I’ve been focusing our search on big, impressive places, but a little borderline derelict, hadn’t been renovated in fifty years bungalow in need of more TLC than I could give it got me thinking in a new direction.
Before I moved to Denmark, I’d dreamed of expanding my garden and turning my suburban Connecticut lawn into an urban backyard homestead. Then my life changed dramatically, I gave up gardening, and that dream drifted away as my life took a different turn. But that decrepit little bungalow has awoken the simple dream I’d packed away six years ago when I moved countries and my life became far too complicated. Now that I’ve resigned from the corporate rat race, there’s never been a better time to revisit it, and I’ve found the perfect place!
Something horrible is happening to Danish houses. Old houses that look stunning from the outside have been stripped of their period features. Real estate listings proudly tout new kitchens and bathrooms from 2015, and completely modernized properties. I’ve seen dozens of desecrated properties in the past weeks, and I think Danes are ruining an important part of their heritage one bad renovation at a time. Modern Scandinavian design does not belong inside a 1920s – 1930s shell. It’s not edgy, it’s not cool – it’s just sad. And to my vintage loving heart, it’s unforgivable.
Our New Dream: An Urban Backyard Homestead
So, when I stumbled upon this mostly untouched cabinetmaker’s house from 1930 on a large plot of land at the edge of the city, at half my maximum budget, I knew we’d found something special.
I was so happy to finally see a house that hadn’t been pillaged! I knew this romantic little place was myhouse and my muse as soon as I walked into the living room and dining room. There are so many beautiful details and cozy nooks in this house, the bathroom is big enough for a clawfoot bathtub, the lot is quite secluded, and it really is the perfect spot for an urban backyard homestead.
I was ready to make an offer then and there, but when I got to the top floor and looked out over what I thought was going to be my urban backyard homestead, which already had a water feature, raised beds, fruit trees, and a greenhouse, the real estate agent said, “now I have to tell you a sad story.”
I research the purchase history of every property I look at, so I was speculating as to why the property was listed at below what the owners had paid for it in 2007. I was expecting something much different, but the agent said, “Do you see that tape over there? All of the land behind it has been sold and there’s going to be a house built there.”
That bit of information brought the showing to an abrupt halt, I didn’t bother to see the rest of the place and I rushed off to the car to have a good cry. The property had been initially listed as one parcel, and the real estate listing hadn’t been updated to reflect the subdivision. If I’d known they’d subdivided the lot, I wouldn’t have bothered to go see it. The new lot barely has enough room for a few potted tomato plants, let alone gardens big enough to grow anything substantial. The fruit trees are being cut down, an access road is being built in the side yard, and there’s going to be an ugly one story house where the garden used to be.
So even when people are wise enough to keep a house’s period features intact, they’re greedy enough to subdivide its lot, desecrating it anyway. The crazy thing is that I could’ve paid what they’re getting for the lot and land separately, and still been under budget. Now, they’ve ruined a gem of a property and they’re stuck with a house they’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of selling, and it serves them right.
So, I found my dream home, and it would’ve only cost half of my maximum budget! But its been ruined by greed and impatience, and I’m devastated.
Jessica Beal Harlow says
Oh, the bones are so there! This is such a beautiful house and it’s so sad to hear that the previous owners couldn’t see past a few bucks to keep it that way. It truly is devastating to find THE one only to learn there is something about it that just can’t be ignored. :(
Sage says
I’m so sad about the fate of this little house, but this one has shown us that these houses do exist, we just have to be patient.
Barbara Paola says
Wow. that is devastating. My SIL bought the “lot” behind her because there were plans to build a house…I don’t really know how there would have been street access but anyway…she bought it so no house could be built there. It’s too bad you couldn’t do the same. It’s such a nice house.
Sage says
We would’ve done the same if the lot had still been for sale. I don’t see how they’re going to sell the place now. It has no land whatsoever, barely even a strip of grass for kids to play on, in an area people move to when their kids are too big to live in a city center apartment and they still want to be in the city.
comebackmommajenn says
What a horrible experience! My husband and I had something similar happened to us. We did some research and found out a huge parking lot was going to be constructed across the street from the house that we loved. Luckily we found this ourselves since our real estate agent had no idea. I hope that what happened to you, will never happen again. I believe in fate though so hopefully an even better house is waiting for you.
Sage says
Thanks, Jenn! And thank goodness you found out before you signed a contract. I don’t trust real estate agents as far as I can throw them and wouldn’t expect them to tell me anything that might jeopardize a sale.
This guy didn’t even bother to mention beforehand that the lot was being subdivided and when we called him out on it, he said he could see how the listing could be considered misleading and would update it. I’m tempted to bill him for the hour I wasn’t working while I looked at the house.
Tami says
I was so excited that you had found the house of my – I mean your – dreams. Then you tell me the bad news. It’s sad how one action of another can ruin an almost perfect home.
Sage says
It’s very sad. I’m losing hope that we’ll find a place we like enough to buy this year.
The city apartment we own now is in a popular neighborhood, but properties only move between January and May because it’s become a university area and most of the potential buyers are parents who buy the places for their kids to live in while they study. They need to be situated by start of classes in August, so there’s a narrow window for selling.
If we haven’t found a place by mid-April, we’ll have to call off the search and be stuck in this property for at least another year. I cannot bear that thought.
Tami says
Are there any renovations or maybe some redecorating to make your home more ‘home’ to you? My mom would rearrange furniture and put up wallpaper for a change of scenery every 6-12 months. I do hope you find and buy your dream home soon, but maybe a small temporary solution will make itself known to you until you can do so.
Cassie says
I’m sorry that you found the house you’ve been looking for but not the property. As discouraging as this experience was, hopefully you will keep looking and find the perfect combo. There has to be the right land and home combination out there somewhere, right?
Sage says
We don’t really have a choice but to keep looking. Robert bought the place we’re living in now before we met, and it’s just not suitable for a couple, a business, and a teenager.
We’ve been to see every property that’s even remotely interesting, and now our pool of potential properties has been limited to what comes on the market each day. It’s not looking good :(
Janna says
How devastating that the realtor brought you guys there to fall in love with the house and then suddenly pulled the rug from under your feet. And it sucks that the previous owners ruined the potential of that house.
Sage says
It totally sucks! My only comfort is knowing that the people who did that will likely have to drop the price of the house drastically before anyone is remotely interested in buying it. The plot is a good size, but it’s definitely not big enough to accommodate two houses and an access road without looking ridiculous and feeling cramped.
Alison says
Oh my I thought you were talking about hubby and I. We’re working very hard at becoming debt free and evenutally self-sustainable (off the grid) for the most part. It’s tough when you think about how much we rely one everyone but ourselves anymore. Every time we get closer to our goal though, it’s very exciting to think that it really is possible. It saddens me that you were unable to secure the property/ home though -I know how hard it is to find the place you adore only to realize that it’s not quite in your grasp.
Sage says
Wow, off grid, that’s hardcore! Good for you for working towards becoming debt free. It’s not an easy goal, but the sense of freedom is well worth the effort and sacrifices. Best of luck in your journey, Alison :)
vegetarianmamma says
It can be so discouraging. We would love to follow the urban homestead thought process. Just being able to live off our land debt free and homestead. I am so sorry that you weren’t able to get the perfect thing yet. It will come! Fingers crossed!
Sage says
Thank you :) There’s just something so simple and so satisfying about that kind of living, isn’t there?
Shelly says
So sorry to read about this travesty, It is horrible when the charm and character of an area is lost due to greed without any thought about the area residents or resale value of the particular building. I loved the photos, it seemed like this house would have been just perfect for you. I would have cried, too! Tragic that the backyard oasis/garden will be lost. They are going to need good luck to sell the place once that house is built.
Sage says
Thanks, Shelly! They’re going to need more than good luck, it’s going to take a miracle. I’ll be watching with interest to see how long the property sits.
Yona Williams says
It’s really sad that people are replacing the history and character of older houses with modern features. I’m sorry that your dream house fell through. Real estate listings should be better monitored, I would’ve been both heartbroken and livid if I fell in love with something like that.
There was no way to stop the sub-dividing of the property – it was already in motion?
Sage says
Thanks, Yona. They’d already found a buyer for the subdivided lot, so it wasn’t possible to buy both properties and recombine them.
mixedkreationl says
I’m so sorry to hear that. It looks like a beautiful home with good bones. You would of thought that the owner would of tried to sell the house with the land first, then if he couldn’t sell then divide it up. Just hold on to the hope that one day you will find your dream urban backyard homestead.
Sage says
Thanks :) They apparently had it on the market for all of 2 months before splitting it up. I really don’t know what they’re thinking.
Jenn Peters says
I fear the same will happen to my parent’s house in the coming years. It did happen to the “lot” next to them years ago. They were fortunate enough to get a “double lot” with the oldest house in the neighborhood. Love the rustic charm it has, hate the urban-ness closing in all around. I hope you can find your perfect homestead! It’s neat that you’ve been able to find some glimmers of hope already.
Sage says
Thanks, Jenn :) It just makes me so sad to see such a lovely house be ruined by shortsightedness and greed. But I guess it’s happening everywhere.
Sherry says
That is so disappointing. That has happen to us but we later found the perfect place.
Sage says
Thanks, Sherry, for keeping hope alive :)