Post Tour Thoughts

Wow. 

That's about the sum total of my reaction to Sunday. At least the PG version.

What a spectacular turnout for the Restoration Exchange Aksarben/Elmwood Park Neighborhood Home Tour. Incredible. It was a beautiful day to walk the neighborhood and see the homes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see any of the other homes, but apparently around 800 other people did. That number is not a typo, folks. 800!! Congrats to Restoration Exchange for having such a well organized event. 

I worry about being "too proud" of my house. Probably because my mother is a big fan of; "pride cometh before the fall". So I was (and still am) very humbled by all the kind words that were said; some directly to me, and some I overheard. 

Here are some thoughts and reactions to the day (again, the PG version).

• This will be easy. We can ease into it... I have some time to chat with my friends...HOLY CRAP why are people at my door at 11:50!
• 30 minutes in, I am convinced that 75 million people are on this tour. It was insane, probably because I was number 3 on the tour, but the second house directly down from the ticket check-in at the church! Less than 5 houses away. Can't imagine what it was like for the poor guys who had the house directly next to the church!
• By 1 PM, we had to have had at least 150 people through the house. And it was starting to get sunny and warm out there. That just meant more people joining the tour.
• By 1:30 I took a minute to hide in the basement after rescuing one of my cats from underneath the bed upstairs.
• I wish I had taken pictures of the people in line. Some people took their time, looking at each before picture I had strategically put out. Others just walked through like it was a museum tour, almost.
• People were SO FRIENDLY! I can't tell you the number of times that I was thanked for opening my home up and for being on the tour. One of the other owners and I joked that they must have been coached to say "thank you" when they got their tickets.
• I was asked several times "how long have you lived here" followed by "you're kidding" when I said I had moved in, literally, a year ago this week.
• One lady said my color choices were "on fleek"...another woman said she was as green with envy as the color in my kitchen. Cute.
• Several real estate agents came on the tour just to see what had been done, specifically, to the house. They had shown the house and saw the "before" in person, many of them recollecting that it sat on the market for over 2 years. They were all pleased and so glad that it had been purchased by someone who loved it.
• A couple people told me that my house was the best because it was "period specific", not "open concept" and "true to the neighborhood". Also, they could tell I hadn't "thrown money" at it. I think I will take that as a compliment?
• I wish I had gotten the names of the gentlemen that stopped to give me advice on the windows. That would be helpful down the road. But I do remember a couple of things that they told me. 
• By 3 PM I was over it. I just wanted to sit. I didn't get to sit. It was a continual stream of people and I felt I had to be available. I was tired of smiling. I was tired of small talk. But I put on my big girl panties and a brave face. All I really wanted was to put my feet up and have a beer. Or 3.
• I did miss some friends that came to the tour. Those who I did see, I wasn't able to chat with. Thanks for the support, peeps!
• I had the BEST volunteers/friends helping me. I truthfully couldn't have done it without them. They would make good docents!
• Only one lady asked me if my "husband" was handy. I told her I would let her know when I found him!
• One lady thought my master bedroom was small...until she saw the bathroom and "walk in closet". Yeah... it's over 600 square feet. That's small, right?!
• One friends wife now wants to move east to a "cool" home after being on the tour. (Sorry, not sorry!)
• One lady asked me if I "did the work" in the master suite.I said "well, not really". Her response was... "but you wrote the check, didn't you, sweetie!" Yes, ma'am.
• I was going to "live tweet" the whole thing, but honestly, it was completely overwhelming. I could barely text my friends to make sure they were ok, and we were IN THE SAME HOUSE.
• Several people asked if I would ever restore another old home. Nope. I'm not even done with this one. This house spoke to me and that's why I'm here! My next home is a condo, right about the time I retire!
• A couple of men are angry with me for the "walk in closet". Long live the future "changing room" with princess chandelier and shoe WALL!
• People truly liked seeing "to do projects".  Lots of "just do what you can" types of encouragement. "It doesn't all have to be done tomorrow!"
• I think some were surprised a girl did the DIY work. Especially in the kitchen.Mainly the drywall repair when I refurbished the sink/plumbing.
• There were no offers to buy it... thankfully! Not that I expected it, but weirder things have happened!
• I should have asked for a finders fee from my contractors. People took a lot of their information/pamphlets/business cards! Especially on the tub/sink refinishing. I met a few people who also had work done by the same general contractor. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with such a great experience! Thanks, guys. This couldn't have happened without you all.

All in all, it was a great experience. My real estate agent, who also took the tour, sent me a great email saying he was proud of me and so happy for me. Apparently I was beaming (when I wasn't hiding)! I remember looking at this house with him. He knew, if anyone could take on this project, I was the one. So glad he was right!

Now that my house is clean and somewhat organized, I'm not sure what I'll do with my time. Maybe relax. Or possibly start on the storm windows. But no, I just remembered that I have to prime the steps going upstairs before they are refinished in 2 weeks. The work is never done...

And of course, I couldn't have done any of this without the love and support of my friends. From July of 2015 (even before, when we waited 3 months to hear if the offer was accepted and then 4 more months to close) and continuing through today, you have had my back. When I didn't think I could do something, you boosted me up or sent me YouTube videos. When I thought I was going to have to stop, you helped me to find a way. This was the culmination of my dreams. I love each and every one of you and you should know that this house, my home, holds a piece of each of you within in it. I wanted my house to be full of love and happiness, and it truly is.