We sold our condo in Brentwood on March 1, and a month later (after what felt like nine million open houses), we were in escrow on our very first house. We had made several other offers and even became “backups” on two awesome properties. I was so attached to a Spanish cottage with pink camellia bushes that I used to dream about it regularly. It was hard not to get emotionally involved and there have been quite a few ups and downs. During inspection day at our new home, we had a team of pros on property assessing everything from the plumbing to the massive Chinese Elm tree (yup, we now know an arborist). It felt overwhelming, like maybe this was too much responsibility.
However, now that we actually have our home, I realize that it’s a good thing we didn’t get any of the other ones because the new place is a-w-e-s-o-m-e ! Like outdoor kitchen, barbecue and sunken fire pit awesome. I’m getting my own office with a door (finally!) and we are walking distance to Sawtelle’s amazing restaurants and a lot of our favorite Pico spots (hey Freddy Smalls). We really wanted outdoor space. This is LA after all, and we pay a pretty penny to live here, and have amazing weather most of the time. Little did we know we’d be getting a massive yard with more room than we ever could need.
Everyone said it would work out, but I didn’t really believe them. I kept wondering what would happen if we found our dream place, but the timing was off and we’d have to move twice. One move I can handle. Two? Not so much. Being in escrow on our condo and the new place was one of the most stressful things I’ve ever experienced. You have no real control and realize that every house has something wrong with it, even new constructions. With the low inventory, amazing interest rates and all cash buyers, it’s hard to compete. Luckily we had the best realtor in town (thank you Clifford!) and met some really nice people in the process.
In less than two weeks I am leaving Brentwood after 15 years. I was thinking about some of the things I will miss and won’t:
I’ll Miss: Being 96 steps from Pinkberry and Whole Foods, the coral trees on San Vicente, having visitor parking spots, huge walk-in closets, 2.5 bathrooms and walking to Tavern, Sugarfish, Pecorino and many other favorite restaurants (luckily we’re moving just three miles away and can come back anytime!)
I Won’t Miss: Entitled jerks speeding up Barrington, the lack of diversity, no outdoor space, German cars speeding on San Vicente, shared walls and waiting 25 minutes to get on the 405. Oh, and I just heard that Carmageddon will continue. The project was delayed for a year and we were right in the middle of all of it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
We still need to find a comfy, but stylish living room chair, but phase one of our decorating is pretty much done I’m happy to say. We are finally out of the the workmen-here-everyday phase and are now just enjoying living here. At least once a day one of us says, “Can you believe this is ours?” The first month has been great and I feel ready to start having friends over for some small gatherings by the fire pit or around the grill. Hope you are getting excited for summer too.
