Saturday, February 7, 2009

Home Sweet Home

Guess how many hours I’ve spent on Utahhomes.com this week. Go ahead, guess.

Wrong (hint: more)

Guess again.

Bzzz. (more)

Yes, it’s true. Ryan and I are back in the market for a place to call our own. We’ve thought a lot about where we want to live. Our favorite area is the Sugarhouse area, specifically a place just on the outskirts called Highland Park. The houses are all older, and cozier, and unfortunately, more expensive. But, oh they are fun.

This is our favorite house we've visited so far. Its only a couple blocks away from my grandma's house. Wouldn't that be great!
I like how the house has been kept up-to-date, but still maintains the craftsman bungalo feel. A glorious backyard!

The kitchen is surprisingly big. Not a white kitchen (boo) but Still bright and cheery.

A big dining room! Hard to find in these little houses, but a MUST.

Front room. The hardwood floors are lovely.


So, you see how darling this house is? The problems are as follows: Only 2.5 bedrooms. The bedroom downstairs is more like a walk-in closet. The basement is also a little awkward (really low ceiling, very little storage, a weird-looking bathroom). The house is VERY small. 1650 square feet including the little basement.
Something to consider, we could get twice as much house for our dollar if we lived in other parts of Salt Lake (especially the West side of the I-15). Unfortunately, so many of those homes are tract homes with less character.
What would you do? Where would you live?

9 comments:

Janssen said...

Growing up in Las Vegas, where virtually everything is a tract home and then here in Austin where there are many many lovely new neighborhoods of tract homes, I am not bothered by tract homes - eventually they take on their own character as the neighborhood gets older, and my cheap self would have a hard time getting half the house mainly because it wasn't a tract home.

karen said...

that's a lovely home !!! our house is 1590 sq feet. it's SMALL. it's just a starter home for us. how are you ?? glad to see you blogging again !!

Rachel Evans said...

I love it! I would live where you want in a smaller place if you could make it work. The difference between our 2 apartments is huge! It only takes a few liitle changes in a home to make it what you want, but you can't change the location. :)

Kristy said...

What a sweet house! I would love to live there. I'm sure you guys will make a good decision. :)

Anonymous said...

Man! That's a hard question...especially when that house is so gorgeous!

Steph said...

I know it is totally NOT the same cause we are talking itty bitty apts and beautiful homes here...BUT location location location! We sacraficed space (about 300-400sq ft) for a better location and wouldn't change it for the world!!! LOVES

Steph said...

I know it is totally NOT the same cause we are talking itty bitty apts and beautiful homes here...BUT location location location! We sacraficed space (about 300-400sq ft) for a better location and wouldn't change it for the world!!! LOVES

Nicole said...

I love the Sugarhouse area! That's where I lived when I went to the U. Love the house too. The only problem, who will be my gym buddy? I'll miss you too much! Good thing they've got a Gold's in Sugarhouse.

Shauni said...

Oh we're doing this right now too!! Isn't it fin to be looking?? It is totally the time to buy- you can get locked into a great interest rate and a house will appreciate a lot more than a condo (in our case). I LOVE the one in Sugarhouse- seriously nice kitchen, which is important- you spend so much time there. For us it has been very much about the location, since commuting can be horrible out here. Can you change the things you don't like about it- like the weird bathroom in the basement? It would be a great transition house to make some money on while the market recovers and then in a few years you could move into something bigger. Just a few thoughts. Okay this is getting way too long I need to just call you...