I'm not cut out for the competition of buying a house in a seller's market. Unfortunately, that is what my town has become.
Houses and condos that fit my wishlist, and fall into my price range, seem to be snapped up within days of going on the market. Meanwhile, I am the kind of person who wants time to roll an idea around in my head, to picture myself in a place, to go through the pros and cons, and to think on it before I decide. This is a huge decision and a lot of money! I want to make sure I'm making the right choice.
This latest condo was not love at first sight but after thinking about it for a few days I realized it actually ticked a lot more boxes than I had originally thought. However, I was hesitant because I hadn't yet hit the savings goal that I had set for myself. By the time I'd made up my mind that I wanted to make an offer anyway...it was gone...just two days after I saw it.
Now, I've signed up for emails alerts when a house that fits my needs goes on the market.
*Cue the crickets*
*Cue the tumbleweeds*
There's a whole lotta nothin' on the market right now and all I can do is sit and wait.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Sunrise
I have taken a step forward. Not the step I spoke of previously. Not the business I was setting out to start, but another idea I had in mind. A business that is a much easier stepping stone.
It feels so good to actually be doing something. I no longer feel as though I'm wasting my weekends. Now, I just tell myself I'm going to my second job! I worked at it all day yesterday and by the end I felt like I'd really accomplished something.
I don't expect I'll be ready to launch until the beginning of May, maybe mid-April if I'm lucky, but I'm happy to just be working on it for now.
It feels so good to actually be doing something. I no longer feel as though I'm wasting my weekends. Now, I just tell myself I'm going to my second job! I worked at it all day yesterday and by the end I felt like I'd really accomplished something.
I don't expect I'll be ready to launch until the beginning of May, maybe mid-April if I'm lucky, but I'm happy to just be working on it for now.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Frozen
I feel as though I am standing on the precipice of a chasm with one foot poised in the air, ready to take that leap of faith, and I cannot make myself move.
The business idea of mine has gone from a vague dream to a vague possibility to an OhMyGodIt'sNowOrNever scenario. I am physically sick to my stomach thinking about taking that leap of faith but also incredibly scared not to. I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't.
I wish I had someone to hold my hand through the start-up process, telling me what step to take next, just until everything is ready to go. By that point I think I could do it on my own.
I wish I had a cheerleader who was encouraging, supportive, ready and willing to help me bring this idea to fruition. I am floundering in a sea of self doubt.
I just plain wish I had more confidence in myself and a little less of the abundance of caution and paralyzing worry that plague me.
The business idea of mine has gone from a vague dream to a vague possibility to an OhMyGodIt'sNowOrNever scenario. I am physically sick to my stomach thinking about taking that leap of faith but also incredibly scared not to. I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't.
Why is starting a business so bloody complicated?!?
I wish I had someone to hold my hand through the start-up process, telling me what step to take next, just until everything is ready to go. By that point I think I could do it on my own.
I wish I had a cheerleader who was encouraging, supportive, ready and willing to help me bring this idea to fruition. I am floundering in a sea of self doubt.
I just plain wish I had more confidence in myself and a little less of the abundance of caution and paralyzing worry that plague me.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Six?
The way things stand right now, I have to be honest and say I might not make the August 2017 TTC deadline. This would be the third time pushing back the start date for TTC and I'm starting to feel like a broken record.
But my reasons are as follows:
I might be out of a job by the end of this year. My boss has declared that she will retire and if she can't find a buyer by December then she will close.
I have no idea what my health insurance situation will be next year. I have it for this year and I will use it to get some much-needed check-ups.
I still do not have a home of my own and now, with my job situation being up in the air, I'm not sure if moving out is the best option. The worst part is, if I end up switching jobs or starting my own business then the bank is going to scrutinize a home loan application even more than they would right now. I feel caught between a rock and a hard place. My only consolation is that there is nothing on the market I'm interested in right now. Last I checked, there were a total of only three places that fit my criteria (2 bed/1 bath) and were also in my price range. That's the market in my area right now - not a lot to pick from and most of it way over budget.
As for starting my own business - I really hope to do so this year. If I can't get it launched this year then perhaps I need to table the idea and spend my time concentrating on something else. But for now, working on my business is how I plan to spend February.
To conclude this month's update: I have decided that I will continue preparing for TTC; I just won't declare another start date until I have secured a house and a stable job.
But my reasons are as follows:
I might be out of a job by the end of this year. My boss has declared that she will retire and if she can't find a buyer by December then she will close.
I have no idea what my health insurance situation will be next year. I have it for this year and I will use it to get some much-needed check-ups.
I still do not have a home of my own and now, with my job situation being up in the air, I'm not sure if moving out is the best option. The worst part is, if I end up switching jobs or starting my own business then the bank is going to scrutinize a home loan application even more than they would right now. I feel caught between a rock and a hard place. My only consolation is that there is nothing on the market I'm interested in right now. Last I checked, there were a total of only three places that fit my criteria (2 bed/1 bath) and were also in my price range. That's the market in my area right now - not a lot to pick from and most of it way over budget.
As for starting my own business - I really hope to do so this year. If I can't get it launched this year then perhaps I need to table the idea and spend my time concentrating on something else. But for now, working on my business is how I plan to spend February.
To conclude this month's update: I have decided that I will continue preparing for TTC; I just won't declare another start date until I have secured a house and a stable job.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
The Over / Under
I made up my mind to contact the bank and see if they could raise my pre-approval amount. I thought there might be some wiggle room because she asked me to name a number when I first got the pre-approval and then she commented something like, "oh, so you're not seeking something way out of range".
So I emailed her and asked about it, wondering what was the highest they'd be willing to go, to see if the condo I was interested in was anywhere within range. At the same time I emailed my parents' realtor again to see if she would respond this time.
The next evening (I can't check email at work) I got emails from both of them. The lady at the bank said they could raise the amount by a "little" but didn't specify a number. She did ask how much the place I was interested in was listed at. The realtor said she'd be happy to work with me then sent another email asking which place I was interested in.
I responded to the bank that if they could only raise the rate a little then I would assume the place was out of my price range, but I did tell her the price of the one I was looking at. I decided I'd wait to respond to the realtor to see if the bank came up with a more exact number.
The next evening I, again, had an email from the bank. She said they could get my pre-approval amount within about $5,000 of the place I was looking at. She did say it would make a difference if the place was a condo or manufactured home as opposed to a regular home. I didn't dare to hope, but I fired off an email to the realtor telling her which property I was interested in and what times I was free to meet with her. Then I emailed the bank and explained that it was a condo and asked about the differences that would make.
The next day I received emails from both of them again. The bank said it would depend on the property tax and asked for the address of the place. The realtor said "Oh, that's such a great place. They just put in new floors and fresh paint and it was on the market for so long, but it's under contract now. Go figure!!!!" Then she said she had no weekend times free to meet but could meet with me before I go to work Monday morning.
I sent an email to the lady at the bank thanking her for her work in helping me, but that the place was under contract now. I haven't yet emailed the realtor because I'm undecided on what to do. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have someone looking out for different properties coming on the market. I guess I just don't have much faith that another property will show up that excites me and also happens to be in my price range.
So I emailed her and asked about it, wondering what was the highest they'd be willing to go, to see if the condo I was interested in was anywhere within range. At the same time I emailed my parents' realtor again to see if she would respond this time.
The next evening (I can't check email at work) I got emails from both of them. The lady at the bank said they could raise the amount by a "little" but didn't specify a number. She did ask how much the place I was interested in was listed at. The realtor said she'd be happy to work with me then sent another email asking which place I was interested in.
I responded to the bank that if they could only raise the rate a little then I would assume the place was out of my price range, but I did tell her the price of the one I was looking at. I decided I'd wait to respond to the realtor to see if the bank came up with a more exact number.
The next evening I, again, had an email from the bank. She said they could get my pre-approval amount within about $5,000 of the place I was looking at. She did say it would make a difference if the place was a condo or manufactured home as opposed to a regular home. I didn't dare to hope, but I fired off an email to the realtor telling her which property I was interested in and what times I was free to meet with her. Then I emailed the bank and explained that it was a condo and asked about the differences that would make.
The next day I received emails from both of them again. The bank said it would depend on the property tax and asked for the address of the place. The realtor said "Oh, that's such a great place. They just put in new floors and fresh paint and it was on the market for so long, but it's under contract now. Go figure!!!!" Then she said she had no weekend times free to meet but could meet with me before I go to work Monday morning.
I sent an email to the lady at the bank thanking her for her work in helping me, but that the place was under contract now. I haven't yet emailed the realtor because I'm undecided on what to do. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have someone looking out for different properties coming on the market. I guess I just don't have much faith that another property will show up that excites me and also happens to be in my price range.
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