Signed, Sealed, Delivered

The papers are signed. The keys are in my hand. And the paint is flowing. Two rooms down, four to go. I'll share more pics when I get moved in, which will hopefully be done this weekend.

Is it just me, or is buying a house like marrying a man with potential? After everything is said and done, you realize you may have a bit more work ahead of you than you were anticipating.

I'm not saying I don't love the house. In fact, the more time I spend there making it mine, the more I love it. But it definitely is a work in progress and I've got my work cut out for me. Forget spending money on clothes and shoes and bags--every bit of spare cash is going to be spent on renovations and decorating. Anyone interested in paint duty?

And when will those moving fairies appear, anyway?

Up to my ears...

I'm surrounded by boxes, both empty and full. I've barely begun emptying out closets and bookshelves and cabinets, but I'm plugging away ...

Of course, procrastination is my middle name, so since I had the day off, I went to Home Depot and Lowes today. I bought all the tools I'll need for painting the bare walls of my new house: rollers and trays and brushes and drop cloths. I did not, however, choose a single paint color. I came away with a handful of pamphlets and paint chips but not a bit more certainty that I'd found a shade for my livingroom or dining room walls.

I've narrowed down my bedroom color to just a couple neutrals (this was easy because I have a bedding set that I love and can build my bedroom decor around). As for the guest bedroom/office, I'm leaning toward a warm blue because I read that blues inspire creativity. That room might have to wait a few months, depending on my budget and manpower over the next weeks. But at least I have some idea of a color scheme. My other rooms are all empty canvases. I'm having a really hard time commiting to wall colors. I want to do something bold in my living room (red) and dining room (gold) but I'm afraid to commit. To make it more difficult, I'm doing things backwards because I'm not pulling colors from furniture/rugs/curtains like designers recommend. Instead, I'm working with what I have for now (two love seats slip-covered in black and a black entertainment center) and planning on bringing in neutrals when I eventually buy a new sofa and chairs for the living room, and a dining set for the dining room. That way I can paint with the colors I love, knowing that whatever I choose will match neutral furniture later on. Unfortunately, this is making it tougher, rather than easier, for me to make a decision and stick with it. I'm hoping that after I've seen the rooms again in the next few days, I'll be able to pick something.

It's Really Happening

It's about as official as it can possibly be. I'm buying this house, ready or not. I'm having trouble sleeping and, surprisingly, it's out of excitement for the change, rather than stress. All I can think about is how my life is about to change for the better. I can't stop imagining my life in my little house. I can't stop dreaming of furniture and paint and central air conditioning. Of course, most of these things will have to wait until I've had time to save a bit of cash, but I'm excited about the process of turning this house into my very own home.

I have exactly two--yes, two--boxes packed, and I'm scheduled to settle on my new home next Wednesday. This purchase seems to have snuck up on me somehow. With all the back and forth of inspections and negotiations, I haven't really let myself believe that this house would be mine. And suddenly it's become real.

I will be moving into my new house, and it will all start next week. I'm planning to clean and paint most of the rooms before I move any furniture, but I have no idea what colors I'll be using, who will be helping (other than My Love) or when I'll find time to do all of this.

I'm also trying to minimize the amount of time I'll be paying utilities for both places. My landlord at my current apartment is very flexible and will allow me to take as much time as necessary to officially "get out," but I don't want to be living out of two homes for too long. I plan to get most of my packing done over the long weekend coming up, and I'm hoping to get as much painting finished the weekend after closing as I possibly can. That way I can move furniture one night the following week and hopefully be settling into my new home no later than the 25th.

If only I had Samantha Stevens' nose-twitching abilities...

Equity and Reality

One of my best friends called me two nights ago to congratulate me on my potential new home. The more we talked, the more reality started to set in: this is really happening. In a few short weeks, I'm going to be a home owner. There's very little doubt anymore that this purchase is going to be completed and settled in mid-January. And then this house will be mine (well, mine and the bank's). I was starting to feel a little nauseated at the thought of repairs and furnishings and major household purchase that I'm going to be responsible for, all by my little lonesome.

Then my sister called to ask about specific things I'd like for my new house because she didn't want to just get me a gift card for Christmas. I realized I had absolutely no idea what to tell her, so I started doing some internet searches. Pretty soon I had picked out an address plate for the front of my home, new book cases for my basement "office," lamps for my bedroom, wall hangings for my bathroom, and a variety of other odds and ends that I'd like to include in various rooms of my house. The more I looked at bedroom furniture and paint colors the more real this purchase became to me. I thought I was going to be sick.

When my realtor called in the middle of my wish list creation to tell me that the appraisal report had been submitted, I almost asked her how we could back out of my contract. My nerves were getting the best of me. I mean, how can I expect to afford all that I'll need to make this house my home? How will I ever afford utilities and repair fees for a house when I've gotten so used to being responsible only for my rent? But before I could voice my doubts, she told me that the house had appraised for $5000 more than I was paying for it. Immediately, relief flooded my body. I was going to be ok. I had chosen well. Before I even move into this home, I will have $5000 in equity. My investment will already be paying off when I sign those papers at settlement.

So I'm not as nervous today about becoming a home owner as I was yesterday. It's still a stressful experience, despite my research and preparation, but knowing that I'm making a sound investment helps to take the edge off a bit. And looking at these pictures regularly, reminding myself of why I chose to put a contract on this house in the first place, keeps me from shredding the stack of signed documents and running for the hills.

Inspection Results

Well, the home purchase is still on. The inspector found a few things that my realtor and I will be negotiating, but all in all it went well. The basement is dry and shows little if any evidence of water seepage, which was one of my main concerns. The foundation seems to be in good condition. The plumbing is functional, although it's the original galvanized steel pipes, so I'll probably need to do some maintenance and replacement eventually. The electrical outlets will need to be updated in most places because they're the old two-pronged outlets and aren't grounded. The inspector couldn't get to the roof, so we're asking for an inspection and certification from the sellers. The furnace is super old, too, so we're asking the sellers to have it inspected or to pay for a home warranty.

It was a bit frustrating because the owners still had things piled in rooms (which we'd asked them to clear out enough that the inspector could see the walls and stuff). I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted to because they would have just been of the sellers belongings. But I did get pictures of the kitchen:

the renovated bathroom:

and my patch of a back yard:

So...as long as the sellers agree to our requests based on the inspection it looks like I'll still be settling on my very first home in mid-January! That means as soon as the holidays are over I'll need to start packing and preparing for a big move. Note to those looking to buy a house: don't start looking in October, and don't put in an offer in November. This time of year is hectic enough! If I had it to do over again, I would have started earlier in the year so I'd be celebrating Christmas in a new house and not worrying about gift wrapping and mortgage applications in the same week. I'm glad to be doing it though, and in the end I know that all the stress will be worth it!

Inspection Time!

I can't believe this is actually happening to me! I just got a call from my realtor, and the sellers have an approved contract on a home. It's time to move forward with my home inspection! Aaaaahhhhh!

I'm shaking like a leaf with anxiety. I'm going to be a home owner! It just seems so bizarre to me. I have heard so many stories from friends about going through this process over and over again before finally settling on a home, so I wasn't expecting things to go nearly as smoothly as they have. I have truly turned off the excitment because I've been anticipating that problems would crop up along the way and I would have to start searching again. But it seems like things are really falling into place. And now I'm getting scared.

Is this going to be a good home? Did I settle too soon? Did I offer too much money? Should I have looked a little longer? Will it really be big/cozy/sturdy/safe enough? Was it a good investment decision, or did I make a mistake? Am I digging myself into a money pit or have I chosen the perfect starter home for myself? The questions and doubts are starting to come to a boil.

I'm not expecting that there will be any major issues with the inspection, but that is still a possibility. Hopefully, I can take my camera with me to the inspection and I'll have some pictures to share next week. Keep your fingers crossed!

It's Official

I got the call from my realtor Wednesday night while I was shopping for last minute Thanksgiving groceries. In the middle of the dairy aisle at Giant, I sputtered and practically shouted "Thank you" and "Really?" over and over again. Fellow shoppers and shelf stockers stared while I broke into a smile and excited giggles.

The sellers of the little house I love have accepted my offer!

Now, barring any difficulty finding their own home and any major issues with the inspection and appraisal, I should be settling in mid-January. I'm already preparing by sorting through belongings, investigating do-it-yourself painting and decorating projects, and socking away extra cash for closing costs, furniture, and other unexpected expenses. I'm trying to hold back at least a bit of the excitement because I know there's still a possibility that things could still fall through. But I admit (as if you can't tell) that I'm a little attached to this house.

So here's to new experiences and life stages. I'm going to be a home owner!