All My Dream Homes
I talk a lot about building your dream life on here and share inspo of what that looks like for me personally. And for me at least, that includes owning and renting out certain themed homes in certain places. It’s part wealth building, part daydreams, part necessity.
Story time…
When my mum passed away in 2020 we inherited the entire contents of her 5000 sf home + things in storage…but not the home. We had just purchased our first home (no where near that size) we have it all just sitting in our basement & in storage(costing us so much money) and over the years I have widdled it down to the most important and valuable items. We have some truly gorgeous antiques and art…So we need a place to put those things. Yes we have a home but we want to be able to build a color of furniture together and not just have my mothers (albeit beautiful) things. So we formed a plan.
Our plan is to snap up a sad little gems in all our favorite places and renovate them back to their most glorious state. Fill them with beautiful furniture, rent them out at boutique luxury vacation rentals, short term rentals for photo shoots, possibly even as event spaces for bridal showers, baby showers, etc…and have a place to go visit whenever we want. This way we also get to live in all the cities we really want to live without having to justify it to our lives or ourselves to anyone else. It will just be part of our side business. …and I have since come up with a list of “dream homes” (read *goals) that we would love to design.
When I say “dream” I mean we’re actively planning to start in 2025 with our first one in Orlando. We’ll sell our current home and move. But I think it’s important to start any plan with a big dream (or goal) The plan is to give ourselves two years to buy and renovate (while enjoying living in and exploring Orlando as locals) then move onto the next home and next location on our bucket list.
So here’s my list of where and what I’m hoping to do with our lives:
🏡Themed vacation home in Orlando (I have a more detailed concept in mind but I’m keep that to myself for the moment)
🏡A modern moody colonial in Williamsburg, VA
🏡An ultra feminine shabby chic, cottage-core shack somewhere in New England or Charleston
🏡A moody A Frame in the mountains by a lake…no idea where yet I have just always LOVED A Frames. Very inspired by @ChrisLovesJulia A Frame (RIP-photo not of theirs) How gorgeous would it be for Christmases?
🏡A cool low key beach shack on Sanibel ,St Simons Island , or Folly Beach
🏡A flirty classic palm beach inspired bungalow (another idea for Charleston)
🏡A 20s style Tudor bungalow in Carmel or Indianapolis -my husband’s company is headquartered between these cities. He is a young executive there and travels there often. He plans to spend the rest of his career at this company so having a small home base as he spends more and more time there will be so much more comfortable than staying in the quite limited options close to the office. They have such gorgeous little quirky tudors with original quirky details. I’m actually really excited about this one
🏡An industrial post in Atlanta -we currently live in Atlanta. We have a great group of friends who live here and want to to continue living here. My husband want to college here. We will be back on a seri regular basis once we live. So eventually having a home base here will be really helpful. Plus I have ALWAYS wanted an industrial loft. There’s no shortage of them here and would be a perfect short term rental when we’re not in residence
🏡A townhome in Washington DC -our ultimate goal for our “forever home” where our kids will grow up. Our home base. But we have to wealth build to get there. These are all part of the plan to get here.
#Lemon8Diary #Dreamhome #dotsonsdoorlando #storytime #lifegoals #financialfreedom #moneymaking #passiveincome #vacationhome #exteriordesign
What does your dream home look like?
Creating a 'dream family home' is a goal many of us share, but what truly defines it, and how do you turn that aspiration into a tangible reality? For me, it's not just about one perfect house; it's about a strategic, long-term journey, meticulously planning each step to build what I call a 'BUCKET LIST OF INVESTMENT HOMES' that will eventually lead to 'The Ultimate Dream' for my family. First, let's talk about what makes a house a family home. It's more than just square footage or amenities. It's about a sense of belonging, a place where memories are made, traditions are born, and everyone feels safe and comfortable. For us, the vision is clear: a home where our kids can grow up, close to community and opportunities, providing a stable base while still allowing for adventures. Our eventual 'forever home' in Washington D.C. embodies this long-term vision. But how do you get there? This is where the strategic planning comes in. Instead of waiting for one big leap, we're building wealth and experience through a series of smaller, yet equally exciting, projects. These initial 'dream homes' – like the themed vacation rental in Orlando or the charming shabby chic cottage – aren't just indulgences. They are calculated investments, designed to generate passive income and provide us with diverse experiences, all while preserving and utilizing cherished family heirlooms that need a proper home. When considering your own dream family home, think about the practicalities as much as the aesthetics. What are your family's non-negotiables? Is it proximity to top-rated schools, a vibrant community, or perhaps specific outdoor amenities? For us, it’s about balancing these needs with our desire for unique living spaces and financial growth. Each renovation and rental property is a learning experience, honing our skills and resources for that ultimate family hub. Don't be afraid to dream big, but couple those dreams with a solid plan. Break down your ultimate goal into manageable steps, whether it's saving aggressively for a down payment, exploring investment properties to build equity, or simply researching different neighborhoods that align with your family's future. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and every small victory, every successful project, brings you closer to opening the door to your very own dream family home.
