What house-hunting or home-buying tips would you like to share? Drop them in the comment section below (and please don't forget to like this video. 😊) Empty House Tour here: ruclips.net/video/FUctJd1OSLE/видео.htmlsi=e_LiaQaliTjCN2Ef (in case you missed it!)
@AtoZenLife Is a basement or garage part if the square footage listed or only the rooms? Also can u do a video on thr best types of investing..spotting good vs bad etc
I'm always astonished by the people whose questions and comments indicate that they have all of the right answers for every single person on Earth and can therefore tell you everything you are doing "wrong." I can only hope you are able to completely ignore them. I think you have an amazing family and have chosen a great home. Best wishes as you begin this new chapter. ❤🚪
I'm a hardcore minimalist/essentialist and no matter the size of your house, I would have bought it for the view through those timber doors out to the yard! So beautifully green and serene!
It is crazy to me that people have opinions about where you live and why and what you like and why. And the size of your house or the amount of storage you have. We are all different. Enjoy your life and congratulations on the new house it is beautiful.
Meaning rarely able to speak? Yes, this is the modern couple. Woman leading the show with emotion, feelings and not rational thought. Guessing 80-90% of viewers are female. That's all fine, just interesting to see the world changing.
The two of you seem like an amazing duo, so much in sync with each other. Thank you for sharing all your tips and being so honest about your experience.
My daughter and her husband bought a house 4 years ago. It was very frustrating for them. They looked at many houses and were turned down because they hadn't sold their house yet. My husband and I offered for them to move in with us so they could sell their place and make settlement. They moved in and found a great place but they were outbid. But the person had over bid so much the bank wouldn't give them a loan. My daughter was then given a second chance and they bought the house. They are still making changes to make it their own. It is on a wonderful street with the best neighbors. My grandson has so many friends.
I really enjoyed seeing the respect and love you both expressed in how you each allowed the other to speak without interrupting when you spoke. Very balanced conversation. And how you each looked at the other person when they were speaking in such a loving manner.
Always fun when Mr. Zen makes an appearance! I can’t wait to see you decorate your new space and make it your own! Thank you for confirming you were filming in Germany. I noticed right away! Ha
Your story about the bamboo and how it looks like nothing is happening sounds just like my experience with decluttering. It looks like nothing is changing for a long time, then it seems like all of a sudden there's a huge change. It isn't really all of a sudden, but it's like there's a threshold reached and it's practically magical at how much the space looks different. I know my husband is like that, too. He doesn't see any change happening, then one day, there it is!
Love what you said about balancing each other out. I've always disliked the term "opposites". Men and women are not "opposites". We are complimentary. In a good marriage, we compliment each other, and together we make one complete and wonderful entity, like you said. 💕
“Stewards of our homes…” that took my breath away. I agree, and I feel disappointed, sad, and angry at how often landlords in our area fail to take care of homes correctly while keeping rents as high as possible. We can’t buy in yet, but I would feel a responsibility to the public resource that a house ultimately is if we could buy one.
@@silentnot4812 One would think so, and for some that’s true. My experience reflects the prevalence locally of landlords who really don’t care much about a place that they don’t live in so long as rent is coming in and padding their accounts while they enjoy their golden years. If they’ve bought many homes over the years and rent them as a strategy to maintain their lifestyles beyond their working years they’re tired of business, they don’t have anything to get from these places in the future in which they’re gone, and they defer maintenance knowing it’ll never be their problem. The houses are not homes to them but emotionally neutral investments, and if they’re going to pass away before there’s any necessity of doing much but patching over issues they’re fine with asset degradation. It’s so hard to believe that it took me years to catch on but now that I’ve seen it a few times, looking around I feel sure it’s absolutely true. I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase “I’m not worried about that” from our second to last landlord as I reported holes developing and worsening in the side of the house, trees rubbing against the eaves, and so on.
Was so nice to have your husband on this video. Your home is so beautiful, the patio room is my favorite! Less is more. I have always enjoyed your videos through the years. Thank you for sharing!😊
You remind me of my husband and me because people didn't understand why we were frugal, despite both having well-paid jobs. It all made sense when we finally bought the home of our dreams - spacious enough for just the two of us, with plenty of storage space that we hardly use (because we're cheap, haha). My husband has an old-fashioned saying, 'penny-wise and pound-foolish' - we're thrifty with small purchases but sometimes spend unwisely on bigger ones. Unfortunately, many people do the opposite and struggle to save for larger projects. Enjoy your beautiful house! Best from Bogotá, Colombia!
Your new home looks terrific. The “sunroom” and view would be worth the price for me. Hoping you have many years of happy memories and beautiful times there.
I don't think the size of a house has anything to do with minimalism. You could have a small house but fill it full or a big house and have a lot space for an airy feeling.
Hi, Marissa! So glad to see Mr. Zen again and in your beautiful Berlin home! I've been hoping for some time that you bring Mr. Zen back to your channel because I find his approach to life healing for the soul. Once again, he didn't dissapoint, he said just what I needed to hear: "we are guests of a house". Love to you, guys!
@@Thomas63r2We should have known better from the background! But after seeing so many of her videos filmed in that home it wasn’t registering in my brain 😂
I am in the Chicago suburbs and sold my house recently. I gave up on buying another house for now because I kept getting outbid. And the interest rates were going up, which I was not comfortable with. I’m in an apartment for now and will hopefully try again next year. I was surprised that there are a lot of others in my apartment complex in the same situation as me. I’m glad you were able to find something. ❤
I love your home. It has so much character. Your two are so right about the previous owners. They clearly took great care of that home. That’s important to me as well. I’m following a handful of inspectors so that I can learn what to look for when home hunting. I’m looking for an older cottage. No flips or new construction for me! Absolutely not!
I love your new house and glad you were able to click off your boxes. Also, I would be excited about storage space even if I didn't not use it. Empty spaces give the best feeling. Congratulations on your new home.
My mom’s apartment in Germany was my dream home. I loved living there. It was absolutely perfect and I completely agree with you guys I wish I could just transport it to the United States.
At the beginning I was like:"their new house looks so similar to their house in Germany". 😂😂😂 I hope you are happy and make great memories in your new space. Thank you so much for sharing. I've learned a lot, hopefully one day i will be able to use that knowledge in the future🤞🏽💜
This video makes my heart so happy! I love 💕 how supportive you are of each other. Thank you for making these videos. 😊 And congrats on your new house purchase! It’s BEAUTIFUL!
I was like "How are they filming this in their house in Germany?" Then you explained it😂 Love when Mr Zen makes an appearance, he is so cool & sweet...you really suit each other Marissa. Love the new house (I thought it has a really zen asian vibe/look too. Can't wait to see more more more! Bridget💞🚪
It is exciting to have built in storage! There are so many places that don’t have closets! My 1950’s house doesn’t have a pantry. It matters! Hiding visual clutter is so nice to be able to do without having to buy more furniture to do it ❤
Congratulations on your new home! Thank you for sharing this video. I liked how you and your husband complimented each other with the practical side and emotional side of home buying. It’s a great balance. I’m so happy for you! 🎉
I had the same happen to me, I went for a house initially and we lost it, but in the end we ended up with the house of our dreams compared to the one we lost. So even though you feel like you missed out, there is most likely a better one waiting for you ❤
Oh Marissa... my husband is a builder. In Alaska we went from 4000 sq ft to 1650sq ft after the kids were gone. Then we moved to Utah to be close to our daughter and family when we retired and ALL the houses here are for HUGE families, like 8+ kids, plus the prices were outrageous! So... my husband redid a 600 sq ft unattached garage on our kids property and it's PERFECT!! (I have been a minimalist for 6 years.) People always comment on our 10' high ceilings and LOTS of windows. Make such a big difference! I love your house. Oh... and my kids have a lot of property so therefore lots of yard work to keep us retired folk active and busy! Weeds... overNIGHT! Enjoyed your husband being in this video. Have a great 4th.
I love your new house! I definitely like the MCM style that leans more natural/zen. You are so right about that porch being like My Neighbor Totoro! The open entryway, kitchen, porch, and den/study are all so nice (and offer so much built-in storage!) 🤩
Praises to you for standing up for your property line. I can relate to your feelings. A neighbor built a fence one foot over our property line, but my parents preferred not to do anything about it to avoid trouble. (I came in through the Door).
Really, really like that house. You got a great deal just from the perspective of style and those red- colored cupboards and shelving. Hope you enjoy it loads.
Marissa, this is such a GREAT video!!! I have been resisting minimalism because I enjoy the things I’ve acquired in my 60 years. But, as I watch your journey, I am drawn to the peace and serenity a more minimal lifestyle offers. Your new home is perfect for you and your family. You will be good stewards of it. It is lovely to see you and Mr. Zen enjoying your wonderful German home this summer. Take care and safe travels back to your new home. 🏠💕
I love how you two smile and just love to be around each other. Marissa dresses for Mr.Zen and her mannerisms change around him. It's so cute and lovely😊
I feel so warmly and caring for you and your family. It's difficult to choose a favorite RUclips personality because of my many interests, but I am willing to go on a limb and say that it is you and Mr. Zen and the boys. Thank you for being honest and open and informative and kind and wise and generous and fearless, etc.
Good stewards of your home. That is beautiful. We have an area where people keep buying these older historical homes and tearing them down to build McMansions from one corner of the property to the next. It is so sad. We renovated our home but it still looks like what it is. A brick ranch from the 50’s.
Those green trees are so beautiful. I wonder if they are deciduous? Marissa you are so lucky to both be crickets. I’m a minimalish cricket but my husband is a dung beetle - leaves stuff anywhere and everywhere and wants to keep everything
I bought my first house at 20, outgrew it as the children came along and bought my second at 26. Two major things I have learned from the process that most people don't talk about, is to never exceed 85% of the bank approved mortgage limit and to hire 2 different home inspectors.
Gorgeous home, congratulations! I love every space of the home, and the wood inside the kitchen and the porch and the forest around. GORGEOUS. And no, it is not because it is big that you will have a lot of things inside, but the pleasure to spread and see better your belongings.
That square footage seems crazy high. I wouldn't want to have to clean or care for a 4000 sq ft or bigger home. I've lived in 11 different house in CA and now NV. The largest was 2500 sq ft. It was fine when we had 3 growing children, but I wouldn't want it now.
I missed when they mentioned square footage. When I was a kid I heard of millionaires who built mansions there & was mystified as to why anyone would want to live there. After visiting, 10 years ago, I know that if I had to live there, it most definitely would be a bigger house than the average there, which was at the time 2,000 sq ft. I split 800 sq ft with another person, & that’s more than I wish to maintain. Maintained an acre for 33 years, & long since over it.
I love your videos. I have been getting better at not buying things just to buy or to fill a space. I am making progress little by little. Thank you for all your insight. We have lived in my house for 24 years but we are looking for a retirement home somewhere in the mountains. I am keeping a list of the few things I want.
I think you bought a stunning house that will be very easy to live a minimast life in! It is about the arcitecture as well! That house does not need lots of things to look nice as the spaces already looks so nice! If you had bought an old looking 50s house it might have been harder with that arcitecture to not fill it up with things so it would look good! Just loove your house! 👌 Congratulations to buying it 🙌 I look forward to see what you do with it! Lots of love from Sweden 🇸🇪
Congrats on your new home! It is beautiful. My husband and I lived in small apartments, so small we even had our bed in the living room so our daughter could have her own room, for most of first 10 years of our marriage and saved, saved, saved. Yes, compounded interest. Living small meant we could live on one salary and save the other. In addition, spending more time with our baby/toddler daughter instead of on house/yard maintenance was a gift. When we did buy a house, we did it without an agent. 17 years later we staged and sold it ourselves, had 5 offers in one week and sold far more than asking price. Our current house we purchased 2 years ago. I had been looking on-line daily and found this house at 430 am the day it went live. By 6am we were on our way to our new town 2 1/2 hours away. By 9 we had already lined up home and sewer inspections and a showing for later that day. It took 1 minute inside and we knew we wanted the house. So few homes became available in the part of town we wanted (we had been looking for 3 years, on line daily) that we jumped on this house. Desperate, we also had narrowed our requirements down to 2, both having to do with location. It turned out that this house also had the 20 dream requirements (high ceilings among them) on the list I had made 3 years prior. We threw everything we could at this house and out bid 2 others. Here there is a "review date" a week after the listing goes live and a time by which the offers have to be in. There is also a thing called an "escalation clause" meaning you can offer X amount, but are willing to pay X amount higher than then highest bidder up to X amount. My mother's house which we sold in 2018 (6 offers in one week) our house we sold in 2019 (5 offers in one week) and this house all had escalation clauses. We went way over asking price, far higher than I ever considered going - until the pandemic raised prices and it was the only thing we could do - and after that year, values dropped a bit, but they have more than recovered now. And this house is 3,000 sq feet, 800 sq feet bigger than our last. We did not need a house this big but it is wonderful to have the space, including a huge shop the size of a garage and a huge storage room. We have NOT filled all our rooms, but have the bare necessities and I kind of like the spare feeling. We are uncluttered and have space for kitchen items so all counters are clear. So are we minimalists? So far we use less energy than at our old house because we have solar panels. Solar powers our car - which we share - too. We use a push mower and hand tools for gardening and yard maintenance. Clothes are dried outside - which stretches the longevity of clothes, sheets etc. . We don't eat meat so eat low on the food chain. Books are not purchased unless needed for reference. Most books electronically checked out of the library as we are voracious readers. We spend money on experiences such as violin and piano lessons (yes, my husband and I, in our 60s now, take lessons) and for fixing up our house (new electrical panel, paint, some light fixtures etc.) Home maintenance was a big shift from living in our 650sq foot apartment for 3 years, but I have a system for cleaning, and I treat cleaning as exercise. Our house needed and needs lots of things fixed but my husband LOVES wiring and fixing things. In fact that was on HIS wish list. Everyone's path to home ownership is different. Cannot stress enough about saving money as soon as you can in life so as to reap the rewards later.
This couple is so awesome. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We live in a small home on a busy highway but I still learn so much from you. “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Every state (& possibly city) will be different in how buying or renting works.... We always had to figure out a new system in a hurry...asking a ton of questions on how things are done...is the only way. Besides a realtor... Go talk to a neighbor where you want to buy the house ask the process they went thru to buy their house...you get to know them & figure out the process!
I'm absolutely obsessed with your sun porch and yard. As a nature lover, having a space like this has always been my dream. I'm currently living in a space I don't like (apartment in the city, my bedroom window literally overlooks the kitchen in the next building and the room has no natural light). I have clinical depression, anxiety and am neurodivergent so my current space really takes a toll on me. But I'm hopeful because I'm discussing getting married and moving in with my partner within a couple of years and we are literally making our wishlist and non-negotiables for our dream home. We are poor, college kids so we are not going to buy a house anytime soon but even when renting, we need to check off our non negotiables. As minimal-ish people (who have grown up in hoarder households), we're more thane willing to compromise on space but not on having these calming, zen elements in the space we live in. Our home NEEDS to be a sanctuary for us. And I'm so glad you guys found such a place your family. I'll be showing my partner your house tour video for inspiration haha
I’ll keep my fingers AND toes crossed for you - remember, it always seems impossible until it’s done! My husband grew up poor in China and I lost everything, including my family, in my early 20s. It took a long time but we slowly climbed out of that hole and built a life for our. Wishing you all the best and lots of success doing the same! ❤️🙏
Unfortunately, with a larger house other people seem to think they can use it for their storage! 'Well, you've got the space' is something I often hear... Love this chat and LOVE your new house
Love your discussion at the end re being stewards of your home and the Chinese bamboo growing 4 years underground and then shooting up 80 feet in a blink. Very nice!
The avg size of single family homes in the US is around 2500 sq ft, so I’m surprised it’s so much larger in the Chicago suburbs. Thanks for sharing your house-hunting adventure.
What your husband said about being guests of a house really resonated with me. I completely agree. That philosophy can apply to other areas as well especially the Earth. I will carry that philosophy with me & share it with my kids ☺️ Thank you guys for sharing Best wishes & house blessings to you 🙏🏻💞
I don’t know how they count square footage where you are Marissa, but as someone who has owned a house in four different states I can say that it is amazing how differently square footage is counted in different states. My friends in Michigan marvel at how huge all the houses in Virginia are until I explain how square footage here is calculated. People need to stop comparing and judging. I hope you enjoy your new house. It is beautiful and the quality is obvious even over the screen.
What?! I’ve calculated square footage for flooring & other surfaces for over 40 years, throughout TX, AZ, GA, & FL. It’s measured the same across the nation.
@@sunshine3914 I agree with patty. All you have to do is a Google search and see the conflicting answers. In our last house, they counted an outdoor front porch in the tax revaluation! They (tax evaluations) did not in our current house one town away - in the same county!
So nice to see Mr. Zen! You guys are fantastic together. Really enjoyed this Q & A. And I am excited to see how you make the space your own !! You couldn’t have chosen a better home for yourselves! Actually, I think the house picked you. It’s perfect! I can just see your boys enjoying the yard when there is snow on the ground.
What an amazing home you and Mr. Zen purchased! You two are so sweet with each other in this video 💕 Glad you were able to keep your home in Berlin as well! Hope you, Mr. Zen, and your boys really love getting settled into your new home 😊
Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your journey despite the critics. This house hunting journey is wonderful example of marital commitment and values based decision making. The world so desperately needs more voices like yours and Mr. Zen's
Great information that will be so helpful to someone that is in the market to buy! Love the new house 🏠… Wow!! A real Zen home. You have a great channel with a trustworthy insight on so many things when your videos come up I’m all ears. You and your husband are such a wonderful couple!!
I think you guys did a great job finding a house. What a beautiful yard and the volume of the spaces is just lovely. As a past midwestern girl I love that modern vibe of Chicago homes❤
Your house is amazing!! Love the kitchen, love the view of the trees, love the natural wood throughout and how bright it is! I love the home we ended up buying and I feel so grateful we ended up with it.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m wishing you and your family many happy years together in your new home. It was so nice to hear input from Mr Zen. You’re such a cute and sensible couple!! ❤
I love your quote! Minimalism is different for everyone. We all have different priorities. I also must be a “cricket” because I love to hide as much as I can. 😂 I’m so happy for you and your family. Enjoy your new home, it’s beautiful. 😍 It was also cool to see your husband in this video. Again, congratulations! 🎉
A survey is so important. Years ago we bought a house made into a daycare. It was built in 1930. Our neighbor said our building was on the line. Our property was really in the middle of the city street! Because it went from residential to business zoning, he could build on the property line up next to ours, making it unsafe for a daycare. We ended up selling for a new building to be built on it. It took 2 years to sell it. It was a small town so demand for commercial property was low.
You are so kind and mature to answer questions that should never have been asked. (mini rant here: how DARE anyone question your personal decisions? What presumption and arrogance! OK, end of rant. ) Thank you for your grace under unwarranted fire!
We had a lot of similar experiences in our first home buying experience and wish we knew more before. Not one professional with our purchase saw the seller was in bankruptcy but I did, this added 3 months to the escrow but it also meant we legally owned the home.
You are going to love looking out at that yard! So green! Four years ago we moved to our Milwaukee suburb and we have a really green yard like yours (ours is 1 acre) and I absolutely love it. It feels so therapeutic. I wasn’t originally looking for partially wooded lot but I’m glad we found it. We have so much wildlife and I never get tired of it. Every walk around the neighborhood we run into the wildlife too. It is more work to up keep the yard as we had invasive buckthorn to get rid of. But it’s been worth it for this season of our life (we are in our late 40’s). We enjoy living about a mile from Lake Michigan in a community with great schools. When we are older we will probably move to a smaller yard or a condo. That’s the great thing is you can find different homes to fit you for different seasons. There are lots of different types of places I can see myself living in but it all depends on current needs and life season.
Goodness gracious 😱😱😱 my poor little french soul just fainted when I converted 4000 square feet to meters, I am already overwhelmed by my 1937 square feet of family mess and it is considered here in rural France like a pretty big house. Also absolutely great video 😍 I'm a realtor and comparing US regulations to French is very interesting. All the best to you 2 and your family in this new adventure 💝
@@victoriamorris8678It depends on where you live. The US is enormous and each state is like a country, and every area within each state is unique-so you can’t make a blanket statement.
16:27 The builders can't make enough profit on small homes, so 2000 square feet+ is very average in many suburban areas. Many families want 4-5 bedrooms and 2-3 full baths and a powder room plus office, TV room, etc etc. 4000 square feet of a bigger home, but very common for families.@@victoriamorris8678
I did the same conversions and felt the same shock haha. I suppose it's a matter of culture as well as how much room there is in the country (I'm in the Netherlands and the population density is super high here), but I've noticed in my own house-hunt that the balance between the house and the yard in newer builds leans towards bigger houses and (much) smaller yards. One reason why I feel more attracted to older homes :)
Another thing you did right was didn’t go over on some of the houses you tried to purchase first. I see that a lot where people go way over budget and end up house rich but pocket poor.
I think the way you can see outside makes the home look bigger too. It is an amazing home! You will love it, & love the additional space as your boys age! Bigger kids=bigger friends!😂
We bought our first home 18 years ago and we still love it. It was the most budget we were comfortable with and we each filled out a list beforehand with what we were wanting, specifying what were nice to haves and what were must haves for each of us. The first home we looked at we really loved, but it was under offer. The house that was to become our home we'd seen in December and it was out of our price range. It was still on the market a few months later and the price had dropped. We swooped in and bought it. We were just looking ourselves. We didn't have a realtor/real estate agent looking for us. Our home met everything on the checklist, except for a bathtub which my husband really wanted, but that went out the window as he'd fallen in love with the home. We got a tub put in a few years after we moved in. The bathtub is really the only alteration we've made to our home. We still have the same carpet and the walls are the same colours (we kind of grew to like the interesting colours) and we haven't renovated the kitchen. I like it that we bought once and bought well so we've not had to waste money on moving costs etc over the past 18 years.
Your new house is gorgeous!! I love all the huge windows and greenery outside! Congrats!! :) You two are so cute together and really balance each other out! So happy for you all! :)
It's so nice seeing you both filming again in your home at berlin. It's so nostalgic and everything still looks the same. We are so glad that your in laws took really good care of your house 🥺❤
@@AtoZenLife I miss it too, even though I don't live there. I'm a huge supporter of yours and I knew that you've filmed a lot of motivational videos there. But still, I'm looking forward for your new journey with your new house ☺️
What house-hunting or home-buying tips would you like to share? Drop them in the comment section below (and please don't forget to like this video. 😊) Empty House Tour here: ruclips.net/video/FUctJd1OSLE/видео.htmlsi=e_LiaQaliTjCN2Ef (in case you missed it!)
Ach! I sometimes comment, but I forget to like. Sorry, I’ll do that now.
@@thesender6793 Thanks for both ✌️😉
@AtoZenLife Is a basement or garage part if the square footage listed or only the rooms?
Also can u do a video on thr best types of investing..spotting good vs bad etc
For me I basically had three wants. That’s it. I knew if I tried to get everything I wanted it would never happen.
Are you back in Germany ? Because of the background ❤❤❤❤
I'm always astonished by the people whose questions and comments indicate that they have all of the right answers for every single person on Earth and can therefore tell you everything you are doing "wrong." I can only hope you are able to completely ignore them. I think you have an amazing family and have chosen a great home. Best wishes as you begin this new chapter. ❤🚪
Amen to that. Enjoy your wonderful choice for your family. Love learning from you!
Yes, you don't need to justify your choices. Lovely house! Best wishes :)
I LOVE seeing you with your husband ❤ you light up around him ♥️ you can tell he’s your person.
Aw, thank you! I was so excited to have him in the video, hahaha. 😁
@@AtoZenLife And of course his awesome hair.
I love that you call him Mr. Zen💜💜💜
I'm still loving the "10 out of 10 smoke show husband" description of him you gave several videos ago. It's obvious you adore each other 😍
@@slackerjo He does have GREAT hair 😁
I'm a hardcore minimalist/essentialist and no matter the size of your house, I would have bought it for the view through those timber doors out to the yard! So beautifully green and serene!
It is crazy to me that people have opinions about where you live and why and what you like and why. And the size of your house or the amount of storage you have. We are all different. Enjoy your life and congratulations on the new house it is beautiful.
Your husband seems so steady and level headed. What a mature and lovely relationship you guys have!
Right? No drama.
Meaning rarely able to speak? Yes, this is the modern couple. Woman leading the show with emotion, feelings and not rational thought. Guessing 80-90% of viewers are female. That's all fine, just interesting to see the world changing.
Imo He is Mr steady, she is much more emotional. They balance each other out.
The two of you seem like an amazing duo, so much in sync with each other. Thank you for sharing all your tips and being so honest about your experience.
TY Mr. Zen for joining the Q&A. :-)
My daughter and her husband bought a house 4 years ago. It was very frustrating for them. They looked at many houses and were turned down because they hadn't sold their house yet. My husband and I offered for them to move in with us so they could sell their place and make settlement. They moved in and found a great place but they were outbid. But the person had over bid so much the bank wouldn't give them a loan. My daughter was then given a second chance and they bought the house. They are still making changes to make it their own. It is on a wonderful street with the best neighbors. My grandson has so many friends.
Oh my goodness, what a journey! I’m so glad it worked out for them in the end. 👏
@@AtoZenLife They are very happy with how it all turned out.
Thank you for sharing your story! So glad they found a great spot!
Yay for a happy ending ❤
I LOVE the idea of being stewards to the house and being guests in a house. That really changes how I feel about and towards my home.
Oh my goodness, that really does look like My Neighbor Totoro - I love it 😍
Right? We love it too. When I went back and looked at the footage from MNT I can’t believe how alike it looked 🙌
I really enjoyed seeing the respect and love you both expressed in how you each allowed the other to speak without interrupting when you spoke. Very balanced conversation. And how you each looked at the other person when they were speaking in such a loving manner.
Cicadas are considered lucky as they represent renewal & transformation! 🤗
Always fun when Mr. Zen makes an appearance! I can’t wait to see you decorate your new space and make it your own! Thank you for confirming you were filming in Germany. I noticed right away! Ha
Me too! I thought, "She had her furniture and artwork shipped to the U.S.????"
When you buy get an inspection and follow the inspector around. That way you can hear first hand what needs work what to do maintenance on first etc.
This is a great tip 👆 Husband and I went with different inspectors so we could hear what each said (sewer, home, roof, etc)
A friend of ours went round with the inspector and record your conversation so you can refer back to it .
The inspector was ok with this.
@@Smithjones12That’s a great idea for me to remember when we buy our next house in a retirement community.
Your story about the bamboo and how it looks like nothing is happening sounds just like my experience with decluttering. It looks like nothing is changing for a long time, then it seems like all of a sudden there's a huge change. It isn't really all of a sudden, but it's like there's a threshold reached and it's practically magical at how much the space looks different. I know my husband is like that, too. He doesn't see any change happening, then one day, there it is!
That is so true, the same thing 💯 applies to decluttering - good observation 🙌
Love what you said about balancing each other out. I've always disliked the term "opposites". Men and women are not "opposites". We are complimentary.
In a good marriage, we compliment each other, and together we make one complete and wonderful entity, like you said. 💕
“Stewards of our homes…” that took my breath away. I agree, and I feel disappointed, sad, and angry at how often landlords in our area fail to take care of homes correctly while keeping rents as high as possible. We can’t buy in yet, but I would feel a responsibility to the public resource that a house ultimately is if we could buy one.
Landlords have a moral obligation to maintain their property, but so many don't it is sad! But not all landlords!
@@silentnot4812 One would think so, and for some that’s true. My experience reflects the prevalence locally of landlords who really don’t care much about a place that they don’t live in so long as rent is coming in and padding their accounts while they enjoy their golden years. If they’ve bought many homes over the years and rent them as a strategy to maintain their lifestyles beyond their working years they’re tired of business, they don’t have anything to get from these places in the future in which they’re gone, and they defer maintenance knowing it’ll never be their problem. The houses are not homes to them but emotionally neutral investments, and if they’re going to pass away before there’s any necessity of doing much but patching over issues they’re fine with asset degradation. It’s so hard to believe that it took me years to catch on but now that I’ve seen it a few times, looking around I feel sure it’s absolutely true. I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase “I’m not worried about that” from our second to last landlord as I reported holes developing and worsening in the side of the house, trees rubbing against the eaves, and so on.
Was so nice to have your husband on this video. Your home is so beautiful, the patio room is my favorite! Less is more. I have always enjoyed your videos through the years. Thank you for sharing!😊
You remind me of my husband and me because people didn't understand why we were frugal, despite both having well-paid jobs. It all made sense when we finally bought the home of our dreams - spacious enough for just the two of us, with plenty of storage space that we hardly use (because we're cheap, haha). My husband has an old-fashioned saying, 'penny-wise and pound-foolish' - we're thrifty with small purchases but sometimes spend unwisely on bigger ones. Unfortunately, many people do the opposite and struggle to save for larger projects. Enjoy your beautiful house! Best from Bogotá, Colombia!
Your new home looks terrific. The “sunroom” and view would be worth the price for me. Hoping you have many years of happy memories and beautiful times there.
It’s just so special 🥹
I don't think the size of a house has anything to do with minimalism. You could have a small house but fill it full or a big house and have a lot space for an airy feeling.
That’s so true 💯
💯
Hi, Marissa! So glad to see Mr. Zen again and in your beautiful Berlin home! I've been hoping for some time that you bring Mr. Zen back to your channel because I find his approach to life healing for the soul. Once again, he didn't dissapoint, he said just what I needed to hear: "we are guests of a house". Love to you, guys!
I missed that part where they said they were doing the video in the Berlin home!
I agree, he is very nice to listen to and they compliment each other so well it is lovely to see.
@@Thomas63r2We should have known better from the background! But after seeing so many of her videos filmed in that home it wasn’t registering in my brain 😂
@@ReneeDennis-x8h Me too! Now all I want to know is if anyone has figured out the square feet and room layout of their new house.
Are you a robot. ? She said Chicago. But as a robot you don't know the difference. It's sad people cheat.
I am in the Chicago suburbs and sold my house recently. I gave up on buying another house for now because I kept getting outbid. And the interest rates were going up, which I was not comfortable with. I’m in an apartment for now and will hopefully try again next year. I was surprised that there are a lot of others in my apartment complex in the same situation as me. I’m glad you were able to find something. ❤
I love your home. It has so much character. Your two are so right about the previous owners. They clearly took great care of that home. That’s important to me as well. I’m following a handful of inspectors so that I can learn what to look for when home hunting. I’m looking for an older cottage. No flips or new construction for me! Absolutely not!
Wishing you good luck with your search!! 🙌
@@AtoZenLife Thank you. ☺️
9:20 the way Mr.Zen looks at you with adoration and love in agreement with your words ❤
I love your new house and glad you were able to click off your boxes. Also, I would be excited about storage space even if I didn't not use it. Empty spaces give the best feeling. Congratulations on your new home.
Thanks so much, Denise, I agree - it’s nice to have storage options 🙌
So much more comfortable to have good storage that you don't fill up rather than not enough or not practical!
My mom’s apartment in Germany was my dream home. I loved living there. It was absolutely perfect and I completely agree with you guys I wish I could just transport it to the United States.
At the beginning I was like:"their new house looks so similar to their house in Germany". 😂😂😂
I hope you are happy and make great memories in your new space.
Thank you so much for sharing. I've learned a lot, hopefully one day i will be able to use that knowledge in the future🤞🏽💜
This video makes my heart so happy! I love 💕 how supportive you are of each other. Thank you for making these videos. 😊 And congrats on your new house purchase! It’s BEAUTIFUL!
I was like "How are they filming this in their house in Germany?" Then you explained it😂 Love when Mr Zen makes an appearance, he is so cool & sweet...you really suit each other Marissa. Love the new house (I thought it has a really zen asian vibe/look too. Can't wait to see more more more! Bridget💞🚪
I completely agree with you regarding square footage in the states. We wanted a smaller home, but it’s hard to find anything under 3,000 sq ft.
It’s a very real consideration!
Love the house!!! Great choice with sunshine, so much greenery. It has everything. ❤
It is exciting to have built in storage! There are so many places that don’t have closets! My 1950’s house doesn’t have a pantry. It matters! Hiding visual clutter is so nice to be able to do without having to buy more furniture to do it ❤
Congratulations on your new home! Thank you for sharing this video. I liked how you and your husband complimented each other with the practical side and emotional side of home buying. It’s a great balance. I’m so happy for you! 🎉
so cute to see y'all back in the berlin living room :) congrats on the new house!
I had the same happen to me, I went for a house initially and we lost it, but in the end we ended up with the house of our dreams compared to the one we lost. So even though you feel like you missed out, there is most likely a better one waiting for you ❤
That’s awesome, it was meant to be! Thanks so much for watching and take care. ❤️
Same here…bought 3rd one after losing two and got a better house.
Oh Marissa... my husband is a builder. In Alaska we went from 4000 sq ft to 1650sq ft after the kids were gone. Then we moved to Utah to be close to our daughter and family when we retired and ALL the houses here are for HUGE families, like 8+ kids, plus the prices were outrageous! So... my husband redid a 600 sq ft unattached garage on our kids property and it's PERFECT!! (I have been a minimalist for 6 years.) People always comment on our 10' high ceilings and LOTS of windows. Make such a big difference! I love your house. Oh... and my kids have a lot of property so therefore lots of yard work to keep us retired folk active and busy! Weeds... overNIGHT! Enjoyed your husband being in this video. Have a great 4th.
Congratulations on your new home! It looks beautiful! Good to see Mr Zen today. Enjoy your time in Berlin ❤
Thanks so much and we will, Susan ❤️
I love your new house! I definitely like the MCM style that leans more natural/zen. You are so right about that porch being like My Neighbor Totoro! The open entryway, kitchen, porch, and den/study are all so nice (and offer so much built-in storage!) 🤩
Praises to you for standing up for your property line. I can relate to your feelings. A neighbor built a fence one foot over our property line, but my parents preferred not to do anything about it to avoid trouble. (I came in through the Door).
I think your new house is beautiful. With your 2 active boys it is great. I love seeing you together This is a great video
Really, really like that house. You got a great deal just from the perspective of style and those red- colored cupboards and shelving. Hope you enjoy it loads.
Marissa, this is such a GREAT video!!! I have been resisting minimalism because I enjoy the things I’ve acquired in my 60 years. But, as I watch your journey, I am drawn to the peace and serenity a more minimal lifestyle offers. Your new home is perfect for you and your family. You will be good stewards of it. It is lovely to see you and Mr. Zen enjoying your wonderful German home this summer. Take care and safe travels back to your new home. 🏠💕
Thank you so much for your kind words and take care - wishing you all the best as you find the right balance for yourself and your own home ❤️🙏
I love how you two smile and just love to be around each other. Marissa dresses for Mr.Zen and her mannerisms change around him. It's so cute and lovely😊
I feel so warmly and caring for you and your family. It's difficult to choose a favorite RUclips personality because of my many interests, but I am willing to go on a limb and say that it is you and Mr. Zen and the boys. Thank you for being honest and open and informative and kind and wise and generous and fearless, etc.
Thanks for sharing. I'm not planning on moving, but I enjoyed watching you and Mr. Zen talk about your new home!
I am so happy for you and your family. I’m looking forward to watching you settle in. What a fantastic home.
Good stewards of your home. That is beautiful. We have an area where people keep buying these older historical homes and tearing them down to build McMansions from one corner of the property to the next. It is so sad. We renovated our home but it still looks like what it is. A brick ranch from the 50’s.
Those green trees are so beautiful. I wonder if they are deciduous? Marissa you are so lucky to both be crickets. I’m a minimalish cricket but my husband is a dung beetle - leaves stuff anywhere and everywhere and wants to keep everything
Mr. Zen: “Yeah I fully agree with you Marissa…”
Me: 👍😃
As soon as I signed on I noticed you were in your former home. 😃 I'm also a cricket. I feel the same way about storage space.
Keen eye! 😉
I love this video with you and your husband! Great to hear from both husband and wife's opinion and I love the open conversation about buying 👏
I bought my first house at 20, outgrew it as the children came along and bought my second at 26. Two major things I have learned from the process that most people don't talk about, is to never exceed 85% of the bank approved mortgage limit and to hire 2 different home inspectors.
Love Mr. Zen. TFS.
Gorgeous home, congratulations! I love every space of the home, and the wood inside the kitchen and the porch and the forest around. GORGEOUS. And no, it is not because it is big that you will have a lot of things inside, but the pleasure to spread and see better your belongings.
That square footage seems crazy high. I wouldn't want to have to clean or care for a 4000 sq ft or bigger home. I've lived in 11 different house in CA and now NV. The largest was 2500 sq ft. It was fine when we had 3 growing children, but I wouldn't want it now.
I missed when they mentioned square footage. When I was a kid I heard of millionaires who built mansions there & was mystified as to why anyone would want to live there. After visiting, 10 years ago, I know that if I had to live there, it most definitely would be a bigger house than the average there, which was at the time 2,000 sq ft.
I split 800 sq ft with another person, & that’s more than I wish to maintain. Maintained an acre for 33 years, & long since over it.
I love your videos. I have been getting better at not buying things just to buy or to fill a space. I am making progress little by little. Thank you for all your insight. We have lived in my house for 24 years but we are looking for a retirement home somewhere in the mountains. I am keeping a list of the few things I want.
Bless you for being wonderfully positive throughout all your recent comments. ❤
I think you bought a stunning house that will be very easy to live a minimast life in! It is about the arcitecture as well! That house does not need lots of things to look nice as the spaces already looks so nice! If you had bought an old looking 50s house it might have been harder with that arcitecture to not fill it up with things so it would look good! Just loove your house! 👌 Congratulations to buying it 🙌 I look forward to see what you do with it! Lots of love from Sweden 🇸🇪
Congrats on your new home! It is beautiful. My husband and I lived in small apartments, so small we even had our bed in the living room so our daughter could have her own room, for most of first 10 years of our marriage and saved, saved, saved. Yes, compounded interest. Living small meant we could live on one salary and save the other. In addition, spending more time with our baby/toddler daughter instead of on house/yard maintenance was a gift. When we did buy a house, we did it without an agent. 17 years later we staged and sold it ourselves, had 5 offers in one week and sold far more than asking price.
Our current house we purchased 2 years ago. I had been looking on-line daily and found this house at 430 am the day it went live. By 6am we were on our way to our new town 2 1/2 hours away. By 9 we had already lined up home and sewer inspections and a showing for later that day. It took 1 minute inside and we knew we wanted the house.
So few homes became available in the part of town we wanted (we had been looking for 3 years, on line daily) that we jumped on this house. Desperate, we also had narrowed our requirements down to 2, both having to do with location. It turned out that this house also had the 20 dream requirements (high ceilings among them) on the list I had made 3 years prior.
We threw everything we could at this house and out bid 2 others. Here there is a "review date" a week after the listing goes live and a time by which the offers have to be in. There is also a thing called an "escalation clause" meaning you can offer X amount, but are willing to pay X amount higher than then highest bidder up to X amount. My mother's house which we sold in 2018 (6 offers in one week) our house we sold in 2019 (5 offers in one week) and this house all had escalation clauses.
We went way over asking price, far higher than I ever considered going - until the pandemic raised prices and it was the only thing we could do - and after that year, values dropped a bit, but they have more than recovered now.
And this house is 3,000 sq feet, 800 sq feet bigger than our last. We did not need a house this big but it is wonderful to have the space, including a huge shop the size of a garage and a huge storage room. We have NOT filled all our rooms, but have the bare necessities and I kind of like the spare feeling. We are uncluttered and have space for kitchen items so all counters are clear.
So are we minimalists? So far we use less energy than at our old house because we have solar panels. Solar powers our car - which we share - too. We use a push mower and hand tools for gardening and yard maintenance. Clothes are dried outside - which stretches the longevity of clothes, sheets etc. . We don't eat meat so eat low on the food chain. Books are not purchased unless needed for reference. Most books electronically checked out of the library as we are voracious readers. We spend money on experiences such as violin and piano lessons (yes, my husband and I, in our 60s now, take lessons) and for fixing up our house (new electrical panel, paint, some light fixtures etc.)
Home maintenance was a big shift from living in our 650sq foot apartment for 3 years, but I have a system for cleaning, and I treat cleaning as exercise. Our house needed and needs lots of things fixed but my husband LOVES wiring and fixing things. In fact that was on HIS wish list.
Everyone's path to home ownership is different. Cannot stress enough about saving money as soon as you can in life so as to reap the rewards later.
This couple is so awesome. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We live in a small home on a busy highway but I still learn so much from you. “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Every state (& possibly city) will be different in how buying or renting works.... We always had to figure out a new system in a hurry...asking a ton of questions on how things are done...is the only way. Besides a realtor... Go talk to a neighbor where you want to buy the house ask the process they went thru to buy their house...you get to know them & figure out the process!
I'm absolutely obsessed with your sun porch and yard. As a nature lover, having a space like this has always been my dream. I'm currently living in a space I don't like (apartment in the city, my bedroom window literally overlooks the kitchen in the next building and the room has no natural light). I have clinical depression, anxiety and am neurodivergent so my current space really takes a toll on me. But I'm hopeful because I'm discussing getting married and moving in with my partner within a couple of years and we are literally making our wishlist and non-negotiables for our dream home. We are poor, college kids so we are not going to buy a house anytime soon but even when renting, we need to check off our non negotiables. As minimal-ish people (who have grown up in hoarder households), we're more thane willing to compromise on space but not on having these calming, zen elements in the space we live in. Our home NEEDS to be a sanctuary for us. And I'm so glad you guys found such a place your family. I'll be showing my partner your house tour video for inspiration haha
I’ll keep my fingers AND toes crossed for you - remember, it always seems impossible until it’s done! My husband grew up poor in China and I lost everything, including my family, in my early 20s. It took a long time but we slowly climbed out of that hole and built a life for our. Wishing you all the best and lots of success doing the same! ❤️🙏
@@AtoZenLife thank you for your kind words, Marissa! ❤️
Unfortunately, with a larger house other people seem to think they can use it for their storage! 'Well, you've got the space' is something I often hear... Love this chat and LOVE your new house
Thank you so much! 🤗
Love your discussion at the end re being stewards of your home and the Chinese bamboo growing 4 years underground and then shooting up 80 feet in a blink. Very nice!
Congratulations!! Very happy for you and your family. Your new home is a beautiful choice!
The avg size of single family homes in the US is around 2500 sq ft, so I’m surprised it’s so much larger in the Chicago suburbs. Thanks for sharing your house-hunting adventure.
What your husband said about being guests of a house really resonated with me. I completely agree. That philosophy can apply to other areas as well especially the Earth. I will carry that philosophy with me & share it with my kids ☺️ Thank you guys for sharing Best wishes & house blessings to you 🙏🏻💞
Can't wait to see the new house all furnished and decorated! Thanks for those good advices.
Thanks so much and I’m excited to share with you 🤗
First, I really love your new home. It has character and charm. Second, my son loves My Neighbor Totoro and I can totally see that vibe in the house.
I don’t know how they count square footage where you are Marissa, but as someone who has owned a house in four different states I can say that it is amazing how differently square footage is counted in different states. My friends in Michigan marvel at how huge all the houses in Virginia are until I explain how square footage here is calculated. People need to stop comparing and judging. I hope you enjoy your new house. It is beautiful and the quality is obvious even over the screen.
What?! I’ve calculated square footage for flooring & other surfaces for over 40 years, throughout TX, AZ, GA, & FL. It’s measured the same across the nation.
@@sunshine3914 I agree with patty. All you have to do is a Google search and see the conflicting answers. In our last house, they counted an outdoor front porch in the tax revaluation! They (tax evaluations) did not in our current house one town away - in the same county!
So nice to see Mr. Zen! You guys are fantastic together. Really enjoyed this Q & A. And I am excited to see how you make the space your own !! You couldn’t have chosen a better home for yourselves! Actually, I think the house picked you. It’s perfect! I can just see your boys enjoying the yard when there is snow on the ground.
What an amazing home you and Mr. Zen purchased! You two are so sweet with each other in this video 💕 Glad you were able to keep your home in Berlin as well! Hope you, Mr. Zen, and your boys really love getting settled into your new home 😊
Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your journey despite the critics. This house hunting journey is wonderful example of marital commitment and values based decision making. The world so desperately needs more voices like yours and Mr. Zen's
Great information that will be so helpful to someone that is in the market to buy! Love the new house 🏠… Wow!! A real Zen home.
You have a great channel with a trustworthy insight on so many things when your videos come up I’m all ears. You and your husband are such a wonderful couple!!
I thought that looked like your house 😊 and that's awesome that your family lives there❤
I think you guys did a great job finding a house. What a beautiful yard and the volume of the spaces is just lovely. As a past midwestern girl I love that modern vibe of Chicago homes❤
This house definitely fits your style. Congratulations! It’s beautiful. Looking forward to the renovation videos 👏🏻🥰
Congratulations! I'm very happy for you and your family.
Your house is amazing!! Love the kitchen, love the view of the trees, love the natural wood throughout and how bright it is! I love the home we ended up buying and I feel so grateful we ended up with it.
New sub here. Don't justify yourself to viewers who criticise your choices. It only encourages their self importance. Love your new house😊
Thanks so much for watching and happy to have you here!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m wishing you and your family many happy years together in your new home. It was so nice to hear input from Mr Zen. You’re such a cute and sensible couple!! ❤
Great video! Buying a house is not an easy task, but you were able to find a very nice, zen one. I hope living there will be peaceful and joyful.
Thanks so much 🤗
your home is beautifully/ its that view from the sun porch for me!
I love your quote! Minimalism is different for everyone. We all have different priorities. I also must be a “cricket” because I love to hide as much as I can. 😂 I’m so happy for you and your family. Enjoy your new home, it’s beautiful. 😍 It was also cool to see your husband in this video. Again, congratulations! 🎉
A survey is so important. Years ago we bought a house made into a daycare. It was built in 1930. Our neighbor said our building was on the line. Our property was really in the middle of the city street! Because it went from residential to business zoning, he could build on the property line up next to ours, making it unsafe for a daycare. We ended up selling for a new building to be built on it. It took 2 years to sell it. It was a small town so demand for commercial property was low.
Great video, thank you both 😊 have a wonderful time in Europe!
You are so kind and mature to answer questions that should never have been asked. (mini rant here: how DARE anyone question your personal decisions? What presumption and arrogance! OK, end of rant. ) Thank you for your grace under unwarranted fire!
Such a beautiful 🏡 home! It’s perfect 👌🏼 I’m
So happy for you🤗
We had a lot of similar experiences in our first home buying experience and wish we knew more before. Not one professional with our purchase saw the seller was in bankruptcy but I did, this added 3 months to the escrow but it also meant we legally owned the home.
You are going to love looking out at that yard! So green! Four years ago we moved to our Milwaukee suburb and we have a really green yard like yours (ours is 1 acre) and I absolutely love it. It feels so therapeutic. I wasn’t originally looking for partially wooded lot but I’m glad we found it. We have so much wildlife and I never get tired of it. Every walk around the neighborhood we run into the wildlife too. It is more work to up keep the yard as we had invasive buckthorn to get rid of. But it’s been worth it for this season of our life (we are in our late 40’s). We enjoy living about a mile from Lake Michigan in a community with great schools. When we are older we will probably move to a smaller yard or a condo. That’s the great thing is you can find different homes to fit you for different seasons. There are lots of different types of places I can see myself living in but it all depends on current needs and life season.
Goodness gracious 😱😱😱 my poor little french soul just fainted when I converted 4000 square feet to meters, I am already overwhelmed by my 1937 square feet of family mess and it is considered here in rural France like a pretty big house. Also absolutely great video 😍 I'm a realtor and comparing US regulations to French is very interesting. All the best to you 2 and your family in this new adventure 💝
same here in France too, 1180 sq m2. I listen to the .ramsey show and it seems like it is difficult to find a small house in the us
@@victoriamorris8678It depends on where you live. The US is enormous and each state is like a country, and every area within each state is unique-so you can’t make a blanket statement.
16:27 The builders can't make enough profit on small homes, so 2000 square feet+ is very average in many suburban areas. Many families want 4-5 bedrooms and 2-3 full baths and a powder room plus office, TV room, etc etc. 4000 square feet of a bigger home, but very common for families.@@victoriamorris8678
I did the same conversions and felt the same shock haha. I suppose it's a matter of culture as well as how much room there is in the country (I'm in the Netherlands and the population density is super high here), but I've noticed in my own house-hunt that the balance between the house and the yard in newer builds leans towards bigger houses and (much) smaller yards. One reason why I feel more attracted to older homes :)
Another thing you did right was didn’t go over on some of the houses you tried to purchase first. I see that a lot where people go way over budget and end up house rich but pocket poor.
I like Mr. Zen. He is a kind and wise man. Marissa, you are very blessed.
I think the way you can see outside makes the home look bigger too. It is an amazing home! You will love it, & love the additional space as your boys age! Bigger kids=bigger friends!😂
We bought our first home 18 years ago and we still love it. It was the most budget we were comfortable with and we each filled out a list beforehand with what we were wanting, specifying what were nice to haves and what were must haves for each of us. The first home we looked at we really loved, but it was under offer. The house that was to become our home we'd seen in December and it was out of our price range. It was still on the market a few months later and the price had dropped. We swooped in and bought it. We were just looking ourselves. We didn't have a realtor/real estate agent looking for us. Our home met everything on the checklist, except for a bathtub which my husband really wanted, but that went out the window as he'd fallen in love with the home. We got a tub put in a few years after we moved in. The bathtub is really the only alteration we've made to our home. We still have the same carpet and the walls are the same colours (we kind of grew to like the interesting colours) and we haven't renovated the kitchen. I like it that we bought once and bought well so we've not had to waste money on moving costs etc over the past 18 years.
Your new house is gorgeous!! I love all the huge windows and greenery outside! Congrats!! :) You two are so cute together and really balance each other out! So happy for you all! :)
Always love to see Mr. Zen
It's so nice seeing you both filming again in your home at berlin. It's so nostalgic and everything still looks the same. We are so glad that your in laws took really good care of your house 🥺❤
We miss it so much 🥹
@@AtoZenLife I miss it too, even though I don't live there. I'm a huge supporter of yours and I knew that you've filmed a lot of motivational videos there. But still, I'm looking forward for your new journey with your new house ☺️
@@lilnxthie thanks so much for being here and all the awesome support - it’s very much appreciated ☺️