In September we took a trip to Ireland to find and buy our dream home. We made a Facebook page and started a blog to chronicle our journey to home ownership in Ireland. Several days into our trip we found the right home for us. We made an offer and it was accepted. Paul stayed in Ireland an extra week to get the ball rolling on all of the paperwork.
Then we got cold feet. Not about the house, but about posting about the house before it actually became ours. There were two reasons for holding off putting too much out there before the house officially became ours. One reason was solely superstitious – we didn’t want to jinx it. We had found a house we liked, in the location we wanted, with to die for views of Kenmare Bay and the surrounding mountains. We didn’t want to tempt fate by claiming it as ours to all the world without it actually being, well, ours.
The second reason for not putting it out there too much was more logical. In Ireland the home buying process is similiar to the United States in that you put down money that proves your intent to buy the house. Then you make a larger down payment while the contracts are being firmed up. The buyers (us) sign the contracts and then finally at around six weeks or longer into the process the seller finally signs the contracts. Where the Irish process differs from the US (or at least the Texas process) is that up until the seller signs the contracts they can take a higher offer on the house or back out of the sale for any reason without a substantial penalty. So we didn’t want to put pictures of the house out there and rave about how great we thought it was until the sale was a done deal.
Today the purchase of our Irish home became a done deal. Our solicitor (attorney) in Ireland completed the final walk through, signed all of the paperwork, transferred the money and took possession of the keys. IT IS OURS! We are now ready to shout it from the rooftops or, in truth, plaster it all over the internet and social media.
So, without further ado, we are ready to share some information about and pictures of our new home – Teachín Niamh or, in English, Niamh Cottage. Niamh is an Irish name meaning bright or radiant. With its sunny location, light yellow walls, and airy feel, we felt this name fit our cottage.
THE FRONT
Niamh Cottage is a two bedroom, two bathroom house set on a hill overlooking Kenmare Bay. It was built in 1995 as part of a three house development of holiday homes. The builder/owner was an engineer and this house appears to be SOLID. Of all the homes we looked at in Ireland this one seemed to have the fewest structural issues. The exterior of the house is a combination of brick and stucco. The pictures above and below are of the front of the house. Located over the front door is a very ugly dish installed for either cable or internet. Shhh-don’t tell it, but its days are numbered. We are thinking a big, Texas star over the front door will replace it soon.
THE REAR
One of the great features of the cottage is that it has curved walls both inside and out. We are talking real curves here. Not just that the builder showed up a little tipsy to work a couple of days and didn’t true up the walls curves. Think almost like castle turret curves. The walls in the entryway, kitchen, living room, and the master bedroom are all curved. We love this curved stone wall on the back of the house.
THE VIEW
When we seriously started to look for a house we settled on a price range, and a general area that we wanted the house to fall in. The third thing that we wanted, and this one was our biggie, was a great view. We had our hearts set on views of both the water and the mountains. When we looked at this house it fell into all three categories. We do wish that it had three bedrooms instead of two, but ultimately we chose this view from our back patio over a house with a third bedroom. We think it will be worth it.
We will be continually posting more photos of the interior and our plans for renovating/decorating the house as time goes on, so stick with us. But finally, the most important picture we can show you on our home buying journey to date.
ALL OURS
COMMENTS, TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Does anyone out there have any suggestions regarding owning a home in a foreign country? We are open to suggestions, tips and comments.
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You forgot to mention that Niamh is also the name of our wonderful little “yellow” dog with her radiant personality! Two reasons for naming the house Teachin Niamh!
I didn’t forget. She will be showcased with pictures in an upcoming post.