesday, but it's pretty much a done deal. He interviewed with them last week, then came to the school two days later to give a demo lesson and knocked 'em dead.
It's a done deal. We are very excited. Can you tell?
We were back last week for a fast and furious house/job hunting trip, and it was a fantastic week.
Continued...click the link below to read more. Sunny days, rainy days, green mountains, clean air, friendly people: every time we are back our time there just reconfirms more and more strongly that we are doing the right thing for us. Which is a good thing, considering that we just placed an offer and a sizable deposit on a beautiful house on 15 acres of woods north of Underhill. We are on pins and needles until Monday, as we won't know until then whether the seller will accept our offer (we have competition). I'm not going to post any photos until then. Must not jinx anything.
It's a fantastic house surrounded by woods thick enough that you cannot see the neighbors, even in winter. Immaculately cared for, with mountain views and a rennovated kitchen -- it's been so hard not to get prematurely attached to the idea of it. Patiently waiting for something like this is not my strong suit. We shall just have to see...
In the meantime, we are heading up to the Russian River this afternoon with Alison, Lisa, and the girls to spend the weekend at a cabin and enjoy some fresh air, California style. Should be a welcome distraction and a terrific weekend.