Our quest for the perfect abode continues, and after carefully considering and ultimately moving on from the charming Cottage In the Woods, our journey led us to another intriguing prospect: a delightful Cape Cod style home nestled conveniently close to local shops. Initially, we approached this viewing with a degree of skepticism. This particular area was entirely new territory for us, venturing beyond our familiar haunts. However, there was a subtle urban allure about its surroundings – a hint of city vibrancy that sparked a nostalgic longing for our past life in NYC, where everyday errands often involved a leisurely stroll to a nearby store. This potential to rekindle that pedestrian-friendly lifestyle was enough to pique our interest, prompting us to schedule a visit and explore its possibilities. Below, you’ll find a glimpse of the exterior, presented in its slightly-doctored glory. We opt for these subtly altered images out of respect for the current homeowners, a practice we’ve explained further here, allowing us to share our impressions while maintaining seller privacy.
The Essential Statistics: A Snapshot of the Cape Cod Gem
Before diving into our personal reflections, let’s lay out the fundamental specifications of this classic Cape Cod residence. Understanding these key figures helps paint a clearer picture of the property’s character and potential within the local market.
- Age: 1945 – This home boasts a rich history, standing for nearly eight decades. Its mid-20th-century construction suggests a sturdy build, characteristic of a time when homes were often crafted with enduring materials and timeless design principles. While older homes naturally come with their own set of considerations regarding updates and maintenance, they also carry an inherent charm and architectural integrity that newer builds often struggle to replicate.
- House size: 2,001 square feet – At just over 2,000 square feet, this home offers a comfortable and practical living space. It’s a size that typically provides ample room for a growing family, with distinct areas for living, dining, and relaxation, without feeling overwhelmingly large or difficult to maintain. It sits comfortably within the range for a family home, balancing spaciousness with manageability.
- Lot size: 0.25 acres – A quarter-acre lot strikes a desirable balance between having sufficient outdoor space and not being burdened by excessive yard work. This size often allows for a modest garden, a play area for children, or a pleasant patio for outdoor entertaining, providing a private oasis without demanding endless weekends of landscaping. It offers a nice buffer from neighbors while still feeling connected to the community.
- Bedrooms: 3 – Three bedrooms is a versatile configuration, ideal for a variety of living situations. For families, it typically provides a primary bedroom, a secondary bedroom for children, and a third that could serve as a guest room, home office, or a dedicated hobby space. This setup often caters well to the needs of modern families seeking functionality and flexibility.
- Bathrooms: 2 – Having two full bathrooms is a significant convenience, especially in a three-bedroom home. It alleviates congestion during busy mornings and provides comfort for both residents and guests. This common ratio ensures practical living and enhances the home’s overall market appeal.
The Advantages: What We Cherished About This Property
Every home has its unique draw, and this Cape Cod, despite our ultimate decision, presented several compelling features that truly resonated with us. These positive attributes highlighted aspects of a lifestyle we actively seek.
- Cute, friendly & walkable neighborhood (we could even walk to Target!): This was undoubtedly one of the strongest selling points. The neighborhood exuded an undeniable charm, characterized by well-maintained homes, mature trees, and a palpable sense of community. The streets were inviting, perfect for evening strolls, and the presence of sidewalks encouraged pedestrian activity. The ability to walk to local shops, cafes, and even a major retailer like Target was a massive draw. It promised a lifestyle of convenience and less reliance on a car, a return to the easy accessibility we cherished in city living. This walkability factor contributes significantly to a higher quality of life, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging interaction with neighbors.
- County schools/taxes with city feel: This particular blend is often considered the best of both worlds. The prospect of benefiting from excellent county school systems and potentially lower property taxes, while still enjoying the vibrant amenities and cultural offerings typically associated with a city, was incredibly appealing. It suggests a location that offers the practical advantages of suburban living – better schools, green spaces, community events – combined with the dynamism and convenience of an urban environment, such as diverse dining options, unique boutiques, and cultural venues within easy reach. This balance truly caters to families looking for a holistic lifestyle.
- Old and definitely in need of work: For some, “in need of work” might be a deterrent, but for us, it was a significant advantage. We envision a home as a canvas, an opportunity to infuse our personal style and creativity into every corner. An older home, especially one that hasn’t been overly modernized, presents a chance to undertake thoughtful renovations, restore original features, and create something truly unique and tailored to our tastes. This process of transformation is not just about aesthetics; it’s about adding tangible value, building equity, and crafting a space that tells our family’s story. It offers the exciting challenge and reward of bringing an older home back to its full potential while making it distinctly ours.
- Gorgeous hardwood floors throughout: The presence of beautiful, original hardwood floors throughout the home was a standout feature. Hardwood floors are not merely aesthetically pleasing; they are durable, easy to clean, and contribute significantly to a home’s character and value. These floors, likely original to the 1945 construction, would have a timeless appeal, adding warmth and sophistication to every room. Discovering such well-preserved or easily refinishable hardwood floors eliminates a major renovation cost and instantly elevates the perceived quality and historical integrity of the residence. They are a classic design element that never goes out of style.
The Disadvantages: Where This Home Fell Short
While the Cape Cod offered many appealing qualities, our comprehensive evaluation also revealed several drawbacks that ultimately contributed to our decision not to pursue it further. These points highlight the compromises we weren’t quite ready to make.
- Expensive per square foot compared to others we looked at: Financial considerations are always paramount in home buying. This particular property, despite its charm, presented a higher price per square foot than other homes we had explored in comparable markets. This meant that, for the same investment, we might be able to secure a larger property or one with more updated features elsewhere. Such a discrepancy can raise questions about long-term value, potential for appreciation, and whether the emotional appeal truly justified the premium in cost. It forced us to weigh the perceived value against the tangible investment, and in this case, the numbers didn’t quite align with our expectations for a property needing work.
- Layout made house feel chopped up and closed in: Stepping inside, the interior layout immediately felt less open and cohesive than we prefer. The common characteristic of older homes, particularly Cape Cods of this era, can be a more compartmentalized design with smaller, distinct rooms rather than the sprawling, open-concept living spaces popular today. For us, this resulted in a feeling of being “chopped up” and “closed in,” hindering natural light flow and making the home feel smaller than its actual square footage. We envision a home where living areas blend seamlessly, encouraging family interaction and providing a sense of spaciousness. This layout, unfortunately, didn’t foster that desired environment and would have required significant structural changes to achieve, adding substantial cost and complexity.
- Main bedroom on 1st floor, others upstairs (we’d like ’em on the same level): This specific bedroom configuration was a significant practical concern for our family. With the primary bedroom situated on the first floor and the remaining bedrooms upstairs, it created a separation we weren’t comfortable with. For families with young children, or simply a desire for closer proximity, having all bedrooms on the same level is often preferred for convenience, a sense of security, and ease of access throughout the night. While this layout can work for some, offering a degree of privacy, it didn’t align with our ideal family living arrangement and felt like a compromise we weren’t keen on making.
- No central air: In many modern climates, central air conditioning is no longer a luxury but a necessity for comfort, especially during warmer months. The absence of a central air conditioning system was a significant red flag. Installing a complete central air system can be a substantial and costly renovation, involving ductwork, unit installation, and electrical upgrades. Without it, reliance on less efficient window units or portable systems often leads to higher energy bills, uneven cooling, and a less comfortable living environment. This omission represented a major investment that would need to be factored into the total cost of ownership, impacting both our budget and daily comfort.
- Not very close to family: While we were open to exploring new areas, the increased distance from our extended family was a notable disadvantage. Family proximity plays a crucial role in our lives, offering a strong support system for childcare, social gatherings, and everyday assistance. Moving to an area further away would mean less spontaneous visits, longer travel times for holidays, and a diminished sense of immediate community support. This personal factor, though not about the house itself, was an important emotional and logistical consideration that weighed heavily on our decision-making process.
The Verdict and Our Evolving Search Strategy
Ultimately, despite its undeniable curb appeal and the allure of its vibrant neighborhood, this particular Cape Cod home didn’t quite evoke that visceral “gut reaction” we’re waiting for – the same instantaneous feeling of “this is it” that we experienced when purchasing our current home. That emotional resonance is a critical factor for us, signaling a true connection to a space where we envision building our future. However, our visit was far from a wasted effort. It served as an invaluable learning experience, affirming our strong preference for this type of neighborhood. We discovered that we genuinely liked the energy, the walkability, and the community feel of the area, even though it was an entirely new geographic proposition for us.
While the slightly higher price point per square foot and the increased distance from our family were not ideal considerations, the charming exterior of the Cape Cod left a lasting positive impression. This visit reinforced our interest in exploring other two-level houses, moving beyond the ranch-style homes that initially dominated our search. Our sights are now firmly set on Bon Air, a community we affectionately refer to as our “promised land” due to its unique blend of desirable characteristics, excellent schools, and established neighborhoods. We believe Bon Air offers a greater probability of finding a home that combines the architectural style we appreciate with the practical amenities and community vibe we’re seeking. Exploring more two-level options, whether they are traditional Cape Cods, Colonials, or other multi-story designs, allows us to keep our options open and ensures we consider all possibilities for finding a home that truly aligns with our vision and needs. The search continues, and we remain optimistic about discovering that perfect place to call our own. On to the next one, with renewed focus and a clearer understanding of our evolving priorities.
Altered exterior photo taken by us and edited thanks to our friend Photoshop.
Psst- Want to see the coolest nursery we’ve seen in a while? Check out this week’s BabyCenter post right here for a Nursery Crashing adventure.