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Our 1960s Fixer Upper

August 20, 2018~ dream house, lifestyle

SO, this post has been in the works since the end of July, and I cannot believe I finally get to say these words. We bought a house – a 1960s fixer upper – and are beyond thrilled to be moving. After 5 years in the PMQs across 2 bases (the row house // the duplex // the A frame – where we currently are), we are oh so ready to be in our own space.

Check out our CURRENT COMPLETED SPACES:  Mid Mod Eclectic Living Room, or the Floral & Glam Master Bedroom, Floral Master Closet, my Pink Glam Home Office, and our Retro Glam Kitchen.

We’ve been scouring the real estate MLS for months; watching, waiting, scheming. See, we very nearly pulled the trigger back in June, but that house sold after 2hrs on the market. Those of you who were playing along with me on IG stories lived the excitement and disappointment, but it drove home just how close we were to actual home ownership.

Check our 1960s Colour Palette.

It also highlighted how quickly the market was moving. That, coupled with increasing Bank of Canada rates (& corresponding stress test thresholds) — and our own personal timeline — meant that we needed to get serious before the fall. So we kinda did!

I’ve been watching and monitoring listings on my own, but a few weekends ago we went on a drive to explore some neighbourhoods in full summer (because we know what they look like in the winter), and got really excited about a few places. None of them were in town though, they were pushing our budget, AND required a lot of work. They were a pass.

Later that afternoon I found another listing that had just been lowered into our price range – a 1960s fixer upper. The house was in pristine condition…. for 1962. All the finishes were original, no ill-fated renos in the 80s, no hack jobs with shitty tile to ruin the fun. The neighbourhood was exactly where we wanted to be (because location is the ONLY thing that matters in real estate) and on a cul de sac. PLUS, all the comps are well above what the asking price was. We got excited, booked a showing, and fell in love.

Turns out, most people who had looked at the house at full price, were looking to gut the place and pump 100k$ into the property. With the existing price tag, it wasn’t selling. So they lowered the price, and then we came along! We love the features of the house and have no plans to make anything an open concept monstrosity.

We love the 1960s kitchen with original appliances and cupboards. We love the wood panelled office. We love the giant wet bar and entertainment space in the basement (not pictured in this post). We love the two fireplaces. We love the fretwork in the living room.  We love the bathrooms with original fixtures. We love the balcony that connects the living room to the master. We love the mature trees on the corner lot. We LOVE IT ALL. And most importantly, we felt it the second we walked through the front door.

So we got a realtor, made an offer, and BOOM! The house was ours 48hrs after walking through the door.

The real anxiety started once we went to the bank to get everything in order the next day. We got approved for the mortgage no sweat, but then CMHC (the organization that insures mortgages in Canada) had a system glitch the day our application was submitted. So instead of hearing back that same day, we waited a full 6 days before anyone realized there was a glitch. And then, with 24hrs to spare before the financial conditions had to be lifted, we got the ALL CLEAR. If you watched me lose my mind on IG stories, that’s what was happening. I was stuck between excitement and suspense, and that’s an awful place to be.

I also didn’t want to tell you guys, and then get denied on something, and fail oh so publicly. That would be no bueno. Which brings us to here. I can finally celebrate with you guys! I’m sharing a few quick shots now, but there will be a full house tour once we move in.

There will of course be updates in the house, and I’m looking forward to partnering with the best to do it.

Let me stop you now: Yes we’ve considered the possibility of a posting, and yes we have a plan. Haters, be gone!

Now, all that’s left to do is March Out of our Q, and move into the new place!  So while I launch into an insane holiday season on the blog, I’m also moving. Wish me luck, and send gin with Diet Tonic my way. Also, if you’re local and want to help us move – holllaaaa.

BUY THE DREAM HOUSE KEYCHAIN HERE

 

 

 

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51 Comments

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Comments

  1. Holly Calabro says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:14 am

    Yay!! Congrats! Can’t wait to see you work your magic!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 7:26 am

      Thank you! Now I just need to find a bucket of money to do it with!

      Reply
  2. cassie bustamante says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:34 am

    WOW! congrats, ariel! i am totally digging those pendants in the first shot and can’t wait to see you guys make this place your own while preserving its character.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 7:41 am

      Thank you! We’ve got plans of all kind for this place! Big, medium and small plans. And the best part is, there’s no real rush

      Reply
  3. Jocelen says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Your house looks amazing! I can’t wait to see you insert your own style while maintaining the original features of this home.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Thank you! Me too! We’ll be making small visual updates, and a few more important ones!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer Perkins says

    August 20, 2018 at 8:07 am

    please lord keep that awesome black iron room divider action. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Oh YOU BETCHA! The realtors kept saying it could be removed, and I was like “WHY ON EARTH?!?!” Those babies are staying

      Reply
  5. Chantal says

    August 20, 2018 at 8:44 am

    This house is absolutely you guys!! congratulations!!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 8:46 am

      Thank you!!!! We can’t wait to get in there

      Reply
  6. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    August 20, 2018 at 8:56 am

    Congratulations! Can’t wait to see you put your magic touch on this cutie!

    Reply
  7. Ainsley says

    August 20, 2018 at 9:06 am

    I am so happy for you!! Now just Dm me the address so I can do a stalker drive by!

    When do you move?

    Reply
  8. Alicia says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:02 am

    So exciting! I’m so glad you’re looking to keep the original features! I get so mad when I see everyone hitting houses and removing all of the charm!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:20 am

      Exactly! We want to accentuate and enhance, no remove!

      Reply
  9. Jolie says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Congrats Ariel! older homes are so much more fun than newer homes. it has a lot of character, You’ll do wonders in there!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much Jolie! That’s exactly why we bought it 😉

      Reply
  10. Michelle james says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Very exciting! So happy for you & can’t wait to see the color you bring to your beautiful new home!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:19 am

      Thanks Michelle!

      Reply
  11. Emy says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:08 am

    Congrats!! I am so excited for you and so excited to watch what you do to it! I love all the period details! That fretwork!! <3

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:19 am

      That fretwork is such a major part of the house! It’s stunning!

      Reply
  12. Lura says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:16 am

    Omg I love everything about the new house! Congrats to you both.

    Lura

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so so so much! I may have to take a page from your book re: the kitchen!

      Reply
  13. Jessica | House homemade says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:38 am

    Oh my goodness I’m so excited for you! Congrats! Cant wait to see how you make it yours.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Jess! Likewise!

      Reply
  14. Darra says

    August 20, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    congratulations!!! No more peel-and-stick!! :). As a PMQ-er I’m jealous of the amazing-ness of your new home and can’t wait to live vicariously as you make it even more fab!!!!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      Thank you so much Darra! Peel and stick will ALWAYS have a place in my heart, but I’m ready for some permanence

      Reply
  15. Holly says

    August 20, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    congratulations! Your house looks amazing and I can’t wait to see it after you add your personal touch/style to everything!

    Reply
  16. Ellen Shook says

    August 20, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS! Now prepare to be broke forever. ???? You will have so much fun here. I love that everything is original and in such good shape! Nobody else’s messes to undo. (That gets really expensive — ask me how I know!)

    Reply
  17. Cindy from CFB Esquimalt says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    Congrats! That house has loads of potential!!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      Sure does! And we’re the people to give it just what it needs

      Reply
  18. Taylor says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    Its beautiful!! I love the iron work and the fireplace, and the built ins! Congratulations, can’t wait to see how you make it your own!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      And those are just the features I’m sharing today! This place has it all! Just wait!

      Reply
  19. Michele says

    August 20, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    Cannot wait to see this house brought to life!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 20, 2018 at 10:36 pm

      Me too! Thanks for following along

      Reply
  20. Candie says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    Congratulations! How exciting! Looking forward to seeing you make this place you. I’m sure out Will be amazing

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Thanks Candie! We sure are excited

      Reply
  21. Cindy@countyroad407 says

    August 20, 2018 at 11:32 pm

    Ariel, it is fantabulous and looks soooooo you! I can hardly wait to see what fun and love and excitement you put into the place. I’m so excited for y’all! COngrats!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Thanks so much Cindy! I may even have enough room for chickens! ????

      Reply
  22. Donna says

    August 20, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    Congratulations to you both! Your smiles say it all. I look forward to seeing what you do to make this beautiful house your home. Bruce must be excited to have his own home turf 🙂

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:32 am

      FINALLY! Someone mentions Bruce! That has actually been a topic of conversation – how much more space Bruce and the cats will have ????

      Reply
  23. Libbie says

    August 21, 2018 at 8:47 am

    Congratulations! love the vintage feel.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:32 am

      Thank you 🙂 it’s what we fell in love with!

      Reply
  24. DANIELLE says

    August 23, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    Ugh this house is gorgeous and I am so jealous – I can’t wait to see what you do with it!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      August 23, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      Thank you so much! I am so excited to get into the space and start transforming!

      Reply
  25. Anne says

    August 31, 2018 at 11:54 am

    Wow, you’ve got a real MCM gem on your hands! Some commentators we’re saying “prepared to be broke” but from what I can see from the pictures, I disagree! Looks like it’s got some good bones–wood floors, nice kitchen cabinets. Paint and Bringing in your awesome, modern furniture and accessories from your old place alone will work wonders!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Our 1960s Colour Palette • PMQ for two says:
    August 27, 2018 at 5:56 am

    […] the first things I do before moving into a new home, is decide on a colour palette. In this case, our 1960s fixer upper is getting an era appropriate colour palette, including Behr’s Colour Of The Year – […]

    Reply
  2. Why We Chose A Wayfair Sleep Bed • PMQ for two says:
    February 27, 2019 at 5:58 am

    […] We bought a Wayfair Sleep 10″ Firm Memory Foam Mattress this past August when we moved into our new 1960s home. HOWEVER, I didn’t want to do a post about it until the rest of the room came together. […]

    Reply
  3. Floral Glam Master Bedroom + Closet • PMQ for two says:
    February 28, 2019 at 5:56 am

    […] We changed relatively little in the grand scheme of things, but what we did has added value to our 1960s fixer upper. Without much more pre-amble, come see what we […]

    Reply
  4. How To Paint Your Plywood Kitchen Cabinets • PMQ for two says:
    April 10, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    […] especially if you’re in a retro home and trying to keep its charm. Seeing how we bought a retro fixer-upper, we wanted to keep as much of the charm as possible. However, the kitchen cabinets aren’t […]

    Reply
  5. Choosing A Retro Kitchen Floor Tile • PMQ for two says:
    April 17, 2019 at 5:56 am

    […] I’ve been o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with the idea of a checkerboard floor in my kitchen for ever, and this was my chance to get one! I would have loved to chose something a little more adventurous for the space, and done of their daring tromp-l’oeils, but it wasn’t retro, and this house is! […]

    Reply
  6. Choosing A Retro Kitchen Sink • PMQ for two says:
    May 3, 2019 at 5:56 am

    […] but ultimately we wanted the form and function that an apron sink provides, especially for a Mid Century home like […]

    Reply

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Hi! My name is Ariel and I'm the voice behind PMQ for two. I'm an internet rubbernecker, creative soul, and mom

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