home is... where?
What a weird time. We just don't know what we should be doing in the way of a home. For two years we have been planning on buying our loft apartment that we are living in. We knew when we moved in that it was turning condo. they said it would be a year & it's been over two years but the conversion is almost complete (I'll believe it when I see it). In our lease it even says that part of our rent will go towards the purchase price. But now we don't know. The "owners" (guys dealing with us) are kinda being jerks about it and they've been ever worse to some neighbours. They aren't telling the truth always and we have to find out info form neighbours or on line. This is frustrating. Also, now we've been here two years. That's about how long we stay places before we move. Not by choice so far (work etc) but that's how it's been. So we're a bit antsy. Also, we don't think we will want to be here for longer than two more years. But with the market going like it is, I don't think we could sell it very easily in two years to move on. And with the housing market like it is, would it be a good time to buy a house? We don't even know what we qualify for with a loan these days (we're working on that). This place also isn't very well built & we have no idea who the neighbours might be. You don't know this in a house either, but at least you don't share walls.
If we bought a house we could have a yard. We could compost & have a veggie garden. We could close doors if we needed to (not so in a loft). We could have storage in the garage (we have NONE now, anywhere). But... can we afford a house that we would be happy in for 7 or so years and not have to spend big bucks (& effort) fixing up?
My favorite option isn't really an option at all, which makes me sad. I found an AMAZING piece of land a couple weeks ago. In a fab area, close to everything but away & quiet It's not even that expensive (for the neighbourhood). I thought we could get this land & put a modular home on it (they sure do have cool modern ones these days). Or, which is my ideal idea, put a yurt (or 3) on it. They also have great modern ones with bathrooms & kitchens & everything. Then spend a few years here & get an architect & plans & permits & then, eventually, build our dream home. This piece of land is one I could live on forever. The kids could go to college from a house on this land (provided the planet is still here then and that we do indeed have kids). But, apparently it's very hard to get a mortgage to buy land. You need a lot down & have to jump through hoops. Then the cost of hooking up the utilities (there was a house there before so wouldn't be too hard, just costly), buying the temp home, making a driveway etc. So, honestly, I don't think it will work. But I was so happy for a few days just at the thought of us on the land.
So, now, our options are buy the apartment, buy a house or move back in with my sister & save for a year or so (if she'd let us). Argh! I just don't know what to do.
Right now we are seeing what we can get pre-approved for & then will go look at some houses. But the apartment people are pushing. Do we give in or let it go before we have another plan?
I just wish I knew what to do. This is hard. I didn't expect it to be so hard.
Labels: home
posted by tiffany- at 6:02 PM
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