The year was 1978. Actually, it was the summer of 1977, when we contracted for our first home. It took over a year to build as the subdivision was all new and the builder sold the houses faster than they could construct them. It was the last phase of an already established development, so we knew the builder, the location, and the quality of the project. We didn’t have an agent, we worked directly with the builder, signing anything they put in front of us.
My wife and I were newly married. We both had good jobs and a bright future ahead. Buying a house wasn’t a necessity but a good financial strategy. We would not have to rent any longer, we would be homeowners.
What we didn’t know was in those early years change was coming fast. We were able to lock in a good price for a cute 3-bedroom raised ranch with a 2-car garage and a nice yard. There was only 1 bathroom, but we paid to have the plumbing roughed in for a second bath in the unfinished downstairs. We even opted to have a fireplace installed in the soon-to-be family room which I planned to finish myself in my leisure hours.
While we waited for our house to be built, we watched as things began to change. Interest rates were on the rise, and building costs were also rising but we were locked into a good deal. In January 1978 my wife informed me there would now be 3 people living in our new house.
In September 1978 my son was born, but still no house. Fortunately, he was small so he could sleep comfortably in a bassinet in our 1-bedroom apartment for a little while longer.
We closed on our first house in October 1978 after waiting a year and four months. The lease on our apartment was up at the end of October so we took possession of the house with temporary railings on the front stairs and a temporary kitchen stove which allowed us to get an occupancy permit.
I think the mortgage interest rate was somewhere near 9.5%, probably 2 points higher than the day we contracted for the build.
That is when the real work began. Like many young homeowners, we chose the “do it yourself” route when it came to upgrades. We did a lot of painting, decorating, window treatments, and landscaping. I even installed our central air conditioning system.
It took a few years, but we upgraded the house with a finished lower level, 2 decks in the yard, and a large bay window in the living room.
We stayed there about 9 years before we decided on a larger more luxurious home a few miles away. Just in time for my second son to be born.
We made a lot of memories in that first house. Whenever we return to Illinois for a visit, we try to drive by and see how the house looks today. The current owners are doing a good job of keeping it up and as expected have made some of their own changes.
It is still a cute house, but I am glad I don’t have to climb the stairs or mow the big yard any longer. That is something for the younger crowd.
Here's a newer picture from 2012.
Joe Domino is a Realtor® serving the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Need more information? Or to Search for your next home, visit www.Scottsdale-AZHomes.com
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