In the middle of February we made an offer on a house, and after two weeks of negotiation, our offer was accepted and we began escrow. Now, two and a half weeks after that, we're pretty much done with most everything that needs to go into it-- inspections complete, appraisal done, loan approved. Sellers wanted some extra time to find a new place to live, so our escrow period isn't officially over until the end of April, but all the legwork is done. We just sit back and wait now.
The house we are buying is a 2005 Hallmark-Southwest manufactured home in the Rancho Goleta Mobile Home park. Yeup, you read that right. We's goin' be trailer trash! :-P
Kidding, of course.
Manufactured homes have come a long way since the day of the "house trailer" that gave mobile homes such a tarnished image.
The park we're going to be living in is a resident-owned co-op. Which means that we don't actually pay space rent to a landlord, but rather own shares of the co-op. Therefore, the park actually screens its residents, running credit and background checks before determining if they'll allow a resident to live there. That goes a long way toward enhancing the safety of the park. The park itself is also very well-maintained-- as with many condos/PUDs, there is a list of rules/regulations and architectural guidelines that ensure a pleasant atmosphere and appearance overall. There is a lake throughout the middle of it, with fishing and boating allowed. There is a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, clubhouse (w/kitchen and ping-pong table), library and billiards room for residents' enjoyment. It is quiet and tranquil, and only a 20-minute walk to Goleta Beach.
The home we're buying has a huge deck that partly overlooks the lake. It's a decent size-- about 1550 sq ft-- not too big, not too small. Three bedrooms (well, technically two bedrooms and a den). And best of all, it is largely south-facing. That's one of the important features I always look for in a home-- that its main living areas are south-facing. Makes SUCH a difference in not only keeping the place warm in the winter, but brightening the place with lots of natural light.
Here are some photos from the MLS listing. When we close escrow and move in (approximately 6 weeks from now), I plan to take plenty of pictures -- both before and after move-in. And then I will look forward to putting my feet up and not having to move again! In my 10 years of living in Santa Barbara, I've moved a total of 7 times. It gets tiresome, and I'm looking forward to settling down :-)
The front of the house
View of the living room from the front door. Double French doors by the fireplace lead to the den (Allan's room).
Another view of the living room. Dining room is through the archway on the side.
Spacious and sunny kitchen. Just off frame to the right of the dishwasher is a small breakfast nook area.
The large front deck. You can make out some of the lake-front view through the potted plants
View of the lake, clubhouse and pool area. To the left is a footbridge connecting the side of the lake we're on to the other
Floor plan of the house.
This blog scrunches it up a bit too much-- click on it for the full-size view.
So there you have it-- a small sneak preview of the house. Keep in mind that a professional photographer took those shots, so the real deal (as well as my forthcoming photos) will not look nearly as nice. But it gives you an idea :-)
Holy cow!! The place looks STUNNING. Congratulations Helly and Allan!! Looking forward to more pictures when you move in and personalize the place, but it definitely looks like it would make a lovely, long-term home.
ReplyDeleteI still love your apartment from when you posted pictures and the floorplan. Can I take it over? ;)
Thanks! :-) The professional photographer's talents definitely make it look bigger than it actually is, but it's plenty spacious enough for the three of us, and just the right size.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can definitely take over our apartment... because that means you'll just be a couple miles away and we can have you over for dinner or movies anytime! :-D
lol. Definitely a built-in perk of that apartment.
ReplyDeleteDo you know moving day yet?
April 29 is when we are supposed close escrow. The next few days afterward will probably be spent cleaning and moving in piecemeal fashion. Fun, fun! :-)
ReplyDeleteNice. I have a feeling moving with you would be as fun as it possibly could be since it would be prepped and organized and run smoothly. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHee hee. I've already got a spreadsheet drawn up with a timeline of activities starting from the day we pick up the keys :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! The porch and the view is amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Now you can revel with me in our home-ownershipdom ;)
I thought you already bought a house already? Were you renting in Santa Barbara?
Thanks! And yes, I thought of you when I posted this, because I remember reading your house/mortgage-related posts, and wanted to share in the joy, but also wanted to wait till things were more finalized before saying anything. Fear of jinxing it, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteAnd nope, this is the first time we've ever bought a house. Now, we've been LOOKING (mostly passively-- examining MLS listings and then observing how much those houses ultimately sell for) for about a year and a half, picking up ideas along the way of many open house viewings. We've rented in SB prior to that-- in places ranging from renting a room in a house to university family student housing (super cheap!) to our current large 2-bedroom apartment (not so cheap).
[...] was full of all sorts of odd, angled corners. If you recall the floorplan from my post with the listing photos of the house, you’ll see what I [...]
ReplyDeleteWow! The porch and the view is amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Now you can revel with me in our home-ownershipdom ;)
I thought you already bought a house already? Were you renting in Santa Barbara?
April 29 is when we are supposed close escrow. The next few days afterward will probably be spent cleaning and moving in piecemeal fashion. Fun, fun! :-)
ReplyDelete