http-equiv='refresh'/> Tin TeePee/Log Cabin: Surprise—We’ve Moved

Friday, April 10, 2015

Surprise—We’ve Moved

As many of you know we really love this area of Arizona and have developed a special bond with many residents of the Escapees RV subdivision North Ranch.  At the beginning of this winter season we toured many properties with “our” realtor, Linda Stevens.  We even made offers on several vacant lots—just a spot to park the motorhome—but it seemed no one wanted to take our money.  So, we gave up, stopped looking at property and just enjoyed life.

Between the two of us we endlessly discussed the pros and cons of owning a North Ranch vacant lot—we were only considering large lots on which a house could be built when and if we decided to give up RVing.  When our friends Terry and Jill were here visiting us in early March we looked at a house on a large perimeter lot which backs to the desert (BLM land) and has gorgeous views of the mountains.  The cowboy and I had all ready looked at this house once but Terry and Jill wanted to see it with the thought that perhaps they might want to buy it.  Terry is a builder and sees a “vision” when viewing houses with no appeal—that’s what this house had—no appeal but Terry had great ideas as usual.

Well, Terry and Jill decided owning Arizona property was not for them at this time, they went back to Montana, Michael and I got on with life deciding we would not even look at anything else unless it was a perimeter lot.  A large perimeter lot (backs to a potential subdivision instead of BLM land) came on the market.  This lot had a very, very old mobile home which was trashed and would need to be removed.  We made an offer which was turned down. 

OK, let’s get on with life again.  Michael keeps telling me the house we viewed with Jill and Terry was the best value in North Ranch and I would say, “but I don’t want a house.”  He kept telling me—one morning we walked down to the house (it was vacant) walked around the lot, discussed Terry’s ideas and agreed on an offering price—the cowboy finally convinced me it was a good value even if it was a house. 

Back at the motorhome my cell phone rings, it is our realtor telling us the guy will now take our offer on the other perimeter lot with the old trailer if the offer is still on the table.  We told her we now had another idea and asked her to make an offer on the house/lot.  Linda had a great working relationship with the owner and called him.  Within 15 minutes she called us back and said, “you just bought yourself a house.”  The house/lot has been on the market for over a year—I guess they were ready to sell.

So there you have it—we own a home in North Ranch on a beautiful desert/mountain view lot.  The house and lot need work—we are very capable of doing all of it.  We are going to incorporate some of Terry’s ideas as time goes on.  We closed early yesterday morning, the paperwork has to be electronically filed at the clerk and recorder’s office in Prescott which meant we couldn’t move until that filing was complete.  When Linda called to say it was a done deal, it was almost 5pm—Michael and I looked at each other and said, “let’s go.”  By 7pm we were all set up with the motorhome on the new lot. 

We will continue to live in the motorhome parked at the back of the house looking out of the desert while we work on the yard and house.  The photos I have aren’t the greatest and I will take some more as time goes on. 

DSCN0672Why does anyone plant large trees that close to a house?  They will have to be removed as they are causing damage to the house.

DSCN0673Lemon, orange and grapefruit trees.

DSCN0674All the windows in the house are small—that’s one of the first things we will do—larger windows so we can enjoy the view.DSCN0676Garden plot which we removed all ready—look at that view!

DSCN0679

Life is good!

29 comments:

  1. Congrats. As much time as you were @ North Range this year I was wondering if this would happen. Agree, needs some clean up & appeal but the views are priceless. Becki

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  2. Such a good property! You do indeed have a great view with plenty of room to park the motorhome there when you are in residence. Nice indeed.

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  3. Such a good property! You do indeed have a great view with plenty of room to park the motorhome there when you are in residence. Nice indeed.

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  4. WOW! Congratulations...love the view and look at all the space!

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  5. Well congratulations! Can't wait to see the before and after progress photos. You WILL take lot's of photos, won't you? ;-)

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  6. CongratulatIons. I know you will enjoy this.

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  7. We can feel your excitement way up here in Canada & we well understand that excitement having done the same thing a few years ago. Pretty darn nice feeling getting all that paperwork done, finalizing everything then physically moving onto the property itself & enthusiastically getting right at the clean-up & changes. Yep, pretty darn nice feeling alright. Good stuff & good for you guys:))

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  8. Oh Wow! Congratulations... how exciting! Gives me hope that Bill & I will some day find the ideal place to hang up the keys.

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  9. Congratulations! Beautiful views and a nice large lot. Enjoy!

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  10. Nope, not surprised at all :-) This year you were clearly "home" with both the area and the community. Congrats on finding a great little home. It sounds criminal to even consider removing trees in the desert so I'm sure they must really need to go :-( Once you two get started you're going to have a hard time leaving to head north!!

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  11. Congrats to you both. Looks like a great spot. I can see a desert quilting room with a view in your future!

    Rick’s Posts on G+

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  12. I'm not the least bit surprised. Will you be in the market for a second long arm? ;)

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  13. A huge congrats! The location looks perfect!
    Nina

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  14. Congratulations..... Now you are "one of us" ! Good move!

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  15. Congratulations!! After seeing what Al and Kelly did with their house and lot, I see potential. However, you must remember why you are in AZ--TO PLAY! So take the time! So happy for you. We're with the Realtor tomorrow.

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  16. When we were in North Ranch, Mike McFall told me you were buying a house. I didn't want to spoil your surprise. Congratulations.

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  17. Wow - I'm out of internet for a couple of weeks and look what happens. Congrats on your new home. That is really exciting - a lot of work but still exciting.

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  18. Good new indeed! Now Mike has a project (or several) to keep his creative, renovation juices busy. Bigger windows, to give you a better view of your surroundings, seems like a most worthy endeavor. It was not unexpected news but congratulations on finding a place that you can now call your desert home.

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  19. Congratulations!! You have to love a place with lots of possibilities:) Have fun! And yes, move those bushes:)

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  20. Yea !! So very happy for YOU BOTH !! It was fun looking, but now it's time to enjoy !! You didn't mention the number of bedrooms, hope you'll have room for all your friends and family !

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  21. Congratulations on your new home. Know you and the Cowboy will have it looking great in no time at all.

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  22. Well now something to keep your hands busy, instead of sitting and reading... LOL Welcome to the world of Arizona home ownership... That generally means you come down in the middle of October once the temperature goes down to less than 100.. And then fly or drive back home for Christmas... You'll have that house whipped up into shape in no time.... Congratulations Rod

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  23. That sure looks like a great place.

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  24. Hope your time in the new house will be great. Lots to do for awhile.

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  25. What fun! Your making a lot of people jealous.... Lol
    Excited to see before and after...... I so enjoy your posts.
    I'm also hooked on the Bayfields. Your both 'do'ers'. ... Love it!

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  26. Congratulations. I will look forward to before and after pictures. And grapefruit trees. I'd have an orchard full, if they'd grow in Missouri!

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  27. Wow, that'll be a change for you! Can you quad right from there? - Margy

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