We had been looking for a new home for approximately 2 years, but this was mid-pandemic and inventory was LOW. What houses did come up for sale went through absurd bidding wars, leading to massive over-bids that waived all inspections and contingencies. It was a rough environment to be a buyer.
Meanwhile, we were still dealing with our awful neighbors: the shared driveway was in total disrepair with no fix in sight, their house totally derelict, broken down cars and all.
So after losing out on the 10th+ bidding war, we took a somber family walk/ride around our neighborhood and lo, what is that!? A dumpster outside a house just around the corner? A house with the best lot in the neighborhood, at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, across from 22 acres of wooded parkland and backed by trees, with a single neighbor who we already knew. We sprung into action!
Within a week, we purchased the home sight-unseen, with the goal to briefly live there while we worked towards a major renovation/rebuild. Elation, relief, excitement. Major thanks to Bruce for dealing with us and making this happen!
Briefly ended up being almost two years. We worked with a great architect to design the dreamhouse, found a builder who came highly recommended, and then began a long process of negotiation on details, permitting cycles, and ultimately the day things all finally began!
We moved out on 6/15 to a local townhouse, and (de)construction began about 1.5 months later.
