Twenty-six-year-old Forrest Stangel is looking to buy his first home. After high school he moved out of his family's home and has spent the last six years living in apartments and dorms that he never liked. His grandmother, who also happens to be a realtor, suggested that he move back into his parents' place to save money to buy his own home. He took her advice. The home he grew up in has a lot of open living space and a big kitchen where he likes to cook. His room is actually his brother's old room, and while it works for now, he really wants his own place.
He would like to stay in the area that he grew up in because he is very close to his family. He wants a home that has a lot of style and good architecture, but he realizes he will probably have to buy a condo. He wants something that is intimate with a bit of an Asian feel. He has been doing a lot of research, looking in the paper, on the Internet and using his best resource--his grandmother.
The first home they visit has beautiful landscaping in the front really high ceilings and gorgeous wooden floors inside. Rose is quick to remind him that wooden floors are low maintenance and only need a quick dusting to clean up. He likes the plantation shutters and overall architecture. The kitchen is small, but cute, and he likes the color. The master bedroom is fairly small as well, but he likes that it has a window. The skylight in the bathroom is helpful for airflow, but the bathroom is tiny as well. The living area is a nice size and has cool sliding doors out to the backyard. Overall he thinks it's a little too much for him and would have to have a roommate to be able to afford it.
They decide to check out another home--this time a one-bedroom, one-bath that needs a lot of work. For starters, the walls are purple. The place is less than 500 square feet, which makes him feel a bit claustrophobic. The bedroom is a nice size and has a window that looks out to the garden. The bathroom is a little small, but it also has a window and would work for him. The kitchen has cool shelving units, but would be hard to move around in. While he likes the style of this home, it is just too small. Rose thinks he needs to look at a condo that is in his price range, it would have almost no maintenance and be good for someone his age.
Next up is a two-level, one-bedroom condo with beautiful high ceilings. There is a guest bathroom downstairs that would be perfect for company. The balcony looks out over the courtyard and would be ideal for barbecues. The bedroom is on the upper floor and is like a studio apartment in itself. There is a lot of closet space and windows. The full bath upstairs is connected to the bedroom. The kitchen has just enough counter space for Rose to come over and cook Sunday breakfast. He would like to get rid of the linoleum floors in the kitchen, but he loves the vaulted ceiling with wood.
Overall he feels that this he condo is a good size, is bright and airy would be a good fit for him. Rose recommends he write a letter to the owner telling them how much he likes it, and they are going to put in an offer.
Forrest soon finds out that the condo is his, and six months later he has moved in and loves his new space. He has spent the time giving a special flare to his home. He favored dark, rich, colors and an Asian-inspired theme to transform the house. The stair railing has been restored to its original shining metal finish, and the floors have been redone as well. The downstairs bathroom went from weak to wow.
The walls are bright red, and he installed a new modern sink and a blue slate countertop. The kitchen has a modern look as well, with track lighting and stainless-steel appliances. The upstairs loft is bright and airy. He has also updated his upstairs bathroom to fit in with the feel of the rest of his home. He put in a lot of work to make his first place away from home exactly what he wanted, and now he's reaping its rewards.
