It started with my dogged stalking of real estate websites, seeking that perfect upstate retreat. The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) tends to be the catch-all where all available properties are listed (Zillow and Trulia pull information and listings from the MLS) but I wasn’t convinced that it reflected ALL properties, so stalking included local realtor websites. That’s where, in February 2019, I found two blurry photos of a lake side cottage in Yulan, NY. I immediately contacted the realtor, who indicated that it was a very sweet house, and not on the MLS because the 70 year old seller’s agent did things “the old fashioned way.” However, the house wasn’t available to show since the owners had found some mold they were remediating. The listing was removed from the realtor’s website and I was told they’d probably open it up for showing in late March. I checked the realtor’s website daily, and finally couldn’t stand it any longer and texted the realtor in mid-March to check in. Two days later she responded to my text saying that the house had actually been in contract to sell but the buyer was so unreasonable in his/her demands that the parties decided to walk away from the sale. Jesse and I rented a car and zoomed up to see the house March 16.
There was still snow on the ground when we checked it out, but we knew this house was special (good bones and a lot of potential — and right on the sweetest mill pond).
We closed on the house on May 3. In the meantime we bought our whip (a 2015 Subaru Forester), which we loaded with mattress/bed frame, cleaning supplies, basic kitchen necessities, dehumidifier, and so much else that the car was totally full in Jesse’s expert tetris-ing of everything we felt we needed that first weekend. The final walk-through on May 3 was only the second time we’d seen the house. After the signing, we got the keys and got to work, scrubbing, vacuuming, setting up as best as we could. We had a house!
The first weekend was packed: we had a septic service out to help us locate the septic, a plumber to fix our hot water heater and a kitchen sink leak that developed, a tree guy to give us a quote on removing the 4-7 100’ tall pines that are just a touch too close to the house for comfort, and a chimney guy to look at our flues! Amidst these visits, Jesse cleaned the roof and gutters, we explored the treasures and bugs to be found in the outside sheds, and we enjoyed the home coming together and the lake, which welcomed us with lovely pale yellow daffodils in full bloom.
On a future visit we tested the rowboat that came with the house and were able to explore the mill pond (Google Maps call it Toespurns Pond, but locals know it as Beaver Brook Lake).
Our architect friends were our first guests, and stayed for a night to get a feel for the space and take measurements as they help us to design our impending remodel.
