House Huntresses

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I drove:

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Mother-in-law hunted:

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(Maggie and James tagged along, too!)

 

Rosalind and I spent the entire day hunting for houses.  They absolutely must find and purchase a home THIS WEEK in South Carolina – the time for dilly-dallying is over!

 

Rosalind has been a successful small business owner throughout her life (she’s owned a computer company, flipped houses, and manages the clinic).  So the homes we were looking at today were quite nice, especially by my 2-bedroom rental standards.  :)  Plus – you can buy a TON of house with your money if you’re hunting in rural South Carolina.  If you want a huge home, move here!

 

If you can believe it – we drove by and scoped out nearly twenty homes today.  Which do you prefer?

 

Option A:

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Option B:

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Option C:

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I really liked Option C, but it was the only one we got to go into so far.  I thought it had nice details, a stellar master suite, and the kitchen was gorgeous.  I heart white cabinets!

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Fuel for house hunting:

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Came home, ate a snack (toast with Earth Balance), and immediately hit the sidewalks for a lovely 5.0 mile run through my (modest) neighborhood.  :)  I finished up in 48:45. 

 

And then it was time for a lovely dinner.  We went to a diner and sat outside in the cool Fall air!

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I ordered a very vegetabley salad to start:

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And the cheesy vegetable quiche with a muffin and fruit for my entree:

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Our plan for tomorrow includes touring THIRTEEN homes and whittling down our options to four or five choices.  I’m telling you – House Hunting is a serious workout.  🙂

 

Please VOTE for Healthy Tipping Point for Project Food Blog – you can read my entry and vote here!

{ 105 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Healthy Heddleston September 20, 2010, 10:11 pm

    Wow 13 homes! Good luck!! And gosh I love all three of those houses — each are completely different yet gorgeous in their own ways!

  • Rebecca September 20, 2010, 10:11 pm

    Looks like a full day! Honestly, I really like the outside of Option A. But the inside of C is amazing! =)

  • Ellen @ Undercover Runner Eats September 20, 2010, 10:12 pm

    I really like the look of Option A. If only you had gotten to see the inside of it!

  • Natalie September 20, 2010, 10:12 pm

    House A is beautiful! I love the drivethrough drive! I love the brick and white too! Have fun tomorrow on all those other ones!!! I’d be exhausted!

  • Exercise and Eat September 20, 2010, 10:13 pm

    Um, holy house options! I love A, but the inside of C is gorg!

  • Jess @ atasteofconfidence September 20, 2010, 10:14 pm

    those houses are beautiful! I’m a fan of A;)

  • hippierunner September 20, 2010, 10:17 pm

    I think I like the outside of A best!

  • Samantha @ Mama Notes September 20, 2010, 10:17 pm

    I love the outside of A. But the kitchen in C is gorgeous! I also love white cabients!

  • Maissa (Run, Rant, Realize) September 20, 2010, 10:17 pm

    Beautiful houses. If it makes you feel better, i think your apartment is beautiful. Here in Vancouver your place would be at least 2500 per month, or more.

    • Caitlin September 20, 2010, 10:18 pm

      crazy! it’s all relative i guess.

      if those homes were in charlotte they would be 2 million or more (and they aren’t even close to that in rural south carolina). location, location, location!

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day September 20, 2010, 10:18 pm

    Oh gosh, how could you ever choose? And I think you’ve convinced me to move there – house like that go for at least 4.5 million here in Northern CA!

  • Charlie September 20, 2010, 10:18 pm

    I love the outside of option A more but the kitchen in option C is stunning!

  • Babycakes September 20, 2010, 10:19 pm

    Love the outside of A, but the inside of C is beautiful! Good luck! 🙂

  • Marg September 20, 2010, 10:19 pm

    I like the outside of House B. Depends on the interiors though, C’s kitchen is beautiful.

  • Lizz (leadingthegoodlife) September 20, 2010, 10:24 pm

    Oh my, those are all gorgeous! I think I like option B, but mainly because it looks older. I’m a sucker for old world charm!

  • Marissa September 20, 2010, 10:25 pm

    wow, i love your mother in law’s taste in homes…just beautiful! my favorite was option A as long as it has a great kitchen!!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat September 20, 2010, 10:28 pm

    I love the exterior of option A. I’d of course like to see the inside before I would have my heart set on it, but I love the details it has on the outside!

    Looks like a fun day though!

  • christina cadden September 20, 2010, 10:36 pm

    I love option c but I would have to see the other options as well.

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad September 20, 2010, 10:40 pm

    I think the 2nd home has the most beautiful outside, but you can’t judge a book by its cover!

  • Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous September 20, 2010, 10:41 pm

    Wow all those houses look amazing! I’m thinking I need to move down south haha. Good luck tomorrow!

  • Jennifer September 20, 2010, 10:41 pm

    OMG! My husband just gasped! We did a quick search of homes in our price range in South Carolina…GORGEOUS close to 2,000 sq ft with 9,000 sq ft lot. Here in San Diego we found a dumpy 1,000 sq ft 4,500 sq ft lot in need of major fixing. 🙁

  • ashley @ ashley's adventures in alaska September 20, 2010, 10:44 pm

    Ahhh, Option A is perfect. I love classic brick!

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete September 20, 2010, 10:44 pm

    Those houses are humungous! I really like the outside of #1 — the color of that brick just appeals to me 🙂

    I like light kitchens like that one as well — I would decorate with roosters and cows for a farm look 🙂

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) September 20, 2010, 10:45 pm

    I would choose option B (but I would have to have a home with a huge porch or deck OR live right on the beach)! *wink* I have always wanted to live in SC but have never been there LOL Said the same about Arizona and have never been there. Anyway, good luck on the house search.

    And I voted!

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place September 20, 2010, 10:49 pm

    love the look of house A!! wish I could find something that big for under 1mil in chicago!! ugh!!

  • Nicci September 20, 2010, 10:49 pm

    I love Option b, very beautiful. I hope they find a house to their liking asap.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) September 20, 2010, 10:53 pm

    oh my – they are some GORGEOUS looking houses!!!

  • Heather September 20, 2010, 10:54 pm

    love the kitchen, beautiful! I like the look of the outside of A if we are just talking about outsides…

  • Lisa September 20, 2010, 10:59 pm

    Option A definitely looks the most homie! I love it! =)

  • Amber K September 20, 2010, 10:59 pm

    Those all look like beautiful homes. Have a great time looking at all of the houses. It really looks like a blast, I’ve only driven past such nice looking houses.

  • Karen September 20, 2010, 11:02 pm

    Option A gets my vote, although I LOVE that kitchen from option C!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now September 20, 2010, 11:04 pm

    Oooh. I really like option C a lot from the outside!

    They all look gorgeous, though!

  • Julia September 20, 2010, 11:04 pm

    Option A is my top pick! Red brick, white trim, and black shutters-looks gorgeous, very traditional look but it’s also got personality with the front door on the side and the open garage/overhang.

  • Nicole - yuppie yogini September 20, 2010, 11:10 pm

    Maybe our homes are “modest”, but we are surrounding by $500,000+ homes….that are 1000 sq. ft. Don’t get much for your money around here.

  • Kendall September 20, 2010, 11:11 pm

    And I’m packing up to move to rural S.C. right about now….beautiful!

  • Emlod10 September 20, 2010, 11:13 pm

    A -love all of the windows, the shutters, and the long driveway!

  • caronae September 20, 2010, 11:17 pm

    I like option A because it looks like it is more settled into the landscape than the others! Good luck! 🙂

  • KatieTX September 20, 2010, 11:18 pm

    I love B! But apparently I am the only one!

  • Staci September 20, 2010, 11:19 pm

    They are ALL beautiful! I would really like to see what Option B looks like – that house looks like it could be full of character. Good luck tomorrow!

  • Catherine September 20, 2010, 11:19 pm

    all of those houses are beautiful and make me sad that I live in California where the housing market is insane. I think my favorite outside is A but that kitchen in C is awesome!

  • jenny in new york September 20, 2010, 11:20 pm

    Option A is fantastic

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) September 20, 2010, 11:21 pm

    Based on outside looks alone I love A. Just seems so regal 🙂

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) September 20, 2010, 11:30 pm

    Option A !! So much character. Would love to see a picture of the kitchen in option it. I love the long drive way. Lots of room for family and friends 😀

  • Maren September 20, 2010, 11:31 pm

    I’ve never house hunted before, but I LOVE House Hunters and House Hunters International! I would rather watch HGTV than trash tv ANY DAY! I loooove all of those houses! But option A is probably my favorite! It’s hard to tell from the outside though! Good luck tomorrow!!

  • Melissa September 20, 2010, 11:41 pm

    I’d be happy with any of those; they are all beautiful!

  • Camille September 20, 2010, 11:53 pm

    Oh my gosh, those are incredible houses!
    I vote for A!

  • Jazz September 20, 2010, 11:57 pm

    I like C because it has a porch! Maybe one tomorrow will have a bigger one… Wowza, in Canada those houses would be a million!

  • erica September 20, 2010, 11:58 pm

    I like A and C, but A a little bit more. Depends on the inside!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] September 20, 2010, 11:58 pm

    What exquisite homes! The kitchen reminds me the of kitchen from the TV show, The OC 😉

  • Wei-Wei September 21, 2010, 12:10 am

    Good luck house hunting! All the houses look amazing. 😀

  • Stacey September 21, 2010, 12:30 am

    1. I LOVE option A, but they’re all beautiful! And those white cabinets are really great.

    2. Just thought you might be interested… those BBQ Baked Lays are not vegetarian. I love them, and have been eating them as long as I’ve been vegetarian, but for some reason just decided to look at the ingredient list a few weeks ago. The chips are flavored with CHICKEN FAT. I was so grossed out when I read that. :-\ I know everyone has their own limits and boundaries with what they’ll eat as vegetarians (I know some will eat soup made with chicken stock but not actual chicken, for example), but CHICKEN FAT was enough to get me to stop eating those chips. Just thought you might want a heads up!

    • Caitlin September 21, 2010, 8:33 am

      WHAT are you serious?!!?!? i will investigate this soon!

      thanks for telling me!

  • Hilary September 21, 2010, 1:16 am

    I love the first one the best, but just as a warning: that is a LOT of house to clean and maintain, and especially for just two people! I love beautiful homes, but I prefer something a bit more cozy.

    • Caitlin September 21, 2010, 8:33 am

      i totally agree with you 🙂

  • Emily September 21, 2010, 1:50 am

    That sure looks like Greenville, SC! My homeplace! I encourage everyone to move to SC! It’s amazing! I live in CA and you can’t even find half the house here for the money that you can get in SC! Great choices!

  • carlee September 21, 2010, 2:27 am

    I definitely like C the best! its soooo beautiful! Definitely not B! C all the wayyyyyy! Good luck!

  • suki @ [Super Duper Fantastic] September 21, 2010, 2:36 am

    i love the outside of house A, but that kitchen, WOW. 🙂 if you want anything like THAT in san francisco, try 5M.

  • Elise September 21, 2010, 3:48 am

    I LOVE Option A — probably because the carport is in the middle of a house, and makes it such a unique style home. Though, the kitchen has to match that — or top Option C. I believe a kitchen can make or break a house. That and the master bedroom. Because honestly, what else do you REALLY need?

  • Orla September 21, 2010, 4:12 am

    While I adored hunting for my house I cant imagine having to do it in a week! And make a decision! It took me over a year to make a choice. Saying that, the day I walked into the show home of what is now my home, I just knew it was the one. I was scheduled to see 5 other houses that day with my dad and when he said I would be hard pushed to find a better build home I knew that I was on the right path. My dad has rediculously high standards!!!
    Best of luck with the rest of the house hunting!
    And I just love your M-I-L’s name! It is stunning!

  • Little Bookworm September 21, 2010, 5:18 am

    I love option C. Good luck with the house hunting! 🙂

  • Julia @ Brit Bride September 21, 2010, 5:31 am

    WOW. A all the WAY!

    Julia
    http://www.britbride.com

  • Extenze September 21, 2010, 6:11 am

    Oooh. I really like option C a lot from the outside!

  • Laurie September 21, 2010, 6:42 am

    You are a good daughter in law!

  • Lauren September 21, 2010, 6:59 am

    These houses are gorgeous!! I don’t think I’d mind hunting for mansions. 🙂

    Have fun tomorrow and good luck. 😉

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey September 21, 2010, 7:08 am

    I love house hunting!!!! My mom is a realtor and I used to always taag along when she worked!

  • Katie Carso September 21, 2010, 7:09 am

    All those houses are beautiful! LOVE that kitchen, I want an amazing kitchen when my fiance and I get a house one day, that is a big selling point for me!

    Good luck today! I hope your mom in law finds one !!!!!!!

  • Liz @ BLog is the New Black September 21, 2010, 7:18 am

    THe kitchen in option 3 is gorgeous! I’m with you on the white cabinets. Good luck!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) September 21, 2010, 7:25 am

    Loooove option A. Gorgeous!

    Have fun house hunting! 😀

  • Tina September 21, 2010, 7:32 am

    Of course I voted for you.

    And Option C!!! Even without seeing the inside, I just love that design of house. Have fun hunting today.

  • Erin September 21, 2010, 7:57 am

    My husband and I almost bought Option C when we were house hunting!!! No joke!!!!!!!!!!!! We loved it so much, but we ended up getting a house that was a model and came fully furnished. Woo hoo! Anyway, we live in BridgeMill in Fort Mill. If your mother-in-law is interested, you should look in my neighborhood. I cannot say enough great things about it. 🙂 Feel free to email me if you have any questions or want a tour guide!

    • Erin September 21, 2010, 8:03 am

      OK- upon further looking, it seems as though that is NOT the house we looked at. LOL. It looks very similar though, so I vote for it (and still recommend BridgeMill). 😉

    • Caitlin September 21, 2010, 8:35 am

      We looked at BridgeMill!

  • Lexie September 21, 2010, 7:58 am

    I love both options A and C…can’t wait to see what some look like inside! I love house hunting 🙂

  • whitney September 21, 2010, 8:00 am

    beautiful homes. The kitchen def makes it or breaks it for me.

    The second house looked really pretty but I did like that kitchen. I don’t think any of those houses will ever be in my “options” for homes anytime soon but I hope when I’m older and wiser they will be.

    Your dinner looked great too! P.S. I love subway

  • Grace September 21, 2010, 8:06 am

    Oh I love looking at pictures of houses! House hunting is so exhausting though. Option A is so striking – I love it! But I like the mini porch on Option C. My dream home has a big porch.

  • Sami September 21, 2010, 8:14 am

    option #3 is beautiful! i hope i can afford a house like that someday for my own!

  • Krystina September 21, 2010, 8:15 am

    For some reason I really love option B. The other two are gorgeous, but I’m drawn to the second.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman September 21, 2010, 8:19 am

    Wow, those are gorgeous homes. I live in the DC area, where those homes would probably go for 4 million. So, the idea of buying a home right now is kind of like buying a unicorn to me.

    • Carolyn September 21, 2010, 11:19 am

      Haha… I also live in the DC area and wholeheartedly agree.

      I love option A so far based on the exterior; however, I love the kitchen in option C.

  • Di September 21, 2010, 8:32 am

    I LOVE option A’s exterior, but I wouldn’t be able to decide without seeing inside. 😉 The kitchen of option C looks nice though!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers September 21, 2010, 8:46 am

    That kitchen is amazing!! I LOVE option A …the little drive through arch thing is awesome.

  • Andrea September 21, 2010, 8:51 am

    I like the exterior of House C best. It’s the only one with a picture of the inside, so I feel like it has an unfair advantage, but I love that kitchen, the bright sunlight, the deck outside… love it!

  • Ann September 21, 2010, 8:55 am

    Aren’t you starting a business? My best advice is to wait a year. Seriously. Unless you’ve got a trust fund or something.

    When we started our business, we bought our house based on what we could afford if I were the only one bringing in any money (my earning potential is far lower than my husband’s). They also said we could finance some ridiculous amount – like $275,000. We ended up borrowing only $125,000. We’ve been VERY grateful in the intervening years that we were conservative, and that we haven’t had to worry about losing our house when things went poorly with the business. We can EASILY afford our house, and that’s a good feeling. In fact, we’d pay about the same for rent as we pay for our (15 year, refinanced) mortgage.

    I was the one with the big long comment about small businesses and taxes. Been there, done that. Trust me!

    • Caitlin September 21, 2010, 8:59 am

      You didn’t read the post very well 🙂 My mother in law is buying the house, not me.

      • Ann September 21, 2010, 9:54 am

        Oh crap, sorry. Busy morning! LOL!!! 🙂

  • Rachel September 21, 2010, 9:00 am

    Definitely option A. It’s beautiful.

    Option B looks like it has zero shade which means it’ll be a hot house in the summer and a cold house in the winter, not to mention higher utility bills.

    Option C’s exterior is not very aesthetically pleasing, although the kitchen looks nice!

  • erin September 21, 2010, 9:27 am

    i like option A, along with everyone else it seems. B is really not my style and C seems kind of meh (the exterior). i LOVE house hunting! i was kind of disappointed when i found our current house so quickly. and i think i could easily make real estate my hobby if, you know, we had millions of dollars laying around.

    also- we bought our first house over a long weekend. it’s totally doable!

  • Shannon September 21, 2010, 9:30 am

    OMG, option C has my DREAM KITCHEN!!! I heart white cabinets too! Oh, and btw, houses like that would go for a million dollars–or more–in my neck of the woods! (Minneapolis area)

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin September 21, 2010, 9:33 am

    I love option A, but the kitchen in option C is beautiful! Good luck with the house hunt!

  • Natalia - a side of simple September 21, 2010, 10:22 am

    So many kitchens to look at! I think that would be the most exciting part for me if I was looking at homes or apartments. Happy Hunting!

  • Ali September 21, 2010, 10:27 am

    OMG, this is seriously my dream day. I’m obsessed with real estate (even though my career has nothing to do with it) and shopping with someone else’s money, even better. Good luck on day two and please take lots of pictures of interiors and exteriors for me to drool over!

  • Leanne @ Radiant, Balanced & Fit September 21, 2010, 10:44 am

    Those houses look stunning (even if just from the outside)! I absolutely LOVE that white kitchen! Please post more pictures 🙂

  • Lindsay September 21, 2010, 10:52 am

    I may be missing something very obvious, but I can’t figure out how to vote for the Food Blog entry. There is a vote button on the top of the page, but when you click it nothing happens – is that a vote? Or should there be some type of confirmation or a log-in screen before I vote?

    • Caitlin September 21, 2010, 9:44 pm

      you are suppose to click the heart button 🙂 thanks!!!

  • Monika @ ForeverImprovingGirl September 21, 2010, 10:55 am

    Definitely the first one! It’s gorgeous. I love the little addition to the right.

    Wow…real estate like this where I live would be insanely expensive.

  • Rob September 21, 2010, 10:59 am

    Very nice houses and I do like option C. Problem with SC is the taxes you pay on your cars, which is considered “property”, the nicer the car, the higher in taxes. We moved from SC to Union county for cheaper taxes and better schools, but sounds like your IL don’t have to worry about those. Have fun and check out Tega Cay.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write September 21, 2010, 11:14 am

    If I’m going only by the exterior, definitely Option A. I love that style of house. Those homes would cost milions (plural) here in California. They look AMAZING! How fun it must have been to tour those homes! 🙂

  • tina September 21, 2010, 11:21 am

    omg- that kitchen is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tell them to move there just so you can take more pictures in that dream kitchen!

  • Scargosun September 21, 2010, 12:21 pm

    I vote A. i am a sucker for brick. 🙂

  • Lauren September 21, 2010, 12:39 pm

    Looks like you had fun house hunting! My summer job has been in real estate and I’m the one who would have walked you through all those gorgeous homes! Lol its a lot of fun. My favorites though are the older homes complete with nooks crannies and lots of charm 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) September 21, 2010, 1:10 pm

    I like the outside of A the most, but the inside of C is beautiful!!!! (C is my second fave for the outside).

  • Lisa September 21, 2010, 1:27 pm

    Holy cow! Those houses look like mansions! Nice!

    I LOVE house hunting. It’s so much fun to pretend and imagine how I’d decorate.

  • Corinne September 21, 2010, 2:51 pm

    hahaha the “hunting” picture had me giggling, the kitchen in option C caused my jaw to drop (beautiful!) and your dinner had me drooling.

    looking forward to seeing which option she chooses.

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing September 21, 2010, 3:57 pm

    Beautiful houses! I like the one with the drive through carport area. How convenient!

  • Ariane September 21, 2010, 5:48 pm

    i LOVE option A, that’s exactly how i picture my eventual dreamhouse. all the houses are gorgeous though, they can’t go wrong!

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