Debbie Gaughan and John Donovan went from homeowners to renters when they moved to a more expensive area. Now, four years later, they are ready to buy again. Their current apartment is a two-bed, one-bath, Spanish-style that they've tried to personalize as much as possible. They've added a lot of charm, but it's still an apartment and they don't own it.
They would like to find a two-bed, one-bath, Spanish-style home, complete with arched windows and cove ceilings. Hardwood floors are also a must. This style isn't made much anymore, so Debbie and John recognize that they'll have to find an older home that probably needs some work. That doesn't scare them at all--they've both made a hobby out of renovating everything from knickknacks to even their previous home.
In this hot market, these types of homes are even harder to find. Will they have to raise their budget or lower their expectations? Real-estate agent Clyde McClatchey hopes they have to do neither.
The first house McClatchey shows them is a Spanish-style house with two beds and one bath--exactly what they are looking for. There are a lot of arches in this home and a nice courtyard in the front. There is also a lot of light coming through its many windows and there are hardwood floors underneath the carpet throughout the house. There is not a lot of cabinet space in the kitchen, and you have to walk through one bedroom to get to the next. In addition, the backyard is way too small. They decide to keep looking.
The next house proves to be hard to turn down. It was built in 1932 and it sits on a nice quiet street. It has incredible Spanish detail such as cove ceilings and arched entries. The master bedroom features a recessed ceiling and a neat little nook off to the side. Though the bathroom is in mid-renovation and will require a lot of work, Debbie and John feel they are prepared for that. After some deliberation, they decide to write an offer.
Not long after, McClatchey calls to tell them that the house has gone into multiple offers and they'll need to come in higher or be outbid. Unfortunately, this offer was as high as they can go, so they'll have to keep looking.
McClatchey regroups and takes them to another house he's found that is going to need a lot of work. The carpet is very old and worn, but there are hardwood floors underneath. The kitchen is in terrible shape as well, but it's nice and big. The bedrooms are just as needy but still roomy, and the backyard is terribly overgrown but spacious. To anyone else, this home looks like it's more trouble than it's worth, but to Debbie and John, it has strong bones and too much potential to pass up. They decide to write an offer.
The next time McClatchey calls, it's with the good news that the offer has been accepted. After several months, Debbie and John have moved in and done a lot of work. The kitchen had to be completely gutted and redone, but now it's just the way they want it. The bathroom needed just as much work, but they have fixed it up to their liking as well. They also gave the backyard a complete makeover and now take pride in the landscaping they were able to apply.
All in all, this house looks like a completely new home after all the work Debbie and John put into it. They appreciate the opportunity to be able to work on a home they own and not be bound by the rules of renting. Though they were disappointed the offer on previous house fell through, they're happy it did or they would have missed the opportunity of their current home.
Guests Clyde McClatchey
Real Estate Agent, ZipRealty, Inc.
8550 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge, CA. 91325
Phone: 800-225-5947 x5423
E-mail:
clyde.mcclatchey@ziprealty.com Also in this Episode
