Well, who knew?
Geesh, who knew house hunting is like taking on an additional full time job... this gal... I know I'm so naive sometimes it's amazing I've made it 26 years. I suppose, though, I should've realized this and, in all honesty, I'm sure a part of my impatience with this process has something to do with the fact that I've been operating on the assumption we'd be completely relocating our lives for the past three months and then transitioned straight into local house hunting mode.
Anyways, house hunting is difficult. I'm a quick decision maker, always have been and most likely always will be. I like to determine what I like, keep my options minimal, then make a decision based on these options. Here are all the situations in my life this has worked wonderfully:
- choosing a college
- choosing a sorority
- choosing to stay in Des Moines after college
- choosing apartments
- choosing a grad. school and the program to pursue
- planning our wedding
Situations in which this mentality will be the death of me:
- freakin' house hunting
We experienced our first adventure into looking at other peoples homes on Tuesday night and it went well but was a bit shocking at the same time. We're working within a modest budget because the whole point of staying in Des Moines was the simple fact that we can live here, on two teachers salary, and live comfortably within our means. Unfortunately, a modest budget in the housing market means, smaller spaces requiring lots of TLC (and that's actually how they reference this in the house descriptions).
Mike and I are all for putting work into our home, we really are, but some of the ones we saw on Tuesday would be seriously unlivable without major repairs (and I actually mean major repairs like water in the basement and cracks in the foundation). Luckily, we both realize we're in the very beginning stage of this entire process so we're still very eager to continue. At least two great things will come out of this process; Mike and I will find a great place to live and I'll actually learn the lesson behind the saying "slow and steady wins the race." Happy thoughts my friends, happy thoughts.
Oh yeah, and happy weekend as well!
Anyways, house hunting is difficult. I'm a quick decision maker, always have been and most likely always will be. I like to determine what I like, keep my options minimal, then make a decision based on these options. Here are all the situations in my life this has worked wonderfully:
- choosing a college
- choosing a sorority
- choosing to stay in Des Moines after college
- choosing apartments
- choosing a grad. school and the program to pursue
- planning our wedding
Situations in which this mentality will be the death of me:
- freakin' house hunting
We experienced our first adventure into looking at other peoples homes on Tuesday night and it went well but was a bit shocking at the same time. We're working within a modest budget because the whole point of staying in Des Moines was the simple fact that we can live here, on two teachers salary, and live comfortably within our means. Unfortunately, a modest budget in the housing market means, smaller spaces requiring lots of TLC (and that's actually how they reference this in the house descriptions).
Mike and I are all for putting work into our home, we really are, but some of the ones we saw on Tuesday would be seriously unlivable without major repairs (and I actually mean major repairs like water in the basement and cracks in the foundation). Luckily, we both realize we're in the very beginning stage of this entire process so we're still very eager to continue. At least two great things will come out of this process; Mike and I will find a great place to live and I'll actually learn the lesson behind the saying "slow and steady wins the race." Happy thoughts my friends, happy thoughts.
Oh yeah, and happy weekend as well!
I remember this nightmare all to well as it only ended 6 months ago and I feel for you! But keep your eyes on the prize because even though there will be many times when you think it's not possible, YOU WILL FIND YOUR DREAM HOME.
ReplyDeleteNow, a warning from one naive 20-something to another...once you find it you will breath a sigh of relief because you will think the nightmare is over, only to discover another one is just beginning and it's called "closing." Just prepare for it. It sucks. But you will get through that too, and it will all be worth it!!! Hang in there!! :)