It’s ours!!!
OH MY GOD IT’S OURS!!! Our agent came by at about 6:45 on Monday night. She brought the keys and said she thought the old owners would be there till about midnight still getting the place vacant. Jesus. We said whatever. JUST AS LONG AS THEY ARE OUT. I cannot express the frustration. We told her the locks were getting changed yesterday at 11am, so whatever they had left – BUH-BYE.
Yesterday rolled around. Chris got there at 11am after a couple jobs to meet with someone to replace the furnace, change the locks and meet with a cleaner. He reported that the house and exterior were littered with garbage. And they had taken all the appliances. Well, minus the dishwasher. And light fixtures. OH MY FUCKING GOD.
It was okay that they took the washer and dryer – they were pieces of shit and weren’t called out in the contract. But the contract did state that they leave the other appliances (and for heaven’s sake the fucking lights as well you fucking morons). Here’s their absolutely ridiculous argument – along the way we had an addendum when we saw that they had so much SHIT and were moving slowly specifying that they take all their personal belongings. Specifically so we not get stuck with a house full of shit. So they were CLAIMING (when they got caught doing something wrong) that they simply thought that meant appliances and light fixtures too. There are 2 wrinkles to this argument: 1) that’s total, utter, complete, absolute bullshit. And 2) if you’re going to use that as your argument, you’re negating it yourself by leaving trash and so much of your shit ALL OVER THE HOUSE (which you will see in the photos below).
I went ape shit. I won’t go into all the details because at this point I no longer have the mental energy as I’m running on 2 1/2 hours of sleep because after Merritt woke up at 1:15 to nurse I only went back to bed for another 30 minutes at 6am because I was SO FUCKING FRUSTRATED. I actually spent about 10 minutes crying in the bathroom because I was trying not to wake up Chris. Spoiler: I did.
Anyway, the culmination: the listing agent said that the sellers could come back to remove their stuff so that they could indeed “take all their personal belongings.” I told our real estate agent absolutely NOT. That if they or the listing agent came onto the property at all I would call the police immediately. IMMEDIATELY. And I DON’T GIVE A FUCK. What it comes down to is the sellers, the listing agent and his fucking broker are all absolute pieces of shit, and I just want to be done with it. It’s not worth taking anyone to small claims court (because that is what we’d have to do at this point) for the maybe $1000 we would be awarded to buy ourselves used appliances or rent a dumpster. It’s not worth spending my mental energy anymore. It’s not worth them getting any more of my time.
Of course that’s all easier said than done. What I definitely will be doing will be reviewing the listing agent on every single fucking real estate review site I can find. That fucker.
So there ya have it!
Now, let’s get fucking real, I know you want to see the house. I know 🙂 And here’s the good news: the house is fucking ours. And now we can enjoy it. We have to spend money cleaning it, picking it up and getting appliances – but it’s OURS! And the locks are changed 🙂 I’ll show 1-5 pictures of each room/place and let you know what our plans are for that space. The house is not falling apart (well, the deck is), but it’s just really ugly. And really dirty, as you’ll see from the pictures.
An introduction: This place was built in 1953. It’s got a little over 2,500 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a secondary living room which will function as a sort of multipurpose room for us (office, hang out, laundry corner/closet area [we still have to figure that one out]), a 2 car garage, a basement (for lots of storage!!!), a great outdoor space with a giant deck, 0.6 of an acre, on a dead end street, 2 houses from a giant, few hundred acre park. In other words, this is exactly why we waited so long, dealt with so much bullshit and just hung in there. It was perfect for us. We loved it. And it will be the perfect project for the next 7-10 years – our guess for how long it will take us between saving up for projects (bye bye savings account to buy it, lol), raising our girls, running our business, and just life’s excitement.
Okay, okay, okay, let’s get to it.
The outside
I know, not nearly the exciting architecture that our Picardy house is. But I actually find that a little appealing. It’s a simple, but very homey ranch. It allows me SO MUCH freedom with the inside. I don’t feel tied to a really specific style like I did with Picardy. I love the deep porch, I love the big driveway, I love the planters. I don’t like how dark things are, I don’t like palm trees, I don’t like that there’s no character. So the (eventual) plan for the outside? Paint (soon actually because the wood siding is failing and that’s something that you really want to be on top of), build out the columns, maybe install a railing, jazz up the porch area, install hanging lights (Chris wants to leave the lights that are there, so let’s all try to convince him), put in a hanging swing, and of course re-landscape everything. More stuff will come up, but all I can think of so far.
The entry
I love having tile in the entry and actually having a proper sized closet, hooray! We have a TEENY closet at Picardy and there is no room for anything, so having a real space to put shoes, our shopping bags, coats, etc. is so awesome. It’s ugly now though 🙂 So we’ll spruce up the closet, paint, install new hardware, redo the tile on the floor.
The living area
This living room area is MUCH larger than our Picardy living room. Which is awesome. Eventually we’ll jazz up the fireplace somehow, install a gas insert in the fireplace (almost exclusively illegal to burn in wood fireplaces in CA now), open up a portion of the brick to the kitchen (behind the behemoth wall of brick), build a built-in for our TV components and books, paint, set aside a specific play area for the girls along the back wall, figure out window coverings (that don’t really cover much of the windows), and enjoy that fucking view. I love that fucking view.
Dining Nook
Thanks for stealing the light. Assholes.
Paint, figure out non-covering window coverings to enjoy more of the view, refinish a table we bought a month or two ago, figure out a more permanent dining solution (I’ve always wanted a banquet, but I don’t know if that will work with the giant windows).
The Kitchen
Ohhhh the kitchen. Doesn’t this look so stylish and clean that you just want to host a dinner party? Remove all their personal belongings my ass.
There are LOTS of plans for this room. Total gut is the most important because it sucks. And is ugly. After we gut it we’ll install more cabinetry along the exterior wall (probably extend all the way to the windows in the dining area), make sure we’ve got a secretary area, keep a peninsula probably (a small one), match the hardwood floors, change every single fucking surface, open up part of the brick wall to the living room area, close off the door to the garage (which will be Chris’ workshop, so we don’t actually want interior access because it will be a dirty, dusty space), maybe rearrange appliances, but who knows. But, you get the idea: this area is currently disgusting. We will make it marvelous. In a couple of years. We will need to save up BIG TIME for that one.
Merritt’s Room
Not much. It’s not in terrible shape. For the time being this will get repainted, furnished with things we have on hand, and just cleaned up. I don’t want to spend extra money decorating when I’m not sure what sort of decor would fit with this little lady’s personality. I don’t want to spend the money twice. So I’ll probably “redo” it in about 2 years.
Zoe’s Room
I won’t spill all the beans here because I’m actually hoping to have this room DONE by the time we move in (moved to 3/14 instead of 3/7 to accommodate all their fucking hold ups).
The bathroom
Ugly and gross. Lots of changes. Another complete gut job. At some point the tub was taken out for just a shower stall. We’ll put a tub back in. All new tile. A double vanity. Hopefully some fun sinks. More storage.
The hallway
This goes downstairs to our bedroom and the office. It’s ugly, and dark. I’d like to open up the opening that leads down here from the main floor because it’s a little closed off. New paint will go a long way.
Our Bedroom
Large. Disgusting. New paint, new flooring, new windows (eventually), new lights, and just making it feel a lot better. It feels dark and sad right now.
Master bath
A decent enough size. But really low ceilings. We’d hope that with new ducting in with the furnace replaced we might eventually be able to raise the ceiling, even just 6″ would make a difference. It’s dark in here for sure. This place will get gutted. New everything. Not sure if I would keep the tub and shower separate – it feels like such a waste of space to me and this is our forever home and I’m not actually a fan of baths. As Kramer says, I don’t like sitting in a pool of my own warm, tepid filth 🙂
Dressing area
This is right off of the bathroom. I actually don’t know what I would use this area for. It takes me 15 minutes to go from pajamas to showered and dressed (I wear no make-up and am in a t-shirt and jeans 90% of the time). So I don’t really have any use for a vanity area because I literally wear make-up once a year. I’ll figure out something fun to do though.
Master Closet
There is actually access to the basement through that far door. I’m not sure if we’re actually going to keep this as a clothes closet, or a extra storage space. The bedroom is so fucking big, which is totally unnecessary for me. We’ve actually talked about installing a built-in closet system in the bedroom on the wall across from the bed and then using this space for extra storage (things like suitcases, art supplies, etc.) We have a basement area, but I really want to use that space for extra work storage as much as possible to make Chris’ workshop free of as much clutter as possible
Office/multipurpose room
This room is HUGE. And there are lots of plans for it. We will move the laundry from the garage (which will be Chris’ workshop) down here onto the back wall. We’ll be removing the stove that doesn’t work and possibly building a wall back there to enclose the laundry area. Do you like that fake brick wall? Ugh. There’s also the third DISGUSTING bathroom off the back wall
Yup, another total gut job. The toilet was so gross that Zoe asked last night when she saw it, “Mommy, who pooped in there?” Lol.
But, back to the office
This room will have a lot of functions. There will be a TV, a nice, large sectional for hanging out, built-ins built along the wall for CDs and DVDs with our desk area integrated. New paint. Window coverings. New flooring. Lots of new. And don’t worry, that giant crack is not a structural problem.
There is also the backyard, the garage and the basement that I didn’t really photograph. The basement is starting to get worked on today by Chris. So I’ll actually have a little bit of a before & after transformation of that one because we’re just installing a ton of utility shelving for secondary storage of all of our work tools and materials that we don’t use on a very frequent basis.
The garage will also be worked on very soon as we will need that up and running quickly to make our work lives function normally as soon as possible. So I’ll devote a lot of posts to that specifically very soon.
And I really should have photographed that backyard, because there’s so much potential. I didn’t take many, or actually ANY with my nice camera, but at the end of our visit there last night Zoe asked specifically to go in the backyard. And she immediately ran all around, discovered, talked about how fun it was, picked flowers… pretty much making ALL of this worth it. It was the reason we were looking for a house like this. We want land. We want to spread out. We want our girls to be able to run all around and play. We want to feel free
And after all the fucking bullshit, we will finally get it with this place.
Deb says
OK – I have to provide you with the running commentary that went through my head as I was looking at pictures because I would look at the pictures and then read your comments……
Front: LOVE! Great porch, a little dark but wow – that’s nice and pretty easily up-datable.
Living Room: Holy Crap that’s a great room! OMG those fucking windows are awesome – WOW! That View!!
Dining Room: WTF? They took the light? Oh, those windows…
Kitchen: Definitely a gut job. But absolutely livable for now. You know, once they get a stove.
Merritt’s Room: Perfect for a little one! Paint and done!
Zoe’s Room: Perfect for Zoe! Again, Paint and done! Just, you know, barricade that outside door when she’s a teenager 😉
Bath #1; Gut. Please. At least it looks usable for now?
Stairs: I wonder if they can open them up like we did so it’s brighter and looks less narrow?
Master Bedroom: HA HA HA!!!! I bet Meryl is dying over that wall paper and carpet.
Master Bath: Yikes – again, gut. But it looks useable at least for now?
Dressing area: Well, that’s kind of a wasted space – although if they had more babies, this could be a nursery….hmmmm…..
Office/downstairs: OK, I’m officially jealous – that room is BIG. What a great spot that’ll be. Is that another fireplace? Dear Lord this place has oodles of potential….
Downstairs Bath: Good Lord – these people lived like animals!
As you can see, we were clearly separated at birth (don’t let the age difference and fact that we live on opposite sides of the country come into play here – those are very minor details)
I CANNOT WAIT to see what you do with this place!!!!!!!! It was most definitely worth the wait and stress and pain and everything – you got a GREAT house. Congrats!!!!!!!
Deb Henry 🙂
meryl rose says
Lol, I love all your running commentary 🙂 🙂 🙂 And YES, 2 fireplaces, we are very lucky 🙂
Bunny aka Nikki says
I CANNOT believe they left all that shit. Ridiculous! I would have lost my mind too!
I just want to say, I love the way you work. Sometimes I feel like no one else understands how fast I like to work and then you throw out 3/14 moving date and I just want to hug you.
So EXCITING!
meryl rose says
Thanks Nikki 🙂 I definitely thought of you guys for motivation to just GET IT DONE. I feel like it will be stressful no matter how long it takes, so you might as well just bust it out, right?
Pam says
congrats on finally getting the keys — and being able to tell the fuckers who left the mess (while taking the appliances — WTH?) that their shit will be in the dumpster in the driveway and they can get it from there. All that angst makes me angry for you…
meryl rose says
Thanks Pam!
Heather says
That sort of passive aggressive nonsense makes me crazy. I would be crying in the bathroom too. I can’t wait to see how you change the place; it has such good bones. Congrats!
meryl rose says
Glad I have compassion with sobs 🙂 Thanks Heather!!!
Stephanie says
I cannot believe the mess they left and the appliances they took….well I can, but who does that?! Super excited to see the awesomeness you guys create there. There is unlimited potential! But first, I’m gonna come over and sage the shit out of that place! ?
meryl rose says
Can we sage the shit next week? Please?
Sara says
It is a fabulous house. I can’t believe how dirty and gross those people are. It’s too bad they destroyed everything, I rather like the original slab cabinets and bathroom tile. That little vanity in the dressing area is so cute! I can’t wait to see the finishes you choose, I know it will look amazing. This house actually reminds me of the Fixer Upper episode with the mid century house, because it also looked like it was a ‘tree house’ from the living area view, and also had a huge fireplace wall. Great job sticking to it for this place! You guys deserve it!
meryl rose says
TOTALLY! I actually thought of that place too!!! That’s so funny.
Denise says
You are amazing, just like your mom. (I’ve been friends with her since 5th grade.) I know how much work this project will be (having renovated a 1905 home in Berkeley many years ago), but it will also be rewarding. Do not spend one more negative thought on the real estate agent, sellers or broker. It won’t change anything. On a positive note, now you don’t have to move the stove and refrigerator to clean behind them and you can get the appliances you really want 🙂 Now go make that house beautiful. I hope to meet you one day.
meryl rose says
Thanks so much Denise!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 I know I just need to let go. The worst part is that they really won’t be “punished” for such bad behavior. That’s the part that gets to me the most. But it’s better for me mental and physical health to just, Let it Go! Let it GOOOO!!! 🙂
Anonymous says
Believe in karma. What goes around, comes around.
Congrats on your new home – have fun getting it there.
meryl rose says
Thanks 🙂 I think I just have to let it go and be okay.
Lesley says
Meryl, I love this house! I have to agree with Chris on the porch lighting, and also hope that whatever you have planned for the columns, you keep the clean, simple amid Century lines. Same for fireplace updates. A gas insert will be awesome, and opening up that massive brick wall will be great, but I like the flatness of the fireplace, which is just perfectly in keeping with this house’s era. It doesn’t have the very blatant style of Picardy, but it does have its own really appealing style!
It was totally rotten of them to take the light fixtures (because it would be nice to have light at the moment, right?), but I’m guessing the lights were probably ugly anyway. Unless they were cool, original fixtures in great condition–which seems unlikely. Then I’d be even madder!
meryl rose says
Oh definitely! I am all about simplicity and clean lines in this house, for sure! I’m honestly just thinking about beefing up the columns and making them thicker, and probably no “trimming” on them. They just feel so tiny being 4×4’s. And you make an excellent point – the light fixtures were completely ugly – just annoying that they took them in the first place [shaking fist]
Lesley says
Also: Such a beautiful spot you are in! We have a number of friends who live in that area.
Have you checked out Grass Valley and other school options?
meryl rose says
How cool!!! We’re thinking Zoe and Merritt will probably go to Grass Valley. It’s awesome that it’s so close. If it ends up not being a great school, we’ll probably use our parents address in Rockridge. But DEFINITELY want to start with that first.
Rose says
The house is amazing. I love the layout and I know you’ll have a great time making it yours. Is the backyard fenced? Did they leave stuff in the garage, too? Can you just send that stuff to the dump or do you have to sort for recycling? Just trying to figure out what you have to do to have a “clean” slate.
meryl rose says
They didn’t leave a ton of stuff in the garage, but yes, some there as well, sign. And it’s NOT fenced, so that’s definitely on the to do list as well. And it’s a big property, so… 🙂 The dumpster is being delivered today, so adios to all their shit!!! 🙂
alexandra says
This is an awesome house, so many windows in the living room, cool! You will enjoy having more space, especially when your kids get bigger. We moved (4 people – kids were 5 and 8) from 1000 squft Craftsman to 1800 squft 70s “beauty”, and I love it – no bathroom fights, a lot more space for everyone’s hobbies and messes.
For window coverings, I can recommend honeycomb shades (not blackout), which you can open from top or bottom. I love those, they look modern, and you can have as much or little privacy as you like.
Enjoy the new place!
meryl rose says
Thanks for the window recommendation! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the light it gets!!!
mary says
Congratulations! I could feel your frustration over the last few months and I’m glad it all worked out. Can’t wait to see what you do with it! (Don’t hate me, but I’m on Chris’ side about the porch lighting… I like it as is 😉
meryl rose says
My family always jokes that I can never hide my feelings, so I’m not surprised you could tell by my writing as well. Damn another person siding with Chris! 😉 😉 😉
RT_Boyce says
Thanks for the huge set of photos! I love to see someone else’s new house and imagine fun, impractical remodeling projects. (Meanwhile I still need to repaint pretty much every room in mine.) Note that in my fantasy world, we’re all made of money.
Street side exterior: front porch palms must go, replant elsewhere if you can’t stand killing things. Herb garden instead? Low-water, low-height, sturdy plants like oregano, rosemary, lavender, sage. Redo entire driveway with nice pavers.
Front entry: maybe you like having the closet, but I do not like the first thing one sees on entering to be a lowly coat closet. And a security alarm (or thermostat, whatever). Reconfigure closet door and control boxes so entry is a blank wall, hang knockout art piece.
Living room fireplace: I am thinking freestanding Frank Lloyd Wright fireplace here – go big and remove that entire left brick wall/shelves and open it all to the kitchen.
Kitchen: Definitely extend the new cabinets along the outer wall to the dining room window. And a bigger sink window, or maybe a row of windows and no upper cabinets.
Living room: oh heck, this is the temperate Bay Area, knock out a big part of your “view” wall and install one of those fold-away window walls.
Staircase: your two floors are really isolated from each other (what’s with that downstairs kitchen? Was this a duplex?), and the stairs are dark and closed, so redo this entirely, maybe even move it – this is not a servants’ back stairs!: remove doorways/one side of enclosing walls at least – go for railings instead, make it wider, lead directly to a backyard door – make it easy to go inside/outdoors, get natural light into the stairs, maybe do open risers and mid-century materials. Bright, architectural, focal-point, cool stairs.
Bathrooms: agree – nuke from orbit, replace with awesome new fixtures and finishes as chosen by Meryl.
meryl rose says
Ohhhh, to have all the money 🙂 I too pine for many of those things, including the paver driveway! I doubt that one will ever happen because 1) if we did it ourselves it would take F.O.R.E.V.E.R. because of the slope and 2) if we paid someone it would be SO EXPENSIVE because of the slope. Sigh. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your idea about the closet right when you enter!!! I might have to investigate that one…
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
I’m loving the view out the back! Sooo cool. Definitely take some pictures later.
meryl rose says
The view out the back is one of my FAVORITE THINGS. Zoe actually has the best view probably out of anyone from her room. I definitely need to do a post of the outside of the house – view included. But it’s been really cloudy and rainy here the last several days. Hopefully it clears up next week, especially because Monday is MOVING DAY!!!