The Home of Her Dreams
Which is to say, she thinks, she feels, she believes this is the home of her dreams. She is a realist, for the most part. With the understanding that her means are limited, within the limits which the reality of economics places upon her, this is the home of her dreams. For the present, in any event. And doesn't everyone who works hard and dreams large in our society, financial constraints recognized, deserve the home of their dreams?Among her many virtues patience is not one. Well, how many among us is truly patient in any event? She obtained the services of a local real estate agent, a very nice man. Better than very nice; she has described him as being 'like her father'. He reminds her, she told me, of her father. Music to mine ears. This is an older man with two young grandchildren who was once a detective in the Ottawa Police Force, now long retired. His wife is a real estate agent and he decided upon retirement that he would begin doing the same thing. His personability and kindness are what convinced our daughter to retain him, and to trust him.
Her instincts did not serve her wrong. She despaired at the quality of the homes on the market within her price range. She started off modestly, thinking she might find something suitable, in a country setting from $150,000 to $180,000. This man encouraged her, did his best to bring her spirits up when she became severely disappointed at the run-down condition of the properties on offer. Truth is, she did not really go out to see that many houses with him, but each time she did she came back depressed at the seeming fruitlessness of the experience. He kept telling her she would find something, not to worry.
She was looking for something appropriate in the east end, where we live. Mostly because we have always been the before- and after-hours care givers for our granddaughter who is now 9 and a half years old. But all the east end properties seemed lacking. She was looking for a house in good repair sitting on its own acreage. She has, after all, seven dogs, a cat, eight rabbits and is unable to move into an urban setting with all these animals. In any event, she has found herself to be drawn to country living, despite the long commutes which can be truly miserable in inclement weather of which we have more than plenty in the winter months.
She would reel from one experience to another in her search, hitherto futile. Her good friend Michelle finally forwarded an email containing 9 potential properties on the market - all located in the far west end, where Michelle herself had just finished building a home of her own. Michelle, who besides being her best friend is also her employer, and she has no problem with cash flow, is very comfortably well off. Not so our daughter who is awaiting the results of the Family Court settlement which would see her compensated to the tune of $27,500. to enable her to purchase a home. The fact is all of the properties that Michelle had sent to her to peruse were superior indeed. They were also priced on the average of $20,000 to $40,000 more than our daughter had been looking for.
Of this lot, although she appreciated the fact that these properties were far better than those she had up to now seen, there was one house and property that stood out for her.
This was her dream home. This was a story and a half log home built in 1868, set on its own six acres of Canadian shield. It is embraced by geologic scenery that would gladden the heart of any land-loving Canadian, close to White Lake, an area beloved of summer tourists as a gateway to relaxed fishing and woodland hikes. A perfect spot for someone who loves the out-of-doors and animals. She has seen photographs of deer coming right up to the living room windows. Mind, as an avid gardener that may pose somewhat of a problem for her as well, but given the presence of her seven dogs, the deer may wisely prefer to browse elsewhere.
Ah, the house. Well, for a dwelling having seen more than a century and a half of history pass it by, it is in remarkably good condition. Better than that, it is in excellent shape, inside and out. The main house has a large living room, large kitchen, bathroom, study and small bedroom. The second story has a very large bedroom and bathroom with original fixtures. There is a recently constructed fully enclosed breezeway which is used also as a family room. Connected to the breezeway is a 'guest cottage' with bedroom and a small balcony, full bathroom, den, small kitchen, rendering it a separate and fully functional unit. The roof was recently replaced, as was the hot water tank; electricals upgraded as well as plumbing. This has been a much cherished home to many who have, over the years, considered it their special piece of heaven on earth. There is also a large two-car garage and workshop as a separate building, recently built, alongside the main house.
Mature trees sit close by, as does a secondary road leading, in a ten-minute drive to a recently-opened four-lane main highway to bring her as expeditiously as possible into the city core where she works. An elementary school whose web site we've visited is a ten-minute drive from the house, as is a day care whose operators walk their charges to and from school.
A small refrigerator and microwave will remain in the tiny kitchen of the guest cottage. A small freezer, small dishwasher, stove top, convection/microwave oven stays in the main kitchen. A set of stackable washer and drier machines also remain with the house.
Our daughter was immediately drawn to this house and property, much as she withdrew her interest just as immediately from the houses she had previously been shown. Without hesitation she appeared to know that this would be where she would begin a new and infinitely more promising phase of her life.
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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