The biggest piece of news I can offer is that - we found a house we liked and bought it. Honestly it wasn't the dream home I pictured. On the day we looked at it for the first time, Aldo and I had seen four houses altogether. The first house we were really interested in. It was the three bedroom, ranch. Absolutely no storage and across the street from the high school. We thought it was something we could afford and a good starter home, so everything after that we weren't really paying attention to. The second house, I think, was the one with the pool and jacuzzi - and the mold. The third house was a really classy, split level. It had white carpet! It was too much. Not in price, but in looks. I told Aldo that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it because I'd want it clean all the time and with our kids I know that I'd probably have a few meltdowns living there. The last was our house. But at first sight, the outside was nice. It was dark. I didn't get a good look. When we first walked in, we came through the garage, so it didn't give me that welcoming feel that a guest would get. The floors were hardwood. And the living room was set up in a way that just felt cold. I HATED how they set up their living room. AND the dining room was a play area with things stuck to the walls. Nah. But good area nonetheless, and when I looked it up, the asking price was just too high. The neighborhood wasn't even plausible.
So skip forward to after we questioned why we didn't take a second look.
God's Plan #1 - They had taken it off the market.
Second look went better. It was during the day and we really slowed down. I saw past the set up of the house and past the hardwood, and thought - hmmm... it really is what we are looking for.
God's Plan #2 - Hardwood is a blessing. Do you know how much dirt and dust get in the carpet that doesn't get picked up? And, my kids are the ones that are dropping popcorn and sticky poptart on the carpet.
God's Plan #3 - It was the last house on the block and had the brand new privacy fence. (Catty corner to the very first house we were interested in. And guess what? That house was split level with the kitchen and everything on top, whereas our kitchen, dining, and living room are on the main floor and only bathroom and bedrooms are located on the top level.)
We put in a reasonable offer. On that same day, they had another couple look at it, who also put in an offer. Our offers were similar, so we got dibs because we were there first... and we had the realtor.
God's Plan #4 - For some reason, we felt we needed to stick with our realtor (after several people said we could go without, or put in their two cents about us using a family member who just got his real estate license), but this ended up working in our favor.
God's Plan #5 - I decided long ago that I would never make a big decision without sleeping on it. And so we asked to sleep on it, knowing that we might lose the deal to the other couple. The (previous) owners worked with us and let us have that time.
They came back with a number that was just too high for us. I was at work at the library and I was cracking numbers all morning. At that same moment in time, Aldo was at home thinking that we could do the deal. When I got back to the apartment, I told him we could do the monthly payments and it would be tight, but I was more worried about our emergency fund being depleted because of the closing costs. So we answered back with a simple, "No."
God's Plan #6 - I don't know what happened, but there was some miscommunication somewhere, and we didn't get their lowest offer, which was that they would pay half the closing costs. And I don't know how I missed it, but I completely forgot that escrow goes toward the closing costs. And somehow we were able to work it out with the mortgage company for them to pay $1000 of our closing costs because we went with a certain type of loan. And so with that final number, all of our closing costs would be paid for in full, arriving at the grand total that I wrote down while I was cracking numbers earlier that morning.
After arriving at the amount, everything else seemed like a whirlwind. Our closing date was stated. We were signing papers left and right. The inspection went quickly (and by the way, get a GOOD inspection if you're wondering what to spend your money on). There were three issues: the roof had some hail damage, the furnace had a crack, and there was evidence of what could be mold in the laundry room/basement.
God's Plan #7 - The (previous) owners' insurance bought us a new roof to replace the 15 year old roof, they had the air conditioner and furnace serviced so we would be covered in case it went out, and they replaced all four walls 2 feet up in the basement AND painted it with the color we picked out, including the pole. It looks awesome!
It was back to back to back, everything happening. The appraiser came. His amount matched what we agreed on exactly. And then it came down to the closing date. Toward the end the (previous) owners asked us for an extra day to move out. And being the understanding, empathetic people that we are, it took everything in us to agree with what our realtor recommended and not allow it due to liability issues.
God's Plan #8 - Interesting enough, the (previous) owners had an agreement early on for a home, which fell through. While we were under contract, they ended up finding another house, better than the last! And, after all their pleading for extra time, they ended up texting us in the middle of our closing to say they were all moved out. (We thought we wouldn't be able to move in until 5 o'clock! This was at probably 9:30 in the morning.)
That afternoon we were able to pray over and anoint the house. This was home!
We had so much help the following days moving in. It didn't take much at all. We have really great family and friends.
God's Plan #9 - I know this was part of God's plan... I just can't remember why/how... and you'll find out as you read further. I think it had something to do with relying on God and money (because that's usually what he uses to show me He's in control). But, within the week, one night I was driving down a road and pointing out to Aldo that the police really patrol in the area. They are stickler about speed zones! I showed him EXACTLY where they park, and it's in dark areas so you can never tell that they're there. Or the speed changes quickly in this spot. The next day, guess what happened?! Aldo got a speeding ticket. Right where I pointed it out! The cop was surprised at his clean record at his age, and found out we were "new" residents, and told him she would have let him off the hook, but at the speed he was going she was required to give him a ticket. "Welcome to the neighborhood." We decided to pay double so it wouldn't affect our car insurance.
The next week, the furnace stopped working. We were without heat for two days because of a control box and panel (a bill over $1500 for parts and labor). Thank goodness for our HWA (home warranty)! It cost us $100 flat.
And then, God's Plan #10 - We found out we were pregnant.
Welcome Home!
(January 19, 2018)
