Because most philosophies that frown on reproduction don't survive.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ideal House: Real-life version

It has an address: 2910 Ratterman Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45211.

Front view. I've never seen the garage look so nice.

My dad's house is this big 1913 Victorian foursquare beauty, replete with burnished wood and carved mantels and stained glass and a hidden staircase with its own entry. And five bedrooms, and a full basement.

Detail of livingroom mantel.

Unlike my own suburban box, every room in his house has windows on two sides for better light and airflow. There's an enormous backyard with what appears to be an overgrown fountain, or a ivy-choked planter, or a huge bird bath (we never really exacavated it to discover its original purpose).
Planter-ish thing? Or pool? You decide.


Here's the view from the upstairs hall -- in January.

And now, this wonderful house is ready for a new family. I'm married in Texas, two of my brothers teach at Catholic high schools in Kentucky and New York, my one sister just got married, my other sister is starting college in the fall. It's just my dad and my brother left in this house, and the place is just too big to be a bachelor pad. It needs life. It needs kids running around and playing music and charging around the backyard and racing up and down the stairs.


Stairs to entry. Baby not included.

Want to see a bit more? Take the virtual tour. Or contact the realtor to see more pictures and get more details.

8 comments:

christopher said...

Wow, don't you think this would be a 300k house here in Austin?

mrsdarwin said...

Christopher,

Absolutely. And that's what burns me up. We can't afford a house like that in Austin -- hence, our suburban box. But in Cincinnati, these old houses are the norm. This one here is $149,000.

(The sound you hear is me gnashing my teeth.)

christopher said...

(I can hear it) So sorry you've got to let this one go. We settled for one of those old fixer-uppers in central Austin just to stay away from the box-type. In way over our heads...

mrsdarwin said...

The box is a starter house. Which is to say, once I get started about it, everyone pulls out their watches and backs away...

christopher said...

LOL

Foxfier said...

/sigh

In my dreams....

Five rooms would be enough to have a Hobby Room, and a Cat Free Guest Room so Elf's mom could visit, while still having room for babies....

Sarah Reinhard said...

I live in an old house. I shouldn't be attracted to this house. I should be immune.

However...you've so captured my imagination...

Guess I'll go look at my clunky old farmhouse (also in Ohio!) with a new appreciation. Thanks for that. :)

Anonymous said...

In Northern PA, you could get a house like this (or possibly even bigger) for less than 100K. There are just no jobs. And nothing to do (except hunt).

It's a beautiful house.

--Elizabeth B.