Home Found

      Now a big life update and another explanation for my blog absence. I toured a few homes with my son in mid April. He wanted me with as he's not really lived in Minnesota (before coming back) since he was 19 and he's never owned a home. After a winter of snow, a spring so far of cold, and rain, and employment opportunities that require flexibility, he shifted his search to low maintenance living. 

     He almost put an offer on a beautiful condo with all his buttons checked just across the main road from my neighborhood. He paused though, realizing he doesn't want to settle down in our town but rather move to one of the twin cities. I'm much less familiar with Minneapolis but aware areas he'd probably like were a tad out of his price point. I know St Paul pretty well so was of more help. We proceeded to tour a few condos in St. Paul. A great two bedroom, two bath, while needing updates, was a top contender. Still, something was missing though location wise. While technically in the city, it was right on the border, so a more suburban feel. He really wanted a walkable urban feel.

     This meant compromises would be necessary. He'd have to give up square feet. Getting an actual garage was going to push his budget or crush it completely. A must was to have a designated off street parking space, so on that he wouldn't compromise. Minnesota winters are a nightmare for street parking in urban areas. Studios were also a no go, but he was willing to look at one bedrooms, if the rooms had enough size to fit in a work and work out area, and of course, room for his cats.

    The stars aligned and he found a perfect place thanks to someone that relocated. They've been trying to sell since fall, pulled the listing for an unknown reason, then started again in March. We have no idea why it wasn't selling. Perhaps the appearance on Google maps that it's closer to the freeway than it actually is deceived potential buyers from even looking. There's only one parking spot, so a negative to couples possibly, though it's near a major bus line. It's in the "garden level" aka, down a half flight, but windows are plenty, big, and usher in a lot of light, and we toured on a gray rainy day. The rooms are plenty big for his needs. Someone's loss is his gain.

    The condo sits in a well cared for, by building owners association members, not a corporate HOA, 1925 brownstone in a desirable neighborhood, just a jump from one of the most popular streets in St Paul. Think coffee houses, bakeries, pubs, diverse restaurants, and unique shopping just footsteps away. In fact, his yoga studio has a location just 1.1 mile west on the same street, which for a healthy active man, that's nothing. It's turn key meticulous with hardwood floors, craftsman features with original woodwork, and a wonderful outdoor communal patio complete with a garden, fire pit, and shared grill, almost like a private park. The inspection went well, though some minor work in the bathroom by a licensed plumber, at sellers expense, was added and accepted to the purchase agreement. The current owner has to make arrangements for the plumber and do a final clear out so date is not finalized for closing, but will be soon.

    He may purchase a few pieces from her and she's preparing a price list for things she'd prefer to just sell than move. He needs furniture, as he sold his when he moved from Los Angelos, but is still debating what pieces he'd be interested in, as she's a bit more chic as opposed to comfort in her decorating style, and he'll want a super comfortable couch. Once closing is done, he'll do a slow move in, leaving cats at my house through his busy summer for jobs but also his time at the lake cabins (there's a build project on the small cabin he's going to be managing for the family). He didn't want to pack them up each weekend when he's gone. After labor day, he won't have entire weekends tied up so they can get acclimated to their new home.

Kitties will feel at home
in no time at all.

      It's going to be his home, but the condo's an investment opportunity. Should he get a permanent job ( he's freelance and gig employed now) and needs to relocate, his sister easily could live there or he could rent to someone else. To be honest, its a sweet space I wouldn't be opposed to live in when I decide to downsize. I couldn't be more excited for him. He's had a pretty hard time the last six years with the television and film industry shut down during early covid, back to back industry strikes, and of course, losing his dad so unexpectedly. It wasn't an ideal situation  to move back to Minnesota. I've appreciated the time with him and know he did what made sense, even if getting settled took longer than originally planned. I see bright opportunities ahead as he builds his Minnesota life after its felt like it's been on a pause.