Hi everyone.
Thanks for all your sweet comments about our move. If you are a regular reader then
you know we have been looking for a new home since selling our house in Virginia. It’s
funny how priorities have changed in this last year.
Steve and I started our search by looking at large homes (large for us) and those with
all the bells and whistles. We saw some beautiful homes but nothing seemed exactly
right for us.
I now believe there was a reason for that.
The last twelve months has seen many changes. We had several close family members
and friends pass away, my dad’s health has deteriorated, I had a cancer scare and I
turned sixty….GULP!
turned sixty….GULP!
It’s strange how life sometimes takes you in a different direction than you ever anticipated.
After a roller coaster year Steve and I sat down and really talked about what we were passionate
about and the many things we always planned to do together in retirement.
about and the many things we always planned to do together in retirement.
After much thought we decided a big house with a mortgage was not a priority!
Being able to travel to the places we have always wanted to visit, entertaining our friends and family, spending lots of time at the beach, playing golf, sailing and just having the time and money to do all the things we love is what is important to us.
We lowered our maximum price for a home significantly and fell in love with the 2nd home we looked
at. It’s a smaller home that needs a little refreshing which gives us the opportunity to add our own style.
We still got our pool and the bonus of a large enclosed courtyard. Dad has a separate suite with a small kitchen, bath, handicap access and an intercom in case he needs anything.I am extremely happy with our decision and know this will be our “forever” home.
at. It’s a smaller home that needs a little refreshing which gives us the opportunity to add our own style.
We still got our pool and the bonus of a large enclosed courtyard. Dad has a separate suite with a small kitchen, bath, handicap access and an intercom in case he needs anything.I am extremely happy with our decision and know this will be our “forever” home.
The pictures below are with the previous owners things. The house is now painted beige.
Eat in kitchen area open to courtyard.
You can see the changes we plan to make to the family room HERE. I’ll be back later with more
pictures when I can dig out of all these boxes.Thanks for dropping by.
Hugs,
Sherry
pictures when I can dig out of all these boxes.Thanks for dropping by.
Hugs,
Sherry
I hope you will visit me at the Polka Dot Flea.
Great plan for downsizing a bit! We bought our "forever" home, aiming for something we could comfortably cover with one income, enough room for our stuff, but not too much. I'm so thrilled not to be house poor, and I'm thrilled for you that you found the right place.
Congrats, Sherry! I am so happy for you. Moving is such a big ordeal, I'm glad yours is finally over. Your house looks lovely, and the fact that you can have your dad right there is priceless. Our house has been on the market for almost three months and we have not had one showing. The town we're moving to is selling houses in less than 24 hours. Really. I can't wait for the stress to be over. I'm glad yours is:) xo Kathleen
Hi Sherry!
Thanks for the pictures! I am delighted you and Steve have found your forever home, have had it painted to a color that suits you, that has a suite for your Dad, and leaves you funds to enjoy retirement travel and fun. What could be better?
Wishing you well with the unpacking and settling in.
Be good to you!
Hugs!
Sherry,
So happy you found a wonderful home. Large is not always the best. I think you got it right. Your dad has his place and you are going to make that beautiful home even more amazing with some change ups. Love the pool and that you back to an open area with no houses behind you. Very sweet.
Kris
Oh wow how exciting congrats on your new home! The new improvements you plan to make on your new home sounds beautiful 😉 God bless your dear dad it's a blessing he has you to take care of him.
Smiles~
Mari
Oh, Sherry, how exciting! I am so glad for you that you've been able to sort out what you really need and want! You will make this home beautiful, I know–you'd make any space beautiful! It'll be fun to go along with you and see all the changes you make. God bless you, sweet friend!
Hi Sherry! It is important to look at the full picture and see where you need to have your focus. I'm proud for you and your such a good daughter to take care of your Dad too.
I wish you all the best,
Shelia 😉
Sherry! Congratulations! Sounds like you made a wise decision!
GOOD for you! I don't think you will ever regret going smaller with your new home. It sounds as though it has lots of wonderful features. And I don't doubt that once you get your mark on it, it will be a real jewel!
Best! Susan
How exciting for you! You made a wise decision on less is really more in a retirement home. Can't wait to follow along on your changes to the house.
Well, let me know if this becomes a duplicate comment. I just typed one in but it gave me an error message. It's a wise decision to move into a smaller home in your older years. Our next home will be our "forever" home too. I'm sure that made it more difficult to choose one. I'm glad that you finally found one that will work for you. I'm sure once you get settled in you will be glad you did it. It's a beautiful home!
sherry, i'm so glad you've found your "forever" home and will be able to continue looking after your dad. my mom is not doing well and it takes up more and more of my time as well as a constant worry…i know you can relate.
i think you are smart to want to chase your dream of traveling…we live well below our means but have a paid for house and are able to do just about anything we want…traveling being one of them.
and don't feel bad about your age….i've still got you beat by 2 years!
Yea! Sherry, I think you made all of the right decisions for all of the right reasons. To bad we didn't know at 30 what we know now….Happy belated birthday! It's the perfect house, with the perfect place for Dad. I feel like I am on the fast track to get a lot of living in as the Birthdays roll on. thank you for the should out for the Polka Dot Flea…..It to was one of those now or never things lol!
Carol
Can't wait to see you, I was just emailing with Lynn and she said to say hi!
I am so happy for you! Is your new home in Fl.? It is beautiful and I can't wait to see what all you do. Just tonight I found out that a very good friend who put her house on the market on Mon. afternoon sold it within 24 hours. Full asking price, no cntingencies, no inspections. I sure wish that could have been our experience:):) MANY good wishes for you in your new home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a year Sherry and I am so sorry you had to go thru all of that. I can not wait to see how you transform this house into your home! I know it will be fabulous!
Wise decision – right sizing your house to match lifestyle goals. Terrific that your dad gets his own separate apartment. Win-win.
We 're looking forward to seeing all your changes to house.
Gaol
Your new house is gorgeous and how exciting for you to start decorating it! I love the huge pool for family gatherings specially now that summer is almost there! Congrats!
Happy Mother's Day!
FABBY
Looks like the perfect spot for you all
It's always fun to add your special touches for your new nest
It is definitely wonderful to find your forever home one that you'll enjoy and yet feel free to follow your passions – so happy for you!
Kathy
I wish you and yours the very happiest of days in your new home. It's awesome and I wait in anticipation to see how you make it "your very own."
Best of health and joy, Sherry!
Congratulations on your beautiful new home. Are you on a golf course? Lovely view and I know you'll have lots of fun and warm memories for this exciting new time in your life…new neighbors, new friends, and lots of golf and sailing!
I understand all your thoughts on moving to a smaller house. After living years in large houses overseas I have settled into a smaller home which means no mortgage and the chance of more travel.
It is great you have the unit attached for your dad to live in, a a real bonus to know that you are never far away from him and I am sure that he feels so happy about it.
The courtyard is great and summer is coming up, can't wait to see what you will do to it. There is plenty of time though, I believe in living in a place for at least 6 months to a year before making any major changes. It is still exciting planning though.
Lee 🙂
Congratulations on your lovely new home Sherry. It will be fun to watch your progress as you make it as stunning as your old one. Though it hasn't been announced to all of our friends yet my husband has accepted a job offer I wrote about on my last post and we will be traveling cross country to South Carolina. It is huge to move at this stage of life but we also are looking to downsize, at least financially. Our home in Washington State isn't huge but it is on a lake so we can spend quite a bit less in SC and still have a lovely place to live . . . and hopefully with a pool!
God bless you for taking such good care of your dad and give you strength ahead to accomplish the task before you!
Love & hugs,
Patti
I love the enclosed courtyard with the suite. Who really needs a big house when you can spend your free time swimming in the pool with Steve? I think you made a wonderful decision and a great one for your father.
so happy to hear of your journey to Fla. your dad is one blessed person. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
What a beautiful property!
How kind of you to take in your father and to buy a place to give him his own space.
Are you in Florida now?
I am going back to read all your recent posts to get caught up!
xox
Love your new home.
A