I’m Going to Live in a Century-Old Craftsman House
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I’m going to live in a century-old Craftsman house. To be more accurate, it’s well over a century old.
The house belongs to my daughter, Kendra, and is currently empty. Imagine the stories that old house could tell!
Kendra sent me a few photos, and I love the old house already. We have the same love of old houses. Over the past decade, she has fixed and renovated almost everything in this house. She said she didn’t think anything needed to be replaced.
This was actually the first house she flipped, in 2014.
I’ll pay double rent at the apartment for a while so I can move in before the holidays. Three years ago, when I moved here, it was just after Christmas. I want to be somewhat settled so I can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Kendra looked for a house I could purchase, but the ones I could afford were in areas she didn’t think I’d be safe living in.
One house she looked at had pit bulls living next door. Another had cars in the yard. One was empty, so she went around to the back to look in the crawl space and found black mold. And one had chickens in the front yard.
An Option To Rent Her House:
So Kendra called and told me this house was empty and asked if I wanted to rent it from her. She said I could move in any time after the professional cleaners come in next week.
It’s in a different part of town than I’m accustomed to, but not very far from my doctor’s office. It has around 1400 square feet.
The exterior needs to be painted. We’re hoping to get a bid on painting the outside next week. I’ll pay for that.
It’s probably the only thing about this house that needs to be done. The exterior (as well as the interior, of course) is very old, so it won’t look brand spanking new. We’ll get it painted a new color because I think the gray paint looks rather drab and sad.
She is worried about me going up the steps to the large front porch. But everything we’ve seen has had steps. My physical therapist, Greg, looked at the photos and told me to have a railing put in.
I’ve spent the past few days going through stuff in the second bedroom and packing it up. I still have most of the closet to go through, though.
Oh, isn’t it fun to pack everything you have and then you realize you have tons of stuff!
The Woman With The Stripper Pole:
You may remember me telling you about the former renter. She had a stripper pole installed in the dining room, unbeknownst to Kendra.
A year or so ago, there was a fire originating in the bathroom. And when Kendra went in after the repairs had been made to have the floors refinished, she saw the stripper pole.
There initially was a problem figuring out how to remove the pole. Kendra is well acquainted with crawl spaces. And even underneath the floor, she couldn’t figure out quite how it was attached, let alone how to remove it.
Finally, someone figured it out, and they moved the stripper pole to redo the flooring. The tenant begged her to put it back. So, Kendra, being who she is, did so.
It is gone now, however. The only sign it was ever there is the spot in the ceiling where the pole used to be.
The insurance adjuster said a candle caused the fire, which I’m assuming was unattended. The renter claimed the fire started due to an electrical problem or something that she was not responsible for.
There was a porch swing on the big front porch, but someone was bold enough to go up on the porch and steal it. It must have been in the dead of night for no one to see that!
Going To See The House:
Kendra is planning to pick me up in the morning, and we’ll go see the house, then go to lunch. Then she will drop me off and go back to work on the rental house in Broken Arrow. The tenants are moving in on Monday.
There are three bedrooms in this old house, a dining room, a kitchen, and a laundry room. Fourteen hundred square feet is more room than I’ve been accustomed to in a long time. Ivy will have plenty of room to wander.
Once I see it tomorrow, I’ll let you know more. I’m excited about moving into this old house! I imagine it just needs some love that the average renter won’t give it, but I will.
Such exciting happy news!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you! What a relief this must be. I can’t wait to see how all of your beautiful furnishings look in your new place. (I laughed at your typo- Fourteen square feet is more room than I’ve been accustomed to … 😂 I know you meant fourteen hundred). Good luck with the move!
I was hoping your daughter would have something for you. congratulations!
I am so excited for you. And a bit jealous. Getting an older home that has been updated is a dream for me. Rails on the stairs is a great idea and will be helpful.
Congratulations! I love old homes too. Good luck and may God bless you abundantly . . .
I am happy for you being able to move into such a fantastic house. You will have so much fun decorating it. One step at a time & enjoy the process! I will look forward to your new journey.
It’s beautiful! I can’t wait to see how you decorate it!
How absolutely wonderful! I can’t wait to see more!
This is great news Brenda. Congratulations, you must be so relieved.
So very happy for you Brenda. Take it one day at a time. It will all get done and before you know it you will settled in your new home.
So happy for you! I can’t believe it’s been three years in the current place. Good for you to leave it behind after all the hell they gave you over the water problems. Nice idea to be settled before the holidays. Congratulations!
Fantastic news! The house looks great, so happy for you and Ivy.
Brenda this is so exciting!! I can’t wait to see what you do with the place and I love reading about your relationship with your daughter(s). It’s truly lovely. Best of luck!
Oh how wonderful and exciting!!!!!
YAY!! I just knew Kendra would find the perfect place for you! It is the perfect solution for both of you! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. The front porch will be so much fun to decorate. I love that your neighbors are already missing you and planning to come visit you. I’m so so so happy for you!
PS- I think it’s hilarious that it’s the stripper pole house! I remember you telling us about it. Who would have thought you’d be living there in the future, lol?!!
Just read your post about not being able to clean your apartment you have now. How will you clean this one? Thought you said on another post you let your house cleaner go to save money. How will you wheel your garbage can out to the curb when you can hardly walk ?
And why if you are renting from your daughter/ owner do you need to pay for the outside painting ? That’s on her.
So exciting. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. It’s finally all coming together for you. You’ve been a warrior through it all. You deserve this and you should be very proud of yourself.
Oh my goodness, Brenda I’m so excited for you! It’s perfect for you and Ivy. This is exactly what you described the other day. Everything is falling into place. Yay!!!!
How perfect for everyone! I love the craftsmen style! It ‘ll be a wonderful space for you and Ivy! This seems just too perfect for you and Kendra! Enjoy the tour!
Brenda, I am just as excited as you! Congratulations on finding a house or should I say a house and Kendra finding you. Kendra is an angel.
It is too bad that the place that you are in will not let you out of the lease early. But I guess that if they won’t at least there will not be a rush to pack up and get everything out and in the new place ASAP.
Looking forward to seeing your new place and you putting your stamp on it. At least Kendra knows that it will be well cared for and there will not be any shenanigans-or stripper poles.
I love this for you, Brenda! And for Ivy as well! I love old houses too and am really looking forward to seeing what you do with it. It’s going to be beautiful!
I’m so very happy for you, Brenda! Everything sounds so good for you and Kendra, and I know Ivy will love exploring her new home. I love Craftsman-styled houses. Wishing you all the best.
Exciting! I can’t wait to see your new home and projects inside and outside. Tell us about the backyard and plans for your gardens.
I am so happy for you. Cannot wait to see how you decorate the inside and the front porch.
Sounds like so many pluses even if it’s an area you aren’t familiar with. You’ll be safe, Kendra and Kasi will always see to that but count yourself lucky to be settled inside before the holidays. It’s going to be fun having room to spread out and not fall over something in the way.
Sounds purely wonderful!!! SOOOO happy for you, Brenda!!!
Congratulations Brenda, so happy for you! It’s a beautiful house for you and Ivy with lots of room to make so many good memories.
So excited for you and fingers crossed you love it after the visit. It sounds like the home you have been dreaming of!!!!!
The best news ever! I am so happy for you.
What great news! Please please please NO dashing across the yard to take a photo.