Every area has a certain real estate “lingo”. We are learning the Washington dialect of real estate-ese. So for your enjoyment, here is the translation of a few key phrases you will need while house hunting up here.
Equestrian property = large open lot, no trees, falling down barn and weeds.
Native vegetation= more weeds, but especially blackberries.
Backs to greenbelt. This one is trickier- it can either mean that you a next to a lovely forest and meandering stream, or right next to the high voltage lines, (obviously green underneath), and no one can build there. One of these houses actually had the guy-wires for the high voltage lines crossing the driveway.
Cheerful colors= Better wear your sunglasses while touring this one.
Secluded lot: Buy more Chevron stock, another 4 wheel drive vehicle, and renew your Costco membership. We saw one where we were afraid the blackberry vines would eat the car as we drove up the very rutted driveway.
Outbuilding/Shed. Usually a maximum of 4’ X 6’, roof optional.
Plenty of RV parking= Hope you are fond of gravel.
Creek in the front yard= Hope you have a good pair of waders for gardening.
Mostly finished basement: We haven’t actually seen the inside of one of these, but I can imagine.
Large private lot: This one surprised me as I walked next to the house. 10’ from the side of the house the lot literally went STRAIGHT down about 200’ into a ravine. No fence- just air. Sorry, we don’t want Hazel learning to fly just yet.
Easy commute to Microsoft. We have seen this applied to houses anywhere from 2 miles to 20 miles from the Evil Empire. There is no easy commute to Microsoft, from what we have heard.
There is a whole set of words to describe views.
Winter view of (Sound/ Mountains/Lake- take your pick) = If the wind is blowing hard enough through the bare branches, you may get a peek of water or mountains, but usually only from the upstairs bathroom or someplace convenient like that.
Peek-a-boo view- (see above) except you may see it even in the summer.
Territorial Views= View through the neighbor’s yard to a hill.
Potential view: PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU FIGURE THIS ONE OUT! We haven’t yet.
And our favorite to date: “Wooded Lot with Low maintenance, forested park-like flora and a water feature that flows into a fish pond occasionally entertain local deer.” WET! This house was completely shrouded in trees, and literally the only thing growing at ground level was moss (and this is August- I can imagine January!). Of course the deer would come- they thought they were still in the forest!
So our hunt continues……
Today would have been Phillip's 28th birthday. so we are having Gravenstein apple pie as always. When I stopped at a fruit stand on the way back from Elizabeth and Jason's yesterday, and saw that they had gravs, I asked the vendor if it wasn't early for them (they are barely ripe in California at this time). She said she was amazed when they brought them in. So the Lord provided- even such a silly thing as that for us. And we WILL be reunited with Phillip.
Hazel asleep on the quilt that I made for her mom 26 yrs ago!
What's back here, Dad?
