House Hunting with Kids!

This week Joel started his new job with Caterpillar Global Mining in Milwaukee.  His office is actually in Oak Creek.  It's close to Milwaukee airport so he sees planes going overhead all the time.  We stayed at a hotel, and the kids and I did school while Joel was at work.  Then in the evenings we did some house hunting. 

First of all let me just say - Hail to my minivan.  We had a rental for the week and oh my goodness sakes.  We were like clowns in a VW.  I can't count the number of times we said to the kids- stay on your own side and keep your hands to yourself!  Except that their own side had them almost shoulder to shoulder.  Certainly no DVD player, and it took us two hours before we found the cup holders in the back.  It's fairly embarrassing to get out of the car to meet a realtor, and have water bottles and Pringles cans falling onto the ground.  As for the trunk - we showed no mercy.  Lesson learned - the gas money is worth it.

So we saw four homes on our trip.  Since we've already seen three - we'll call them house 4-7.  

House 4 was absolutely beautiful - professionally decorated and a newer build.  3 bedrooms.  It was on three acres with a pond.  Here are a few photos.

The problem was there was almost no storage.  And the yard was so sloped that I don't even know where we'd put the trampoline let alone a pool.  So beautiful, but I'm not sure how functional it would be.  

House number 5 was on three acres and had a shed larger than most homes.  Seriously.  It was very expensive, but just not as well kept up.  Cross off the list.  

House 6 was a bit further from work for Joel, but in a beautiful area.  Hills and fields all around and a wonderful yard.  The property had 5 acres with an above ground pool that had seen better days.  The house was fine, but just not updated anywhere.  Pink tub, bright yellow sink, etc.  We'd have to put in a lot of time and money - so cross off the list.  

House 7 was the last one we saw.  It was a possibility.  It was built in the 70's but the family had done many updates.  There were four bedrooms and a small bonus room.  There was a huge basement, and two family areas.  They had a deck off the back with a hottub, and an above ground pool.  There was an extra garage with a wood stove and electric run to it.  It was on 7 acres and backed up to a nature preserve so no one will build behind it.  Oh - there was a Koi pond, too. :) Here are a few pictures.

Joel and I head back next Monday and Tuesday to see several more.  We're going back to house 1 and house 7.  I'll let you know how it goes!