The question at the end was a killing for me as I'm going from the exact same transition, from a backpack/bicycle traveller to something else.

Eventhough my appartment is paid, I still see it as one gigantic useless, moveless and expensive pile of bricks. I don't need all this space, I don't want to be responsible for it and if I don't pay the bills guess what? Good-bye to the services; just like it happened yesterday, they cut my electricity. I want to be able to live relatively comfortable, where I'm the only provider and consumer of the services needed.

Tons of success on your home and thanks for sharing it with us.