This Idea is Just Crazy Enough to Work!

December - 2009

Staunton, VA

I think I need to start this blog with a little explaining about Katie and myself. You see Katie and I definitely live on a whim, in the past year leading up to our current change we have lived in three different locations (so we are not afraid to pack up and move). Our plan was to be in Atlanta someday (more to come on that story later). Well I decided to throw a wrench into our fabulously, laid-out plan. I decided to apply for a job in Staunton, VA. Now I will understand if you are asking, "what the heck were you thinking Ty?" Well you see my dream job was to be an Executive Director of a Boys & Girls Club of my own, so it kind of made sense, to me. So to make a long story short, I was offered said job and now we find ourselves looking for a place in Staunton, VA. 

We first began our search for properties in Staunton while we were in a hotel in Atlanta, believe it or not. During this search I came across a loft in downtown (my dream). Katie tells me to call the agent and try to set something up for the following week, now introduce Judy Armstrong, real-estate extraordinaire. So I call Judy and ask her about the loft in downtown that is on Frederick for $169,000. As I am speaking with her she is confused and says, "the property on Frederick is only $57,000." After a little back-and-forth we figure out the problem. The listing that I saw was old, however the property behind it was available, but it was a rehab. A rehab is exactly what I was looking for, and $57,000 seems much more reasonable as a rehab than $169,000. So we set up an appointment for the following Saturday to view several properties in the area. So I proceeded to give her our requirements, or thoughts on types of properties we had in mind, including our price range. 

Saturday the following week.......

So Katie and I proceed to Staunton to view all the properties that Judy (Super-Agent) has picked out for us to see. When we arrive we head straight to the rehab property, if you don't have vision you should probably stop reading my Blog NOW.......................!!!!!

Okay this is for those of you who can see potential in things that aren's so pretty, and see that hidden beauty. My guess is you have probably watched HGTV a time or two, here is the property:

(Front Entrance)

(1st Floor)

(2nd Floor)

When we pulled up, I knew this was the property I wanted. I had to figure out how to convince Katie. I also knew I was finished looking at properties in Staunton, this was the one. When we went inside I got even more excited because their really wasn't an interior, just 4 brick walls and a ceiling (well there was also a lot of junk that was stored on the inside as well). 

Katie as usual was skeptical of my decision, but I knew I could sell her on this one. You see her problem with it was not the rehab aspect, but instead it was the size of the structure. Another thing you need to know about Katie is that she always says she wants a small house. Me, I am the opposite, I prefer a little bit bigger with a basement, unless......unless it is a loft (which should be the only property that is small, that and an Airstream. Check out aluminumbliss.com for a cool life inside an airstream) Anyways, I knew this would be the easiest convert I would have to do with Katie, our friend Judy helped in this conversion by showing us such "amazing" properties.

So after touring the property and talking about how we would potentially layout the space, we continued on our home tour with Super-Agent Judy Armstrong.  Now if you remember, a few paragraphs ago I told you that we gave Judy some stipulations as to what kind of property we were looking for, as well as the price range. So let me tell you what those stipulations were:

1. We would like to be in downtown.
2. We would like for it to be a fixer-upper. 
3. We would like it to be under $200,000.
4. We also said no Ranchers (I think she actually heard this one)
5. We would also like an "Open Concept"

So the first house we go to is a house that was recently renovated and $269,000. It was in downtown so she got number 1, and it wasn't a ranch, #4. So we go inside to entertain Judy and go through the motions. The house was nice enough, it had a small kitchen, and it wasn't very open (another miss, #5). So we made it through this house quickly and we were off to the next one. 

At the next house we pull up, again, a newly renovated #2 (miss), $280,000 #3 (miss), oh and this one was right outside of downtown (an area that is up and coming) no soup, #1 (miss). So we go inside, sure it was renovated, back to the "70s, so again a quick visit, but hey at least she got #4 again (she is consistent). 

So there are several more properties that we see, all are out of our price range #3, all have already been "fixed up" #2, and one even had a bunch of cats (not one of our criteria, but I think I will add it now #6 no cats). I stated earlier I was finished looking after the first property. So after many unsuccessful property visits we decide to go to lunch, but before we went Judy had one more surprise for us. I have to admit we kind of got excited. 

So when we arrive at the "surprise" we were floored, I hit Katie a few times to indicate that this lady must be nuts. Anyways, Judy decided to take us to a property that was not actually a property for us to live in, rather an income producing property that was completely full with tenants. Again recall the list of stipulations.......You're right income property was not on that list. So we said we did not want to even go inside, as we were not looking for a property like that. She calmly stated, "You're missing a great opportunity". 

So we had a long day of looking at nonsense, but discovered a property that could be our potential home. I believe Katie would say the best part of that day was that we got to eat at Baja Bean, I cannot lie I enjoyed that part as well.