We’re in our new house, and now that the internet service is finally turned on, The Lettered Cottage is back in business!
Which reminds me- a few folks have asked if we’re changing the name of our blog. We’ll still be ‘writing about life in our cottage’, so the name will stay same.
Our new house is a 2 bedroom/2.5 bath, two story, cottage-meets-farmhouse style home. It sits in a quaint, rural community (in Pike Road, AL) that Kevin and I have wanted to move to since we first discovered it, in 2005. The house was built six years ago, and was originally listed in the 300K’s. It never sold, and eventually went into foreclosure. We were able to finance it in the 100K’s, and feel so grateful to be able to call it home!
I don’t think there’s a single fixture, finish, paint color, or design element we would’ve chosen if we had been involved in the picking process- and we’re assuming it didn’t ever sell because of an awkward layout upstairs. All those things made it the perfect place for us though, and we look forward to personalizing it (and adding some square footage, landscaping, and a carport) over the next several years. (Note: We’ll be blogging about this inside of the house soon!)
The whole move ordeal was super spontaneous. Long story short, we didn’t think we’d be able to move for at least two more years, but things just seemed to (miraculously) fall into place over the past three months. We were hanging out with a friend on the 4th of July, who introduced us to a real estate agent, who introduced us to a loan officer, etc. etc. etc. It felt sort of “meant to be”, so we just went with it, and kept telling ourselves it wouldn’t be a big deal if it didn’t work out since we really hadn’t planned to move right now anyway.
But like I said, everything just seemed to fall into place.
Until this past week.
Apparently when they say you’ve been “pre-approved” (and that you’ll need to sell your current house in order to buy another one) it doesn’t mean that you’re officially approved. Boy did we sit on pins and needles as we waited for our final approval last Thursday night. Our closing was scheduled for the next day!
I couldn’t get out of that closing office with the keys fast enough! I kept saying to Kevin, “they can’t take it back once they hand us the keys, can they?” Ha!
By the way, that friend that we were hanging out with on the 4th of July was Kevin’s Shoot Fly Shoot business partner/BFF, Josh. Our house is across the street from his house, and the guys are pretty pumped about it.
I think there may be a set of walkie-talkie’s in their future.
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Your new home is beautiful!!! I wish you both the best. Congats and have a fun with your new adventure!!! xoxo
Soooo cute. I can already envision how much fun you are going to have with that house. Enjoy!!
can’t wait to see the inside
Congratulations!!! Your new cottage is adorable. Your story is amazing too. I love how when something is right, God moves everything along perfectly (even with a little pins & needles). Blessings to you and Kevin.
I love when Gods plans come together, usually we rush ahead with our plans. Congrats on your new home looking forward to seeing all you do.
Looks perfect. Congratulations!
Can’t wait to see what you do with this house. I love the tin roof. Congrats to you both and I am praying for you to be blessed with a child soon! Yall will be awesome parents.
Sounds like you are just where you are supposed to be. Looks like a beautiful home and community, can’t wait to see it and how you guys reinterpret it. Congrats.
Oh Layla, it is beautiful! I love this story and look forward to reading and watching as you transform your new home.
Ahhh…I know this neighborhood, & I love it! Congratulations!! And what a great deal you got on the house! I live in Prattville & drive by your old house several days a week. I watched as y’all were moving, & it was kinda sad to see the process from outside. But now I’m excited to see what you do with this new house! Congrats again!
Congratulations. I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND Kevin.
Hope all you hope and dreams come alive in your new home!!!!
I love your new home. I would have thought it was an old house by the style of it. It looks like a great area to live and how lucky to live so close to a good friend!
Congratulations! Looks lovely! Can’t wait to see your genius at work on the inside:)
The house looks wonderful! Congratulations on your new adventure. I really enjoy your blog. I’m also extremely nosey!! More house pictures!!
How cute! I can’t wait to see what you guys do with the place. And that is so funny about Josh and Kevin and the walkie talkies. Ha! Makes me think of “Big.” 🙂
Congratulations !! Good things come to good people… so very excited for you and look forward to all the wonderful things that you will be doing in your beautiful new home…
Well congratulations! it was clearly meant to be… and you will have such a wonderful time making it yours, and enjoying your “new” neighbors!
bonne journée!
Kit
Layla I’m so happy for y’all!! Your home is beautiful!! I like you discovered this area when we first moved here 5 years ago and have been stuck on it ever since. I’m especially happy y’all got such a great “deal”!! Enjoy!!
Wow! That was incredibly fast! But it’s adorable and I’m sure you’ll have it customized and cottagized (is that a word?) in no time!
The house is adorable. I love the picture of it. So excited for y’all. Too funny about the walkie talkies. 🙂 Off to check out the inside!
Shirley
What a charming home and the landscaping looks awesome!
Congratulations, can’t wait to see the insideJ!
Looks so gorgeous Layla :))
So darling, love it and it looks like such a wonderful community. Being from Cal. never having the pleasure to visit the southern states, you’ll have to share what you love about things that seem obvious, looking at the neighborhood and home I think, jeepers California needs to take some notes from AL. Such cute homes. Congrats. Love when things “fall” into place, such blessings.
That is one fabulous looking house! Congrats, and enjoy making it your own.
i love that you are sharing the entire process with us…everything from selling your fantastic home to the hoping and praying while buying this one to the way this looks now to the ongoing changes which will be happening. thank you for this gift of this blog!.
NO way right across the street! That is awesome 🙂 I LOVE the house!!! Boy, you are going to have some MINT posts restoring it . 🙂
You guys DESERVE it!!
I’m sorry for whoever got foreclosed…ouch :/
I LOVE that sea of tin roofs!
Layla, I’m sooo excited for you and Kevin! Love your house! Can’t wait to see what all you have planned! Congrats!
Hi, Layla! I hope all is going well in Puru. My mother-in-law is a compassion rep and she’s done a couple trips like yours and has loved them! I hope to do the same one day. Hey, in February we are headed down to Gulf Shores. Never having been to AL before, I was wondering if you could share some great places for shopping to decorate our nest? I tend to mix new with old and have a two year old and a 3 month old so any place you might know of that would be within a couple of hours drive, I’d love to know about. I know you’ve mentioned a few places as you do rooms but I don’t know where they would be located. Thanks in advance for your help!
Congrats on your beautiful home! As an Alabama native, I can think of no better place to call home. (Hopefully my husband and I will eventually get back there.) I love the website design and style, so optimistic and joyful!
too cute
What type of siding is on your home?
Hmmmm…maybe Hardy plank?
You’re not too far from me. I live in Ranburne, AL about 20 mintues from Anniston. 🙂 I LOVE your house!!