"It's a miracle!"
Okay, I have been dying to write about our weekend all day. It's been a crazy one and I know many of you have already heard the story first hand, but I also know many of you are simply breathless with anticipation to hear all about it. So, here we go...
Robbie and I decided a couple of months ago we were going to take advantage of the current housing market. For renters it could not be a better time to snag up some property and after doing all of my homework I figured that by May or June-ish we would be ready to commit. The only problem with my little plan was that our lease was up at the end of April - so this meant we would either have to a) move b) sign another 12 month lease or c) negotiate with our ballbuster landlord month-to-month rent or a short-term lease.....a seemingly reasonable option (read: basket) and the one I had carefully placed every single one of my eggs (read: stupid). I was completely dumbfounded when the following conversation occurred between my landlord and I on Friday:
Me: Hi Landlord, it's your lovely tenant on Fontana!
Ballbuster: Hi.
Me: So, RK and I were wondering what we could negotiate regarding our lease? We're not exactly ready to buy but would love to in the next three months or so.
Ballbuster: Are you pre-approved?
Me: Not yet.
Ballbuster: Are you working with someone already? (meaning a realtor - of which she claims to be as well)
Me: Yes.
Ballbuster: Well, if you don't use me as your realtor then I will not negotiate.
Me: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, okay.
Yeah....I was shocked and immediately started to hyperventilate a little and cry a lot. This simply meant, another year paying rent, possibly missing out on an incredible market for buyers and submitting to a very mean woman. I did what any reasonable young lady would, I panicked, called Robbie, freaked out a little on the phone, pulled myself together and called our real estate agent. Fortunately for us he was familiar with the Ballbuster and her not so shiny reputation and honestly, I think he took pity upon us. The next three days were a whirlwind.
Getting pre-approved took about 10 minutes on the phone, a call I made 5 minutes after talking with Chris, the miracle working real estate agent. The lender told me about the loan programs available and how much each one would cost in points and interest rates, etc. Robbie and I always figured we would rely on the VA loan again, but once the numbers were crunched it was the loan that would've cost the most (percentage and point speaking). The lender mentioned how much money we would need for a down payment and how the 100% financing options are being phased out. The amount would have been completely reasonable for us......in three more months, but in 25 days, well, not so much. The lender got real quiet and said, "Weeeelllllll, okay, here's the deal........the 100% financing loan is technically still available - BUT - only until Monday the 31st. So, what I'm saying is....if you think you can find a house in the next two days, write a contract on one and have it accepted you can get the 100% loan." I said, "I love a challenge!"
All of this occurred in about a two hour time frame - before I left for work on Friday. Saturday was spent with Chris and house hunting. Nothing really seemed like The One though and we faced Sunday with more hunting. I woke up on Sunday and just knew we were going to find our house. We went to church and participated in Max's baptism ceremony (check out Mrs. Nelson's blog and pics - so sweet), grabbed a quick lunch and off we went.
Twelve houses later we found The One.
The contract was signed and negotiated over until today around lunch time. So far we are on our way to inspections and closing on April 25th. I still can't believe it's all happening so quickly! No time like the present, right?
The house has recently been updated. No 70's carpet or kitchen here! All new cabinetry and appliances in the kitchen, new flooring and well, practically new everything. The paint is neutral throughout - all I have to do is choose colors. The more I think about it the more excited I get about making it our new home.
Thank you friends and family for prayers and guidance, emotional and financial support and offering a basement to live in in the event we found ourselves homeless at the end of April. We will be a little farther away from some and little closer to others, but as Mrs. Nelson put it, our new residence will be "diplomatically" central in location to everyone....and heck, we are just that much closer to Oklahoma City, Mom!
Robbie and I decided a couple of months ago we were going to take advantage of the current housing market. For renters it could not be a better time to snag up some property and after doing all of my homework I figured that by May or June-ish we would be ready to commit. The only problem with my little plan was that our lease was up at the end of April - so this meant we would either have to a) move b) sign another 12 month lease or c) negotiate with our ballbuster landlord month-to-month rent or a short-term lease.....a seemingly reasonable option (read: basket) and the one I had carefully placed every single one of my eggs (read: stupid). I was completely dumbfounded when the following conversation occurred between my landlord and I on Friday:
Me: Hi Landlord, it's your lovely tenant on Fontana!
Ballbuster: Hi.
Me: So, RK and I were wondering what we could negotiate regarding our lease? We're not exactly ready to buy but would love to in the next three months or so.
Ballbuster: Are you pre-approved?
Me: Not yet.
Ballbuster: Are you working with someone already? (meaning a realtor - of which she claims to be as well)
Me: Yes.
Ballbuster: Well, if you don't use me as your realtor then I will not negotiate.
Me: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, okay.
Yeah....I was shocked and immediately started to hyperventilate a little and cry a lot. This simply meant, another year paying rent, possibly missing out on an incredible market for buyers and submitting to a very mean woman. I did what any reasonable young lady would, I panicked, called Robbie, freaked out a little on the phone, pulled myself together and called our real estate agent. Fortunately for us he was familiar with the Ballbuster and her not so shiny reputation and honestly, I think he took pity upon us. The next three days were a whirlwind.
Getting pre-approved took about 10 minutes on the phone, a call I made 5 minutes after talking with Chris, the miracle working real estate agent. The lender told me about the loan programs available and how much each one would cost in points and interest rates, etc. Robbie and I always figured we would rely on the VA loan again, but once the numbers were crunched it was the loan that would've cost the most (percentage and point speaking). The lender mentioned how much money we would need for a down payment and how the 100% financing options are being phased out. The amount would have been completely reasonable for us......in three more months, but in 25 days, well, not so much. The lender got real quiet and said, "Weeeelllllll, okay, here's the deal........the 100% financing loan is technically still available - BUT - only until Monday the 31st. So, what I'm saying is....if you think you can find a house in the next two days, write a contract on one and have it accepted you can get the 100% loan." I said, "I love a challenge!"
All of this occurred in about a two hour time frame - before I left for work on Friday. Saturday was spent with Chris and house hunting. Nothing really seemed like The One though and we faced Sunday with more hunting. I woke up on Sunday and just knew we were going to find our house. We went to church and participated in Max's baptism ceremony (check out Mrs. Nelson's blog and pics - so sweet), grabbed a quick lunch and off we went.
Twelve houses later we found The One.
The contract was signed and negotiated over until today around lunch time. So far we are on our way to inspections and closing on April 25th. I still can't believe it's all happening so quickly! No time like the present, right?The house has recently been updated. No 70's carpet or kitchen here! All new cabinetry and appliances in the kitchen, new flooring and well, practically new everything. The paint is neutral throughout - all I have to do is choose colors. The more I think about it the more excited I get about making it our new home.
Thank you friends and family for prayers and guidance, emotional and financial support and offering a basement to live in in the event we found ourselves homeless at the end of April. We will be a little farther away from some and little closer to others, but as Mrs. Nelson put it, our new residence will be "diplomatically" central in location to everyone....and heck, we are just that much closer to Oklahoma City, Mom!
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Love, Missy
Aunt Linda