3.5 years later…say goodbye
And say hello to the front of the house, which I have tried to hide for privacy’s sake!! Here it is!!
And here’s everything else one last time (this is more to preserve my memory than yours
)
If you are ever on a deserted island and the only food you had was Biscoff, I can now assure you you would survive.
Noontime starvation crisis avoided with the only thing left in our fridge: a frozen roll of Biscoffs! I had 3
We didn’t make it back to Karen’s until after 2PM and my gosh I was hungry. Luckily Karen knows how to stock a fridge!
Matt made us some Applegate Farms turkey sandwiches with avocado and dijon mustard and tomato on Great Harvest Dakota bread.
Plus a side of ‘loupe and mango
Plus a sparkin’ water
Have YET to shower today, and I’m so gross. Plus we have more organization to do in our guestroom!





{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful house! We will all miss it!
But… we’re looking forward to following you on your new adventure
WOW! What a gorgeous house!
Wow – what an absolutely BEAUTIFUL house!!!!! Something like that in my city would be $1 million dollars. No joke.
Aww – lovely post. Saying bye to the house but hello to the unexpected amazingness of the future.
BOTH your houses, past and present, are beautiful! But I sure do love the outside of the new house
Umm…these pictures are all of the same house…the old one. She does not have a “new” house – she is staying with her mother-in-law. Read much?
harsh, gretch
HAHA love the mean girls reference
OH MY GOSH!!!!!! That house is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! i’d never wanna move out! wow, it’s like something that you’d see in a movie! i am seriously in love with your (old) house!!! i hope you find as much happiness in your new one:)
that fruit looks so fresh and summery xx
That house is SO cute! I just love it. Too bad you guys are leaving – but I am sure the next house will be beautiful too!
The front of the house is beautiful and very southern and much bigger then I had imagined.
Aww pretty house
We’re all gonna miss the Kath house – but I know I can say I’m SO excited for where ever your life takes you next. We’ll all be here reading and drooling over your pictures, as usual!
Enjoy your day Kath!!
You’re house was GORGEOUS!!!! I’m sure the next ones only better, though!
what a great house!
Wow your house is SO gorgeous! And the outside is adorable!
your house is so pretty! classic american home. Here’s hoping your next place is just as good
Beautiful house! Goodbye house!
I love Applegate Farms turkey. I like that it doesn’t feel or taste slimy like most deli turkey on the market. It tastes more like actual turkey breast sliced real thing! Love it!
Loved your house, Kath! But, onward to new and exciting things to come!
Wow, pretty house!
Looks a lot like the Bower Power House! http://bowerpowerblog.com/house-tour/
I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen the front of the house… SO adorable Kath. Would be a hard place to leave for sure!
wow, that’s an amazing house. this might be inappropriate and i apologize, but how did you afford that? looks like a $2 million dollar home.
It was most definitely not that expensive!! Considered somewhat of a starter home here in Charlotte where real estate isn’t very expensive.
What? $2 million?? haha. It is SMALL – about 1500 sq. ft? And has a tiny ktichen. Don’t think so!!
wow Cassie, aren’t you just a breath of fresh air…
You guys have to take into consideration the location of the house not solely the size. That same house could easily sell for a million dollars in a different state/location.
Bye House!!
i have always admired your house and interior decorating style. the exterior is so pretty! also, moving sucks, but you have definitely provided me some inspiration for how to make my own move next month successful so thanks!
I’m so glad you sold your house in a timely manner! Wouldn’t you love to be able to go back in a couple of years to see what they change? Maybe its just me!
Wow – what a great house… we are in escrow for our first house out here in CA… but that is like a dream house… nothing like that in our area. You must be crying to leave it!
your house is AMAZING. so beautiful
happy moving to ya and can’t wait to see the new casa
xoxo
Kath, I love your house!! I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t get snatched up instantly. Thanks for sharing, and I TOTALLY understand about the privacy issues. Would you mind doing a post about that? Privacy, private life and blogging? Like many of us commenters, I have a blog as well, and am always wondering where the line is between life and blogging. I would appreciate your thoughts!
Well I don’t really have much to say. There are just a few things I have mentioned lately and they’re pretty much the only “rules” i have:
Don’t show the front of your house
Don’t announce you are going somewhere alone
Don’t share financial or very personal information that you wouldn’t want the world to know.
I just use my gut when it comes to privacy. Sometimes I share really personal information, other times I might have a horrible day related to something I can’t share and have to just keep that private. Just think about safety in general and go with what makes sense.
Your house is gorgeous!
Hopefully the new one is just as beautiful, or even better.
beautiful house! so fun to see it! and when one door closes…
your home is stunning! i’d love to live someplace like that one day – in los angeles, i feel like that will NEVER happen….
seriously – i live in LA too and this house is beautiful! it would cost probably over $2 million dollars in my neighborhood – AS IF you could even find that much land! Gotta love West LA!
Wow your house is gorgeous! And such a pretty yard too.
your house is really beautiful, I would love to have house like that one day!
can’t wait to see your new place
Beautiful house! I still live in just a condo, but I hope I have something as nice someday soon! You guys are obviously doing something right!
Wow your house is (was) gorgeous!!! I am sure your new place will be the base for even more wonderful memories
Wow your house was beautiful!! I can’t wait to see your new one! (:
Love that house!
I also love the bright colors of some of your rooms. I hope one day we can own a house!
Can’t wait to see where you move too next.
Woh! That is totally not what I expected your house to look like, for some reason I was pictured a red brick colonial type style, no clue why
Did you cry? I used to hate the empty house moment when I moved with my parents as a kid.
Can’t wait to see all the new adventures.
Not yet!
Okay…I’m packing up and moving to Charlotte! Your (old) house is LOVELY. That would be $2 million easily where I live (Greater Toronto area). Always thought you had good taste but now it’s confirmed. Best of luck to you and Matt; I’m sure you’ll find a home just as charming for the next chapter of your lives. You guys should do an episode of HOUSE HUNTERS!
I would love to be on HH someday
Oh, I totally agree! I have been thinking you two should be on HH for sure. I love that show.
And I have lived in Seattle, DC and San Francisco and a house like that in any of those cities would easily be quite expensive (this is in response to the person who said you’re house was “small” and therefore not worth that much). It’s all relative! I think your house is absolutely gorgeous- I dream about the day I could live in a house like that.
OH, and I agree- I’ve always liked your decorating style.
Definitely a great bonus to blogging…. a daily journal of your own life.
That house looks lovely….can’t wait to see (what you feel comfortable sharing) of the new place! I’m going to be living in my condo forever and a day (most likely) so it’s exciting to live vicariously through others who get to move, etc!
That house is so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing what the outside of it looks like with everyone.
Your new place will fill up with memories soon too! It’s always rough moving, but exciting all at the same time.
Wow,what a gorgeous house.
I really am so impressed a young couple starting out could afford a house like that,even if in that area it is considered a “starter house”(not to me…I’d love it as a “finisher house”
Seriously I don’t know how you guys afforded that as newlyweds-I am much older than you and still couldn’t get a house like that.
However you did that,good for you! Most couples I know your age have only rented,never could afford to own.The fantastic thing is now you have invested in house and sold it you are ina good state. You guys impress me.Especially while you are back to being a student and Matt is about to open a new business..
Very very impressive guys! Wowsa
Good on you!
Holy cow for some reason I thought your house was much tinier. That’s huge! No wonder it sold – it’s amazing. But you will have an even more amazing house in the future I am sure!!
=( I would be so sad to leave such a beautiful home…but that’s life and you have many wonderful adventures ahead!
First time commenter.
Beautiful home! If I was moving to Charlotte, I’d snatch that baby up off the market (though I’m assuming you already have a buyer). I love love love Southern homes, especially ones with lots of natural light. Those who say it looks expensive, must be Californians like myself. That home would easily go for 2 million here in the Bay Area. Another perk of Southern Living.
Good luck with moving – its always stressful, but having a new start can be so refreshing.
Like the others have said, that is one gorgeous house! I really like your decorating style. Colourful and minimalist (obvs, the pictures are more minimalist due to the lack of furniture
.
All the best in your new adventures!
Such a pretty house! It’s always sad to move on, but you’re going to do great things in Charlottesville!
So beautiful! I would be so sad to leave it
this might sound epically creepy, but your old house is the EXACT same layout as my old house!! hello again touchstone!
You used to live in Touchstone in South Charlotte!? We used to live in Ballantyne and would walk through there often
I did!! And now I live just outside of B-tyne! What a quinkydink.
BEEEAAAUUUTIFUL HOUSE!! i’m sure your next one will be gorgeous as well.
just one more reason for me to move down south-a much lower cost of living than where i am now!!
Wow your house is so pretty!!! Love the windows on the front
heres the link : http://www.hgtv.com/about-us/are-you-getting-ready-to-buy-a-home/index.html
You should apply to be on House Hunters
I agree with every other post before me. Gorgeous house. It reminds me a lot of my grandparents house that they lived in for decades. Even the green shutters! I’m sure you’ve made many amazing memories there that will last a lifetime!
you’re still eating healthy!
I love the room colors
It’s so fun to think I’ve “known” you for a couple years now and am just now seeing the outside of your house. We all “know” the inside so well
I’m glad we’re finally getting to see it. Beautiful!
Your house is so gorgeous! I can’t wait to see what kind of place you guys move into next – and your decorating :0) What a perfect sounding summer lunch, too! Karen’s kitchen sounds like a great place to be.
Holy cow that house is nice! I’m sure it’s sad to leave but on to new things!!! There’s always good things in the future!
Holy MOLY your hosue is enormous!!! I never realised… wow! My two-bedroom-with-one-bathroom-and-one-room-that-has-both-kitchen-andliving-area seems even more miniscule now… ah well, that’s student life for ya!
Your home was stunning, cant wait to see the insides of your new place
i suppose this matters none now, but i had to comment on how stunning your is/was. i’ve been a looong time reader, and have never really said how beautiful everything is through your photos. what amazing taste you guys have!
cya in cville
Kath–I absolutely love your first home. I’m sure you’ll miss it very much, but we are looking forward to your future adventures!
I can see why you loved that house. It was beautiful.
Such a beautiful house Kath!
I always pictured your house being something JUST like this-a blend of east coast + southern, traditional, classy. You have such great taste. I can’t wait to see what your new place looks like, and I echo the commenter that praised you guys for obviously making some prudent financial decisions. I mean that in a totally non creepy, non-assuming way and I hope you don’t regret sharing the photo of your house after some of these comments
My husband and I are starting to think about buying a house after I finish grad school. We have paid off all our student loans, but it’s really confusing to try to figure out how you begin to save for a house, what a mortgage is, “points,” property taxes, and what you’ll really be paying. We read a few financial planning books a few years ago as we established our household budget, but they didn’t really touch on the overwhelming process that is house buying. Did you and Matt ever read any books or use any resources to help you? If so, what would you recommend?
We didn’t read any books, but my dad is a world of advice and we’d both read lots of short articles on saving, budgeting, etc.
The bf & I recently bought a house and the first step is going to your bank or finding a mortgage broker to see how much you qualify for. They’ll be able to explain the points, give estimates of closing costs and tell you how much you’ll actually be paying each month. You can do an FHA loan with 3% down ($350k cap on purchase price), but the inspections on those homes are a little more rigorous and some sellers will specifically say no to FHA loans. Our bank allowed us to do a 5% down conventional loan. Having a good realtor is key, too. Ask around for recommendations. Your bank or mortgage broker may have realtors they always work with, but don’t feel you have to use that person.
Now, for saving, I’d just say use common sense. Luckily, the bf & I had savings that covered most of the downpayment if we maxed out on our purchase price. We were pretty sure we wouldn’t max out (we didn’t), so we just had to save for closing costs. We went into “poverty” mode for a few months and really questioned every single purchase we made and cut eating out to about twice a month. It was difficult, but knowing we were saving towards a shared goal made it bearable. We talked about the nice dinner out we were going to have once we closed and had little splurges, like meeting friends for a beer once a week. It’s like healthy eating, in a way. If you deprive yourself of too much, you may just go crazy and find yourself eating or in this case, spending, too much. I found that in my case, those few months of not spending have really carried over. Even though I no longer have to be as careful with my spending, I still am. Can’t speak for the bf, though.
Well, that turned out longer than I expected. I think the most important thing you can do right now is to find out how much you qualify for. It may be an unpleasant reality (not being able to afford your dream home), but it will get you moving in the right direction.
The house is so beautiful!!!! Inside and out! It seems so strange that you will not be blogging from there anymore.
Wow, the front of your house is gorgeous! Actually, your ENTIRE house is gorgeous! I love the black highlights on the sides of the windows – seriously, I love your house
You have great taste
Wei-Wei
Your house was huge, I never realised
you’ll find a great new home, I’m sure of it!
I cannot thank you enough for posting the blogs about the biscoff spread! I was just in France for 4 months and discovered it there, where is is called “Speculoos”. I always thought of it as being like a teddy graham, but in spread form and didn’t know of biscoff cookies. Speculoos is still made by Lotus, but I couldn’t find it in the US so I have a jar I brought home with me that I’ve been savoring….glad to know now it isn’t my last.
This house of yours looks great. I believe you have enjoyed living in it and I bet you have many nice memories after living there for three and a half years. I like especially the living room with that nice fireplace. I am curious to see your new home pictures so I hope you will post some pretty soon.
Beautiful, beautiful house Kath! Love your decorating style, too! The bf & I recently bought a home and I’m always thinking I’d like it to be more Kath-like.
Love your house…it’s so pretty! I’m sure you’re going to miss it but I’m sure you’ll make many memories in your new house!!
LOVE the front of your house, so cute! so weird to have never “seen” it before!
I can’t believe you used to say your house is small! I think American standards are definitely different than British standard. If you buy a house like that here, no first time buyer would be able to afford it. I am curious what your new house will look like
Hey – those are the cookies they serve on Delta flights!!!!! I love those (probably the only thing I love about Delta.) I never thought to look for them but now I will!
Your house is gorgeous – very classic and lovely.
Aww, your house was so cute! And I love your yard! I live right back up against woods, too… its so lovely, especially when lil’ critters wander into the yard!