This was the next house we toured, and it immediately stood out. The owners had recently reduced the price by nearly $40,000, which suddenly put it within our possible range. They had already moved out, and after four months on the market they were clearly motivated to sell. That urgency made the visit feel even more interesting—could their motivation become ours? Here’s what the house was like.
THE STATS:
- Year built: 1977
- Interior size: 2,772 square feet
- Lot: 0.4 acres
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2.5
THE PROS:
- Compelling price after a significant reduction
- Attractive exterior and mature landscaping that give it great curb appeal
- Thoughtful interior details such as crown molding, custom window shutters, and exposed beams
- High-end extras that are already in place—a Wolf range in the kitchen, two outdoor deck heaters, a car lift in the garage, and a complete yard irrigation system
- Kitchen needs substantial work, which is an opportunity for someone looking to renovate
THE CONS:
- The house felt a little too polished and “fancy” for our personal taste
- Outside of the kitchen, the home didn’t need much updating—less potential for an extensive hands-on project
- Location and nearby schools weren’t quite right for our priorities
- Even with the price drop, it remained toward the top of our budget
- It’s larger and newer than the kind of house we’d ideally prefer
This property was actually one of the first homes we toured inside, and it made a strong impression. We liked it enough to put in an offer—mostly to test the waters and see how the seller would respond. We submitted a deliberately low offer (we trimmed it another $20,000 during negotiations) and included a contingency requiring us to sell our current house first, expecting the sellers to reject that easily. They accepted the contingency but held firm on price, which is understandable given their recent reduction. In the end, we walked away.
That experience turned out to be a valuable learning opportunity. It was a realistic rehearsal for making an offer on a property we truly want, and it helped sharpen our approach to negotiations and contingencies. Looking back, it also clarified what we really want in a home. While this house was move-in ready in many ways, we realized we’re drawn to a different kind of project: something older, smaller, and in need of a thorough makeover.
We’re more excited by the idea of taking on a “beater” house—one with character and visible potential rather than a polished property that only needs cosmetic tweaks. A house that feels imperfect, with original features begging for restoration, fits the hands-on renovation lifestyle we imagine for ourselves. That kind of property offers a chance to shape a home from the ground up, both in structural improvements and in design decisions that reflect our tastes.
In short, this house taught us a lot. It checked many boxes: great bones, high-end appliances, and thoughtful finishes. Yet it also showed us where our priorities lie—toward a smaller footprint, older construction, and a real renovation project. We walked away content with the process, more confident about what to look for next, and still hopeful we’ll find that perfectly imperfect house that needs us as much as we need it.