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Our First Home |
But, as people do, we came to want more: a little bit more room--primarily, we wanted the girls to have their own rooms--and when we considered the renovations that we wanted to do (and those that we needed to do) it started to feel impossible. All of our equity was tied up in the house, which was substantial since we bought the house when we were babies and the neighborhood (Cleveland Park) was still considered "dangerous" (read: mostly African Americans lived there). At the time, we lived directly across the street from a halfway house, and one of its residents would stand on the sidewalk out front like it was his job, shuffling from one foot to the other, making eye contact with nothing and everything. People made sure to lock their car doors when they came to our house, and they would even do that annoying thing where they double and triple check that it's locked with their key fobs. It was like, Jesus Christ, we get it. We were thrilled to be living there. We felt like children who had been given the keys to their parents' house for the weekend, except it was a weekend that never ended.
We lived there for eight years and put it on the market in October 2015. Within a week it sold sight unseen, for above our asking price, to a couple from New York. The real estate market in Nashville is no joke, so this is more common than you'd think.
We loved you, old house. We're so sorry. I hope one day you can forgive us. Goodbye. (But not really because you know I'll be driving by you again next week.)
Ellen--so happy you are blogging again! Your old house was gorgeous and you put so much work into it. I would feel sad, too.
ReplyDeleteEllen, remember when they posted your realtor photos on AirB&B, before the minimalist makeover? Ugh. This post is a beautiful love letter to your first home, and like you, I still drive by my old house up the block every now and then, and get the throat tickle too. SO HAPPY you're blogging again! Simone.
ReplyDeleteI feel, right now, like I did when I discovered "the Americans" - like 'How did I NOT know about this?" (Obviously there is no comparison with the show - just the event) I can imagine how heartsick you were - probably still are - about this travesty. Yes, it is their right, and yes, you sold it - but - is there no shame? Is it ALL about making a buck? Your home was beautiful and every inch resonated your love for her. I remember when I discovered new owners had turned my firstborns nursery - painstakingly wallpapered and painted in a yellow that took weeks to choose - and they made it a room - for their FERRETS!!!! Ugh. Keep marching forward. Don't look back. Thank God you have beautiful photos documenting it all when it was yours. and Merry Christmas!
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Love the whole feel of the home..it has a natural beauty.
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