Town & Country

Sadly I have nothing to report on the sale of Chez Malaise, but there is some fun news from the wild and wooly world of Kansas City area real estate. Just blocks from the antique mall is a subdivision called Town & Country Estates. I think that subdivision names are generally awful, and the word "Estates" usually signifies the worst of the them, but in this case we'll make an exception.
Enormous lots with enormous ranch houses, built mainly in the 50s and 60s. Including this bad boy with the monster lawn built in 1959. We actually went to see this house when it was held open, only to be greeted by a "property under contract, open cancelled" sign when we arrived. It's way out of our price range, and I don't generally like to look at houses I can't afford, but I totally wanted to see this one.

We learned from another realtor that day that the couple who built it was finally selling to enjoy their sunset years in a warmer place. The first offer came from out of town, sight-unseen, from a buyer who wanted to tear it down. Why a realtor would relay that info to a seller I don't know, but the owners were horrified and turned it down. They went to contract with a new buyer in 3 days.

Apparently something went awry because its back on the market and open this Sunday. It needs some tweaking and updated furnishings, but the basics are all there. Big, generous rooms flowing easily into one another, and finishes that remind me of the lounge at my parents country club in the 70s. It would be fabulous to live in.

I worry a little about Town & Country, and this place especially. A few of these mid-century ranches have fallen victim to bad overhauls, stripped of everything that made them interesting and unique, only to end up as the sort of two story monster house you might find in any new development in any new suburb anywhere.

I wish it could be us. But if not, here's hoping the new owners will love the house for what it is, and that that wet bar in the corner fuels loads of parties for years to come.