What no one ever tells you, but everyone who has done it knows… downsizing is a really hard thing to do successfully. We started in a four bedroom house that we designed and built from the ground up. Where we would end up was anybody’s guess.

During the process of looking, I knew more about every home in our price range than our realtor did. And she is a really good realtor! Should we build again? Should we buy a pre-existing house? Should we rent while we figure things out? We went round and round. Finally, just as our time was just about to run out… we found it… our diamond in the rough. And I do mean rough.

Built in 1971. Empty for the past eight years. Harvest gold inside and out. Sold as is. And yet, it spoke to me. Some of my friends share my vision and are really excited for us. Others are just afraid.