Whether or not you are thinking about, or in the midst of a home renovation project, or thinking of moving or buying a home, it will most likely be something you are faced with at one point in your life. We thought it’d be a nice idea to share with our clients, business affiliates, friends, family, and followers a deeper, more personal look into taking on these daunting endeavors. This won’t make the decision process any easier (or cheaper), but it will hopefully help to ease your mind a bit!
Michael Leonard and Alexandra Long are both natives to the Annapolis area. Coincidentally, both were born in the Downtown Annapolis Hospital, just a few years apart. Michael attended Broadneck Elementary, Magothy Middle, and Broadneck High School. While Alex spent her first years of growing up in Germany, she moved back to the area at the age of 4 and went to Chesapeake Academy, Severn School, and Severna Park High School. They had been living in a two story condo in Annapolis for a couple years now, but upon their recent engagement, decided to take the journey into buying a house, and turning it into their home.
Some of the “must-haves” in purchasing a home were: close to Annapolis; in the Broadneck school district; privacy from neighbors; updated cook’s kitchen; closet space; garage; basement; wood floors; open-concept; a good community; and an older home with character. Some of the things they knew they didn’t want were a cookie-cutter new build; a compartmentalized feel; being able to see into the neighbors windows; carpet; and well water.
Mike and Alex conducted a casual search for a house for about 12 months, attending open houses or having their realtor take them see some local listings, totaling about 8-10 houses before finding “the one”. The major selling points on the house they chose were the location and community, and the fact that they could see themselves living there. Although the house did not meet all of their “must-haves”, they were able to recognize the huge potential and opportunity to make it their own.
The home was built in 1963 and hadn’t had any major renovations done, so the couple knew that before moving in, the kitchen and bathrooms would have to be gutted. In order to achieve the open concept feel, they would have to tear down all the walls between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The bathrooms were still stuck in the 60’s and needed to be brought up to date, and into their style. With the lower sale price of the home, they were able to afford the upgrades.
Check in next week for how Mike and Alex began the design process!