Our House Buying Adventure — Part 2
After touring the house on Tuesday, we left thinking it could be a great fit for our family. My main concern was that the living room and dining area felt a bit small, but the overall layout and features made the house very appealing.
Why we liked this new house
- Large .25 acre lot — generous for a new build in Colorado.
- 3,000 sq. ft. total: approximately 1,500 sq. ft. on the main floor and 1,500 sq. ft. in the unfinished basement, offering lots of potential.
- Brand-new construction — I’ve never lived in a brand-new house before and it’s reassuring to expect no major repairs for the first several years.
- 3-car garage — a practical feature that should help with resale value later.
- Close to schools: the middle and elementary schools are only two and three blocks away.
- Convenient for shipping and errands — the post office used for our orders is four blocks away.
- Quiet small-town setting with paved roads and sidewalks — a pleasant change from many years without these amenities.
- Main floor layout works well for health needs: the laundry, office, master suite, and the baby’s room can all be on the main level, which helps with mobility and fibromyalgia-related limitations.
- Basement space for separate bedrooms for the kids plus a large family room.
- Friendly neighborhood for children — lots of other kids nearby to play with.
- Bright, open interior plan without tile, wood floors, or granite — which simplifies cleaning and reduces noise with four kids in the house.
- Central to family on both sides: we can reach relatives in Broomfield, Loveland, and Estes Park in about 25 minutes or less.
- Fun neighborhood detail: all the streets are named after plants — a small, pleasant touch that felt like a sign.
We returned the next day with the whole family, including my uncle who works in construction. His opinion mattered because we wanted reassurance that the house was well built. After another close look, the living room seemed larger than I’d remembered, and my uncle praised the construction quality. With that approval, we decided to move forward.
It was a surprise to learn the electrical company our brother-in-law works for would be wiring the house. We also had some helpful support from family while handling paperwork: Mike’s parents began reviewing HOA requirements and contract samples while Mike and I completed the builder contract. Even though Mike’s dad didn’t present the deal directly, the builder still honored the commission, which he intends to pass on to us. On top of that, the company agreed to contribute up to $5,000 toward closing costs — and the total cost came in $20,000 under our original expectation, which was a big relief.
We took the completed papers to Mike’s dad at the hospital so he could review and sign despite his pain. While reading the HOA documents we found a clause restricting planting closer than four feet from the house. As someone who loves gardening, that restriction felt significant and I was upset. After a lot of emotion and fatigue from a busy few days, we decided to pause and think it through.
Before leaving Colorado for Kansas, we drove around Loveland and other nearby neighborhoods to get a better sense of local yards and garden practices. Initially discouraged by the limited options in our price range, we revisited the new development to see how existing homeowners handled their landscaping. We met neighbors and learned many of them do have gardens and enjoy living there, which helped reassure us.
We contacted the HOA and the builder and prayed about the decision. Both parties indicated the planting issue would not be a problem, which convinced us to proceed. Early the next morning, Mike met the builder’s representative to deliver the contract, and that sealed the deal.
So — we have a house! While I can’t install the cast-iron farm sink or the white picket fence I’d imagined, getting a brand-new home feels like a worthwhile trade-off. We’re exhausted but excited. Mom, Elly, and I will return this Friday to choose countertops, carpet, and vinyl — a fun step in making the house our home.
Mom also plans to move back nearby eventually, though it may take six months to a year to coordinate. For now, we’re grateful the house-buying process ended on a positive note and we’re looking forward to the next chapter.
Tawra