Smug Marrieds: Bidding Wars

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This house-hunting process is not for the weak of heart.

To wit, Blair and I found this amazing home in Greensboro, way beyond our price range. But the online photos were so stunning I begged Blair to let us go and and just look at it. Which we did. And of course, we loved it. But we told our realtor it was just too expensive and we comforted ourselves with the fact that even if we could afford it, it really was just too much house for two people. 

The selling agent called our realtor and our realtor indicated our price range -- a good $60k below what they were asking--and the agent said, "They need to sell. Make an offer." 

New ballgame. Now that I knew I had a shot at it, I wanted this house. Forget too much space--did you see the ginormous screened-in patio? The gourmet kitchen? The front AND back staircases? Mine, mine, mine! 

We made an offer.

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Smug Marrieds: What's In The Box?

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He got me again.

When I arrived home today, there was a huge cardboard box leaning agains the front door, addressed to one Mr. Blair Harris. 

"Whadcha order? " I asked when he got home. 

"Oh man, yes!" he said. "I've been waiting for these to come in. New D&D figurines." 

"Are you serious?" I asked. "We're trying to sell the house, you know."

"I know!" he said. "I better get these guys set out pronto!" 

He disappeared upstairs with the box and a few minutes later I heard him cursing. 

"Damn it," he said, coming downstairs, carrying the opened box.  "This isn't what I ordered." 

"Aw, did they send you a Yoda figurehead by mistake?" There may have been a smidge of derision in my tone.

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A New Home & Savoring Life

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If any of you follow me on Facebook, meet me in person, or perhaps saw the plane I hired to write the words across the sky, you know Blair and I are moving to Greensboro. 

I am beyond excited. We've spent the last couple of weeks house hunting and yesterday went back for second looks at several homes. One in particular captured our hearts. And our imaginations. I don't know exactly when I decided I was a gourmet chef who needed a kitchen to reflect my culinary expertise, but the home we ended up making an offer on has a kitchen that's to die for. I shall feel most Julia Child like as I scramble eggs and heat up soup.

So yes, we made an offer on a home and now the nail biting begins. Will they accept? Will they counter? How much are we willing to move? How much are they? 

As I'm forward thinking on the new home, I find myself with a new appreciation for the home I'm leaving. A friend forwarded me a Zen Habits post on savoring life and it's resonated with me in terms of appreciating the time we have left in our current home. It's like I'm seeing our home again through new eyes. I'm reminded how much I love my kitchen with the skylight, the heated floor in the master bath, the fireplace in the workout room, the orange hall I spent a weekend painting when Blair was out of town. I'll miss the coal-burning fireplaces, the creaky boards and the big front porch.

I'm still ready to go, but the upside is that I'm truly enjoying the time I have left in our home. 

Keep your eyes peeled to the sky for updates on whether the offer goes through. 

Cheers,

Dena 

New Home For The Harris’

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A typical day's haulLots of activity on the Harris front, which explains why I’ve been MIA on the blog.

The big news is that we’re putting our Madison home on the market and moving to Greensboro. The photo to the right is a big reason why. I now drive to Greensboro 6-7 days a week and I’m exhausted from living like a bag lady.  With purse, gym bag, computer bag, grocery bags, lunch bag, coat and stuff I pick up from errands, it usually takes me two trips in from the car to unload all my stuff. Then I pack it up again the next morning and repeat. Aside from the clutter, I’m losing at least an hour and half every day to drive time. No mas.  

Luckily, house hunting is something Blair and I both enjoy.

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