italian interlude
We went on a house hunting trip to Portofino in Alabang last Sunday – it was an errand that I am more than pleased to do since I’ve been dying to see what Portofino is all about. I always pass the place when I take Daang Hari highway and I’ve always wanted to go (hmmm … another signs of the times a.k.a. matured years … I draw pleasure in looking at houses and furniture – one of my fave hangout in malls right now are appliance and furniture shops! Hmmm … not good! ;=). I dare not to though, since I know just how persistent those sales people can be… especially real estate people! … and they won’t let you off the hook until after maybe you sign something, give them your number and worse, pledged to reserve a lot with them. So it was a great relief that we’re actually going there with the intention of buying! … hmmm … we’re buying for someone else … er … okay, I guess looking is the apt word for it … ;=) but still … we’re not just going there and pretend we can afford it … we can actually afford it … well, our uncle (actually, my cousin’s uncle on her other side of the family … ) can afford it … but who’s to know, right! ;=)
And so we went from one model house to another and I just love the Courtyards @ Portofino! Love those indoor veranda a.k.a. courtyard … love the big kitchen and the sitting room in the second floor! I’ve always pictured my house to be like that … upstairs family room overlooking the ‘formal’ living room below. I have my dream house to the following basics: (1) Breakfast nook/bar: I’ve always wanted a breakfast nook and I want it raised and I want bar stools! Hmmm … maybe I secretly harbored longing to hang out in bars and just didn’t have the chance … whatever it is, I so love to have a bar stool in my dream house! (2) Upstairs veranda: there’s something about verandas/terraces in the second floor! I imagine myself with my telescope pitched and star gazing … bonus is if I’m stargazing with someone!!! the romance and the novelty of that moment is beyond me! (3) Walk-in closet: I have to have them. I think no matter how small my house is … somewhere inside I have to have a walk-in closet! It’s practical … I don’t know how I am ever going to fit all my stuff … accumulated over the years in a small built-in cabinet! It’s just impossible!!! ;=) (4) Roomy state-of-the-art kitchen (with all the works … you know like in those cooking shows? exactly!) I’ve pictured myself really becoming domesticated in a furnished kitchen like that! (5) Bath tub: got to have them! No explanation … it’s just the way a house should be! ;=)
See … basic! Okay, so they’re not so basic … and they’re not so cheap either! ;=) After seeing the Courtyards @ Portofino … my list got longer! ;=) Now I have to have a 2-car garage, bathrooms on every room, really cute powder room, etc. ;=)
There were 4 model homes we visited: among the four, I love Rembrandt best – my definitive dream house!!! I also love Cezanne … the cheapest at Php11M! … yup … really cheap! ;=) There’s another one … Michaelangelo … which costs Php49M … hmmm … even I don’t dare dream of a house like that! It’s just too much!!! It looked more like a small cozy hotel than a house (well, it should be … for Php49M!!!). I didn’t think people will actually buy that but I guess they do … since 2 out of 3 total Michaelangelo inventory is already sold out!!!
Oh well … back to reality! Back to my small ~70 sqm house that’s not yet finished due to lack of funds! I am down to my last 10% and I can’t manage to pay it!!! hmmm … maybe I can be a real estate agent and sell the last Michaelangelo inventory … at 2.5% commission … hmmm … ;=)
