The last few months have been busy - I moved twice. Needless to say, it's been a little crazy!
My sister, after spending five years in Chicago, decided she wanted to move back to Michigan. My Dad had a large home in Michigan but only is spending 3-4 months out of the year here. So, we decided to do something sort of crazy.
We put all three properties up for sale. My sister's condo in Chicago sold in 3 weeks; I sold my condo to my golf partner & her family (I didn't even have to list it!); and my Dad's house sold in 6 weeks! We were shocked that everything sold so quickly - we thought my Dad's house would be for sale for 6 months or more.
My Dad's house had been our family home for almost 20 years. My parents built it when I was in high school. I'm definitely going to miss it. Lots of good memories there.
My condo - the one you have seen on the blog and shown in my sidebar, was in the same neighborhood as my Dad's house. We lived in a golf course neighborhood. He was on the 7th hole and I was on the 10th. World's Cutest Brother and I spent a lot of time on the golf cart going between the two houses! I'm going to miss my ladies league night and playing every Sunday with my Dad & Uncle. Lots of good memories.
This Summer we started looking at lots and houses on Lake Michigan. We found a lot we liked and after figuring out a few things, closed on our lot on New Year's Eve. A very nice way to end 2012 and start 2013.
My sister and I took out a bottle of Prosecco to christen the lot. Even thought it was freezing and crazy windy, it was fun.
This Summer we started looking at lots and houses on Lake Michigan. We found a lot we liked and after figuring out a few things, closed on our lot on New Year's Eve. A very nice way to end 2012 and start 2013.
My sister and I took out a bottle of Prosecco to christen the lot. Even thought it was freezing and crazy windy, it was fun.
We are currently working with an architect on our plans and hope to break ground in the Spring.
My sister will have her own living quarters and my Dad and I will share the main house when he is in Michigan for the Summer. Of course, World's Cutest Brother will have a room for when he is in Michigan during the Summer. I'm still holding out hope that I might meet the perfect guy and have my own family, but whatever happens, we will have the lake house in our family. We are really excited!
In the meantime, we are renting a house not too far from our lot on a lake that connects to Lake Michigan.
Our cozy living room at Christmas. A little hodge podge becasue our furniture at the rental is a combination of all three of our things!
One of the best parts of the rental is this sun room - I think we will be using it quite often this Summer.
We are really close to the state park and will definitely be spending a lot of time at the beach this Summer.
My sister will have her own living quarters and my Dad and I will share the main house when he is in Michigan for the Summer. Of course, World's Cutest Brother will have a room for when he is in Michigan during the Summer. I'm still holding out hope that I might meet the perfect guy and have my own family, but whatever happens, we will have the lake house in our family. We are really excited!
In the meantime, we are renting a house not too far from our lot on a lake that connects to Lake Michigan.
Our cozy living room at Christmas. A little hodge podge becasue our furniture at the rental is a combination of all three of our things!
One of the best parts of the rental is this sun room - I think we will be using it quite often this Summer.
We are really close to the state park and will definitely be spending a lot of time at the beach this Summer.
I moved in to the rental December 1st and am finally feeling settled. I'm looking forward to sharing the progress of our new house along with the design and finishes on the blog in the coming months!
Congrats to you and your family. Also, that you get to be closer to your sister. Looking forward to the progress pics! Karen
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Congrats, on your new adventure.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteThis is really exciting! I can imagine how much you will miss your old home and the wonderful memories created there with your family playing golf. Your new home will be even more beautiful. Just think of all the fun times you will have at the lake property. That's so awesome that you guys are working with an architect! So happy for you, friend. I bet it's really nice being closer to your sister. My sis lives in NJ. I've been trying to convince her to move closer to me.
ReplyDeleteAlissa, how exciting for you and your family! Can't wait to see all your plans come together - what a beautiful spot to build a home!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your new blog design - it's so fresh and clean!
Hey, congrats on the move...been there done that..[ my husband was in construction]. That is a wonderful looking area to build. Anxious to see future posts.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! It will be quite the experience...can't wait to watch everything come together.
ReplyDeletethis is one of the happiest posts I have read in a long time. I wish you all joy and peace in your new home.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! As a former MI gal I am so jealous! I miss Lake Michigan all the time, can't believe you'll get to take it in everyday :) it's a perfect place in the world!
ReplyDeleteWow...that's so exciting, Alissa. I can't wait to see the new home!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. Just wondering if this is the "Big Red" lighthouse. We have visited in that area and I was thinking it was.
ReplyDeleteit looks absolutely stunning there! I am so jealous :)
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Happy Valley Chow
exciting!!! I was wondering what was up ... it was really quiet here!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
Good luck in the new living situation; how exciting!
ReplyDeleteOh wow!Lot's of changes! Congrats on your new adventure with your family.
ReplyDeleteGreat on the quick sales....sounds very exciting.
ReplyDeleteMy son lived and worked in Michigan...I like the state.
THANKS for sharing.
Change is hard but how fun to build a home from the ground up! Congratulations to the whole family!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Congrats! What a gorgeous spot.
ReplyDeleteVery exciting!!! Good luck to you guys :) My boyfriends family lives just off Lakeshore across from Tunnel Park so we are out there all the time in the summer. LOVE IT!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a courageous and wonderful thing for all of you to do together! We have a house on Lake Michigan in Pentwater and just love it. Although it is only a summer home. I wonder how you will like living there all year round? Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWow! So many changes are afoot! How exciting. I am sure your new home will be beautiful! Can't wait to read all about it on your blog.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is so exciting! I can't wait to hear about the progress. And how fun to live with your sister!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Alissa! Can't wait to read about this new adventure :)
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting news so looking forward to following your journey. All I know is that the end product will be amazing with your fabulous skills. Best wishes for an easy passage.
ReplyDeletewow, so cool that you're building and right on lake michigan even!!! how lucky!!! Hope you can share the house process on the blog, it's fun to see!
ReplyDeleteWould you mind if you share us your secrets on how you were able to sell your condo that fast? Hahaha! Your sister and your dad did it too in just a short period of time. That was awesome. Well, if a person sees a property that is really worth buying, he wouldn’t think twice and he’d buy it as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteGenny Stutesman
It’s been months since I moved to my own condo yet I still miss my parents’ house. Um, I think it’s just really normal for you to miss your previous home. You’d probably remember many great memories since you lived there for almost twenty years. Well, what matters now is that you're living in a new place and it’s good that you have easily adjusted somehow. ;)
ReplyDeleteSage Leung