About $100K over the budget, but a girl can dream, right?

I haven't decided whether or not the fun outweighs the depression when you look at houses outside your price range, especially when you find your dream house, but I keep doing it. If nothing else, it gives me something to post about.

Take a look at this beauty I found today. It has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, plus a guest house that is not included in the 3574 square feet. It was built in 1957 and sits on over half and acre of beautifully landscaped property.

When I showed the listing to my daughter, she was bowled over and sent me a message that said, "This would be worth the mortgage. OMG!"

If we bought this property, we'd definitely be "house poor" and living on pasta for the rest of our lives, but c'mon...look at all those windows!

And then there were two

Just what you need when you're trying to make a decision is to have another variable thrown into the mix. That's what happened yesterday when we found another house that immediately became a strong contender.

Here's what the newcomer has going for it:

• Built in 1949
• Very private cul-de-sac on a bluff
• Living space: 2514 square feet
• Lot size: .58 acre (25,264 sf)
• Sprinkler system
• Deck, patio and small front porch area
• Gorgeous landscaping
• Fantastic view of the downtown skyline
• Built-ins
• A round kitchen
• An existing suite for me

Yes, that's right...a ROUND kitchen. It's the coolest thing you've ever seen, and it would be the perfect spot for a Saarinen tulip table or a Noguchi Cyclone. The best thing, though, is that it's already been restored and is move-in ready. Take a look.

Stone and wood exterior

Upper deck off living area

Lower patio in front of walk-out basement

Top tier of back yard

View from deck
(no neighbors...just woods)

More yard down that hill

Wall of windows from in den looking onto the upper deck

Formal living room
(which we would open up  into the den to make one large room)

Dining room with built-ins
(which would become a study)

Round kitchen

Kitchen built-ins

Coral and turquoise master bath