Welcome!

Welcome!

I am soon to be  a first time home buyer (which is the primary reason for creating this blog). I want to take the opportunity to share my my thoughts, ideas, home projects, what inspires me, and what I find beautiful about life.

The thought of purchasing began when I found out that I would be working full time in West Michigan. In this current market, it makes so more more sense (at least to me) to purchase and build equity than to rent. I looked at I don't even know how many homes before I found what I thought would be the prefect home. It was perfect! Two bed- one bath- half finished basement- fenced in backyard for my dog, Bella- and all the craftsman charm I was looking for. Advise for first time home buyers- DO NOT make an offer on a short sale home! Sometimes short sale (when the sale proceeds fall short of what is owed on the loan) can happen right away, but the average short sale takes 3 - 6 months for the bank to approve.

After three months of waiting for what I thought was going to be my first home, I released it, found a more motivated realtor, and kept looking (even through the blustery cold, snowy days). After looking at 30 homes, I found another home, but turned out it wasn't meant to be either- another buyer got an offer in before me and the sellers- I was devastated. When I thought I had exhausted all my options, I found the perfect home for me! It is situated on a quiet street- built in 1896 (I know, I'm wondering what I'm thinking too...) 3 bed- 1 bath- 1654 finished square feet and has wood work similar to the home I grew up in. I knew it had to be mine! It felt like a place I could call home the moment I walked in.

the front of my new (old) home! more pictures soon!

I placed an offer, the sellers countered, and I accepted. The home inspection went well- just a few minor plumbing and electrical issues that I will fix immediately and then there are a few things that I will need to budget for replacement in the future (like the roof that has 4 layers- not fun- and the hot water heater, but that will give me a good excuse to get a more energy efficient tank-less system).

The pest inspection went well as did the appraisal. Now, I just need to find home insurance! I close in a little over a week and gain access at 6 p.m. March 10th. My flight back to Kansas City is booked and almost all of my belongings are packed! I guess it would be beneficial to admit that I haven't unpacked- half of my belonging are in a storage unit in Missouri and the other half are in a friends basement! I can't wait to get everything out of storage- it's been 10 months since I have seen many of my favorite things- it is going to feel like Christmas!