We looked inside our first set of homes on Tuesday night with our realtor and it was fun. You learn about your style, taste and what really matters to you in a house. Garth and I thought size was our priority. We wanted a house we could grow into, but the large houses in our price range were rundown, on a main road, or across from an assembly plant. We learned that we don't need a big house and we would choose location over size.
We didn't expect to find our dream home on the first night...but we did. It's a gorgeous ranch with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It has a finished basement and the kitchen and all the bathrooms are granite counter tops with ceramic tile floors. Le sigh. The basement is so big we could have a game room, a theater room, and if we add an egress window we could have a 4th bedroom. The backyard is lovely and the house is in a beautiful neighborhood.
The catch? It's WAY out of our price range and that is just heartbreaking. To purchase this house we would basically be living paycheck to paycheck and that is not something we are okay with doing. I know a house is the biggest purchase we'll make and the place we will spend the majority of our time, but living that tightly makes me uncomfortable.
All that to say, house hunting is a roller coaster just like they say on HGTV. Gosh, I feel like I'm dating again and that house just broke up with me! But I know we're doing the right thing. Garth and I have always lived by the motto "don't spend what you don't have" so why would we start now?
It sucks, but we are confident that God has the perfect house for us. In all reality, it was our first day. We still have so many cities and houses yet to look at so it would be a rash decision to get a house on the very first day.
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Aw, I'm sorry. Sounds like ya'll are doing the wise thing, so good job! Keep us updated
The coolest thing about God? He'll probably present to you a house a million times better and well within your budget! He's good like that :) We had a miracle happen when we bought our home [which was originally waaaay out of our price range too] ...it could only have been an act of God. He's got your perfect house waiting :)
So sorry girl, but you are right God does have the perfect house for you and it will blow this one right out of the water. Happy hunting!
What city was the "dream" house in? Remember it's a buyer's market out there, esp in MI so you're in the driver's seat. Take your time.
My SIL and her husband just bought a GORGEOUS house in Canton last fall for a STEAL! Prices are more negotiable in the fall, so take that into consideration as well.
Good luck!
I feel your pain!!! :(
So heartbreaking - but I am a firm believer that there are tons of houses that could be the right fit, and you just have to find the right one that's the right price. Easier said than done!
Yup, just like dating, you'll fall in love a few more times before you find the perfect fit :)
We went through the same exact thing when we first started looking and it was definitely heartbreaking. I even cried when I knew we couldn’t have what I thought was our dream house. I got over it and we eventually found something right for us. I know you will to. Keep positive, keep looking and you will find the perfect house for you and Garth. I just know it :)
Oh girl, what a great decision you guys are making! We waited around and found the perfect area & house for us and I'm SOOOO glad we did. The last thing I want is a beautiful house with the inability to purchase furniture or even food! Can't wait to see what house God brings your way!
O gosh, house hunting is very frustrating. You will find the right house, it just takes some time. Good luck!
House hunting is a wild ride but so worth it in the end. Your perfect house is other there somehwere!
I am SO excited for you!! This is such an incredibly special time in your lives. You are so wise to wait until the right house with the right price comes along - being "house poor" is never a good thing, no matter how much you like the house. God has the perfect one in store for you two and I am so excited to see it!! I think He is going to blow your socks off and amaze you with how much more you will love it than this one. HAVE FUN EXPLORING!
I love LOVE looking at houses. We love our current home, but go househunting on the regular. It is just so much fun! Try not to stress yourselves out over and have a blast with it!
Your last few sentences are right on...God has just the right place for you...at just the right price...it just (big breath) takes patience.
And just like dating...you have to do a bit of looking around before you see what God has waiting for you.
Good luck! Will be praying with you!
I can't imagine how emotionally draining house hunting must be. Good luck girl! Hang in there, I know your *perfect* house is out there somewhere!! :)
Something perfect for you is just around the corner, I just know it!
good idea!! stick with that motto!
Oh girl!!! If I could call you and chat about this with you I would!!! We bought our first home the week I found out I was getting laid off. So we dropped our price range by $100K. Now when we talk about selling and buying again I get a sick feeling. Like I'm not ready to have a bigger house payment. I even think that as much as I would love my dream home I'm not ready to be house poor. I like eating out and shopping. Ellie loves dance and Brian has his hobbies. I don't want our house payment to stop our lives. I'm proud of you for making the decision to live in your house not for your house. :) XOXO
I agree with what everyone else has said, your perfect house will be worth the wait and frustration! haha. There are MILLIONS of houses out there! You will find the right one :) Just keep searching and don't settle. When all else fails, make a ridiculous offer on the home, we've done it and it has worked. You never know unless you ask!
You're right...God will open a door for you...He knows right where He is going to put you guys....just wait on His time...you'll know!! Good luck! I know it's still disappointing - but you guys are doing the smart thing!!!!
House hunting is a roller coaster for sure!! Believe me, we did it for nearly a year before finally finding a house and being ready to buy! Don't house hunt too early or you'll fall in love with houses you can't have yet!
House hunting can be stressful! I know y'all will find the perfect one :)
Aww I'm sorry the house won't work out but you're right paycheck to paycheck would get old realllly fast. Hang in there! The perfect house will come along!
I remember that feeling so well! It is heartbreaking! I am sure you will find your dreamhouse, or the perfect house for you guys right now :)
I was so drooling while reading your description of the house! Maybe you'll find a house you actually like better that is within your price range. Can't wait to see what you get!
I totally agree with you!!!! I know you both will find the perfect house, I just know it!
That has to be frustrating.
We're planning on starting our house hunt at the end of the summer and I'm so afraid I'll get attached to every house and then be let down if it doesn't work. :( I'm so impatient when I really want something, too, so the whole process is bound to make me crazy!
I hope you find an even better house that works out asap! Good luck!
Sounds like a beautiful house but I;m sure tht you'll a even better one that fits both your wants and your budget! :)
Happy house hunting! :)
House hunting is a very frustrating process, but if you hang in there, you guys will find the perfect house. Everything always works out the way it's supposed to in the end.
He does have the perfect house out there for you two -- although being patient is hard, my hubby and I are so thrilled we waited on God's timing because now we're moving out of state! just one year ago we had no idea that would be possible, and if we had found a house... we'd be stuck. praying for patience and His timing!
The ONLY advice I'd leave in house hunting is this - don't even LOOK at houses that are more than 10-15K above your price range. They say that right now, an extra 10K is only about an extra $50 a month on your mortgage, BUT you haev to draw the line somewhere, and killing yourself by loving a hosue you know you can't afford will make any other house you look at "compare", and that's not good.
It's a roller coaster, but in the same way - it's SOOO exhilerating when it's over and you've found one you love!!
Ok, what I meant to say is that house hunting is very stressful and it is good that ya'll are not going to be housebroke. I have seen that happen many times! You'll find your house, it is out there. Hang in there!
That very thing happened to me several times throughout my house hunting journey. But, I did find something that I love and was perfect for me! You'll find something in time, but sometimes it really does take time!
I hope exactly what you are looking for in your price range. when we were looking for our, we thought we knew exactly what we wanted, but that changed as we were house hunting. We put a few others on other houses, before we got the house we are currently in. It all works out in the end. We set a price range with our realtor and we only looked at houses that were at or under that price range. That helped us because we weren't looking at things that were out of our price range. Good luck!
It can definitely be such a huge disappointment when you find a GREAT house, but something big is a factor down...like price. It DOES feel like a rough breakup. I seriously CRIED after a few of my favorites that we either could not afford, or Jarrod ended up not loving because of location, etc. I would beg and plead with him...and really...where does that get you? Just like not desiring to live paycheck to paycheck for your dream home, you don't want to force your spouse into something they don't like.
We looked at many, many, many homes, and never found what was perfect for us. The only reason we are in this house is because we needed out of our overpriced apartment complex, and my parents were willing to sell their home to us pretty cheap...so, this is our "temporary" home for a few more years. Then the hunt is back on!
Good luck! :)
Oh, I know it was tough but it seems you and Garth made the right decision. When your house comes along, everything will be perfect: location, layout, and price. GL with the house huning!
House hunting can be VERY frustrating, but stick to what you really want and you will find your perfect house someday... You just have to have patience!
Aw, that's too bad. But who knows?! Maybe the price of the house will drop...keep your eyes on it. Jared and I made an offer on a house that we thought was our dream house, but after some negotiating I had this insane gut feeling that we should walk away...a month later, they dropped the price $20,000 below what we offered and it sold for even a little less than that.
Houses are expensive. You definitely don't want to put yourself into a position where you are living paycheck to paycheck. Good for you guys for sticking to your principles!!!! I know how difficult it is when you find something you really love.
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