Welcome back, fellow home enthusiasts and DIY adventurers! If you’re just joining us, be sure to catch up with Part One of our journey, where we announced the sale of our beloved first home. For those who’ve already had their coffee break and are ready for the next chapter, let’s dive straight into the exhilarating, and at times overwhelming, process of saying goodbye to our first house and embracing a new future. This installment will cover everything from the chaos of preparing for an open house to our exciting plans for a fresh start in a new city. Get ready for another comprehensive update!
We’re picking up precisely where we left off, delving into the exciting details promised in our initial announcement about selling the house. Here’s a quick roadmap for what we’ll cover in this extensive update:
- Our complete open house experience and the full recap of selling our first home, including a nerve-wracking hurdle and valuable lessons learned.
- The emotional and logistical process of moving out, and where we’ve found a temporary home.
- The grand revelation: our much-anticipated plans for where we’re moving next!
- Exclusive sneak peeks of recent DIY projects, both from preparing the house for sale and our new endeavors since moving.
- Addressing any follow-up questions you might have, which we encourage you to leave in the comments below!
The Stressful Week Before the Open House
The week leading up to the open house was an absolute whirlwind, a true test of my DIY dedication and stress management. My primary goal was to present every single room in its best light for listing photos, which meant meticulously packing away personal items, decluttering every surface, and undertaking countless paint touch-ups. If you recall our home stager’s valuable tips from Part One, you’ll understand the level of perfection we were striving for. I was, to put it mildly, a sweaty mess – a testament to the hard work involved in showcasing a home built on years of DIY effort.
As it turned out, much of that perspiration was due to more than just strenuous labor; our HVAC system decided to stage its own dramatic exit. Less than a week before our meticulously planned open house, my trusty, decades-old HVAC unit breathed its last gasp of cool air and completely died. For those unfamiliar with the implications, this meant that in my quest to present a pristine home, I stumbled into an unfortunate stroke of bad luck, incurring thousands of dollars in unexpected home repair costs. After rapid consultations with multiple HVAC technicians, it became clear the unit was too ancient for replacement parts. A full replacement was the only option, a truly disheartening revelation. While I was prepared for some investment to enhance the sale, an unforeseen cost of several thousand dollars was a tough pill to swallow. Fortunately, our real estate agent quickly connected us with a reliable contractor who managed to replace the entire unit within days, keeping us on track for our critical open house date. What a relief!
For a final walkthrough of the home we lovingly called the “Goldilocks House,” capturing all the projects and memories, watch the video tour below. It’s a bittersweet farewell to a space that has been transformed over twelve years of dedicated DIY:
Watch Our Final Goldilocks House Tour
The Open House Weekend: A Whirlwind of Offers
The highly anticipated Saturday arrived, and K and I made the strategic decision to drop off our son, Ellis, with family. This allowed us to escape the intensity of the open house, enjoying a peaceful lunch away from the unfolding events. The day before, K had prudently set up cameras, a tip from a neighbor who recently sold their home, to discourage excessive prying into our personal belongings. Honestly, I wanted no part of hearing opinions about the house. After twelve years of relentless DIYing and a frantic final push to prepare, I was emotionally saturated. I preferred outright denial to any critical feedback; I decided I’d face potential disinterest only if the house lingered on the market for weeks. For now, it was a moment to quietly celebrate a monumental achievement and prepare to bid farewell to a home filled with countless memories.
Our morning started with a final deep clean, removing baby gates, and tidying beds – a necessary step even after a professional cleaning, thanks to our energetic toddler! Just as we were rushing to get out the door, the doorbell rang. We expected our realtor, but she wasn’t due for another thirty minutes. Instead, it was a couple eager to view the house ahead of schedule! K politely informed them, “I’m sorry, but we’re not quite ready; we’re still cleaning and trying to vacate. Could you please return later?” Without missing a beat, the gentleman humorously offered, “We’ll help you clean!” While I certainly appreciated their enthusiasm, K wisely reiterated our agent’s advice against early showings. I was grateful for his presence, as I might have succumbed to guilt and said yes, despite feeling pressed for time and uncomfortable. We took this early interest as an incredibly positive sign, confirming our competitive pricing and the market’s keen interest in our home.
Our realtor arrived just as we were hopping into our car, gently suggesting we find a spacious outdoor restaurant to relax, clearly sensing my stress. She promised an update in a few hours. No sooner had we settled down and ordered our meal than our phones began buzzing – hundreds of notifications from the cameras! So many people showed up for the open house that the motion sensors pinged incessantly, creating a flurry of digital alerts.
By the end of the weekend, we were ecstatic to have three competing offers! This was truly astonishing. In a blink, we were officially under contract with a set closing date. The buyers we selected were incredibly enthusiastic, promptly scheduling their inspection and appraisal. This fantastic news, though accompanied by the usual stress of negotiating final terms, was totally unexpected. For those navigating the home-selling process for the first time, here’s a simplified breakdown:
- **Under Contract:** After accepting and countersigning an offer, you are officially “under contract.” This agreement outlines the sale price, crucial contingency terms (like deadlines for inspection and appraisal), the closing date, and other specific conditions. These terms often hinge on inspection results, appraisal values, buyer mortgage approval, and sometimes even the sale of the buyer’s current home. In our case, our buyers were renters, simplifying this last point.
- **Inspection and Appraisal:** The buyers then schedule the home inspection and appraisal. Sellers anxiously await these results, as buyers may propose changes to their initial offer based on findings (e.g., if the appraisal is too low, or if the inspection uncovers significant issues requiring costly repairs). My key piece of advice: expect the inspection to *always* find something. It’s a standard part of the process, providing buyers with leverage for negotiation. We had some back-and-forth, but given the strong market, my bargaining position was solid, and the initial offer remained largely unchanged.
- **Closing Prep & Move Out:** All necessary paperwork is then prepared by the closing office to finalize the sale, pay off your existing mortgage, and arrange the transfer of ownership. This is when you make your final move out. The buyers become the new homeowners, and you hand over the keys. A truly bittersweet moment!
We strategically chose a closing date that afforded us ample breathing room to pack our belongings, arrange storage, and begin the search for a rental. As hinted in Part One, our decision to sell was fueled by a desire to move closer to the coast. This means we aren’t just relocating across town, but embarking on a significant move out of state. The extra time was crucial for us to meticulously narrow down our desired new location.
Our New (Temporary) Home: Basement Apartment DIYs
Immediately after going under contract, our search for a rental began, specifically within the Atlanta area. Our priority was to remain close to my parents and K’s cousins, Amy and John, who are also Ellis’s godparents. Their consistent presence has been invaluable over the past two years, and we wanted to maintain that stability until our big interstate move. Our main concern was avoiding a lengthy lease, especially in a rental market as competitive as the current buying/selling landscape. After a few weeks of unfruitful searching, Amy and John generously offered us their vacant basement. While unfinished, it presented a wealth of advantages that made it the perfect temporary solution:
- **Family Connection:** Amy and John share a deep bond with Ellis, allowing them to see him daily and maximize quality time before our relocation.
- **Convenient Childcare:** A daycare facility was located just minutes from their home, simplifying our daily routine.
- **DIY Potential:** The unfinished basement was a blank canvas, allowing us to renovate it to our exact liking. With spare paint and materials, we could undertake budget-friendly DIYs to create a cozy and functional living space. There was ample square footage to envision a sleeping area (by adding a wall), a dedicated living space, a compact kitchenette, and a separate zone for K’s remote work. Crucially, it was also directly adjacent to their two-car garage, providing invaluable storage for my tools.
- **Ruby’s Revival Progress:** Our travel trailer project, Ruby’s Revival, was already stored here since we stopped renting at the RV lot. Moving in meant we could work on Ruby consistently, accelerating her completion and our plans for a first road trip.
- **Flexibility for Future Home Search:** We anticipated needing several months between selling our house and finding the ideal location and market for our long-term home. Amy and John’s offer provided the essential flexibility to explore new cities without the immense pressure of moving deadlines.
This arrangement wasn’t just a win-win; it was a multi-faceted triumph! And honestly, as long as I don’t dwell too much on being almost 40 and living in a family basement, I still feel like a responsible adult. 😉 The exciting bonus is that I’ll soon be sharing a host of DIY projects from our “basement apartment” transformation, including new flooring installation, wall construction, and innovative cosmetic rental upgrade ideas. Naturally, a full “before” tour will be included in the next post! I’m even planning to repurpose and makeover some of their existing furniture that was already stored in the basement, adding another layer of budget-friendly DIY to the space.
Packing Up and the Bittersweet Goodbye
House under contract? Check. Several weeks dedicated to the arduous task of packing? Check. Secured a comfortable short-term rental? Check. My parents, ever so supportive, generously offered space in their garage to store our remaining belongings. We had already donated or sold a substantial portion of our furniture and possessions, but there were still many cherished items we wanted to keep but didn’t need in our cozy basement apartment.
In what felt like both a fleeting moment and an eternity, I found myself cleaning out the kitchen for the very last time. It’s funny how time can warp when you’re experiencing significant life transitions.
As a final gesture, I left a bottle of champagne and a brand-new Swiffer for the new owners, a small but heartfelt welcome to their new home. It brought immense joy to discover that the couple who bought our house also had a young baby. I knew our wonderful neighbors would be thrilled about this, as saying goodbye to them was undoubtedly one of the hardest aspects of selling.
I took one last, lingering look around the house, shedding a few happy tears. This house, our home, had been incredibly good to us, nurturing our family and fostering countless DIY projects. My deepest hope is that it brings just as much, if not more, joy and comfort to its new occupants. The adage “leave it better than you found it” resonated deeply, and I truly believe we achieved that.
Where Our Next Chapter Begins: Moving to Richmond, Virginia
While we immersed ourselves in renovating Amy and John’s basement, the search for our long-term home also officially began. I’m approaching this with an open mind, understanding that our next purchase might not be our “forever” home, but it will certainly be a place where we plan to live for many years. My vision is for an older, charming property brimming with DIY project potential, one that perfectly meets the evolving needs of our young family. You might instinctively think “Florida” when I mention moving closer to beaches, but our compass is actually pointing further north. My sister and brother-in-law reside in **Richmond, VA**, making it our exciting starting point for this new adventure!
Richmond offers the ideal balance: it’s close enough to beautiful coastal spots like Buckroe Beach and Virginia Beach for easy day trips, yet it’s a large enough city to provide the conveniences and vibrant urban atmosphere we both prefer over a rural setting. To keep our options open and truly understand the area, we’re considering properties across the *entire* region between Richmond and the coast. Our short list of non-negotiable “must-haves” for our dream home includes:
- **Unique Charm:** Absolutely no “cookie-cutter” neighborhoods. We’re seeking older homes, ideally those in need of some tender loving care and renovation.
- **Untouched Potential:** Definitely not a recently flipped house. We want to avoid the ubiquitous gray-on-gray palettes, faux driftwood flooring, and granite counters. We are perfectly comfortable with “as-is” homes, even those with ugly carpets or a deck that’s seen better days!
- **Flexible Layout:** A floor plan that, even if the bathrooms are currently small, allows us the potential to remodel and expand them.
- **RV Parking:** Sufficient space in the driveway or behind the house, with good access, to park Ruby. No more limitations like our previous house!
- **Character-Rich:** A home with undeniable CHARM, however subjective that may be!
- **Local Amenities:** Easy access to a variety of restaurants and, crucially for me, readily available DIY supplies.
- **Spacious Living:** 3-4 bedrooms or bonus rooms that can be transformed into home office spaces, ensuring we don’t feel cramped or on top of each other.
- **Workshop Space:** Either a generous garage for a larger workshop or enough land to build one from scratch.
- **Medical Access:** Given Ellis’s medical and specialist needs over the past two years, proximity to these essential services is paramount.
In addition to our “must-haves,” we also have a list of highly desirable “nice-to-haves”:
- Larger bathrooms and closets for added comfort and storage.
- Architectural details like arched doorways.
- A level backyard – those who’ve followed our past landscaping sagas know precisely why this is on the list!
- Brick exterior for classic appeal and durability.
- Original moldings and fireplaces that add historical character.
- A basement, offering additional space and potential.
- Dedicated laundry and mudroom areas; I’d love our entryway to feel a bit grander than in our first home.
- A neighborhood with other young families or a feel that encourages safe, regular walks with our little one, without overly busy roads immediately adjacent to the property.
As of THIS WEEK, we’ve officially embarked on our house hunting journey with realtors! Since our search encompasses such a vast area, we’ve actually had to connect with multiple agents to explore various neighborhoods effectively. So far, the process is going wonderfully, filling me with excitement, though it’s certainly exhausting – I’ve been in bed before 9 PM two nights in a row! I held off on sharing too many details until this post was live, but you can catch behind-the-scenes glimpses of our search in my stories over on Instagram until a major update post is ready. I’m being mindful about showing the full exterior/interior of active listings for privacy reasons, but here’s a peek at a lovely home we saw today, one we liked immensely but ultimately didn’t purchase:
Beyond Richmond: Ruby’s Revival and Other Future Possibilities
While the basement renovation spans a modest 600 square feet, we’re quickly nearing completion on most of those projects. Despite a considerable backlog of content (video edits, blog posts, and plans in various stages, even from the old house, like that incredible plant shelf from my office and the door trim you saw in the video!), we’re still allocating time to our other significant ongoing project: Ruby’s Revival.
As I mentioned earlier, Amy and John’s house is coincidentally where Ruby has been parked for the past year or so. You might recall that county regulations at our old house restricted parking the trailer in our driveway for more than 48 hours, making significant progress incredibly difficult due to constant shuttling. However, Amy and John boast a much longer driveway and ample extra parking space, which has been incredibly convenient for our basement stay. Now, we see Ruby every single day! While our attention has naturally been focused on transforming the basement into a comfortable living space, we cherish the ability to simply walk outside and dedicate equal effort to finishing Ruby. We’ve completed the demolition and decided to replace the subfloor, revealing a much larger undertaking than initially anticipated. Sourcing the replacement subfloor has presented its challenges, but I believe we finally have solutions and can re-energize that effort. My hope is that over the winter, we’ll witness substantial progress. I’ve already ordered replacement front windows and delved into understanding the existing window mechanics, researching replacement parts, and so forth. We’ve definitely moved past the “hump” of demolition and are now actively placing orders to begin the exciting process of rebuilding and restoring!
To avoid similar parking obstacles with our next home, having ample land to comfortably park Ruby is a definite “must-have” on our list. Ideally, I envision creating a permanent, customized “home” for Ruby somewhere on the new property. This would allow us the flexibility to take her on trips whenever we choose, but also provide an adorable, dedicated spot when she’s not on the road. Perhaps it could even serve as a cozy sleepover space for visiting family! (While many might suggest it would make a fun AirBnB, there are numerous considerations involved, and I’m not sure I’d enjoy being a host for that.)
Exploring the Dream of a Tiny House in Knoxville
Another exciting long-term possibility we’re actively exploring for future building is **Knoxville, Tennessee**. This wouldn’t be for our primary residence, but K and I have had numerous discussions about building a tiny home on his parents’ land. It would serve as a dedicated, comfortable space for us to stay whenever we visit. Currently, they have a camper on their property where we sleep (their own tiny house on the same land doesn’t have room for guests). Building our own tiny living space there, or even just creating a convenient, connected spot for Ruby with water/electrical hookups and a connecting outdoor deck, would be fantastic. In fact, we’ve already started mapping out the best-suited area for this project, so stay tuned for updates on what that might entail – though please note, this is still a few years down the road. During our last visit, we walked their trails and marked off a section we believe we could flatten and create road access to, which promises to be an amazing DIY project! I’m leaning towards a super-modern A-frame design!
Anticipating Upcoming DIY Adventures and Project Updates
So, between Part One and this extensive update, you’ve now been brought up to speed with over six thousand words of our journey! I sincerely hope this provided you with intriguing insights and a significant peek into our excitement for the future. And since I promised you sneak peeks of upcoming blog posts, here are a few photos to whet your appetite for what’s to come!
There’s certainly a lot to absorb, but I’m incredibly excited to continue sharing more about our ongoing house hunt and all the DIY projects that will come with it. It truly feels like the beginning of our most exciting chapter yet. If you have any additional questions about our journey, our plans, or anything in between, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below. I’ll do my best to answer each one! Thank you all SO much for reading, for your incredible support, for sticking with us, and for all your well wishes. Being able to share these monumental life updates with you means the world to us!
P.S. If you’re in the Atlanta area and seeking an exceptional real estate agent, I highly recommend contacting Melanie Galvez at Supreme Home Group!