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We totally did a 180 on the building thing. We were totally set to move forward with building, but then we ended up taking a look at a FSBO house. We had actually gone to look at some rentals, both would've been just fine, and then we did a driveby of a house that just came on the market that was only 5 years old. That house was really nice, but we didn't like the location. In the mean time, my brother had told me about this other house that was FSBO, so we drove out there. It's out in the country about 1.5 miles and on a half acre lot. Brian was very interested after driving by, so I called my brother to ask about it. He called the owner right then and there (he knows them, small town, you know), so they said come on over. We went over there and checked it out and it was VERY nice. It's not the layout I really wanted, but there were so many nice things about it, so many nice upgrades, add ons, etc. It was built in 1992, 4 bd/2 bath, about 2500 sq ft. That was Wed. 7/12. I won't go into all our back & forth thinking, but long story short, on that following Sunday, 7/16, we just layed it on the line, told them where we were at. We came up about $2500 where we wanted to be and they actually dropped about $12500 from their FSBO price.
I think the big thing that changed our minds is that we'd end up with about the same payment building, as with this house, but then we'd still have so much work to do on the new house (driveway, yard, deck, basement) and the built house wouldn't really be that much bigger, plus it would be in town. Also, even though with building we'd have a brand new house, it's still not the house I ultimately want or in the location I want, and after building, I'd feel like I'd need to stay there forever. Yes, it would be a very nice house, but I've BTDT a couple times with building and it's not big deal to me to do it again.
This house is all finished and there is really nothing to be done. Could something be redone? Certainly, but not necessary. It's been freshly painted, all new carpet, new tile, new appliances; they've done a great job of updating it, PLUS...the YARD is just so awesome with all the landscaping and trees, and the great playset and sandbox for the kids. And with this house, we have an opportunity to be out in the country a bit, which we really didn't think we'd be able to afford. It's gotten to be so expensive in my hometown, even with building, we would be settling.
I really wanted Brian to be comfortable since he his moving to my hometown and I think it will be an adjustment for him. He told my Dad before we had made the offer that he could already see himself mowing the lawn and planting a garden!
Anyhoo, we finally got a purchase agreement done at the local attorney's office last Thursday. The big issue is figuring the logistics of the move.
We hop to rent a pod, fill it, close on our house on 8/15, go on vacation, come back on 8/31 and close on the new house 9/1. PODS doesn't actually service our area, but I found a local place just like them. I also checked with some full service movers, but they are just too expensive, especially when you figure in the storage too.
Is this the house I really wanted? No. But can I see myself living here? Yes. I could totally move in and be very happy and comfortable. I realized I had to change my thinking and try not to think so long term. Every house we looked at, we kept asking ourselves, can we see ourselves living here forever? But you know, who knows what's going to happen with us, maybe we'll want to move further in the country, maybe Brian will hate living there and we'll move away again, or maybe we'll want a smaller house and a cabin up north.
Everything seemed to be falling into place...so I just let the next steps fall into place too.
It's been SO NICE doing this without a realtor and working right with the buyer/seller. I can't believe that we did all this and without ANY realtor fees on either side. The seller has agreed to let us move our freezer in before we go on vacation, so we don't have to move it again and find a place for all our meat. So nice!
I've just been going crazy here the past two weeks with everything. Last week was mostly spend on the moving stuff and arranging the mortgage, and all kinds of little things. I finally feel like things are rolling and now to begin the packing.
Anyhoo, don't have any inside pics, but I did snap a pic of the outside. Here's our new home.
