Time for a Real-i-ty check

See what I did there? So reality has been setting in and it's time for me to face realty facts. The first, we may not be able to sell our house in the next 4 years *our  neighborhood is in a ridiculously low price range* so selling at a profit is laughable and second fact, even if we were able to sell *by some miracle* my dream house may not be for sale. So faced with these unwanted truths, I need to come up with a serious game plan. Four and a half years isn't that much time in California real estate. When we started looking to buy *way back in 2005* we spent every weekend *and some Thursday evenings* for a year and a half at open houses. By the height of the cuuurazy housing bubble, we were putting in offers on houses sight unseen and even considering 1 bedroom/1 bath just to get into our desired neighborhood *back then we wanted Eagle Rock*. That was the old days, the sensationalism is now gone, people are taking their time, loans are harder *close to impossible* to get. We are stuck smack dab in the middle, too poor to be rich and too rich to be poor. I keep hearing my Mom's voice in the back of my head telling us to wait to buy. Well if it were up to her, we would have built our own mini-estate on her 10 acres *complete with pool* in Apple Valley yet she still isn't convinced that Antz 4 hour daily commute isn't fathomable. The neighborhood I want to move to has pros & cons, even if we were in a position to buy, I only have eyes for my lovely Glenmanor house

Although I would have to get a red door *Chinese tradition says red doors bring prosperity & luck*

I really wouldn't want to even live in Atwater Village unless I bought that house *the brat in me is alive and well* Everyone keeps telling me I'll find another house that is better but I have done my research, there are very few houses that have all the amenities I am looking for.

Glenmanor House Pros:

LOCATION - not only in North Atwater Village *the area with less crime and nicer homes*, but 1 block walking distance to Glendale Blvd shops, in close enough walking distance to Los Feliz shops, far enough from heavy traffic, sweet area full of families *we have walked there often and met rad, friendly people like us!* In the vicinity of Griffith Park, great schools *Camelot Kids Preschool* and less than 10 minutes to Antz job. Yet it's still close to all our regular places *Fresh & Easy, In & Out, we already know a couple who live in the neighborhood, the Americana & less than 20 minute drive to Olivia's future elementary school* That has me sold already!!

1920's Spanish style - Although I am more of a Craftsman bungalow type girl, this Spanish has the most unique features,

the fireplace is super awesome *and it works*

I love the 2-story bathroom

Rumor has it, an architect once owned the house and added the 2nd story in the bathroom because there was a lack of natural light.

I love the arches and Moorish details

Not a fan of the previous owner's furniture but I could see our style fitting cohesively with the house

This huge arched window in the living room

Formal dining room *yet open to the living room* so I can complete #6 on my list.

Small yet perfect for me *the non-cook* kitchen with eat-in nook. I LOVE the retro stove and I've always wanted a dutch door!!

Although I admit, this is more like my dream kitchen!!

It's an older home *which gives it room for small projects to tackle*  but has all the modern conveniences. It has room for improvement but we won't have to sink our money into big structural *not fun* projects. Besides paint and window treatments, it's move in ready! So many sweet features make this house my absolute favorite!

SECORE/PRIVACY - After spending the last 4 years in a secluded property *well at least in our backyard* I must have a private living space. This house already has an alarm and although the fence needs replacing in the front yard, it's gated. Our old apartment's balcony faced 3 other apartments and it was awkward sitting out there with 3 other people staring at you. The backyard has total privacy and high trees and bushes to keep the looky-loo's at bay. As well as, a locked front gate to stop the unwanted solicitors.

GUEST HOUSE - I used to think a guest house is unnecessary but this is a total bonus. With my Mom/Mom-in-law, Best friend, and friends who tend to get drunk and are unable to drive home, this has become a must. I also like the idea of having an entertaining space that won't wreck our house *as well as guests not using our bathroom, yecch* When we visit our friend Keith's to go swimming, I always feel weird using his *very manly* shower so I always fantasized about having the perfect guest bathroom, with tons of towels, guest toiletries and a dryer right there to throw their wet bathing suits in.

2 BEDROOMS/DEN - Since our family is now VERY complete, I know how much space we will need. I know we have 2 bedrooms now but Antz lost his separate office and I never really ever had an office space *I have a tiny desk in our bedroom that doesn't even have enough room for a chair* of my own so I roam around the house on my laptop. I would love a den that would serve as our family multi-purpose room *both our offices, our TV room and a casual hangout room* I love the layout, it's perfect for our needs.

POOL/OASIS BACKYARD - I grew up swimming everyday. I need to be in the water. I want to teach Olivia to swim like a fish. Not having a pool in California is like not having air conditioning in Las Vegas. I have searched every single house *thanks to Google Maps* in Atwater Village and of the 6 or so that have inground swimming pools, this house is the only one that has all the requirements fit. There was a pool house a few blocks from Glenmanor for sale but it was much smaller, didn't have a guest house, traditional style *yawn boring*  the backyard didn't have any grass *all concrete is lame* and no privacy. I even considered scheduling an appt. just to see it but Antz and I walked past it one evening and saw the condition of the house and the street it was on and were totally turned off. Now look at this beauty...

I LOVE that the previous owner had a sanctuary area *sooo something I would do* and although there is more plants than I would care to have, it felt very tranquil. That is something I haven't found in other houses. Although our house has beautiful 180 views, you have to look past the dozens of rooftops and crappy surrounding houses. It may be worth not having the hillside views to not hear my *eye roll* neighbors.

LOVE the outdoor fireplace, perfect for s'mores!!

Well, believe it or not, there are some Cons to consider.

Sustainability of the neighborhood - I worry that the recession will continue to force all the Mom & Pop shops to close on Glendale Blvd which would negate the charm about Atwater that we love. So many of my favorite shops *Coldstone Creamery {which I know isn't a M&P but I love their ice cream} Black Maria Gallery, Amelia Fitzwater {cutesy shop} and All Aboard boutique* have already closed which sucks. There still is a strong community energy that we don't have in Highland Park. People actually smile and say "hi" when you walk past them. There are community activities *an active Neighborhood Council, Atwater Summer Nights, Trick or Treating, Christmas Tree Lighting and Movies in the Park* besides crappy garage sales and taco trucks *that Highland Park is famous for*. As you saw last week, even celebs frequent the area and I have read that Canele is owned by a celeb's wife.

CRIME - No matter where you go, it's still LA, there is still crime/homelessness. Antz and I have spent alot of time in the area and have always felt comfortable walking around *particularly past dark* but there is the seedy area near the LA river that bothers me. I have read about homicides, burglary, cars being broken into or windows being smashed and there's a paint your curb scheme constantly happening. It's less crime than Highland Park *known for it's gangs and graffiti* but enough to keep the doors locked and the alarm set.

NO GARAGE - I have been spoiled having my garage at this house, as little as I use it * I just shuttle in and out of my car and occasionally take out the garbage* not having a garage to park my car sounds tragic. I have a solution to this problem but it would take space away in the backyard that I wanted to use to set up a play area for Olivia.

Use this grassy corner

To build a 10 x 10 Modern Shed in the backyard corner

We need the storage and ideally a space for home improvement projects. Antz has always parked on the street so I would park my car in the driveway. It's all about compromise!

BATHROOM/TINY CLOSETS - Currently, the house has only 1 bathroom. I vowed to never live with one bathroom again. Liv will one day need her own bathroom, and I would love a 2 sink master bathroom. The bright side is, we could add a guest bathroom to the guest house. The not-so-bright side is who wants to go to the guest house to take a shower? That leads me to the small closet space problem. I have monopolized our bedroom closet *I swear, I do not have that many clothes* so Antz has been using the office closet* well, now that we have an addition to our clan, he is now sharing the tiny closet with his daughter. In the near future, that will no longer be an option and Antz will have to keep his clothes in the backyard. The Glenmanor house has even smaller closets *love how economical those folks in the 20's were* BOO!

so despite having the closets outfitted by Easy Closets and condensing our wardrobes to the bare minimum, I will be pretty miserable with the closet space and storage. We are bursting at the seams now, I can't imagine not having more closet space in our future home. I have always envisioned an adorable closet like this one

PRICE - Bah, this one grumps me out. It always boils down to money. I can rationalize till the cows come home but the fact is, I don't know if *who am I kidding, I know* we can afford this house. Purchasing this house was a breeze, we had a good mortgage broker, we had pre-approval, drama-free closing and we were able to negotiate *thanks to our wonderful agent* so we got money back at escrow. Time's they are a' changing! Even if, we sold *which I have no clue how that can happen* we would have to sell at a loss which leave no profit to use as a *giant* 10% down payment. And even if, the Glenmanor house was for sale Zillow is *zestimating* the value at $823k. It is literally is the most expensive house on the block. We would have to be able to afford that price range *and getting a 30 year fixed mortgage today is near impossible* and the way things are going *Olivia's school tuition/my travel plans* we can't afford it! I know what's in my heart and I know this house is in my heart. I am used to challenges and making things happen. I am completely clueless how I can make this happen. I am beyond grateful that we have our modest house. I am beyond happy my hubby has an awesome job that provides us the luxury of me being able to stay at home and take care of Liv. I am so counting my blessings that we are happy and have more than we need. I just want to provide Liv with a safe environment that allows her to have a rad childhood. I don't see that happening here. There are no parks I would take her to around here. I can't take evening walks with her around this area *so not safe and full of barking guard dogs* and we spend so much of our time in Atwater Village that I feel like such a poser, why can't I make this work??!!