Post Seven - White Christmas

We had put December 23rd on the calendar as our next visit to La Casita, hoping to add an overnight to The Thomas' the day before so Neil could see both his grandparents, and his parents' new house before he left on his adventures in Europe.  But the weather was looking to be less than ideal for heading over Donner Summit, and mixed with the potential increased traffic proved to be more risk than we wanted to take.  Putting further complications on the trip was Barry's Dad passing away the week before, and the fact all of that side of our family was coming to our house in Novato for Christmas Eve, we decided to make it a day trip and keep things simple.

We did get ourselves out on the road early so we could attend morning service at Trinity.  Only our second visit there, but I really liked the feeling -- the Reverend clearly has experience but keeps things casual, their choir is outstanding, the church itself very old-timey feeling.  The service that morning included a baptism, and we chatted with the Rev on our way out into the very rainy day feeling good, grounded, a bit more at peace with all the goings-on.

Out the road to the house, the yards and trees were crusted with a heavy, slushy snow basically starting at Pasquale, which seemed to mark the snow line (at least that day.)  14269's driveway was covered, but not icy, and with only a tab bit of squirliness on the part of the Subaru, we got up to the house where we optimistically clamored up the stairs in the front despite snow piles on the steps.

Once inside, Linda was pleased to meet Neil and to give us time to show him around.  She and Barry chatted and took some time to look at a few items she wanted to leave behind if we were amenable, while I walked Neil up and down and around La Casita.

Neil loved the "secret room", declaring we definitely needed to keep it, and keep it secret.  He liked the interesting architecture, and while admitting there are places we could make some updates, agreed that there was alot we could do with the place over time.

One thing we had been pondering was a bed to sleep in while there, and turns out Linda wanted to leave the very large (and, apparently heavy) bed in the master suite  -- so a win, win on that one.  

So, after wandering around indoors, we said our goodbye to Linda and walked around the perimeter of the house as best we could in the slush and snow.  I am still in awe of the magnificent trees we are surrounded by, and with snow all around, it was even more amazing.

We did throw out the idea of us coming up for New Years', and Linda said she would let us know; the plan was for the movers to do the big stuff on the 28th, so if all went well, we could "camp out" for New Year's Eve.  Crossing fingers...

The weather was so dreary, cold, wet and windy we decided to forgo our original plan to see the Victorian Christmas in Nevada City and went with Plan B, late lunch at Paulette's, which is quickly becoming the go-to drop in eatery for us.  After an entertaining (and filling) meal from the counter, we headed back down to the flatlands to get ready for Christmas Eve.  Happy in the knowledge Neil has seen the property, and somewhat sad that Ray will never get the chance to be there with us.  But already planning our first family get together as soon as we can..... 

Post Six - Done Deal

Carol the Realtor just called.  We are the owners of 14269 Pasquale Rd.

There has been an amazing aura of cooperation, professionalism, subdued excitement and serendipity around this process.  As each part of the transaction played out, all the parties involved seemed to have everything in place, and perhaps it was "karma" that caused everyone to come away from this with a good feeling.

Barry and I have started communicating on email directly with Linda, the (now past) owner,  and are sure she will continue to be in touch and perhaps a good friend and apparently, a fairly close neighbor.  She's mapping out hikes for us to take around the 'hood already!

Next:  Take Neil to visit on Sunday, December 23rd.

Post Five - Things get Real

So, after only a few minor detours in the paperwork trail, we found ourselves ensconced in a small conference room at Old Republic Title Company in San Rafael, waiting for Amy, our mortgage broker, to begin the (paradoxically) exciting but tedious process of signing our loan documents.  Before entering the building, I met Barry outside, where he teasingly proclaimed he had "cold feet."  I told him no problem, we sign with our hands.

Having been through a similar process several times in the last few years for refinancing, there was nothing really unusual or unfamiliar about the thick pile of forms being set before us, page by page, the often seemingly redundant or even contradictory nature of the documents we dutifully signed and initialed.  But, this time, in the back of my mind, is the image of the house in the madrones, the calm silence of the forest, the thought of cooking dinner in the tidy kitchen with the view of the trees out the big windows.  It felt good.

Later this morning, I head over to the local Wells Fargo office to wire transfer a pile of money to City National Bank in La Palma, California, wherever that is.  As much as we have mentally organized our finances, it's now time to really pay attention to the account balances and upcoming expenses.

Things are getting real......


UPDATE:  Later that day......

 The receipt from the wire transfer.  Carol says all that is really left is a final walk through of the property; we can do that now, or when Linda, the seller moves out.  She is going to rent back for at least a while past close of escrow, and we are definitely going to take Neil up to the property on Sunday, December 23rd.  We are considering camping out there for New Years', assuming Linda has moved out by then.  Would be a wonderful way to bring in the New Year.

Post Four - The Waiting (and The Paperwork)

I have to say, it really didn't take much pondering about *if* we would make an offer on the property after our visit.  It became quickly a matter of what that offer would be.

Our agent turns out to be a great fit for us,  a responsive, no-nonsense person that gives us that perfect balance  of personal interest without wasting time on idle chit chat and platitudes.  We are all about business, but at the same time, she's clearly got a soft spot for us and for the property.  In that spirit, as we assessed what we would offer the seller, Carol had the exact same number in mind.  With a little more thoughtful consideration over the phone, we were ready.  Carol said she would draw up the paperwork and get this thing going.

The offer was accepted without counter offer.  Guess that is good.

So, two parallel tracks of paperwork and signing begin.  Real estate disclosures, inspections, notifications, rights and acknowledgements.   Documenting the same incomes and expenses we have been reporting on just about annually in the recent past as we have refinanced and secured equity lines on our current home.  Bank and brokerage account statements,  pay stubs, proof of insurance.

Emails go back and forth.  The scanner captures our signatures and initials and creates bundles of electrons that fly across the Internet to downtown San Rafael and to Nevada City.  Probably via Bangalore.  Which is a big change from 25 years ago when we bought Tampa Drive....   everything needed to be done on paper with pens and mailed or delivered in person.

But even with all the modern conveniences of technology, at this point in our lives, it all seems more tedious than daunting.  We have been through this process, or at least similar ones, many times, and have the support of an amazing lender, whom we have known for years.  Her Mom (and sister) sold us that first house many years ago.....  I still recall the uneasy feeling we had about buying that first house.  I was only 25, and Barry had graduated from college a few months prior, and had only been working that very short time.  It was an intimidating and humbling process to go through.  But now, we understand what needs to be done, and have relative confidence it will all transpire successfully.

The best part of this process was the chance to get to know our Seller, as I attended the Building Inspection and then a week and a half later, she walked us around the edges of the property.  She is clearly having a hard time leaving this amazing home that was custom built, but has commented that she feels like the house will be happy to have us living there, and promises to go hiking with Barry after we are installed in the house.  I feel like we will have a great friend in her, and that feels good.

It's beginning to look like this will be a reality.

Scott's Flat Lakes

Lower Scott's Flat Lake - about 15 -20 min. from La Casita

Access Road

"Launch" Ramp

At Scott's Flat Lake - The "Big" Lake

:-)

BIG Launch Ramp

View of Lake from one loop of the campsites

Historic 5 Mile House at the intersection of Scott's Flat Lake Rd. and Hwy 20

The Mighty Madrones

In the Living Room looking into the forest.  Realtor Carol is pondering the view.

Guest Bedroom entrance deck with Big Trees in the background

View from south of the house back at the deck

Level spot just east of the back deck. 

Edge of the back deck sitting amongst the Madrones.

Madrones and Firs

Post Three - At First (well, Second) Glance

So, after we have read, re-read and pondered over the listing, talked to the agent, and it was decided that Barry would go visit the property while I was off volunteering for something (as usual.)  While the visit was successful, Barry felt the house was not exactly....  well....  not sure.  He said we needed to go back together.

So, with Carol, on a rainy Wednesday (October 24th), we drove to the property and gave it a look.
The only indication there was a house at that address was the For Sale sign at the end of a long driveway that wended its way slowly up the side of Pasquale Road.  A keypad enabled gate that looked like it had not been closed in a very long time hinted at the kind of property this was.  Driving up and then around a corner, you see the house.  Not take-your-breath-away beautiful, but attractive and with a very mountain-home architecture, with some nice gabled windows.

But what dominated the scene was the "forest" - trees, foliage, green with colorful accents, and thanks to the weather, smelling earthy and clean. Increasingly dense the farther away from the house it was. I could have wandered off into it easily.














But, Carol was there, and after brief introductions we entered the house, taking off our shoes as requested by a small basket inside the entry.

I walked about slowly, taking it all in. High ceilings with roofline definition showing inside, big windows and the gables giving visual access to the forest, clean white walls. Not surprisingly, it felt like Mom and Dad's Tyrol Road house; it was build one year later than their place, and from the information provided by the seller, built as if it were at Donner summit.
Barry took his time as well, measuring and taking in the floorplan, mentally mapping our furniture and life into this house.
 

Of course, I quickly concluded it was more than livable, and started making mental notes on the cosmetic changes I would make. As they say... "That escalated quickly."


After wandering the inside for a while, we toured the outside. Carol had brought a friend of hers who is a professional Forester.  Or is that a Forest Technician?  Scott was a great guy, had lived in Novato when he was a kid, has spent 30 years or so in the Nevada City area....  and just a total pleasure to talk to.  He was very interested in the property, and seemed sincerely impressed by the variety and health of the trees.  Of course there were the ubiquious Doug firs, but also a lot of dogwood, some maple, even a red oak that Scott says only grows where there is very fertile soil.




But the most impressive and dominating part of the forest was the madrones.  I feel like I should write it every time with a capital "M"! 

So, we finally wrapped things up, and of course, then as we are driving away.... "Well, what did you think?"


Stay tuned.

Post Two - The List

So, we start "investigating" retirement locations. Not houses as much as towns and neighborhoods. Placerville, Twain Harte, Grass Valley. Those more recent than our old standby locations of (of course) Burney, Foresthill and Shingletown.
We ended up in Nevada City. Somehow.
We started wandering around the area and figured out there is big water for the Blue Boat, small water for the Watermasters, rivers for stream fishing, the correct elevation, an historic but updated downtown with a good deal of relocated North Bay folks, a small but thriving "high-tech" area in Grass Valley, an hour from The Thomas', a little more than an hour from Sacramento Intl Airport, 45 minutes from Auburn all it's big box-store amenities..... the list goes on.
We found, online, a couple properties we found interesting. We looked at one, with disappointing results. On several levels. We decided we needed a local real estate agent to be the ground forces for us. Mary Kay provided an agent.
So, Barry prepared The List.
I don't have the official list we challenged Carol with but....
Can't see any neighbors
> 1 acre of property
Rustic, yet not run down
Room and access for trailer/RV
(Barry's acutal list is much more precise, but you get the idea.)
To our pleased amazement..... La Casita Madrona de Pasquale (working name only) showed up....

Post One - Prologue

So, all along, I guess the plan was to have a house in the forest. But it did not start out that way. Exactly.
In the beginning, there was Columbus Avenue. A duplex apartment Barry and I shared with my high school pals while we were in college in Chico, which was followed by our big, cool, weird version of the Winchester Mystery house on Nord Ave before we got married and moved to Gram's apartment building at 24th and Noriega in The City. Buying our house on Tampa Drive in San Rafael signaled real adult commitment in real estate and when we desired a lawn, and moved to Novato in '94, it was a move that proved to be a good one, as we have stayed there the last 18 years!
Our only son graduates from college in a month. We have both passed the half century mark in our lives. We have proved ourselves in our respective careers and volunteer lives, and ....
it is now time for the next move.