We're Homeowners!!

Ren and I are now homeowners in beautiful Montara! Nestled alongside Montara mountain, three blocks from Montara State Beach and just a short bike ride away from where I grew up in Moss Beach.

We started looking in early January of this year and though interest rates were high, the market was still very competitive. We made two offers on homes in San Francisco and were outbid both times; one house went $500K over asking with 24 offers. After that we figured there was no way in hell we would become homeowners any time soon, but the stars aligned, and we actually got our favorite house of all the ones we toured. The story goes that we had been working with our realtor Matt of Element Real Estate, who is a friend from middle school and my old landlord. When this house popped up in Montara the online listing really undersold the place; it didn’t list the ocean views, the heated floors, the bevy of smart home and tech features, and full steam shower to name a few. A 1955 modernized beach bungalow, it was love at first sight for us both. In fact, Ren felt so at home that she didn’t want to leave! Based on the thick stack of realtor cards on the table we figured we didn’t have a chance of getting this one either, but as luck would have it there was a mix up setting the listing date and time and instead of a dozen or more offers it came down to us and one other offer... and we got it! Ren says the house chose us.

We sold half of our belongings in preparation for the move, I even sold my beloved e30 BMW that I had just finished building up with my friend Chris. Part of the reason for selling the car is that the new house has no garage-- it was converted  into an ADU and is now living space and we will need to build a garage down the line as time and money allow. As serendipity would have it, I bought in Glendale, Southern California exactly one year prior and it went right back to Glendale with a new owner who says it is his dream car! He has been sending me regular updates on car meets and shows he has been attending with it. I'm glad that it went to a good home.

To celebrate our new home, we hosted house warming gatherings on Sat April 20th. The first was a cookie social to meet our neighbors. We had 15 neighbors stop over to introduce themselves and take a tour, each bringing a thoughtful gift. Later that evening our home was filled with family and friends from around the Bay Area to toast our stunning views and fill our home with even more warmth and joy!

We received so many thoughtful gifts, including fantastic house cleaning slippers-- brilliant Jen!!

Even though our home was move in ready, we have already begun making it our own. I have tapped back into my Lick-Wilmerding woodshop days (Mr. Sichhi would be proud) and have been sanding and staining wood. We have already planted four trees, including a Japanese maple like we had at our home in Pacifica.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our good fortune that asbolutely happened as a result of support from our family and friends. I want to thank Matt, Sarah, Mickey, Martin, Carolyn, Chris, and Colleen, Norma and every one else that made this possible.  Thanks also to my parents, who helped us check out this and other houses, and to the many family and friends who bought furniture from us during the several moving sales we held. Most of all, I want to thank Ren for getting us on the track to buy our own house and for sitting down in the living room and saying “I’m not leaving, this is the one!” 

Our happily ever after spot. We hope y'all will come and visit!

This cool painting of our home was commissioned by our friend Marie Fontenot; a wonderful surprise!