I've wanted to shout these words from the rooftops for years and don't think I haven't tried. But, today, I get to shout it out.
We bought a fixer!
Over the last two to three years, I have written many offers. I liked the possibilities of some of those fixers, but none of them moved me. They mainly were transactional - a house to fix up and sell. So, I made reasonable offers, but I wouldn't budge on price, even when the market pressured me to compete. I remained steadfast and let them go. It was frustrating at the time, but now I understand why.
This fixer. This one. This home was waiting for me.
There have been so many dreams manifested in this home and so many little miracles that happened for me to acquire this home.
It was love at first sight when I pulled up to the home for the first time and saw the massive oak tree out front. When I walked up to the front door, it welcomed me by creating the perfect canopy to the front door. I've always dreamed of calling a large oak my own, and this oak is quite remarkable.
In 2015, I drafted home plans for the home I intended to build someday. In these plans, I drew a breezeway made of glass. I was enamored with the idea of a glass ceiling to see stars and glass walls to bring nature a little closer. When I walked through the front door for the first time, I saw through the living room to the greenhouse. Wouldn't you know it, glass walls and ceiling? My heart skipped a beat.
Years ago, I drafted a plan for a small housing development I envisioned building and living in with friends. In this, I planned a little forest of tall pine trees in between the homes and the recreation area. I'd often meditate and see myself walking through this forest, looking up to see flashes of sunlight coming through the tall trees. Interestingly enough, we now have three tall pine trees, another oak, and a few pepper trees in our new backyard. In the videos I've captured so far of the kids playing in the trees, you'll see the light shining through just as I envisioned.
I've always wanted to restore a historic home. Years ago, we owned an old craftsman built in 1910, but most of the restoration was completed before we bought it. Frankly, I pushed this dream to the bottom of the bucket list after having children until now.
This home, built in 1953, is rumored to have been constructed by the Borchard Family. I've seen some evidence of James Allen Borchard and Casper Borchard, Jr. signing easements to the old Lesser Water Company, and this house does sit on their old ranch land east of Wendy Drive.
Photo Donated by Fred Bartel. Photo ID # CTLbar02
This home is different from the Casa Conejo Homes that surround it, and when paying attention, you can see it once had 360 degrees views of the undeveloped land and Mount Boney surrounding it. Oh, if I could only go back in time... I look forward to diving into the history of this home.
Today, I am grateful. I shout underneath my giant oak, "We bought a fixer"! The perfect fixer for me.
We're living in it as we fix it, and I'm so happy we're doing it this way. It's quite an adventure. Stay tuned for how this home speaks to me, the music I hear at night, and how I truly believe this home is part of my destiny.
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