I had high hopes when we scheduled a 2nd visit to the Primrose Lane property that this might be “the one.” Well, it wasn’t.
This time the listing realtor was with us and managed to get the dogs into the back yard which allowed us to get into the house. We found the place arranged more like a split level than a ranch, with half the useable space in the lower basement section.
Steps to basement
This would not be bad except Pam, even after just a single trip up and down the relatively steep stairs, could feel the pull in her hips (bursitis). In essence, the upper area (around 1,250 square feet) would be the main living area and it was a bit small and had an awkward layout.
The upper bedrooms were dark, kitchen and bathrooms needed attention, and the fireplace faced the entry door, an arrangement that makes the fireplace an after thought rather than a focal point of the room. While the place had a few nice features, such as a bathroom just off the breezeway and the huge basement level with lots of extra storage, the list price is not justified and the house would require more work than we are willing to put in at that price point.
Here are a couple more photos of the house:
Basement bonus room. (Pool table comes with house.)
Kitchen
Pam checks back yard while our realtor stands at front entrance
In spite of the flaws I kind of like the place, but the reality is the upper level is just not what we are looking for in a retirement home. On to the next place.
We viewed another home on the same trip, this one closer to the city of Montrose on Jig Road. While it was neat and clean, it was also small (1,250 square feet) with a galley kitchen and little inside storage. A pole building, large lot, and nice finishes were part of the package. Price was more appropriate as well.
Jig Road home’s kitchen
Large yard has underground sprinkler system
Shop would be Jer’s man cave
Jig Road was updated and tidy but just too small for us, cats and dogs, and all the “stuff” we have. Had the built-in two-car garage been living space, this place would have been a real contender.
So the search goes on. Another listing has popped up in the same area as the Primrose Lane home (Cedaredge) and we may drive by and see if it warrants an inside visit. We are a bit bummed out at the moment after having such high hopes that one of the listings we visited would be “the one” but it was not to be, I guess.
There is not much else going on. Fall chores, a few maintenance items (such as getting RV anti-freeze in The Box, new spark plugs in the 8N Ford tractor) and other routine stuff take up my weekend time. I’ve created a new photo gallery titled Wild Horse Mesa which includes photos from various trips into that area (near De Beque). As we get deeper into Fall I hope to upgrade and refresh some of my web pages.
Honda follow-up…
Problem with the Honda, reported in my last post, turned out to be bad battery cable ends. The shop replaced these ($16.00 in parts, $60.00 labor for diagnosis and replacement) and the Honda has started faithfully since. Shop tested but did not find any problems with the battery or alternator. We hope that took care of it but I carry the jumper cables in the trunk now, just in case.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Two Cents Worth:
For the most part, older homes (1970-1980 is now older, as are we!) without updates — featuring that expensive electric baseboard heat — seem to be a reoccurring theme in our house hunt. We have remarked on houses being unimaginative boxes [architecturally] as well. Even a simple vault or cove ceiling would be a welcome feature.
It’s almost winter now, Sellers, get real on your prices.
Happy Trails.
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