A few weeks ago we made the fairly firm decision not to buy a house. We had decided this at various other points for various reasons, but there was never a complete feeling of peace about that decision. There was always something I couldn't let go of...until just a few weeks ago when I finally felt fine and good about staying where we are. So it might seem strange that we just bought a house right?? Well, it was the result of a chain of small and simple events. And what comes of small and simple things?? You got it, great things!
First, we learned that Andre's parents might be moving back this year. We live in their beautiful home, in a beautiful area at present and attend a wonderful ward and live in a great community. Nothing was for sure though and it would still be a while away, so that was just a tiny factor. Second, I had meant to unsubscribe from the real estate emails I receive, but had not done so yet. I just deleted them without looking. However, last Wednesday I was helping with visiting teaching interviews and during a quiet moment I quickly browsed through the email. My heart sank or jumped or something I wasn't expecting when I saw the house I had fallen in love with last March/April. My heart rate speeded up and I got nervous and excited all of the sudden, completely unexpectedly. I forwarded the email to Andre and then called him. I very simply said, I just want you to think about it, that's it, just think about it. Well after a little bit of thinking and a little bit of discussing we were thinking about putting in an offer. I eventually learned that it wasn't the exact house I thought it was, same model but built 2 years earlier just down the street from the builder spec I had been wanting 6 months ago. It was a short sale, but the agent claimed it could be closed on within 30 days and it was a great price and had a lot of upgrades. When our realtor and friend called on it just a few days after it had been listed, it already had an offer on it. Another notch in our belt, but it got us thinking. We decided to drive out to our original suburban oasis. I didn't want to go. I know what happens when we go out there, but we did anyway. It was a family outing. We looked at some really cool model homes with some really cool features. We drove by the two rows of spec homes I watched go from framing to drywall stage through the spring and into the summer. On Monday I drove out to see what was still left of those. On Tuesday night, Andre drove by and checked out the better one of the two left. On Wednesday night we were sitting in the sellers office signing papers and buying the house. The funny thing about it is, it wasn't my favorite house, not even close really. I had walked through it a long time ago and didn't give it a second thought. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense for us and the more I like it. The size and price and interest rate we got made it possible. As well as support from family. And that's how it happened. We are buying a house. Now onto the fun part. Stay tuned.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Introduction
This is my story about growing up, moving out and starting life.
First, a bit about myself. I am from what used to be a small town. In fact, where my homes were growing up is still considered "country," yet urban life is spreading right up to the doors. Growing up I thought it would be so great to live "in town." That's where everything was. We lived on a somewhat secluded piece of property part of the time, and for the rest of time I lived just a 1/2 mile or so the other direction, where homes were custom and acres apart. It was a good place to grow up. It wasn't until after high school and most of college that I was exposed to life in the city. It started with a 3 month stint in Wuxi, China and then a little over a year in Germany and Austria. I lived in big cities then. Stuttgart and Munich surprised me. I was in a big city, but it didn't feel rushed and busy. In Vienna I lived on a very busy street just on the edge of the city's center. That was a bit different, but still there was a quaint feeling even there. So it got me thinking and got me used to a different kind of life; a kind of life where you walk to the grocery store once a week or so, bring your own grocery bags and a little cart to take it home in. I rode street cars, buses and the subway and then walked everywhere else I needed to go. I inhaled a lot of second hand smoke but the country and clean air were just a few stops away on a train, easily accessible. There is a lot more to it, but I was amazed at how such a big city could feel as homey as life had been on the outskirts. People seemed to treasure a sunny window and a walk in the park more than those of us with 4o acres or even .2 acres.
My husband lived in the city most of his life. We met in Germany and share a common love for that city where we first came to know each other. After a 6 month separation we met each other again, but this time we were back in the states, back in school and I was back to the life that I had grown up in. With his first full-time job came a pressing desire in my heart to buy a home, even though we had not saved dime, were still catching up and had no idea what our plans were even for the next year. New construction in a progressive area near his job began to catch my eye. We started looking into it out of curiosity and eventually got very close to buying a home. The timing wasn't right though and things just didn't work out. It wasn't until 6 months later, a lot of searching and things falling through that we found ourselves back where we first started in a unique community with fairly progressive ideas. Its an experiment in creating healthier communities, something along the lines of what they call "new urbanism." A little city mixed in with the residential. Eventually I might even be able to walk to the grocery store. We will be calling it home soon. We just signed on a cute little house out there and are beginning our journey. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something I have to say useful.
First, a bit about myself. I am from what used to be a small town. In fact, where my homes were growing up is still considered "country," yet urban life is spreading right up to the doors. Growing up I thought it would be so great to live "in town." That's where everything was. We lived on a somewhat secluded piece of property part of the time, and for the rest of time I lived just a 1/2 mile or so the other direction, where homes were custom and acres apart. It was a good place to grow up. It wasn't until after high school and most of college that I was exposed to life in the city. It started with a 3 month stint in Wuxi, China and then a little over a year in Germany and Austria. I lived in big cities then. Stuttgart and Munich surprised me. I was in a big city, but it didn't feel rushed and busy. In Vienna I lived on a very busy street just on the edge of the city's center. That was a bit different, but still there was a quaint feeling even there. So it got me thinking and got me used to a different kind of life; a kind of life where you walk to the grocery store once a week or so, bring your own grocery bags and a little cart to take it home in. I rode street cars, buses and the subway and then walked everywhere else I needed to go. I inhaled a lot of second hand smoke but the country and clean air were just a few stops away on a train, easily accessible. There is a lot more to it, but I was amazed at how such a big city could feel as homey as life had been on the outskirts. People seemed to treasure a sunny window and a walk in the park more than those of us with 4o acres or even .2 acres.
My husband lived in the city most of his life. We met in Germany and share a common love for that city where we first came to know each other. After a 6 month separation we met each other again, but this time we were back in the states, back in school and I was back to the life that I had grown up in. With his first full-time job came a pressing desire in my heart to buy a home, even though we had not saved dime, were still catching up and had no idea what our plans were even for the next year. New construction in a progressive area near his job began to catch my eye. We started looking into it out of curiosity and eventually got very close to buying a home. The timing wasn't right though and things just didn't work out. It wasn't until 6 months later, a lot of searching and things falling through that we found ourselves back where we first started in a unique community with fairly progressive ideas. Its an experiment in creating healthier communities, something along the lines of what they call "new urbanism." A little city mixed in with the residential. Eventually I might even be able to walk to the grocery store. We will be calling it home soon. We just signed on a cute little house out there and are beginning our journey. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something I have to say useful.
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