The workout Chapter 7

The workout
Chapter 7

Becky and Tim, a couple searching for a new home, spent a week preparing Becky's house to show and listing it with a realtor friend. They then settled into their new routine. Becky would spend two to three nights at the cabin, but Tim never stayed at her house. It was partly Becky's discomfort, but most of it was because being in town with close neighbors would be very noticeable.

Undeterred by the initial setbacks, Becky and Tim, a couple searching for a new place they could share, embarked on a determined search. They meticulously reviewed everything available in Clarkesville with her realtor, but nothing seemed to fit their vision. A similar review of the properties in Cleveland resulted in them touring two, but neither was a perfect match.

They moved on to Dahlonega, a favorite town for both of them. Engaging a local realtor, they were shown three houses, the last just a few blocks from the town square. It was a historic farmhouse, the original farmland having long been sold off and divided except for three acres.

As they explored Dahlonega, a town with a special place in their hearts, they stumbled upon a house that seemed to resonate with them. "I love this house!" Becky exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I've always wanted farmhouse style, and this is the real thing!"

"I agree. It needs some work, and updating bathrooms and kitchens is the biggest challenge.

The rest is cosmetic; you like to paint even if I don't. And the lot is large enough to build a nice garage and workshop, similar to what I have at the cabin," Tim replied, his practicality shining through their shared decision-making.

"You'll have to get the city council to approve any structures you want to add. While it isn't a designated historic property or area, there are restrictions to adding buildings. I can recommend an architect who is very good at designing buildings the council typically approves," the realtor told them.

The asking price was about equal to what Becky expected to clear from her current house, so she offered about ten percent under it. They shared their thoughts about the updates and the need for a garage so the realtor could pass that information to the seller's agent. They asked if she could draw up the offer for Becky's signature during lunch, and she assured them she would.

The realtor drove off after they told her they would walk to the square for lunch and then walk to her office, where they'd left their car. They agreed on Shenanigan's Irish Pub and were quickly seated in the lower level. Becky ordered the Irish Stew with a Guinness, and Tim chose the Fish & Chips and a Guinness.

Everything was delicious, and they were in a great mood, thinking and talking about what they might do with the farmhouse if her offer was accepted.

"I've never touched Bill's life insurance, which is enough to cover my offer," Becky said. "If they accept it, we don't have to wait until my current house sells or go through the mortgage process. We could buy it and start renovations right away."

"It would be great to have all that done before moving in," Tim replied.

"And moving here means no one knows our back story, so no gossip. We're just a mature, divorced man shacking up with a mature widow," Becky grinned.

After eating, they settled up and walked to the realtor's office. As promised, she had the offer drawn up. Becky and Tim both read it over to ensure it was correct before she said, "Make sure they know that this will be a cash sale. We can close very quickly as long as the home inspection doesn't find anything serious."

Becky signed the offer, took her copy, and they left, driving back to the cabin. The offer expires in three days, so they wouldn't have long to wait for an answer.

Much of the drive back lacked cell service, so they were nearly home when Becky realized she had a voicemail. She accessed it and put her phone on speaker so she and Tim both heard the realtor explain that the seller had countered with a price halfway between asking and offering.

"What do you think?" Becky asked him.

"The offer specified that they agree to pay up to two thousand five hundred dollars to correct issues the inspection finds. I suggest you increase that to seventy-five hundred at the selling price they are now asking for," he said.

"That sounds like a pretty good idea. If the inspector only finds twenty-five hundred worth of repairs, they make out like bandits, but if it's more, we get back some of the increased price."

Becky called the realtor and explained the terms of the counter-counter offer. The realtor agreed it was a good compromise and said she would update the offer and email it to Becky for her electronic signature.

This time, the sellers took longer to decide. It wasn't until about noon the following day that the realtor called Becky with congratulations. Naturally, she and Tim celebrated by making love, once in the afternoon and again at night.

The closing was set for two weeks, and the realtor recommended an inspector she had previously worked with. As they waited for his results, Becky's house had a relatively steady stream of showings, but so far, no offers. She wasn't overly concerned as she'd already decided to sell most of her furniture. Having shared that furniture with Bill, she was reluctant to bring it to the home she planned to share with Tim. And, to be honest, it wasn't the right style for a farmhouse. Best to start new, she thought.

She shared this thinking with Tim, who understood and felt it was entirely her choice. He would be comfortable with whatever she wanted to do. "I'd like us to start browsing antique stores. It would be great to find some authentic pieces similar to what would have been used when the place was built two hundred years ago," she told him.

"I'm good with that. I enjoy browsing antique stores, although I usually ignore the furniture as I do not need it. So we can go back to the same shops we've already browsed and do so again, with different eyes," Tim replied.

They started immediately and, before long, had purchased several pieces. Fortunately, Tim's oversized garage provided space to store their purchases temporarily. They also went to Becky's house and snapped photos of her existing furniture to post online in the marketplace.

Just after closing the farmhouse, Becky received two offers for her house. One was from a likely flipper who emphasized their all-cash offer and submitted a lowball price. The other offer was twenty-thousand dollars under her listing price, only about six percent. Becky had her realtor friend communicate to the flipper that she had a better offer she would be accepting in two days and inviting them to make another, higher offer.

The flipper only slightly increased his offer, thinking the cash deal would sway Becky's decision. But he didn't know she had no issue waiting a month or so for the buyers to secure a mortgage. It would give her more time to sell furniture and pack things up. That contract was signed, and Becky was happy that a lovely young couple would occupy the house she and Bill had shared for many years. "I hope they live there together at least as long as he and I did," she told Tim.

Becky held a yard sale once she realized she had many clothes she never wore, Bill's tools, and assorted odds and ends. She made up a large poster with photos and prices for the furniture she was selling, and when a potential customer expressed interest, Tim watched the sale while she escorted the customers inside. She sold about half the furniture, with another bunch selling online.

"You know, a consignment shop in Cleveland is connected to an antique mall. I've both bought and sold there. The two dressers in the loft and the base for the dining room table all came from there," Tim explained.

"How does it work?" Becky asked.

"You set a price, and it doesn't sell every thirty days. The price drops ten percent until it reaches half of your first price, where it stays until it sells or they make you take it back," he told her.

"Okay, that sounds pretty good. We'll need to rent a UHaul trailer since it won't all fit in the bed of your truck. Let's go over there and talk to them tomorrow afternoon. I'll come out to the cabin after church," Becky said.

The antique mall/consignment shop folks were thrilled to take Becky's furniture in. After showing them the pictures, they were confident they would sell quickly, as they were all top quality and the type of style people sought. They suggested dropping the pieces off on Tuesday as they would have a man there to help with the heavy things. Then Tim and Becky browsed both sides of the shop, spotting several pieces she thought would work nicely in the farmhouse. They purchased one rustic table one might have found in such a house in the past, likely in the kitchen. They loaded it in the truck, leaving behind the other piece, a curio cabinet, because they had seen that the price would drop the following day.

On Tuesday, they picked up the rental trailer and loaded the remaining pieces of Becky's furniture. After dropping it off at the shop, they loaded the curiosity they had purchased at lower prices and drove it to the cabin. After unloading the cabinet, they took the trailer back and dropped it off, then went into town for dinner.

"So, you already know I'm analytical and a planner. We need to decide how we want to proceed with the farmhouse," Tim said.

"Yes, and I know you've already thought about it, so what do you suggest?" Becky responded.

"I think we need to meet with the architect, as the realtor suggested, and take the plans for the garage at the cabin with us. I can point out what works and what doesn't, and hopefully, he can come up with a design the city will approve.

"And we can talk about the kitchen and baths in the farmhouse. He'll know someone who does if he doesn't design those spaces. Once we have designed, we can shop for fixtures, cabinets, and appliances," Tim explained.

"That all makes sense. You are very logical, and I like that about you," Becky complimented him.

"Thanks, hon. There's one big decision we haven't talked about yet," he said. "What do I do with the cabin?"

"I assumed you'd want to keep it and use it for vacations and stuff," she answered.

"Part of me feels that way, but it's less than an hour away. Not exactly 'vacation-like,'" Tim said, making air quotes. "I'm just unsure how often we'd come back here."

"So that leaves a couple of options," Becky stated. "You could sell or rent it out, either long-term or Airbnb style. Your mortgage is what, fifty-five thousand or so?"

"About that. If I sell, I'll likely clear a hundred fifty or seventy-five thousand. Any rental deal often causes headaches, and for AirBnB, I'd have to hire a service to clean it after every booking."

"Sounds like you're leaning towards selling," Becky said in a questioning tone.

"Yeah, I know. It's surprising since I love the place and have always intended to be there until I die. But I think it might be time for a clean break and fresh start," he admitted.

"Well, no need to worry too much about it just yet. It will be months before we can move into the farmhouse, so just let it simmer in your mind. If you do eventually sell, a few pieces of furniture in the cabin would work great in the farmhouse," Becky said.

"Yes, I agree with that. We'll have to see if we're thinking of the same pieces," Tim grinned.

"Not your bed, however. I like the log look, but it's only a queen. Let's get a king with the same adjustable mattress you have. We could always use your current bed in one of the guest rooms," she said.

"Why do you want a king? We always spoon, either with me holding your breast or you holding my cock. We don't need too much space for that," Tim asked.

"Well, since we're exploring more things sexually, maybe we'll end up with a third person in bed some time," Becky said coyly.

"Oh? Would that be a male or female somebody?" Tim asked.

"Who knows? It might be either. How would you feel about that?"

"Well, you know I've been with two women several times, but long ago, never with a woman and man. Not sure how I would feel about watching another man have you," Tim admitted.

"In that case, we wouldn't do it. I'm okay with watching another woman and you. Guess I'm not only an exhibitionist but a voyeur as well!" Becky declared.

Over the next four weeks, Becky and Tim frequently traveled to Dahlonega. They met with the architect, Joe, and reviewed the garage/workshop plans, discussing the changes Tim wanted to make but leaving the exterior design entirely up to the professional. Another time, they attended the closing, where Becky officially took ownership of the farmhouse.

Once they had full access, they met Joe at the farmhouse and toured it together, discussing the changes they wanted inside. Joe told them he would work with a designer on the bath and kitchen projects. "I'll take care of the layouts, trying to minimize plumbing, electrical, and gas changes. Diane will handle recommendations on cabinets, countertop materials, colors, tiles, etc.," Joe said.

Becky hired a company to do a 'move-in' cleaning of the house, after which she and Tim rented a large U-Haul trailer and moved all the furniture they'd purchased to the house.

Although they had pieces for nearly every room, the 2500-square-foot farmhouse swallowed them up. They would need to find and buy many more pieces, but they could take their time.

Once the renovations are completed, the house will be fully livable, albeit relatively sparsely furnished.

The couple interviewed three recommended contractors and selected the one they thought would do the best job. He was finishing up a local job in the next week or so and would begin demolition right after that. Joe had already completed the layouts they both approved and the designer, Diane, was working with them on choices. They knew they would have to make quick decisions, but neither was naturally indecisive.

The exception to that, of course, was Tim's decision regarding the cabin. He suspected they'd use it rarely, and a vacant home was begging for trouble, exceptionally one as secluded as his. He could add more security cameras, but even if he got an alert and called the local sheriff's office immediately, it could take half an hour before they arrived.

Two months later, Tim's phone rang as he was deliberating this issue, and he saw Joe's name on his screen. "Hi Joe, what's up?"

"The city council is meeting this Wednesday evening, and your request for a building permit is on the agenda. I have contacts on the council, and I'm confident that two of the five members will support it. I'm trying to reach the other three. But you and Becky must attend. If the homeowners don't bother to show up, it implies a lack of interest in the town's affairs, and that's not a good thing," Joe explained.

"Not to worry, Joe. Becky and I wouldn't dream of missing it. Where and what time?" Tim said.

"City Hall on Riley Street at 6 pm. I'll meet you there. See you then!" Joe signed off.

Joe's plans were superb. While the new garage and workshop would be almost one and a half times larger than the one thousand square feet of the cabin's equivalent, the exterior design was so well done that people would likely think it had been built at the same time as the one hundred fifty-year-old farmhouse to serve as a barn.

The council meeting went very smoothly. The vote was unanimous, and Becky and Tim were warmly welcomed to town. One council member lived only four houses from the farmhouse, although his McMansion was one recently built on land that used to belong to the farm. He promised to see them once they moved in.

"Joe, let us buy you a drink to celebrate, and we can plan our next steps," Tim said. Joe agreed, and they went to Spirits Tavern.

"I know you already have Steve working on the house renovations. He would be my pick to build the garage as well. I consider him the best contractor in the area. His work is always exceptional, on time, and on budget," Joe told them.

"Okay, I'll call him and see if he's interested. Be right back," Tim said as he rose and exited the tavern for privacy. Less than five minutes later, he was back.

"He's in. He'll swing by your place tomorrow for a copy of the plans and start working on cost numbers immediately. He said he's a week out in the kitchen and has ten days to finish the master bath. He'll start the garage as soon as he gets those done and work on the guest and half baths during downtime from it," Tim told them.

"That's great, hon!" Becky said as she kissed him. "What does he mean by downtime?"

"There are usually delays due to weather, sometimes supply issues, or waiting on inspections.

So if his crew gets rained out on the garage, for example, they'll head inside and finish up the other two bathrooms," Tim explained.

"Well, I need to head home. Thanks for the drink. Let me know if Steve finds any issues or has any suggestions once he reviews the plans. I look forward to having you join our little town,"

Joe said as he shook Tim's hand and kissed Becky's cheek.

Tim settled the tab, and they drove back to the cabin. Excited about the progress that had been made and with the end in sight, although still a distance out, they made love in a fun, spirited manner. It was one of those times when they laughed more than moaned, but both enjoyed it tremendously, and they climaxed together. Spooning as they always did, this time with Tim behind Becky and holding her breast, they soon fell asleep.


To be continued