we're almost homeowners!

This past week has been quite the adventure.  We've been looking at a place for quite some time (well, at least since I've been gainfully employed).  We've seen about 22 properties throughout different Denver neighborhoods and finally decided that The Highlands / Sloans Lake area was right where we want to be.  The nearness of the lake and the downtown Highlands area reminded us of what we loved about being so close to everything when we lived in Seattle.  

We saw this one place 3 blocks away from Sloan's Lake right before we left for Christmas in San Jose.  I'd have to say I definitely wasn't sold on it due to it's size (888 sq. ft) but the floor plan was very well utilized, the kitchen was brand new, the bedrooms were a nice size, it has a small backyard and it was affordable.  Kalin was sold on the place but didn't tell me as to influence my decision.  I had a few weeks to mill it over and then I just couldn't stop thinking about the place - how I'd arrange the furniture, what I'd do to increase storage with creative decorating, thinking about how charming it was, how easy it is to clean just one bathroom and a petastal sink.  So, eventually, I was already living in the place.  Just in my mind.

We went back last Saturday with my parents and decided this was it.  Wrote an offer sunday night, countered and by Tuesday, our earnest money was in Escrow.  And today, we had inspections.  It did quite well for being built in 1956.  We've got a few fix-it projects ahead of us that will just teach us how to be good homeowners.  We're on our way.  And we move in on Feb 14 (super-cute, huh?  Our realtor just thinks that's the best day ever to move in...I agree!)

Instead of me trying to describe our home-to-be, here are some pics:

Front door, our quad-plex neighbors are next to us and across the courtyard.  Also, they are all in our age-range!!!  Sweet!

View of the living room/dining area.  Original hardwoods!

Super-awesome kitchen.  I've got plans for glass subway tile in here.  Perhaps in a sea-foam green color to go with our Red appliances.

more kitchen

Bathroom - paint color to be changed.  mirror too.  think I'll go for a more spa feel.

Master - hmmm still trying to mentally decorate, but will need some more planning.

Backyard.  Can you picture our future little puppy (I'm thinking yorkie...) running around here?

More pictures to come once it's decorated more with my style and our furniture.  This is high school Kara's dream come true to decorate/design my house!  I've even gone so far to create story boards for each room.  This would actually be a good idea to help Kalin realize what the heck I'm thinking about.  If only I could transport my mind pictures into his mind.  HAH.  

I'm sure there will be more blogging on the goings-on of the adventures in homeownership of Kalin and Kara.

Also.  3 miles to my work, 5 miles to Kalins.  Hello biking/busing to work!