I finally find my new house — now to adjust to having people instead of cows for neighbours
Freelance writer Carola Vyhnak is leaving her four-acre country home north of Cobourg for a smaller place in a nearby town. In the fifth instalment of her diary on her downsizing journey, she writes about her recent purchase.
It's curtains for those lace drapes in the living room. And the backyard needs work if it's to become my urban oasis. But otherwise, the house I just bought is damn near perfect.
Big windows, thoughtfully designed and move-in ready: it has everything I need and want to enjoy this next chapter of my life.
It took weeks of searching to land the well-maintained 20-year-old brick bungalow. And I had to travel 50 kilometres east of my first-choice town to find something decent and affordable.
But mercifully, I escaped the bidding wars that have plagued buyers in recent months. The house had been listed for four days when I submitted an offer for 98 per cent of the asking price with a condition for a home inspection.
But with news of a last-minute offer from another buyer, I boosted mine to 0.75 per cent over asking and removed the condition. The sellers accepted. (I'll have an inspection done after closing, in case there are any issues or imminent repairs I need to know about.)
With far less outside property to look after, it's still a spacious house, with six rooms plus a newly renovated basement suite - ideal for a family member or tenant down the road. Based on other homes I looked at, I'm guessing a comparable property in Cobourg would have cost at least $100,000 more. And in Toronto, about 90 minutes away on westbound 401? Well, the price for a turnkey house on a 132-foot-deep lot would be through the roof.
But there are trade-offs, as expected, and adjustments to new surroundings - the price of being closer to urban services and amenities. After almost 20 years of cricket lullabies and birdsong wake-up calls, the location near a busy-ish street will take some getting used to.
And the unfettered woods and fields and wild critters of country life are about to be replaced by a fenced-in backyard with a handful of mature trees and a squirrel or two.
But there are nearby nature and waterfront trails, big parks and room to roam in this community in Quinte West, midway between Brighton and Belleville.
Anxiety over uprooting is far from over, however.
Moving is very emotional, (involving) a lot of decisions," said Aaron Parker, who stickhandles the process professionally.
It becomes even more stressful if you have a lot of stuff, don't start early or don't understand how much work it is, explains the founder and CEO of Parker's Moving, based in the GTA.
Summer is the busiest season, continuing into September, he said, noting his clients typically book at least four to six weeks ahead. And peak demand is during the first and last few days of the month, he added.
Parker, who got into the moving business because he loves real estate and people," suggests asking friends, Facebook groups or your real estate agent for moving company recommendations.
He also advises having movers do a virtual walk-through or in-person visit for their quote, which may be based on several factors including distance, time and number of workers.
Part of my pre-move plans include shopping for window coverings for my new home. Those delicate lace drapes won't cut it when bovine neighbours are replaced by the two-legged kind.
Next: The close-up
Carola Vyhnak is a Cobourg-based writer covering personal finance, home and real-estate stories. She is a contributor for the Star. Reach her via email: cvyhnak@gmail.com