They did not let it go - They made it go

That was the comments from my dear neighbor across the street from our home.  He was referring to our house of course and in particular the previous owners.  At first I found his statement a bit confusing, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized what he was referring to.

Pam and I are blessed not only with a great daughter, but with a beautiful home.  Many of our friends and acquantatices are also confused - not at our neighbor's comments, but at how we could afford to live in the small community in which we do.  For that purpose we keep a (you guessed it) scrapbook in the waiting room that shows some of the before and after pictures.

We found this place by accident - in the early stages of the online house hunting.  We really werent looking - we loved were we were out in Bradbury Farms, but we always liked to look at homes for ideas.  I was a Staff Sergeant in the Army at the time and had a lull in my day - found the home on a search engine and emailed it to Pam.  Only one picture - no price and the address.  I only put the comment 'Check this one out - LOL!' and sent it on.

About two hours after that email, I get a call from a hysterical Pam saying that she had to have this house.  After helping her to catch her breath I asked her to set up an appointment to view the home that afternoon with the agent.  As I drove into the nieghborhood I thought to myself - NO WAY I can afford this area.  The houses were gorgeous (not that my current home was not).  As we came around the bend there sat what would one day be our home.  At that point I thought to myself - NO WAY am I buying that piece of .....(use your imagination).

My father inlaw, who was a retired mortage broker was with us as usual - we relied on him in our home purchasing decisions and trusted his thoughts.  He had been there earlier in the day with Pam.  Let me tell you folks to just imagine - we had to crawl through one of the many broken front windows to enter this home.  What had once been a show place had been nearly destroyed.  Years of neglect (Home is 40 years old) were certainly evident.  As we walked through the home, I still was far from convinced.  While I was younger (30 at the time) and had the energy to tackle something like would have to happen, I certainly did not have the resources monetarily to do so.

We crawled back through the window and walked toward the van.  I was just about to tell Pam there was no way when her Father turned to me and said "if you don't buy this place I am".  Now anyone who knew Joe knew that he was very very frugal with his money and only invested in sure things.  At that point, with Joe stating such and the pleading in Pam's eyes I agreed.

It took about two months to get the deal done and I learned so much from our agent in how to craft a deal on a foreclosure to the bank.

We sold our home in about 30 days and sunk every penny we made into our new home.  Imagine if you will, our first month - NO HEAT - Middle of the winter - Pam and I on an air matress in the office  where the gas fireplace was.  The day we moved in, two of my dear friends were assisting and they two were concerned in what I had got into.  It was a HUGE risk, but looking back it was worth it.

There are only two bathrooms that have not been completely renovated in this home - the list of restoration and renovation, landscaping, additions, etc is extensive, but we are pleased with it.

Why do I say all this?  Not to brag at all - but to tell prospective home owners out there that there are diamonds in the rough if you have a little know how and alot of determination and muscle.

To current home owners - dont think that you can simply 'live' in a home and it will take care of itself - it dont work that way.

Lastly, ALWAYS look for a realtor that is going to work FOR YOU when buying and ALWAYS get a home inspection.

To my fellow Clarksvillians, you are more than welcome to come by for a visit this Saturday from 9 - 4 as we will be welcoming people to visit our ponds during the annual Montgomery County Pond Tour.

Regards,

Tim and Pam Cash

Crye-Leike Realtors, Clarksville

www.cashsofclarksville.com