We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important Breaking News!
Mater and Paterfamilias have bought a new home. We will share more details with you as more information becomes available, but we have ascertained from a reliable, anonymous source that this city condo home not only offers a view, but also has a large patio (450 sf!!) with ample space for significant container gardening (i.e. small trees can be grown here) — and we understand there is a large fountain so the new owners may be somewhat reconciled to their lost proximity to that slightly larger body of water to the west. . . We are also trying to verify reports that there are numerous micro-breweries, great coffee hangouts, fabulous independent fashion retail shops, a number of good yoga studios, easy access to running and cycling trails as well as to public and rapid transit, and just possibly a grandchild or three very close by. . .
Mater would like it known that, since Pater was sleeping with his phone turned off at the furthest Eastern edge of the continent, she solo’d on the negotiations (she admits that she relied heavily on the guidance and communication skills the wonderful realtor who presented the offer and dealt with the “other side”). Pater did, she advises, wake up at 3:30 in the morning, his edge-of-the-country time, once he saw the text she sent excitedly at 10:30 (Pacific time) when the deal was finally signed.
We now return you to your regular program, It’s All About that Grey, wherein a woman of a certain age reveals the suspensful details of her journey to the (less) dark side. . .
Great news! But I'm confused. Have you bought it sight unseen?
No, sorry, Lucille. I'm being (or trying to be) playful here — trying to borrow that old TV trope and adopting the 3rd-party voice on a news commentator. In fact, Mater and Pater are just being a tiny bit cagey for the moment. . . 😉
Doh! Not the sharpest knife in the drawer this morning.
😉 No, it's my fault for goofing around.
Wow, that was fast! Will you be able to make a door-to-door move?
Sadly, no. Our completion isn't until the beginning of September. But this means we will be able to live a simpler life over the summer, with most of our belongings safely stored nearby — we won't be putting our little apartment in the city on the market yet and it's comfortable enough for three months.
Congratulations! That sounds wonderful. Can't wait to hear more.
thanks, Eleonore!
Hip hooray! And huzzah for good measure.
Always love a huzzah!
Oh oh oh!!!! This is astoundingly quick…what good fortune! (And, I am confident, astute action on your part.) Cannot wait to hear more…(a fountain!!!) 🙂
Yes, it is very quick — mind you, we did some preliminary looking back in November-December, so that we've already gone through at least 15 places. Only two others we liked as well (or possibly more?) but we weren't ready to buy when we saw them nor were we as certain about neighbourhood. — I know! A fountain! We Italy-lovers! 😉
Congratulations! Given our crazy real estate market in the Lower Mainland, that is an accomplishment! Waiting with baited breath for the details! (I'm guessing you might be in the Coal Harbour or Yaletown area?) Lyn
Thanks Lyn.
South Main. . .
Wonderful! A view, a patio to garden in (or not), trickling water, urban delights close at hand, and family close by. Sounds just about perfect. I'm amazed that you've accomplished this so quickly. You and Pater are quite the team!
I'm amazed as well, and crossing my fingers it all happens as planned and I'll be sitting on the terrace by my new fountain late this summer. . .
How exciting! Congratulations!
I am thinking the hip Commercial area or possibly False Creek?
Thanks, L.
Close. . . probably halfway between those two . . .
Hooray. What a relief. And what a negotiater that Mater turned out to be
She did well, if she does say so herself . . .;-)
Wow! Congratulations on a quick negotiation, by a very savvy, independent woman, I must add. It sounds perfect- an oasis in the city- best of both worlds and close to the kids and the grands! Who could ask for more! 👍💜 Jenn
Thanks, Jenn. I do think it will suit us well. Come visit!
Fantastic! So pleased for you. And the outside growing space!!!!
Thanks, Linda! Yes, that space was what drew me to this listing.
Congratulations! It sounds wonderful – the features that you spoke about anyway. What a relief to have your new home sorted out so quickly. Now you can relax and get on with your next phase of living.
I just realized that you said nothing about the interior, it was all about the outside features.
Thanks Northmoon. . . It's true although I hadn't realised I was keeping you all outside. . . I think I'm still feeling a bit protective — I'm turning our old home inside out, and without my shell, perhaps, wanting to keep the new to myself until I make it into a home. Or something like that. . . I'm sure I'll be spilling beans galore before long 😉
But to reassure: I do love the inside as well, although there are compromises we'll adjust to.
Wonderful news. Sounds like you are going to have the best of city living combined with green space. I look forward to hearing more soon. B xx
I think/hope so, B, thanks!
Great,great,great news!!! How exciting! Congratulations!!
I am so happy for you! You did it perfect!
I can tell, your new home ( +patio,wow !) would be fantastic place to live!
Dottoressa
Thanks Dottoressa, This one-step-at-a-time approach does seem to be working (although I wouldn't mind cheating with one big leap to September, all my new home arranged around me 😉
Congratulations. ..great news and so quickly!
Really happy for you both. Looking forward to reading the next installment 🙂
Are you cracking open the bubbly yet or waiting a while?
Rosie
Thanks, Rosie!
I've got a bottle ready for when Pater (finally!) gets back home 😉
Oh my, oh my, what a success and congratulations to the negotiator. So much happiness to have the uncertainty removed from your horizon…. I don’t know for you, but i know that for me, I would mean weeks of dreaming about moving in every night 🙂 Marie
Thanks Marie! Interestingly, although I would have expected dreams as well, so far I've zonked out so completely these last two nights, that I'm not conscious (ha) of any dreaming at all.
That is wonderful news. Hope things continue to run smoothly. All sounds fabulous. Mary
Thanks Mary!
Congratulations! It must be such a relief. It sounds wonderful.
I'm really relieved. Thank you! (I'm so glad you commented, and Anonymous is just fine, but do consider adding a name — could be a nickname/pseudonym — within your comment just so I get to know you a bit. But no pressure — happy to have you comment just as you've done.
How awesome! You see – when you're meant to find something, it finds you 🙂 Can't wait to hear more about it.
Yes, it worked! 😉
Congratulations! The large patio will be welcome especially if you can grow a significant number of plants, even trees! It's a tough market and you are obviously an able negotiator.
Thanks, Mme. I'm hoping we might be able to grow a few dwarf apple trees — I think the grandkids might enjoy that, but we'll have to see how much sun we get…
Hooray! That market, as Madame has said, is a tough one. So glad you were able to find something!
Thanks — I'm feeling very lucky!
Congratulations!!! It sounds like a fabulous new home.
I think it will be good — a big change, but a good one, thanks!
I deleted my comments because I made SO many typos! I am very excited for you. And, I am wondering, what floor are you on? Would you mind sharing that info?
sent you an email — I'm finding I want to be a bit cagey for the moment. . . 😉
SO delighted for you and Pater!!! Wonderful! How much more relaxing the summer will be, knowing that you have a destination this fall.Warm hugs!!!
Thank you, C'est Chic, and it's so very true. I'm really looking forward to just taking it easy for a few months, looking forward to settling into our new home this fall.
Exciting! Less work, more time and energy for travelling and grandkids. Super. (Is it near Granville Island? Or Arbutus and Broadway?) The guessing game is on for us in Metro Vancouver! Great to have you on the Mainland soon.
Thanks for the welcome, Marianne — perhaps there can be a bloggers/readers meet-up in my future. Those are both neighbourhoods we could have been happy in (although not so handy for SkyTrain) — we're going to be in South Main. . .
Exciting! Less work, more time and energy for travelling and grandkids. Super. (Is it near Granville Island? Or Arbutus and Broadway?) The guessing game is on for us in Metro Vancouver! Great to have you on the Mainland soon.
It's odd how exciting your news seems , considering we have never met . We are all on this journey with you now & awaiting more news . Well done – sounds like you have a lucky star too .
Wendy in York
Thanks, Wendy! I know exactly what you mean — to the eternal skepticism of those who don't dabble in the world of the personal blog, these virtual friendships end up feeling very real. I've had the good fortune to turn some of them into IRL friendships, and it's surprising how often the compatibility we sense and we build online turns out to be credible and sustainable "in the flesh."
Congratulations, Frances! What wonderful news!
Thanks Marie. I'm really happy about it!
That is great, Vancouver welcomes you! Is it Olympic Village area? Suz
Thanks, Suz, see my response above, to Marianne — we're in South Main — not so far from Olympic Village (and could be argued that OV is in SM, right?) Earnest Ice Cream might be the meeting point between those two! 😉
It sounds fabulous, especially the terrace (call it a terrace not a patio, just don't call it a lanai!). You can garden all you want. I am off to an all day department meeting (remember those) in Duncan with Sandra, but I delight in your good news especially in this crazy market. Brenda
Okay, a terrace it is! I do think I can manage some decent-sized raised beds. Perhaps an apple tree or two, strawberries for the littles to munch, lettuces and I hope a rose or two.
Ugh! I do remember those — at least you and Sandra will have good gossiping and ranting company for the drive.;-)
Bravo, and big congratulations! Solo negotiations are tough, even when partners are on the same page in all aspects. Good for you! I look forward to reading about the upcoming adventures-in-moving.
Thanks! Thought of you in my comments to Wendy, above. . . 😉
Congratulations to you both! Knowing that you have found your new nest must be such a relief. I find it amazing and comforting how quickly things fall into place when it is the right opportunity. It sounds like a wonderful neighborhood for this next stage of your life. Sending your best wishes, Beth in Portland
It is amazing and so comforting, thank you very much!
YAY! Thank you for the excitement of seeing this title!!! Congratulations & Blessings on your new home!
charlene h
Thanks so much, Charlene. So kind of my readers to be so excited on my behalf!
How fantastic! it sounds like just the kind of place I could live in, surprising when I live in an ancient house with two acres of land. We are getting nowhere with our attempts to sell due to an estate agent (real estate for you?) so incompetent that our house has failed to be listed for three weeks. This is not good as it leaves us lots of time for wondering if we really mean it.
I've been trying to find the comment I was sure you'd left here somewhere about having decided to list — I meant to respond with encouraging cheer or something appropriate, but then been stymied at tracking down the right post. So sorry to hear that your estate agent (we'd call her/him a realtor) is not doing the job. I know that second-guessing. . . .I was warned, very wisely, by Duchesse (Passage des Perles) that we would get to that stage, and we did, indeed, but although we did once falter and put things off for a week, in the end we kept coming back to the good reasons for doing this now. It's so different for everyone . . . but you and I are the same in that I could live in your ancient house with its acres quite happily, and I have lived happily in this beachfront cottage with its difficult logistics, and I know I will be a different kind of happy right in the city as long as I have some light and lots of interesting walking around me. I couldn't do suburban or subdivision as well, although I've thrived in a small town when raising the kids. It's all so very individual and so contingent or circumstances. I hope you can soon get on with whatever is best for you. I'll be following with interest.
Hooray! This is fantastic news! And I bet you negotiated like a boss!
Thanks! I'm not sure that anyone who negotiates like a boss on the buyer's side can succeed in the Vanc'r market as it is now, but I did feel as if I rocked it, feminist-wise! 😉 Very lucky to be led through the whole process by a wonderful (female) realtor.
Fabulous, fabulous news! Now the fun part, the compelling future, rolls out. Love this.
Thanks! And yes, I'm ready for some fun!
Wow wow wow! Congratulations and I can't wait to hear more!
Thanks, Sarah. Once again, I have to say how touching this excitement on the part of my readers is for me.
fabulous!!!! I am so happy for you!
Thanks, Mardel — see above and read "ditto" 😉
Congratulations! So exciting to follow your move.