We would probably still be content in the apartment on Clearwater had Winnie not been attending a MOPS group on Fridays. After Christmas there was a note about a family moving to Tacoma whose house was for sale. It was a fairly new three bedroom in a family-oriented Kennewick neighborhood across from a small park, with an asking price of $134,500; and Winnie asked Gilbert if we should take a look

Although we liked the house, it seemed further away from work than we wanted to be without being more convenient to other places we frequent. Starting with that house, we started comparing to other homes on the market. Gilbert’s preference was to be closer to work and Winnie wanted to be within walking distance of a park or some useful shopping.

We decided not to look at West Richland and Pasco, because they didn’t have many amenities even though they were at least as easy to get to work from as Kennewick; and decided not to look at the older "alphabet" houses (Richland government-built homes from the 1950’s) and existing homes over $150,000 (we did tour several new ones over that amount). We looked at a few in North Richland that would be in bicycling distance from Gilbert’s office, but didn’t like the layout of the first (many of the homes built in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s were split-level where we might have to go up or down to the kids’ rooms) and the second one turned Winnie off immediately with the cigarette smoke and generally depressing air. Another two-story in North Richland had the entire living area upstairs and only the garage and den downstairs, which Gilbert liked but Winnie didn’t think going up the steps from the garage to the kitchen seemed like a good layout. Fortunately, that house sold quickly so we didn’t have to decide. Winnie also decided that being able to see the play area from the kitchen would be a priority, which ruled out some other homes.

One that we all liked was a two-story near the Kennewick Winco store. It was a four-bedroom that had been used as a day care and seemed very kid-oriented including the tree house, slides and playhouse in back (Andrew acted as building inspector and discovered a fractured baluster that had been pushed back into place). We gave that house serious consideration and checked out the nearest elementary school (a bit below-average and not in walking distance). The fact that a similar home next door was also on the market for a while also gave us concern about the resale value. After some prayer, we submitted an offer about 7% below the asking price that was rejected.

There was also a park in South Richland that we had visited and thought would be a good location. While Gilbert was playing with the kids, Winnie asked one of the people who lived nearby whether houses often go on the market near there. The owner said they were planning to put their home on the market soon and asked if we wanted to take a look at it. We did and he also told us there was a similar one already being offered. Although the lots were a bit small, we liked the houses except for the smallish kitchens and the bedrooms being spread apart. We also thought the fancy master bathrooms might not get enough use with our family and thought we would be paying for something we wouldn’t use.

After a couple of weeks, we decided to make a second offer on the house near Winco, more than splitting the difference from the previous offer. Winnie had heard someone else had been looking at the house and felt herself hoping they would not make an offer. Our second offer was also turned down.

Meanwhile, we had looked at another South Richland house near that park with a better layout (we discovered when looking that they went to the same church we do). We thought that house might not be on the market long and requested forms to bid on this one, and planned to offer a bit more than the other house even though it was not as large. One drawback to this area was the elementary school that, though highly rated, was filled beyond its design capacity by its 800+ students. With a lot of new construction in that area and no new elementary school yet planned for construction, we had some concern it might be too busy or crowded.

The day before we were planning to turn in the bid on this house, Winnie saw an online ad for a 3 bedroom house in a Kennewick neighborhood close to a school she liked. We decided to call and take a quick evening look at it. It was on a cul-de-sac and had a good kitchen/nook/family room layout. Although its backyard was on busy 10^th Ave, and not in walking distance of shopping or the nearest elementary school, we both liked it and decided not to bid on the other house, instead taking a second look at this one. On that visit we decided to start the purchasing process.

Hence after about three months’ search, over 20 houses visited, and a couple of months of transition, we have moved into a house that our Father has provided for us. It does not really have a big table, and at about 1580 sq. ft. is about a living room bigger than our apartment (plus the garage, of course) and not big by local standards. It does, however have a big yard. Gilbert takes about an hour to mow either the front or the back. Make that a big, big yard.

See Pictures!

Floor Plan (PDF)The Front YardMore Front YardThe StreetMoving InKitchenMore KitchenLiving RoomDining RoomThe "cub run"BathroomMaster BedroomBedroom 2Bedroom 3GarageThe Pet Door