Apr 29, 2013

The Wandering House Hunters: House 3 - Ann Arbor, MI. - April 2013

Welcome back, I'm about to take you through house # 3 but if you want to refresh your memory here are links to:
and 

A2 Fairy Doors

As promised, let me tell you, or better yet show you why E is so excited to move to "Mush-Again".
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According to Wikipedia - Ann Arbor Fairy Doors, The Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor, MI are a series of small doors that are a type of installation art found only in Ann Arbor, MI. The first one appeared in the baseboards of the home of Jonathan and Kathleen Wright in 1993. Subsequently, several others were discovered in their home; in the fireplace surround and two in the kitchen.

"On April 7, 2005 the first fairy door to be seen in public was on the exterior of Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea. Since then, ten more have shown up around Ann Arbor (as well as a "goblin door" parody).  As of August 2012, of the original ten public Ann Arbor fairy doors, seven still exist in and around the downtown Ann Arbor area".

There is an entire website, Urban Farries Operations dedicated to tracking and documenting the appearance, movement, and vanishing of these very special doors.

Some doors Open
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Some remain closed and you can just peek inside


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Some are tiny versions of human doors 

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I've heard from my sister and several close friends that moving is incredibly hard on little kids.  Our friend Stephanie sent E the Urban Fairies Book, and we're already talking about what door we want to find first.  My hope is that the excitement of these little fairy doors will help our little lady transition and make the next chapter just a little bit easier and more fun.


Now from fairy hunting to house hunting!


Don't forget - Our Wishlist
3 Beds, 2 Baths, allows cats, covered parking, dishwasher, washer/dryer, yard, and good size living space for inside play on cold days.

House #3:
3 Beds, 2 Full & 2 Half Baths, Cat friendly 2,100 sq. ft
Split level (or tri-level) home in quiet town ship outside of Ann Arbor city limits. About 15 miles from the Hubs work (30 min commute time). Two car garage, HUGE front and back yard, All lawn care and snow removal is our responsibility. Unfinished, dry, well lit basement. Well water & septic system.  The price is at the top end of our range.

Main Floor: Entry, Living Room, Large Eat In Kitchen, Powder Room, Garage

Living Room (1)
(Again E is LOVING the toys)

Eat In Kitchen (1) - Only "dining" space in the house. Sliding door goes to back deck

Kitchen (2) - Doors in the back corner are pantry, coat closet, garage entry, and powder room.

Garage

Kitchen (3)

Back Deck - You can't really tell from this photo but the yards, front and back, are HUMONGOUS!!!

Main floor Powder Room


Lower Level: Family Room, Laundry Room, Unfinished Dry, well lit Basement, Powder Room



Stairs to Lower Level

Lower Level Family Room

Lower Level Laundry Room
(This washer and dryer are A LITTLE OLD... Don't you think?!!!)

Upper Level: 2 Bedrooms, Main Bath, Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom

Stairs to Upper Level - Doors Left to Right: Linen Closet, (Bedroom 3, & Bedroom 2 are just out of sight to the left), Master Bedroom and Main Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom (1)

Master Bathroom (2)

Main Bathroom (1)

Main Bathroom (2)

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 2 - Closet

Bedroom 3 (1)

Bedroom 3 (2)

Bedroom 3 (3) 

I need to say half the reason I LOVE this house is how well it is staged. The Realtor made a point to tell us that lighting fixtures and curtains were not included and would be replaced with standard fixtures and mini blinds. The big question is, with all that lawn and a pretty long commute to work, bible study, playgroup, church, grocery, etc. is this house just too much for us to take on for just 15 months? In the comments below, let me know what you think of house #3.

Tomorrow the 4th and final house on our hunt and a pizza dinner that is definitely worth repeating!  Then Wednesday is the BIG DECISION!!!

WHAT HOUSE DID WE CHOOSE???
House # 1: The "Petite White House"
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House # 2 and some Ann Arbor FUN!!!
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House #4 and Ann Arbor Fun with Friends

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Apr 25, 2013

The Wandering House Hunters: House 2 - Ann Arbor, MI. - April 2013

Welcome back, if you're just joining us on our house hunt you can click HERE to check out House #1, the "Petite White House"

It was raining the entire time we were in Ann Arbor so all of our touristing (is that a word) was done from inside the car.  We did drive right by the U of Michigan stadium...
It made me miss this BIG ORANGE COUNTRY even more...
But all that for another day... Right? =)

Back to The Hunt!
Don't forget - Our Wishlist
3 Beds, 2 Baths, allows cats, covered parking, dishwasher, washer/dryer, yard, and good size living space for inside play on cold days.


House #2
3 Beds, 2&1/2 Baths, 100% pet friendly 1500 sq. ft
Two story end unit town home in quiet, desirable neighborhood. Four miles from the Hub's work. No covered parking.  All lawn care and snow removal is promptly handled by condo association. Unfinished, dry, well lit, basement. The price is at the bottom end of our range.


First Floor: Living room, Dining Room, Kitchen and Powder Room

Dining room (1)

Dining Room (2) - Patio and yard are outside the sliding glass door.

Patio and Yard

Kitchen (1)

Kitchen 2

Living Room (1)

Entry - Left to right: Living Room, Stairs to second floor, Coat Closet, Dining room. The kitchen, powder room. and front door are just beyond the frame.

Powder Room (1)

Powder Room (2)

Stairs to basement


Second Floor: 3 bedrooms, Main Bathroom, Master Bath
Upstairs hall (1) - Left to Right: stairs, bedroom 3, Bedroom 2, main bathroom. The master bedroom is behind the camera and there is a large linen closet to the left.

Upstairs hall (2) - Left to Right: Main Bathroom, Master bedroom, Large Linen Closet

Linen Closet

Bedroom 2 (1)
(E was a fan of all the toys)
Bedroom 2 (2)

Main Bath (1)

Main Bath (2)

Main Bath (3)

Bedroom 3 (1)

Bedroom 3 (2)

Master Bath

Master Bedroom (1)

Master Bedroom (2)

Master Closet

(MJ is enjoying taking the tour)

Basement

Laundry

Front Yard

Back Yard

A little more colorful! YEAH!  What did you think of that bathroom and kitchen color?  Let me know in the comments below what you like and don't like?

Tune in tomorrow for House number 3 and learn a little more about the Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor.  I believe they are the ONLY reason E wants to move to "MUSH-AGAIN".

House #1 The Petite White House
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TIll next time,
Bon Voyage!