Part 1 of the Fixer-Upper Series: The Unexpected Home That Found Us
Article Summary:
In 2016, amid a competitive housing market, my husband Franck and I finally found our dream home in North County, San Diego. It wasn’t easy—after eight failed offers, a twist of fate led us to a fixer-upper that seemed destined for us. From a psychic's prediction to an emotional "love letter" that sealed the deal, this is the story of how we came to own the perfect home. Though the house needed serious renovations, it was the perfect blank canvas for our growing family.
A Psychic's Prophecy Leading Us To A Dream Home
Years before, while living in Annecy, nestled in the French Alps, I had dreamt of owning a house like the grand homes around me. But back then, we had no money. The 2008 economic crisis had left us living on one income, and we were still managing a condo mortgage in South Florida, where the housing market had been hit hardest. With little hope of affording a family home, I relied on dreaming.
That’s when a psychic made a prediction: “You’ll move back to California and buy a two-story house. There will be stairs to the right when you walk in, a bedroom on the first floor, and three bedrooms on the top. It will be off the beaten path.” At the time, I brushed it off. We had no intention of returning to California, and the prediction seemed far-fetched.
Fast forward a few years, we were living in a 3-bedroom ocean-view apartment in California with our two children. It was lovely, but the urge to settle down and buy a home was growing stronger. We wanted a space to call our own, where we could raise our family and build equity.
We were fortunate enough to inherit just enough for a down payment, something that had been mentioned to me as a child—a “Swiss Bank Account” whispered by a voice I had heard long ago (I talk about this experience in my book The Money Formula). With renewed hope, we began our house search.
The Real Estate Struggle: Finding a Home in a Booming Market
The 2016 housing market in North County, San Diego, was booming. After the near collapse in 2013-2014, prices were surging, interest rates were low, and bidding wars were the norm.
My husband Franck and I were determined to find a home but faced an uphill battle. Over the course of several months, we put in eight offers on different houses, only to be outbid each time. With every rejection, the dream of owning our own home felt further out of reach.
Fate Intervened: The Search That Led Us to "The One"
Our real estate agent sent us a listing that didn’t seem impressive at first glance. The house didn’t “show well,” but he had a gut feeling. I decided to check it out, despite my doubts. The moment we walked in, something clicked. The psychic’s words rushed back to me. The house had stairs to the right, a family room that could become a bedroom on the first floor, and three bedrooms upstairs, just as she had described. It was also located near a peaceful walking trail—off the beaten path.
It felt like destiny.
Sealing the Deal: The Love Letter That Won Us the House
The house, however, was listed $100,000 above our comfortable price tag. Determined, I wrote a heartfelt “love letter” to the seller, expressing my admiration for her home, her décor, and the vision I had for our family’s future there. To our astonishment, the seller was moved to tears and accepted our offer—$20,000 under asking price. We had just enough money to afford the house at a magic number: $555,000.
Additionally, I think it's important to add that at a time when homes were flying off the market within days, this house had sat for months, waiting for us.
It was meant to be.
The Fixer-Upper Challenge: A Diamond in the Rough
But as perfect as it seemed, our dream home was far from turnkey. It was a complete fixer-upper, with old carpets, worn-out bathrooms, a hazardous stairwell, and no yard. Our 18-month-old son even had a scary fall through the stair spindles, but, miraculously, he landed safely on a pile of pillows seven feet below. The driveway was painted an odd color, there were no light fixtures, and the house lacked air conditioning. It was going to take years of hard work to make this house a home.
Still, it had space—a sprawling 2,322 square feet for our kids to grow, play in the cul-de-sac, and for us to enjoy family life. It was ours.
Follow Along The Fixer-Upper Journey
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Fixer-Upper Series: The Hidden Struggles of Owning A Fixer Upper
Would you take on a fixer-upper if it felt like the perfect home?
Absolutely, I love a good project!
Maybe, but it depends on the extent of the renovations.
No way, I want a move-in ready home!
Want To Know What It Takes To Transform A Fixer-Upper? Follow Along This Blog Series & Join The Conversation
Your turn!
Have you ever felt like a house was destined for you? What lengths would you go to make your dream home a reality?
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