Surprise! I’m in the process of trying to buy a house. I finally reached my goal down payment amount (in February), so it’s go-time. The apartment complex where I currently live let me know they’re not renewing my lease due to renovations. I could move to another unit, but the rent is about $200 more than I’m currently paying, and would be significantly more than a mortgage payment.
I’ve been looking at houses since January. My realtor, bless her, started taking me to homes around mid-March. Let me tell you something:
HGTV lies!
You watch all those shows of couples who look at a few houses and magically find one they love, put in an offer, and get it. Yes, I know that contractual obligations require you to have a house before you get on any of those shows, but still. The most realistic portrayal of what it’s like to house hunt is in the new Property Brothers seasons where it’s a montage of them walking away from homes.
So far, I have been to 14 homes. I have put in four offers (not counting counter-offers). I have seen homes I can afford get gobbled up and turned into rental properties. Good for you getting that income, but GET OUT OF MY MARKET.
The house hunt is no joke. Houses have been taken off of the market in less than 24 hours. I’m a single female just looking to take that next step. I’ve saved diligently, and my expectations aren’t even that high! I’ve cried over losing house after house. I feel defeated, like this will never happen for me.
There’s a whole blog series on house hunting coming soon. I don’t feel I’m educated enough to advise anyone on it until I actually have the house. We’ll talk money, the process, making your wishlist…all of it. If you have anything you want me to touch on, let me know in the comments!
Title photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash.
