Reason #3: OMG, WOAH!

So this was supposed to be a blog entry all into itself. OMG, WOAH! As of July 14, we’ve become homeowners (OMG, WOAH = Oh My Goodness, We Own A House!). Taking advantage of the VA home loan program, and unbelievably low mortgage rates, we found a 5 BR (although we consider one of the rooms more of a den/family room), 3 Bath house in the Falls Church part of Fairfax, just inside the beltway. The house is B-E-A-UTIFUL, and full of updates. It started life in 1950 as a post-war 3 BR/1 Bath rambler. The previous owner bought it almost 20 years ago, and taught himself to do all sorts of updates. He redid the floorplan of the original house (there’s only one room from the original floorplan that hasn’t been touched), moved the door, pushed out the back, and added a second floor. When he pushed out back, he moved the kitchen and put in granite countertops and a Viking professional range.
We have ideas on what we want to do with the house to make it even more ours. When we walked in the first time, we agreed with our realtor’s comment that the renovations were well done, but lacked imagination. Externally, the front of the house has a long, high, unbroken roof that doesn’t help the curb appeal. We’ve got several thoughts, including adding double dormers, a single large dormer, and a standing seam (metal) roof. Internally, we want to rip out two walls – one that separates the small dining room from the living room, and one to create a hallway between the kitchen and the 5th bedroom (the one that would be an excellent family room), where there is currently a large closet.
You’re probably asking, as so many have, “Why buy now, when you’re leaving? What are you going to do with it while you’re gone?” Well, I think I already answered the first – the market and interest rates were right, we were still eligible for the 8k tax credit, and we had to seize the opportunity. As for the second, well, we’ve got renters! Surprisingly, the renters will cover a good chunk of our mortgage. The best part: we’re able to do this on my overseas salary alone, so anything Katie earns, or any raises I get (including for serving in DC), enables us to enjoy the house and area even more.
There are some pictures in the gallery, but the best way to see the house is to visit when we’re back in the area.