sonya blade (sonya_blade) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2018-05-12 23:19:00 |
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Entry tags: | !completed gdoc, !log, ~2018 may, ~25 points, ~~sarah bailey (north_witch), ~~~sonya blade (sonya_blade) |
Who: Sonya Blade and Sarah Bailey
What: House hunting
Where: Around town
When: Friday afternoon
Warnings: TBD, but unlikely
Status:
In nearly five months, it didn’t go past Sonya that she and Cassie would’ve been in Madison for two years-that would be two years of holidays and two of Cassie’s birthdays without her family from home. Deep down, the idea of actually ‘settling’ and ‘putting roots’ in this place had her feeling uneasy, like she was almost letting herself ignore her home and duties back in her own realm. The apartment they were given should’ve been enough, and in theory it was for the three of them, but Cassie was getting bigger, would turn three years old, and she wanted more for her daughter then just ‘the basics’. There was also the case about Sarah, for all she wished the girl would go out and expand her interests, she also felt a little bad that she had to share her room so close to a toddler.
In short, a few days ago, she made the decision to start looking for a proper house for the three of them-and as to why she didn’t do much planning for Sarah’s birthday (even though it was at the teen’s request). Her work at the construction site, combined with frugal living, meant she had a decent amount saved up, perhaps not enough for a grand house, but she wasn’t really looking for a large house anyway and she had a feeling it would be the same for Sarah. If they were lucky, they might find a one with a converted attic, but she wasn’t going to put judgement until they could settle on a house.
She waited till Cassie was in day care before taking herself and Sarah to meet various agents and home searches. Sonya never figured the search would be easy of course, but after looking at what was within their price range, she found herself wondering if they should just bite the bullet and settle on one of the larger townhouses.
***
Living in the apartment was fine for Sarah. She had her own room, which was absolutely fine by her. But when she thought about it, yeah, maybe an apartment was a bit too small for them. As much as she loved Cassie - and she really did - having her own space in a new house sounded wonderful to Sarah. She was a teenage after all and sometimes she needed her own space.
So she was willing to go with Sonya to check out a few houses, see what was out there and which one would fit for that they all needed. She hadn't done this since she and her family moved to Los Angeles, though she hadn't really paid much mind then while her father and stepmother did all the work. This time, she'd make sure to actually take a look.
"So which one are we looking at first?" she asked.
***
Sarah was hardly verbal about her opinion (however she still found a way to make them known), but Sonya took her along because it still counted. Until she was old enough to (god forbid either of them remain here that long), she was going to live in whatever home was chosen, so her thoughts were needed on the subject as much as her own.
They driving to the first house on their list. The actual address was a little far from town (as far as the dome would allow) than Sonya would’ve liked, but there was space for everyone and there was something about it that reminded her of her uncle’s home in her own realm.
“We’re going to the one farther out,” She answered. “I still have my doubts because how far out of town it is, but we’ll given it a shot.
***
Sarah nodded as she checked the house on the list. "It looks interesting. Definitely looks like it has enough room for all of us." But she too was't sure about the location. It seemed a bit too far from town than she'd wanted, but she wasn't going to pass judgement just yet. Maybe the house was perfect for them and they could deal with the location.
Once they arrived, Sarah looked at the house as Sonya parked the car. Yeah, it definitely looked big enough. But she still wanted to see the inside of the house.
***
She parked the car. The real estate Agent had also just pulled up, but from the start, Sonya still wasn’t sure. The bright colored house just screamed country-kitsh, and while she did grow up in the South, that didn’t mean she felt like screaming it out loud; she wanted her home to be comfortable, not crazy.
“Maybe it’ll look better on the inside.” She followed the agent inside.
***
"Yeah, maybe," Sarah nodded.
Just then the real estate agent arrived and Sarah followed her and Sonya into the house. Her first thought was that it was really yellow. Of course, they could always just repaint it but that would mean having the spend more money. And she wasn't sure if Sonya was wanting to do that. She was already spending lots on a new house alone.
"I mean, it's definitely big enough," she spoke. Once they looked at the kitchen/dining room/living room part, the agent took them to see the bedrooms and bathrooms.
***
The interior definitely came as a shock. While the furniture wasn’t bad per say, the color scheme was definitely too much, and between the work she’d have to do to pay off the loans, she wasn’t entirely sure she could make this work.
“I’m guessing the family here would want to take most of the furniture with them.” The agent nodded, but added that the larger pieces would remain within the home. “Still, our current place is a shoe box in comparison. Between the decorating and repainting-what about the heat and water situation.”
The agent started to describe the utilities of the home, showing off the rooms and trying to sell them the place.
***
Sarah followed, glancing around every so often. Yes, the color scheme was too much for her taste, but again, that could easily be fixed. But that was if Sonya was willing to spend more money and Sarah wouldn't blame her if she decided not to.
Once the agent finished telling them more about the house and finished the tour, they headed back into the living room. "Well, that's it. I can leave you two alone so you can talk," the agent said and left.
"Well, it does have a certain country charm to it," Sarah said once they were alone. "And it's certainly big enough. I'm still not sure, though, especially the location."
***
Sonya waited till the agent was gone before giving her answer. “I was thinking less charm and more kitsh.” Which, she could appreciate, but this was over the top. “The location does bother me, especially if something happens and we can’t reach help fast enough or assist someone.”
She thought to the converted barn in the back of the property. “I think if we entertained more or had visitors more often, this place would work, but the only gathering I do is the ‘once in a blue moon’ game night.”
And those were always small enough that they could be held in their place.
***
Sarah shrugged. Either way, she did agree it was a bit over the top. And from what she'd seen, the house didn't do much for her and didn't quite make up for being too far from town. At least that was Sarah's opinion, although she could tell Sonya would agree.
"I'm not sure this is the right place for us. It's certainly big enough, but I'm just not sure it feels right," she said. "Let's go look at the other places," she suggested.
***
Sonya nodded. If they were going to invest in a place to live (and the amount of money did make this an investment), it would have to be a place they both felt sure of-this wasn’t such a place. “Well, we still have a few options, so we don’t need to settle just yet.”
The agent returned and Sonya explained their final answer. She could tell the person was a little disappointed, but their expression only betrayed that answer for a second. There were still some other homes on the market after all.
All three of them walked outside back to their vehicles, Sonya waiting till Sarah was inside before going in and driving off. “Here’s the next place, doesn’t have the ‘charm’ of this home, but, looks more within our range.” And with any luck, they’d be able to do something with the basement.”
***
Sarah followed them to the vehicles, hopping in Sonya's car and buckling up. As they drove, she took a quick look at the papers and read up on the information on the next house. "Well, that's good," she nodded. Being closer to town was definitely a good thing. After that whole monster attacking the werewolves, it was probably best to not be so far away.
It didn't take them too long to arrive and once they pulled up and parked, Sarah got out. The agent had arrived just before them and once they were set, she gave them a tour of the house. Sarah glanced around as they headed into the basement.
"This could use a lot of work," she said, gently knocking on the washing machine. The agent agreed and suggested some ideas, like it could be turned into a basement apartment or a living room or a bedroom. Sarah did liked those ideas but she wondered if it'll cost too much.
***
The entire place could use work, she thought. As a whole, it looked sturdy enough, but having worked in construction as long as she had, even she could see the proverbial cracks. Likely this was why they were wishing to sell on the cheap.
“Repairs and fixing up I could get the crew to work on.” And the cost of labor wouldn’t be as much as if they needed to call someone independently. “I’ll have to see about wiring and water through someone else.”
They headed upstairs, and she was pleasantly surprised to see the rest of the house as small but still open, with the living and dining area right next to eachother. “Believe it or not, some time ago I used to hold the occasion game night. Not sports, but like cards or board games, we could do the same here at some point.”
The living area was large enough for it, and they could even move the area to the dining room. “See what the bedrooms are like.”
Overall, she was feeling for this place more than their first option. Even with the repairs (which were minor, all things considered), it was still in their price range.
***
"Of course," the agent nodded as she lead them out of the basement. Sarah followed them in silence, only responding when being questioned directly or when she had an opinion.
"I didn't know that. Was this before I moved in?" she guessed. She couldn't recall Sonya hosting a poker game night since she'd moved in with her and Cassie. "Either way, it sounds like a fun idea." Even if she might not be allowed, game nights were always fun. It kind of reminded her of the game nights she'd spent with her dad and stepmom.
"Sure," she nodded and followed them to the bedrooms. They were all decent sizes and seem like with a little bit of repainting, they could be turned into amazing rooms. And as they finished the tour, they all headed back into the living room, where once again, the agent left them to talk in private.
"So what do you think?" Sarah asked Sonya. "Seems a bit better than the last one."
***
“Yeah, just something to try and be more social,” She followed them towards the remainder of the house. Unlike the basement, the worst this part needed was some new paint. “Sure you already know I’m not a fan of the club scene.”
Too crowded, too unfamiliar. “And agreed.” She turned to the agent. “I’d like to look at one more house, but..say we could talk a price about this one.”
What the hell, they could always drop if they came to a better option.
***
"Sure thing," the agent replied. "Let's look at the last house and we'll talk prices."
Sarah followed them out the house and they got into their vehicles, on their way to the last house. She did like this house. It was nice and had plenty of room for them. Not to mention it was a lot closer than the first house. But she decided to see the third and final house before she decided on which was the best for them.
As they made it to the house, Sarah glanced at it as they pulled into the driveway. "Looks okay so far," she said as she got out of the car. "Let's go take a look." And she followed the agent into the house.
***
This would’ve been their last house either way. The entirety of the actual search had taken much longer. Not just trying to find a house within her price range that would be comfortable for all of them, but searching as well; it made her have doubts about this in the first place.
They finally got to the last house. Like the last place, this one had an outside seating area, though in the form of a porch instead of a deck, but both were selling points as far as she was concerned; just a place for her to sit outside and think.
Stepping inside, she was a little surprised to find it empty. For all they were looking into homes earlier, they were in the process of moving out, so they were still cluttered-this one, wasn’t as large as the last, but there was a classic feel to it.
There was something else about it too, something she couldn’t put her finger on. “The design is nice, almost classic.”
***
Sarah followed them throughout the house, occasionally wandering off on her own. So far, she liked it. It was big enough and she could see herself redecorating one of the bedrooms to suit her needs. It also helped that it wasn't as cluttered as the other houses.
The only thing was she had an odd feeling about it. She wasn't quite sure what it was, just that it was strange.
"Yeah, I like it," she said as she rejoined them after wandering off for a bit. "With some redecorating, it could be a good home."
***
“The location’s also closer to town..” She looked around the room. This place was smaller then the last, but larger than their current place. They wouldn’t need to buy much in way of furniture. “If I had one concern, it’s the yard. Suppose Cassie’s outside playing..” She considered a moment. “Could you create like a barrier or shield around there, just so she doesn’t wander off, or know someone who could?”
To consider this place as completely safe was a serious case of denial. Both of them had been here long enough to know this place didn’t discriminate. “I’d pay of course, consider it a commision.”
***
"I could check at Magic Ally and see if there's any barrier or shield spells I can use. If not, I can always ask. I'm sure there's someone who could do it too." Sarah had already thought of a few names. Hermione and Merlin were a couple of them. She was confident in her own abilities, but she wouldn't blame Sonya if she wanted to go with someone older and more experienced.
"And no need. I love Cassie, I'd be willing to do it for free."
***
The agent came in to ask their opinion, with Sonya’s answer being positive. The price was right, even taking into consideration the cosmetic work; Sonya was told they would send the paperwork presently after things were settled.
There were some questions, like how were the previous owners so quick to clean up, but Sonya just counted that as good luck on their part.
She walked with Sarah outside when it was all over.