My daughter was so excited about her new old house in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte. I put “old” in that description because the house was built in the 1920s. Renovating these historic bungalows in the heart of Charlotte is all the rage with young folks who work Uptown and don’t want the traffic-clogged commute from the burbs.
She and her husband had put their current home on the market, confident it would sell quickly in Charlotte’s hot real estate market (I know, so unlike here in Rocky Mount). They’d moved essential furniture to the new old house and spent their first night there.
And then Hurricane Michael swept through Charlotte. A huge tree fell smack dab on the front of the new old house. Fortunately, no one was home at the time. As you can see, the house took quite a hit.
Here’s the tree (what’s left of it) that did the major damage.
In case there was any doubt about it, authorities posted this sign in a window.
But there’s a silver lining to this cloud. My daughter and her husband had planned major renovations anyway. They need a couple more bedrooms and at least another bathroom in this two-bedroom, one-bath house. The idea is to build a second story with these features for their two boys.
The original plan was to live in the house a couple of years, slowly deciding exactly how to go about renovating. That plan has been accelerated. They’ve already met with their architect and builder. The architect gave them a sign to post to let the neighbors know they’re working on their eyesore.
In a couple of weeks, they’ll move to a rental home—oh yeah, their old house sold in less than a month. I’m hoping they’ll be in the new old house in a year, but it could be longer. Renovating in the historic district takes time. Projects have to be approved. And with the housing boom in Charlotte, they don’t have the full attention of their builder.
It will all come together—someday. I had just one visit with my grandsons in their new old house before the hurricane eviction.
But I will find these two little cuties wherever they’re living.
For more details, click on the Telegram column http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/Patsy-Pridgen/2018/10/28/A-hurricane-hits-home.html
