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.
Beautiful, beautiful! What a lovely neighborhood and home. What a gift from the Lord!
Those metal roofs!
Can’t wait to see more.
Can’t wait to see the inside… And what about a tin-can-and-string phone between the two houses?
Congratulations! Just my style. Can’t wait to walk with you through the new renovation!
On my I love your knew home. No wonder you were on pins and needles. It is absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to see what you do the interior. I love the metal roof and little side door. Congratulations!
Awesome Layla! I’m so happy for you guys. The outside of that house is to-die-for beautiful and I’m sure you’ll make miracles out of the inside. Congratulations!!
What a Beautiful House. Congratulations!! I can not wait to see more of it.
I love it – and it looks perfect for ya’ll – know you’re going to make super fun changes and it’ll be great to follow!!
HUGE congrats!!!!!!
Whoo hoo! Can’t wait for the blog updates to begin!
Just beautiful, Layla; it and looks so cozy and friendly. Congratulations and God bless you in your new home!
Lucky guys, way to go! It looks awesome and what a steal! I’m not that familiar with Pike Road but some college friends have moved there.
Our FSBO isn’t going nearly as well… fingers crossed for 2013! 😉
Erin @ Dwell & Tell
Beautiful! Congratulations – I wish you many years of health and happiness here. Can’t wait to see what sort of fun you and Kev mix up.
Ahhh! I was going to ask how Kevin and Josh were going to hang out together as much with you guys moving. That is so funny! You KNOW walkie talkies will be bought…it’s a moral imperative! Congrats on the new “cottage!”
congrats, layla! i can’t wait to see what kind of design magic you have in store for us. i do hope, however, that you will not remove the pictures of your previous cottage from your website.
Love it. Can’t wait to see the inside. Will be praying for you as you begin this big amazing project.
Lucky guys, way to go! It looks awesome and what a steal! I’m not that familiar with Pike Road but some college friends have moved there.
Our FSBO isn’t going nearly as well… fingers crossed for 2013! 😉
Erin @ Dwell & Tell
Wow! That’s so crazy awesome! I love it when things happen for the best and the surprise that comes when it is in His timing. Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!
Simply beautiful! Love the “cottage meets farmhouse” style. Looking forward to seeing the inside!
ohhhh I’m so excited for you two!!! The house is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E and I can not wait to see inside… ! I was on your site to get Kevin’s spaghetti recipe (tonight’s dinner) and saw your news. I attended Haven and Kevin and Josh’s photo class. They’re so stinkin’ cute together (and apart!). This has made my day – thanks so much for allowing me to follow along.
Barb
LOVE IT! It looks way bigger than 2 BR/2.5 bath! And the area looks “to-die-for”! Congrats. Can’t wait to see what amazing things you do to make it home-sweet-home!
Love it. So jealous, you are going to have a blast.
What curb appeal! Love the new digs, esp. that gracious, sweeping front porch!
What a cute house. It looks like home. Enjoy!
I love everything about it so far! Can’t wait to see more. Very happy for you both. There’s nothing like having everything fall into place so you know you’re doing the right thing.
Congratulations! That house is so beautiful on the outside…can’t wait to see the inside and what you do with it! And already a BFF for a neighbor…lucky ducks!
I know right!? Josh’s wife just happens to be my BFF, too. So fun being neighbors with them! 😀
I might just pop if you don’t put up some interior pictures. I’ve been anxiously awaiting. 🙂
So cute! Congratulations on such a fantastic deal!
Thank you, Kelli! 😀
Just when I was feeling sad that you left that amazing home, you move into this super charming house! Looooove it! You will love the rural feel! And I have a feeling you guys are going to do some incredible things here, to the house and with starting a family 🙂
I love your new home. Is that a lake I see behind Josh’s house? What a wonderful neighborhood!
Wow – it’s so cute! Well done the both of you! Looking forward already to the updates x
How amazing that you were able to score such a great deal on a house that hasn’t ever been occupied before. Maybe my husband and I will be able to find something like that when we move someday.
I think I am most excited about the fact that nothing is as you would have selected it. It will be so much fun to see you and Kevin put your own spin own it.
wow, how fun to be across the street from your bff! The house looks great, and what a great deal you got!!! Looking forward to seeing the inside and what you do to put your own stamp on it!
Love this! So looking forward to seeing what you do with the space!
It looks so charming and perfect for you guys! How exciting is that?! I just can’t wait to see what the inside looks like and how you are inspired by it to put your own touches and changes into it. Congrats!
DYING. TO. SEE. THE. INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats!! ~Kim
Woo Hoo!!! Such an exciting new adventure in store for you both… and Josh has a front row seat now ! Lol! Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing what you tackle first!
xo Heidi
What a sweet house. That porch is to die for!
Stunningly beautiful!! Can’t wait to see more of it!
Is it crazy that I have been blog stalking you & maybe just a little Twitter stalking too, just to catch a glimpse of what’s to come??? I’m sure I’m not the only one. Your new neighborhood looks like a little piece of heaven! So much charm & character. I’m so excited for u both! I totally understand the anxieties of selling the old & buying the new. We sold our house in the Spring & are renovating our new home now. Sometimes I still pinch myself because I’m can’t believe this is happening. We too had a 2 year plan on moving. I guess he had a different plan. We plan & god laughs:) Can’t wait to see more.
Congrats you two! It’s adorable. I could have sworn it was an historic house. It has that look, which in my book, is great! Looking forward to seeing the interior and what you will do with it.
Joanne @ apronsgonewild.blogspot.com
Wow! Wow! Wow! Isn’t God amazing? It is wonderful to see what He has planned for us if we just listen and follow … Congrats!
Jamie
Beautiful home! Can’t wait to read about how you’ll go about putting your personal stamp on the space. What a wonderful story of God’s perfect timing!
Congratulations for having the courage to make a quick decision. Your neighborhood looks lovely! And is that a lake? You’ll be surprised the difference new construction codes make. Good luck! I hope your adoption dreams come true very soon. Ann
Oh your house is beautiful! I am so happy for you guys. And I can’t wait to see all the fun projects!
Beautiful! I look forward to reading all about it! Congratulations!
Congratulations! It’s beautiful.
You are absolutely killing me though! I must have checked your blog every 5 minutes for the last few days, I so desperately want to see more than a teaser of inside.
Enjoy! X
Oh my goodness, you guys! That place is beautiful! Can’t wait to see it all!
xo,
Shannon
It’s so cute!! Congrats! Maybe it would be more cottagy if the boys talked on tin can phones instead of walkie talkies. 😉
YIPPY!!! Everything always works out the way it is suppose…when it is suppose to. The “boys” must be so excited to be across the street from each other. I’m very happy for you.
Marie
xoxo
Congratulations!!! It’s beautiful.
The outside looks AMAZING! Glad you guys were able to buy it since you’ve been eyeing it for so long