House Hunters International

One of my favorite shows is House Hunters, on HGTV. (I really miss that show too!) So, in the spirit of the show, and after a suggestion from my wonderful mom, I have decided to post some pictures of the two we have narrowed our search down to.

"Kristen and Carl recently relocated to Germany. They are searching for a house with the help of the Army's Housing Office, and have narrowed their search down to two.

House number one is a free-standing, single family home. It is in the community of Sankt Leon, which is about a 15 minute drive south of Heidelberg. The town, along with its neighboring town Rot, make up a very friendly community popular with American families stationed in the area.

The house is listed at 170 square meters, or 1800-square feet, although including its basement, the living space jumps to well over 2,000 square feet. It is listed with four bedrooms, two and a half baths, with a fully furnished kitchen, two dining rooms, a terrace and a fenced-in yard. It also has a driveway with plenty of parking, a two-car garage, and an additional building with a workshop and utility area. In the basement, you'll find the house also includes a giant wine cellar.

Also included with the house is a private garden and small vineyard. The garden currently has a peach tree, cherry trees and strawberries, along with a row of grapes and plenty of room for more vegetables.

Kristen and Carl really like this one due to the yard-- the most important thing for their beloved two dogs. This house is unusual for Germany because of its space, its yard, and its giant garage. The only thing that really worries Kristen is the older age of the house and the commute -- it will mean a definite trip on the Autobahn every day to and from work.

House number two is a newer home in the community of Sandhausen, which is only about 10 minutes from Kristen's office. It is listed at 140 sq. meters, or 1500 sq. feet, and includes a two-car garage and two extra parking spots. It has three bedrooms, one and a half baths, and a beautifully landscaped backyard. The house had brand new hardwood floors installed one week ago. It is a duplex in a very nice neighborhood.

The house has marble spiral staircases leading to its upstairs, where you'll find another wooden spiral staircase leading to the bonus room on the top floor. The bonus room has windows that overlook the mountains in one direction and the fields in another. In the basement, which is found by going down another spiral marble staircase, is a bar area and extra storage rooms.

This house is much closer to the city and the amenities of the Army post, but Kristen and Carl are worried about all the stairs, since one of their dogs is handicapped.

Both houses have many amenities Kristen and Carl are looking for. House number one, with its big yard, extra large living space, and fun garden, but longer commute and older in style; and House number two, with its brand new floors, beautiful landscaping, gorgeous views and shorter commute. So.... which one did they choose?"

House Number one, of course! House number two would be torn up if we lived there with all our animals. It was beautiful and felt new, clean, modern, and very American. However, we didn't want that! We decided that we really wanted the bigger yard and the house that was way too big for us, simply because it's unique, and it's very European! We may never get another chance to live in a house like that!

We can't wait for everyone to come visit and see it! We are signing the lease on Monday and are hoping for an early October move-in date. Our stuff is still en route and won't be here for a few more weeks, but we get loaner furniture and kitchen stuff from the Army until our stuff arrives.

So, can we say giant family Christmas celebration next year, complete with our own family wine bottled in-house and stored in our wine cellar? (it's worth a try even if its terrible! haha!)