Our long search for a home has finally come to an end. It led us to a modest ranch home in a little town called Broadway, just fifteen minutes north of Harrisonburg. We had hoped to find something in closer to town, but when we looked at this house, we realized that it met so many of our needs that we decided to go for it. So we have contract on it. The inspection will be done this coming Friday. We are holding our celebrations for after the closing when the keys are in our hands because that’s when we know for sure this is our next home. So many things can happen…
Nonetheless, David and I are both excited. It’s a three-bedroom, two bath ranch with a garage on a third of an acre. It has a back deck and back yard with a beautiful view of the nearby hillsides. David will be setting up his woodworking shop in the garage, and he’ll be turning the back yard into sustainable gardening. He’ll be in woodworking and gardening heaven! We’ll have a guest bedroom with a private hall bathroom to continue hosting through Airbnb, and we’ll be using the third bedroom for an office. That’s where I’ll be doing my writing.
Our closing is set for May 22. If all goes well, we’ll be moving in after painting the rooms. We plan to be all moved in by May 31.
We’ll be in a fairly new neighborhood. Our home will be towards the bottom of the street near the cul-de-sac. Walking to the top of the hill, looking back down into the neighborhood, this is what we see:
And if we look in the other direction, out towards the west, we see the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. I can imagine taking walks to the top of the hill to see the sun setting over the mountains. Oh my, no wonder that road is called Sunset Drive!
And last but not least, below is a photo of the house we hope will be our next home.
I’m sure David and I are not the only ones who are happy about this being the end of our search. Our loyal and abiding real estate agent, Chris Rooker at the Harrisonburg Homes Team, must be ecstatic. We lost count of how many houses he’s shown us, but there were dozens. And then there were those we made bids on and lost, even though we offered more than the asking price within 24 hours of the house going on the market. We lost out twice to higher bids. Chris conducts himself with such honesty and integrity that we trust him implicitly. After I discovered he is a foodie, I began thanking him for all his trouble with baked goods. It will take a good while to thank him properly.
David and I will be packing in the coming weeks. We haven’t completely unpacked all our belongings, so it won’t be as big a deal as it was to move out of Massachusetts.
We do love our new community. Our circle of friends keeps widening. I’m part of a reading group, and I frequently get together with friends for afternoon tea. David enjoys going to the men’s breakfasts at the church, and he has quickly gotten himself involved in local politics.
This was our first Easter season at the church. We attended the service on Good Friday. With each reading, a candle was snuffed and a light was turned off. The service ended in darkness and we all left in silence. I found this profoundly moving. The following night, we attended a service that began in darkness and with each reading, a candle was lit. Slowly, over the two-hour service, the sanctuary was lit up, a table was set, and there were flowers all over the podium. At midnight a gong sounded 12 times, and the service ended.
The service on Easter Sunday was so joyful. The music in this congregation is always beautiful, but on Easter Sunday it was absolutely exquisite. I thought the people were going to raise the roof with their singing. I just had to close my eyes and listen when the congregation sang the “Hallelujah” chorus for the benediction.
So life is good for us here in the Shenandoah Valley. We’re living the life we’ve imagined for ourselves. We are ever so grateful.
So glad for you!
Thanks Johanna… it’s always good to hear from a neighbor in Massachusetts.
Such good news!
Thank you, Joan.
Glad you have found a place that feels like “home”, in such a pretty area, and a church that you enjoy. Pray all goes smoothly, accordingly to your plans. How far are you from your sons? Blessings to you ~ God is Good !
Carol, thank you for your kind thoughts. Our sons are in Vermont and New Jersey. So we are not that close in proximity. We hope they’ll visit and we’ll visit them.
Yes, God is good!
Saloma: I think your new home looks lovely! Hoping the process goes smoothly and that you and David will enjoy many happy, healthy years in your new home. Best wishes, Christine
Thank you, Christine, for your nice thoughts. We hope so too!
I rejoice with you even if the deal isn’t quite finished yet.
Thanks, Katie. I hope you’re doing well.
Just lovely! Blessings to you both.
Thank you, Janeen.
Beautiful home, wishing you and David a long lifetime of happiness and peace in your new home and community.
Suzanne, thank you for your kind thoughts.
Congratulations on your new home! It looks like such a pretty house, and the property and neighborhood sound wonderful! I’m glad you have found a welcoming community and I hope you are David have many happy years in your new home.
Thank you, Denise. We do have high hopes for our new home. We look forward to settling in.
I am so excited for you! I know you will get the home that is just right for you! I will be visiting my family in Harrisonburg from approximately June 24th through July 3rd. I hope I will be able to get together with you sometime during that week!
Aleta, Thank you for your comments. I sure hope our plans come together to sneak a visit in while you’re in the area.
I am so excited for you and David! The house is just too sweet. What amazing views. It’s just picture perfect. What a blessing!!!Paul and I are still going back and forth about selling this house and getting one with only one floor and a flat yard and a garage.None of which we have now.Seeing this house you have found makes me want to move even more. Recently I hurt my hip and haven’t been able to watch my grandchildren for three weeks now. Having many steps up to the house, steps to the basement, steps to the second floor has not helped the healing process. Perhaps God is telling me something!! Smile. Congratulations Saloma,I’m doing my happy dance!!!!
Pamela, thank you for joining in our happiness. Making the decision to find a smaller place is always a hard one, especially when you’ve lived in a house for a long time. I wish you all the best with making that decision. And I’m sorry to hear about your hip. We made our big decision to move while David was recovering from his knee surgery. It took us two years, but that was the catalyst.
Blessings to you and your family. Always so good to hear from you.
I am so happy that you have found a house you like and can see a future of living in it. I saw a pretty front porch on your house. That would have clinched it for me. I hope your dreams will come true in this place. God bless!!
gr. Mary M.
Thank you, Mary. Yes, that front porch is inviting, isn’t it? The back deck also has a gorgeous view. We’re looking forward to spending time on both.
Blessings to you as well.
Lovely! So happy for you!
Sooooo cute! Wishing you all the best in your new house.