One of the things I’m excited about with my upcoming move is the chance to do more drive-by house tours for you. I used to do these periodically and loved sharing interesting homes and neighborhoods. When I lived in Portland it was easy to find charming streets, but moving to Seattle opens up even more possibilities. I can’t wait to explore the neighborhoods around my new home and gather inspiration.
If you live near where I’ll be, beware—I might be that person in dark clothes crouched behind a hedge taking a photo of a front door, or slowly driving past a row of houses to capture details. My husband and I already enjoyed a recent drive around Seattle, admiring landscaping, fences, paint colors, window boxes and other little touches. For us it’s a simple, free summer date: we daydream and collect ideas for our own house.
Queen Anne neighborhood drive-by in Seattle
Since I started blogging and sharing drive-bys, I’ve wanted to see yours too. I love discovering readers’ favorite houses and the streets they enjoy walking or driving through. For a long time there wasn’t an easy way to share those discoveries with everyone, but now there’s a simple solution.
You can upload photos of your house, your dream house or favorite neighborhood on Home Love Stories. Share architectural details you admire, charming porches, front gardens or any local streetscape that inspires you. It’s a fun way to show where you live and to give others ideas and inspiration.
Just take photos with your phone—capture a favorite street, a picturesque fence, a classic exterior or a vacation home you love. A reader recently shared a drive-by of her Tacoma, Washington hometown and the collection of houses was a real treat. Seeing different neighborhoods from across the country (and the world) is a great way to connect and to appreciate the variety of residential styles around us.
Magnolia neighborhood drive-by in Seattle
I understand concerns about privacy. If a home’s front is visible from public areas, photos are typically similar to views anyone passing by could see. When sharing images, avoid showing personal details like license plates, people or items that could be sensitive. If it helps, you can always ask permission from homeowners before photographing. In my experience, most people are pleased to have their home admired and have even thanked me for featuring it.
You don’t need to limit yourself to other houses—share your own home too. Many readers have posted photos of their houses and neighborhoods, and it’s always enjoyable to see where people live and what details they love. If you have a charming street, an interesting architectural feature, or a well-tended front yard, please share it—let’s celebrate the places that inspire us.
Share yours on Home Love Stories and join the neighborhood tour.