Treading Water

I've had the itch to buy a home for a long time.

I grew up always in a home that my parents owned. I never experienced renting any sort of dwelling until I was out of college and moved into an apartment.

Almost immediately, I hated it.

Not necessarily because I didn't like the place I was living, not because there was something fundamentally wrong with the apartment, and not because it didn't feel like home.

I just hated throwing my money away. I knew that every time I wrote a check to my landlord, I'd never, ever see that money ever again.

It made me sick.

I vowed that when I had the means, I would do what I could to become a homeowner.

That's the American Dream, right?

I wouldn't call this experience a nightmare just yet, but I've been more stressed, more exhausted, and more on edge about this process than I can remember in recent memory.

I'll start at the beginning of the home search.

My budget isn't anything impressive, but my hope is that what I have and what I can get will provide with me with a nice home that I like.

I also hope that the home will eventually turn into a good investment for me and I can actually be proud to be chipping away at a mortgage because I know that little by little, I'm turning into a homeowner.

There are some requirements though.

I work in radio, and sometimes I have to be at the radio station at the drop of a hat (i.e. severe weather, radio station goes off the air, etc.) and so that limits the proximity of my house to the station. I really can't be further than 10-15 minutes away.

That being said, I'm pretty much looking for homes in the northeast quadrant of Wichita.

I knew there would be some compromises up front because homes in that area typically don't go for cheap. Initially, I wanted to live in the outskirts of town, but those homes are all out of my price range, so I've had to settle for looking a little bit more in the city.

As far as style is concerned, I've always liked a modern, sleek, classy look to a home. I think it gives the house character without being 'girly' (which is a big concern for me as a dude). I'd be more than happy to let someone else decorate the place for me as long as I don't have to see floral designs and frills everywhere.

Speaking of the modern, classy look, I've always enjoyed stainless steel appliances, darker countertops and dark cabinetry in the kitchen.

As far as the layout goes, I want the home to be open, with at least 1500 square feet (combining the main level and the basement). I'd like the basement to be finished too.

Oh and at least 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.

And a partridge in a pear tree. :)

In all seriousness though, I don't feel like that is too much to ask in my price range.

And it hasn't been.

I've found several homes that have met some or most of my criteria, which has been absolutely awesome. The unawesome part though is that they have had problems as well.

From minor problems such as a rusted garbage disposal or a jammed light switch to a little bit more severe issues like very little guttering, leaky windows, and doors that don't latch, it's been a constant decision about what I can live with, what I can fix on my own, what I would have to outsource, or what I think the seller should take care of themselves.

That, plus all the other decisions that go into deciding a house, have just played games with my mind.

It sorta feels like I'm just taking one step forward and then one step back constantly.

I'm just treading water at this point.

The good thing is, I do feel a little bit better after typing all that out, so maybe this blog is doing some good.

Until next time,
Tommy

P.S.-in the next edition of the blog, I'll show you a couple of pictures from the home that is at the top of my list and the pros and cons, plus my decision of if I should put an offer down or not. Happy happy joy joy.