Letter to potential home buyers

Over the weekend we met with our realtor so that he could do a walk through and give us last minute instructions on staging. He asked me to write a handwritten letter to potential home buyers so that they could hear our story and understand that we're "normal" (I didn't bother to tell him that I don't like being described as normal). Up to this point I've done a great job of pretending that I don't actually have to leave my home, neighborhood, and the state that I have lived in my entire life. Writing the letter ended all of that; I cried my eyes out. A LOT. 


I typed up the letter so you could read it. 


Dear Potential home buyers: 


First, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit our home! My husband, Chris, and I are very proud of everything we have done to this house over the last few years. 


Chris bought this home in 2006 (before we met), knowing that it needed a LOT of work. Before moving in he had all of the carpet (except for the kitchen and master bath- more on that later) ripped out and the hardwood floors refinished. 


When I met him and we started dating a little over a year later I remember thinking that he had a big, ugly home with a lot of potential. As our relationship progressed so did the home improvements. In November 2008 we got engaged; in January 2009 we started a massive kitchen remodel. While there are a lot of things I am uncertain of in life, one thing I can tell you with complete certainty is that if a couple can survive a major kitchen renovation, they can survive nearly anything! Not a single thing remains from the previous kitchen. In February 2009 my parents came to visit us, and at the time the kitchen was nothing more that studs- you cold see through to the basement. I remember my mom being terrified, thinking we were in over our heads. 


We spared no expense in this kitchen, which was a struggle at times because we were also planning a wedding. In fact, I had to cut our floral budget to pay for the glass mosaic backsplash in the bar area. We upgraded the edge on the granite. The microwave has a built-in convection over- meaning we have three total ovens in the kitchen. The floors were sanded and stained on site. 


Aside from the fact that the kitchen has many upgrades it's also perfect for entertaining. Since completing it we've hosted one family Christmas and numerous family gatherings. The large island and open floorplan make it ideal for numerous guests. 


Enough about the kitchen. We also gutted every bathroom. The 1/2 bath was wallpapered (walls and ceiling) with linoleum floors. Our master bath was the last completed. We purchased the vanity from Martha Stewart's new line of cabinetry. Open and close the doors; they're impossible to slam. 


Another great feature in this house is the huge mudroom. I didn't fully appreciate this until I started looking for other homes and realized most people do their laundry in the basement. I cannot tell you how nice it is to be able to come in from the garage (or the side of the house) after spending the day doing yard work and not get mud everywhere. 


Last summer we remodeled our den. It had stained "wood" paneling from the 70's. We put new drywall and crown molding and baseboards in. It's a great, sunny office. 


In the upstairs hallway you'll notice a big fan in the ceiling. Wow, it's amazing. We use it all spring/fall and during cooler summer nights to save on the A/C.  My in-laws loved it so much they put one in their home; we will likely be putting one in our next home as well. 


In the last year we also ripped out the carpet and paneling in the basement. We had it waterproofed and steel beams put in- both of which are really expensive to have done! Had we stayed here longer we planned to finish the basement. 


Chris and I LOVE our huge backyard and being on the golf course. Again, had we stayed here longer we planned to expand the patio and build a pergola. Bob, our realtor, says that some people will object to the fact that there are train tracks on the other side of the golf course. This surprised me at first because it's not something I ever notice. I can see how that could be biased coming from the home seller though, so I would encourage you to ask any of our neighbors about it. 


Speaking of our neighbors, they're great. Two years ago Chris and I had been traveling for work (he in Cincinnati and I in Cleveland). When I came home the driveway was completely covered with snow; I was unable to pull in. I barely had time to open the garage to walk in and get a shovel before Mike next door and Eddie from across the street came over to help. It was ten o'clock at night. 


Aside from our home, Chris and are going to miss this neighborhood. Worthington Hills is amazing. There is a 4th of July parade every year and GREAT fireworks. On the weekends there are groups of runners that train back here. There is a beautiful country club- which we never joined because we were always too busy sinking our expendable income into our home. :)  We are moving to Indiana for my job, but Chris and I genuinely hope to move back to Worthington Hill one day. 


We are SO going to miss The Hills Market and The Rusty Bucket just outside of our neighborhood. Great food and so convenient. We know we can't stay (believe me, I've checked and the commute to Indianapolis is far too long), but we are truly sad to leave our home and this neighborhood. We sincerely hope that the next family that lives here loves this house as much as we have. 


Sincerely, 
Kelly and Chris




**AND I'm balling my eyes out again.  

When we first started dating. You can see the kitchen a little: 

 Day 1 of Kitchen Demolition: 

1551:

Gut wrenching: 

For the next month I'm going to keep tissues nearby at all times, I think.  I'm a total cry baby.