We’ve been casually house hunting for a few weeks now—driving through different neighborhoods, scrolling MLS photos, and popping into a few open houses here and there—and we’re finally getting around to sharing the experience. Between frantically cleaning our own house and scheduling showings, it’s been easy to let writing about the hunt slide. But the search has been fun, and we want to document it.
Part of our delay was deciding how best to share this journey. We’d love to show every nook and cranny, but we also want to respect sellers’ privacy. Unlike TV shows where homeowners agree to public scrutiny, most sellers here haven’t consented to having their homes publicly dissected. So, rather than posting full interiors, we decided to share a slightly edited exterior photo and an honest description of each home’s pros and cons, along with our thoughts on whether it would be a good fit for our family.
With that in mind, here’s the first home we toured—what we affectionately called “The Cottage in the Woods.” We stumbled across it while exploring a nearby neighborhood and instantly fell for the exterior. It felt enchanted from the street—so charming that we were almost giddy before we even stepped inside.
THE STATS:
- Year built: 1953
- House size: 1,905 square feet
- Lot size: 1.4 acres
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2
THE PROS:
- Classic, modest home that would benefit from some thoughtful TLC
- Extremely private lot surrounded by trees—drive about 150 feet through the woods before you reach the house
- Located in a strong neighborhood with good schools
- Open living and dining areas that feel welcoming
THE CONS:
- No en-suite bathroom
- Small, cramped kitchen—roughly half the size of our current kitchen—with little opportunity to expand
- Two bedrooms on the main level and one in the basement
- Basement ceiling is very low—so low you have to duck in places
Although the exterior charm had us smitten, the interior layout wasn’t aligned with how we live. We love airy, open-plan spaces and enjoy opening up walls when it makes sense, but this house’s layout felt too compartmentalized for the kinds of changes we’d want to make. The bedroom-in-the-basement setup was especially problematic: the low ceiling and the presence of a dehumidifier made it feel less like a comfortable sleeping space and more like a converted storage area. We’d prefer all bedrooms to be on or above grade and closer together so we can be nearby Clara and any future children during those early years.
All things considered, this home felt like a step toward compromising on things that matter to us—so we decided to pass. It was a little disappointing to let go of the idea of living in our own secluded cottage in the woods, but practical priorities won out. Still, it was a lovely stop on the tour and confirmed some of our must-haves for future showings.
Altered exterior photo taken by us and edited using photo software.
P.S. We’re also gearing up for an upcoming TV appearance on The Nate Show this coming Monday the 25th—fingers crossed we don’t look like starstruck nerds on camera.