New Home, New Headaches

February 08, 2013

My husband and I have been apartment living since we got married over five years ago. We believed that we would be apartment dwellers forever. A pool, gym, maintenance with a simple phone call…what could be better? However, in the past several months as we watched interest rates and house prices drop, we opened our mind to buying a house. 

Imagine our surprise when on the first go-round, we found a home we really liked. Alas, it was a short sale (as non-real estate experts, we learned a short sale is when a seller is selling the house for less than they owe, meaning they essentially make no money). Short sales are notoriously known for having long drawn out approval processes, and the closing can take months. But we really thought it was worth it, and went for it. 

We didn’t get it.

I was heartbroken for a moment but decided that it just wasn’t meant to be. The next weekend, we were back at it. To our surprise, we found a home similar to the short sale at a reasonable price. So, literally a week later, we were back in our agent’s office filling out paperwork for another offer. 

This one went much better. The sellers accepted our offer, and we started the lengthy process of inspections and loan paperwork. Eventually, everything worked out, and thirty five pages of paperwork later, we are locked in to our rate with a closing date set for April.

While I’m extremely excited about our new home, I’m less than thrilled with the idea of home maintenance. My husband and I have never been extremely handy with any kind of tools. If it’s more than changing a light bulb, we might need a little help. Thankfully I have the Library catalog, Research Databases, and YouTube videos that will help walk us through whatever we are doing. I’ve been on Pinterest looking at crafts and decorating ideas, as well as shopping for furniture to fill a three bedroom home. As nerve-wracking and stressful as the idea of home ownership is, I’m ready. 

Or at least I think I am.

Jamie C.
Platte City Branch