own my own home

Its at least a fraction of the reason that Ive not been posting much. Its super crazy right now with way too much to organize on every front.

Anyway the house is coming together in spite of the construction dust. I’m actually getting sort of excited. I’m finally allowing myself that.

We may get our keys as early as tomorrow. Its all a bit surreal right now. I’ve got so much going on aside from this that I havent really been excited… more anxious. I guess of course that is really my personality coming through. I’m always very calculated about such large decisions and there were a few variables the I just didn’t know. I’ve got our payment amount now. Most if not all of the paperwork is done. I think when we start actually moving and getting things set up the way we want the excitement will come.

Soon I’ll need a new goal…

“Own horse property in the next 5 years.”

...do you walk away from a property? If there is something in an inspection that has you thinking twice is it just cold feet or a real concern? I’m facing that problem now. The termite inspection came back with much more damage then I was hoping for. There are some structural beams in a bonus area that have me concerned, some serious electrical issues as well as a recalled heater unit for a company that has filed bankruptcy. Aside from that there are some significant cosmetic issues that will need to be addressed eventually. I guess I was just hoping that the only issues were cosmetic and that I could deal with them as I could afford them. Being that it is a 60+ year old house, as are most of the dwelling in the area I’m looking, I guess I just need to be more of a realist. I cannot afford the houses that were well cared for. Anything in my price range is going to have some problems and if its not this house its going to be something else at anther one.

I just wish someone could tell me if I’m making the right decision if we move forward to buy it. :| Ugh.

So we’re in escrow officially as of Friday. We are hoping that we can close the deal in less then 30 days so we can vacate our current residence sooner then possible. Fingers crossed for everything coming out ok with the inspections.

no joke.

lesson of the day…

never rent from family.

There is some governmental news that has me a bit scared we may have more trouble getting a loan then I had hoped. I think we are going to have to give our broker a call and see how we stand there.

So I’ve finally had moments where I’ve walked into a house and absolutely loved something about it. We are definitely getting closer both in the affordability and the feature that I would love to have in my own house. But we still haven’t found anything that wowed us on all levels. There are so many places I love for their potential. But their prices make potential unaffordable. Spending 400k on a house that needs about 70k worth of work is not something I am willing to do. If the prices start reflecting the condition of the properties I will begin to show some interest in them. Until then. I will continue to look.

I’m still looking. I’m still hoping. I’m still waiting to visit the property that I walk into, that I have to have, that I can afford. I don’t think much could make me happier then to find some property where I could keep my horse. I just don’t think its that time yet. Still I hope.

I am drawing the amount of a mortgage to see if this is something that is feasible. I started this month and plan on keeping it up as we move through this process to see what it does to our finances. It will be interesting to see the results before we throw ourselves in and see what consequences there are.

I have made bids on houses. I have looked aggressively but I still haven’t met my personal goals yet. Out of debt completely and 6 months of living expenses in the bank. I’m secretly glad our bids fell through. I want more money in the bank first. I want to make sure we can afford our payments. I want the houses to drop some more as I really believe they will. Everyone is pulling in their purse strings and I really do believe that 450k for a 2+1 is insanity.

I know we will be ready to do this soon but I just don’t think we are ready right now.

That I’m looking for houses… that my agent thinks that my husband and I are more informed then most first time buyers, that is a scary thought… that there are institutions considering offering hundreds of thousands in financing.

very, very strange times indeed.