Tilt Shift House

Every few years, we entertain the idea of moving.  Specifically, once Kevin retires One of considerations is that we don't believe we can age in place here. The rural setting, the weather, the lack of resources/support for the elderly are all reasons to consider alternatives. We won't have children or grandchildren - or living next door - to provide support like the parents did.  

The other is that every year we have three inches of snow outside that refuses to melt and also it feels like it rains 300 days yearly.  Yesterday was an earthquake.  (there is an inactive volcano less than an hour away)

The difference this time with our pondering is that we've been actually snooping online at possible places.  The search has been as close as  the nearby towns and as far away as the other coast.   

We trended toward finding properties that are like ours.  But we don't want to live in  town, per se. We want to just be close to town.  So, kinda just like where we are but not as rural. Also, I realized that I wanted to be near the water; meaning staying close to the coast and not moving into the mountains. Being on a lake would be nice but again: unlikely because that would be rural.

I have learned that there is nothing that makes you appreciate your house more than house shopping.  Unless, of course, you're moving because you hate your house.  Example: find a house, browse the photos only to discover "Oh, we'd have to redo the bathroom" because it's visually old/worn or "Everything needs painting, new carpet, etc.".  However, I've found that I've said "I can live with that" to most kitchens because that space is rarely a priority for me.

This process brought the dawning realization that we're older now and don't necessarily have the energy or want to rehab a house like we did when we were younger. Sure, we can hire out the repairs, rehab, painting but one of the other intentions is to tuck some of the money away from selling this house into savings.  

Also, I learned to don't get caught in the photos that realtors post. Not only are rooms photographed to look bigger and brighter, the neighborhood isn't included.  Click "Street View" if its available or google the address.  So many times I've clicked  through to street view to be all "NOPE".  Sketchy neighborhoods but nice house, or too near a road or in one case: literally next to a freeway onramp and/or no yard at all, front or back.

I will never pay HOA fees or live in a neighborhood with covenants.  Not only is it expensive, if I want to paint my house orange with purple polka dots, I'm going to.

Because when you search for anything anymore, websites want you to sign up for their email, add notifications, etc.  I am always a Hard Pass for those but I allowed one site to send emails. I will browse through the photos then hit delete because this is just a dream at this point. BUT ALSO, because you never know what you might find.

And....this is where I went down the rabbit hole.

Yesterday, I was flipping past one of those emails when a house caught my attention. It was nothing fancy, in fact it needed exterior paint and yardwork.  Normally I would scroll right past it. But something was nudging me to look further.

Upon further inspection, I discovered that it's our house, just in another state.  It's the same floor plan inside, a year newer, yet was slightly different. It was like seeing our house at tilt-shift or in a dream.  It was the same, yet similar, if that makes sense.

I found myself obsessing over this house.  It became a Spot the Difference game. 

The outside was different - more low-key and as I mentioned, in need of paint. It was the primary blue that everyone used a few years ago with just plain white trim.  It was in a suburban area with a big backyard that is similar to ours but in need of landscaping and maintenance.  These are the main reasons that I initially skimmed past the initial photo.

After viewing all of these photos and sending a link to Kevin, I began to create a whole backstory. It looks like an elderly couple lived there and perhaps the man aged out and now the woman has. Clues being: tools, truck in the garage, lawn equipment in the shop but only women's clothing in the half-full closet.  The house has been staged with what looks like leftover furniture from them but no personal touches.

The first photo after exterior photos is the one that made me pause. It was disorienting, seeing the living room. It was what first made me realize that This is Our House.  Now, the furniture is different of course but the paint is the color my kitchen is painted.

It has the same pony wall on the left, I hate it and

Similar color schemes with furniture and the lampshades are similar; but this could also be staging.  The big difference here is they have a larger window, which I wanted but we compromised on other things.  Ceiling fan is indicative of a different climate, but now I want one. 

The dining area is different than ours and it took a literal day for me to figure it out.  The main window is smaller in the sale house and there isn't a side window.  They have a small dining table and all of that combined makes the space look bigger than it is. We have the fancy beveled glass entry door, one of the concessions that were made.

This is one of the big example of realtors using angles and wide lens
to make the space look larger than it is.

Then I scrolled to the kitchen photos.  This is where I really was incredulous.

The cabinetry is similar, the floor is the old flooring that we replaced.  The appliances look like the original appliances.  We have a big island and theirs seems like an afterthought.  They have pot lights and we have pendants.  

This kitchen has a desk where a counter is in our kitchen and that caught my attention. I've contemplated taking those cupboards out and replacing with an antique buffet or Hoosier cabinet.  Now I'm not sure about that idea; I think it would stand out too much.  

Mystery: I have no idea what that open space to the left of the stove would have been. The only thing I can think of is garbage bins or a wine cooler.  

Yes, I have done a deep dive investigation comparison of this house.  I said I was obsessing.

The hallway is the same, although theirs is bare and boring without artwork or family photos but I think I glanced a wall sconce while we have a lamp and overhead lighting. 

The common folk bathroom is nearly the same, we changed the mirror and the flooring. 

The mudroom/laundry room is the same. They even had the same issue with not being able to push the dryer back because of the floor vent.  I would describe those rooms as what our house looked like when we moved into it.

The spare bedroom in the other house is actually set up as a bedroom.  The only regret we have for this house is not having a third bedroom or den space. Seeing the room made up as a bedroom makes me wonder if we'll change it when we're both not working.  But probably not this color:

The primary bedroom is like the kitchen in the way that it is painted a similar color. They have a mirror on the wall, which is practical and I would hate it.  Their closet is boring white while ours is pumpkin orange. 

The primary bathroom is very different. They chose the common, less expensive
floorplan while we chose the deluxe floor plan. Thus the compromises that we spoke about earlier.   

One sink versus two sinks, which we now know is a waste. 

We have a garden tub and windows while they have a bath/shower. 

 There is a linen closet with a regular door in their bathroom located where Kevin's shower-that-I-hate is located. We have two nice cupboards instead.

(I hate that wall so much)

We redid the floor, mirrors, and the overhead light
The light bar is next because the 80's called and they miss their lights

My dislike for that shower is great. But he loves it. *shrug*

One of the things I noticed between the two houses overall is the little details: we changed out all the drawer and cupboard pulls and plain white plastic light switches.  Our mudroom is decorated and not utilitarian. We have curtains, shades, and sheer panels because it gets cold here.  Mostly though, ours is clearly lived in and not tidied for sale.  

This experience has shown me perhaps what it is like to be conscious during a dream.  Everything is similar, just a little bit changed.

It has also shown me that shopping for houses is fun if you've never done it before or if you have the money to upgrade in your area..  If we wanted to move deep south, we could have an incredible house, much more than we would ever need.  I think that would be my only shot to ever have a swimming pool though.

Anyway, I had to share this surreal experience. It was just too odd to not acknowledge.