Trying On Houses For Size

Looking for a home is like trying on clothes.  You are trying to find that special one that feels just right for you.  Only a house is a long-term committment, not a one-night dress.

For the past two days, we've been trying on houses.  Our realtors have taken us around through two counties and several diverse areas.  I think we've seen about fifteen or more homes, all with a toddler in tow so it took longer than anticipated.  


Just like you might say while viewing yourself in the dressing room mirror, I made comments like the following:  This one is too small.  This one needs major alterations (upgrades).  This one has no yard.  This one feels cramped.  This area doesn't seem right for us.  This one is on a busy road.  This one has neighbors too close.   This one doesn't give me the "feeling."  (My husband hates it when I say that but my "feeling" has never steered us wrong!)


Several homes we drove up to but never looked inside.  We "knew" just from the exterior or the neighborhood that we wouldn't want to live in that house.  At first we had a long list to select from but soon that list became shorter and shorter.


In fact, we were disappointed that many homes we liked online are under "short sale" or foreclosed and currently under some financial institution's property.  Our realtors have said that these homes typically take more than four months (could take up to six months or more) to even receive a response from the lender regarding questions or an offer.  Four + months is a long time to wait to hear if someone will accept or decline your offer on a home. 


So we are avoiding these homes until we've seen everything else available without any red tape.  This is the reality of our nation and it's a sad affair.  Just in Pensacola alone there are tons of beautiful foreclosed homes just sitting there idle.  And you can't totally blame the lenders because they have so many of them to deal with.  But because of the indefinite time frame, most potential homebuyers become frustrated and give up on these homes.

Eventually though, you find that one home you love.  That house that is perhaps just a bit higher than the price range you told your realtor to stay within.  The one that when you walk in (try on), you know it's the perfect fit for you and your family. 

We may have found that house.  It was the last one we viewed on Saturday evening.


This dream home seems to be in the country but is only fifteen miles from downtown and close to the beaches.  There is even a blueberry farm closeby.  It has an open floor plan, not separate rooms that make it seem cramped.  It has a lot of square footage, four bedrooms, a beautiful kitchen, a two-car garage, a master bedroom and fourth bedroom (mother-in-law style room) that both open up to an outdoor covered patio.  It has a great size yard with private fences and trees for shade.  It has many other great features as well.


I fell in love instantly.  I was like Victoria Beckham with my little black Gucci dress. 


Kirk wasn't in love at first sight but that is not really his personality.  He's careful and calculated which make us a perfect couple.  He took his time looking around, asked the owner a lot of questions and said, "yes it's very nice" before we left.  Then later on at our hotel while eating dinner, he couldn't stop talking about it.  The more he thought about it, the more he loved it.  This is typical Kirk.


Since then, we've seen about eight homes.  None of them measure up to this house we have placed on a pedestal.  I've talked to a few area folks who confirm the home is in a nice area, has good schools closeby and that we would enjoy living in that particular part of town.  The home sits in a small neighborhood with just two streets.  It is not your "cookie cutter" home that looks similar to everything around it, where the houses sit on top of each other.


So we are trying to determine if  we will put in an offer on this home.  Right now we're waiting a few days to at least give Kirk a chance to start his new job (He starts today actually) and ensure he feels comfortable in his new role.  We've told our realtor to keep an eye out for us on a few key areas that we liked but didn't like the homes we saw in those specific places.  But again, I think nothing will compare to that gorgeous home that we both are now dreaming and drooling over.  We shall see..... we will give ourselves a little bit more time....


Now comes the hard part..... waiting!   Then possible negotiations and more waiting.  We hope that since we are still in a buyer's market, we can get this house (or any house we want) for a bargain price that we'll love or at least be comfortable with.   I'll keep you posted. 


In the mean time, I hope that I do not wake up at 2a.m. like I did this morning thinking about this home.  I could've gotten up and typed us this entire post with all the thoughts swimming in head.  But Vivian was asleep in the living/kitchen area of our hotel where the laptop was and Kirk was asleep in our bed.  That only left the bathroom and I just could not bring myself to sit in the bathtub to write this.   However, I won't be surprised if I give in tonight or the next night.  Because that's me.  These things fester in my mind until a decision is made or action is taken.  (sigh!)


I'm about to go exploring the area, to at least temporarily take my mind off our potential future home.  I'm looking for a great cup of coffee and a bakery for Vivian's upcoming birthday cake.  So let me get out of this boring hotel room, so I can enjoy my day.  I'm sure I'll have no hesitation or concerns over trying on cookies and cupcakes for size.  I'll be happy to sample all I can along with Vivian so we can find just the right fit for her Diva personality!  :-)