It’s official… the papers are filed and recorded and I now owe more money than I could make in enough years to be sickening, but hey… she’s mine!
The celebration beer is being readied as we speak!
Now let’s see… gotta pack, gotta paint, gotta build a gate, gotta find a handyman, etc… oh boy!
Drew, I don’t think this is what they mean by going green…
I keed. Congratulations!!! Get ready for the honey-do list. It grows exponentially.
My list inspires me to brew. Every time I get the urge to do some things on the list. I
drink a few beers until the urge passes. ;D 8)
Congrats, buddy! Picket fence and everything. Even a fireplace, judging by the chimney. Enjoy!
Hey, congrats! Have fun with that list!
Way to go Drew. It’s almost like you’re an adult or something. 
Way to go man! Bonus points for John Deer green!! ;D
Guess it’ll have to be some sort of Irish Ale, huh?
Yeah really John Deere green is great. Hope you are just gonna paint the trim John Deere yellow. Grow some more Forsythia in front too. Get some pics with you on a driving mower in the front and sell them to John Deere. or just hang them in your study.
Congratulations.
I personally cant wait to be a renter again.
Dont hire a handyman. Get used to doing things your self. There is a wealth of info and answers you could get just from the members on this forum I bet.
Just out of curiosity how man guest rooms in there?
The celebration beer is actually going to be a 30 year Old Ale (ala Hardy’s) - aka Mortgage Killer.
And yeah, the green… I have a feeling that’ll get changed at some point, but since it’s nice new paint, I think it’ll stay for now. 
Let’s see… on the house itself: 1925 Craftsman Bungalow - 2br, 1 bath - batchelder fireplace, detached single car garage (er brewery), guest house with a kitchenette and bathroom with shower, the roof, furnace, a/c and copper plumbing are 3 years old. I actually have a cellar in the joint, so that’s where the 30 year beer is going to get stowed.
I still don’t wanna be a grownup though!
Neither Drew nor I would ever cop to that! You may grow old, but that doesn’t mean you have to grow up.
That is awesome man! Can I see a metal roof in your future? Hmm… 1000 sq feet? Nice yard and picket fence…
This is true! Watch out for “surprises” the first six months. Your projects will consume you if you let them.
Way to go! A cellar in SoCal, that’s a major score.
Yeah, I didn’t think they existed. Seems like the early settlers got tired of digging basements somewhere around the praries.
I second the vote for JD Yellow trim.
Congrats! 8)
Welcome to the homeowners club. It’s a beautiful thing. A great investment (hopefully).
Most importantly…it’s yours. :-\ OK…well that’s the long term plan anyway.
What’s the 30 year recipe?
Congrats Drew! I think all of the people who bought your book can take credit for this purchase, so YOU’RE WELCOME! ;D
Indeed, I’d like to thank everyone who bought the book from me! (Actually the biggest purchase that was responsible for was my 26 gallon brew pot). Now I’ve just got to convince someone else to let me write another. I know, maybe Denny and I can write one… “The Hippie and The Nerd’s Guide to Cheap Ass Experimental Brewing” - the real trick is which is which?
House is about 1240 sq. ft. There’s an additional 300 sq. ft in the garage (cough brewery), 300 sq ft in the guest house and 140 in the cellar.
Turns out, I’ve rented 2 houses here in CA, about to own one and all 3 have had cellars. Of course, all 3 were built before 1930. (1922, for the current one I’m moving out of; 1925 for the “owned” one; 1929 for the first one I rented from the jackass who got foreclosed on grr). I think that was a combination of “root cellar”, midwesterners, post and piling style of foundations and a general lack of regard for the severity of earthquakes. I think cellars went bye bye in the 30’s and the population boom.
Aside from building a new dog proof gate across the driveway I’m already thinking of various things that need doing - tree planting to improve privacy and get some morning shade on the house (the front faces east). I want to install a whole house fan, a new floor in the guest house, etc, etc, etc… sigh.
The mortgage killer brew is about 60lbs of Maris Otter, 1/2 lb of roasted malt, 9 lbs of sugar for about 11 gallons.
:o
And
:o
When it comes to privacy planting, give some more details. I am 100% against crap like arborvitae (which is really common in this area), and way in favor of edible hedges. Consider a Belgian fence of apples. Maybe even throw in some other fruit. Because if you can’t eat it, why are you planting it? ;D
The Thuja Green Giant is the Fastest Growing Evergreen Tree (3-5 feet per year once established). Easily grows into a thick, compact privacy screen. “Quickly screen out neighbors or unsightly areas…without taking up a lot of yard space…”
I have a row of about 10 of em. I’m going to end up digging up every other one and spread em out further they’re doing so well. They really do take off pretty good. No you can’t eat it, but it doesn’t attract bugs or pests either.
Dwarf fruit trees could be cool, but would cost more and take longer.
Congrats Drew. Don’t get discouraged with the list. I’m still working on my list for my last house I sold 5 years ago
So if you hit the lottery next week and pay off your mortgage, will that beer be ready to drink.
Congrats on the house purchase!!!
Enjoy that glow you feel until the roof comes off or something. :D Seriously though, I’ve enjoyed owning my own home for the past 20 years even if mother nature decides to have fun now and then (Central IA storms can be interesting).
If you aren’t planning to rent out the guest house, I’d consider making it the brewery. Already has water, electricity and plumbing in place. Remove or move a wall or two and it’s a complete brewery.
Paul