Wow, good for you! Can't believe you sold just like that (these days!) and that you're smart enough to wait and see. There are a lot of jobs like that out there now (sales, I bet) and turnover can be awful... quite honestly if what you heard and your husband's hearing is the way you say, I don't know that one year on the job (5?) is enough at all to feel stable. Not trying to discourage you, but my husband was in similar situations and it's quite nerve wracking wondering when your number's going to come up, so maybe he should keep looking while he's there.

Hi Lucy-Yes, I can't believe the house went so quickly either. I am thrilled-to say the least. Now Im just keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly.

I know, the job market is not good right now. No, he isn't in sales-and until we had moved out here he had been at the same job for over 25 years. One day they did away with his whole department-and just like that our lives were turned upside down.

Took a job out here-only lasted a year. Now he is out there-and we are hoping for the best-it really seemed to be a great place at first. The good news is that my husbands' line of work will always be necessary-somewhere (Im sorry, would be obvious who we were to anyone who is even the slightest bit familiar with us if I mentioned what he did-given the amount of information I have already given out).

And yes-it is quite nerve wracking not wanting to answer your phone for fear that it is your husband calling to tell you he needed to go job hunting again.

First I'm glad your family will be together and that your house sale seems to be going well. And I'm glad you decided to rent. I didn't agree with the jump into the house in the new location, it just seemed to fast which is how some people got into the housing pickles they are in now. I understand family first but I was really scared about jeopardizing your families financial future too. Sounds like you trusted your gut and the warning buzzer in your head. Hope it all works out for you. The next 5 years or so are probably a good time to be cautious.

Thanks Mary...I havent rented in over 10 years. I guess my fear of being a renter really clouded my judgement-although that foreclosure seemed to be a really sweet deal.

I am so used to my kids being able to play and laugh loudly even later in the evening, used to not having to worry that my dog is disturbing someone because he is barking at a critter foraging outside, and used to not having to worry that me walking around on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night may be disturbing people downstairs. Because of the pets and kids-and the location we need to relocate to, I am pretty much stuck with an apartment complex....

The first people were unable to come up with financing in the first 48 hours. I consider myself fortunate-because the husband came by my house the night before we accepted the second offer/before we initiated the kick out clause to ask me questions-9PM he knocks on my door even though we both have agents-wakes up my kids, and I had just sat down to relax after a long day-to ask me to leave certain decorations-because his wife was "taken" by them-no mention of money-I'm just supposed to leave them. I told him what store I purchased them in-and where he would be able to purchase alot of the items he wanted...and he mentioned in passing that his house wasn't on the market yet-and he was hoping he could wait at least till next week to put it on the market because he doesnt want to deal with it over the memorial day weekend....Huh??? Then he wanted to know if the small propane tank for the fireplace was rented or purchased-all things he could have easily found out from my agent. I know we offered this house for a more then fair price. I felt as though he was trying to squeeze every bit he could out of me-and Im sure it would have gottten worse as time went on.

When I mentioned it to my agent the next morning, she called his agent to ask him what the guy was thinking coming over here, and the other agent had no clue the guy was here. My agent told me I shouldn't have let him in-I should have just told him he should direct any questions to his agent, and politely close the door...

Apparently he wasn't in any kind of big rush to sell his home even though my home would have to wait to sell till he was ready. I dont know what he was thinking-the contract he signed said that he had 72 hours from the time we signed the contract to get his house on the market....

The other offer now in effect is a very nice couple-they even sent a note with the offer asking me not to change a thing because they loved the house just the way it was-and they commented on how nice and clean it was and how much they are looking forward to living here. I do love this house so very much, and feel so much better knowing these people will take care of it like I have-and will only improve on what we have done.

I'm currently renting an apt and hate it. I'm sooo miserable. But, I read today that Warren Buffett said in an interview that he believes the recession which is just starting is going to be long and hard. Where I'm currently looking is not a place to buy and be able to get back out if the job market goes south. So we are very much in the same place. No chance of renting a small house so the kids have a little more breathing room?

What about renting a townhome or duplex? Although not ideal, they would probably offer a little more room then a traditional apartment and would seem more home like.

Hi Marys and cordovamom-
Unfortunately-no one else wants me with my dog and 2 cats-AND 2 small children. After searching and searching, we spoke to a realtor who specializes in renting-who basically told me good luck when I told her what I needed.

The apartment complex is child/pet friendly having 3 playgrounds, a walking trail to walk the dog, and a pool. I am fortunate in that they do have an extensive list of breeds of dog they wont allow and my dog is'nt on it....and my husbands job is less then a mile from the apartment complex-at the end of the walking trail. I'm just going to have to get used to following someone elses rules-and being very aware of everyone around me-but its a small price to pay I guess for piece of mind.

Im not overly thrilled with the school district-their scores on greatschools.net arent the best-but their ratings by the parents of the children that attend are good.

Well in these times I guess some compromises are in order (I keep telling myself). I am surprised by your realtor a little. I would think house rentals would go up as people decide not to sell but things don't always follow with I think makes sense LOL!
So it sounds pretty good, that close to work your husband will be home more due to no commute, decent schools, could be worse. Kids will enjoy the pool for sure.

Mary -- in my area people can't sell so they're putting them on the market as rentals -- rentals usually only stay on the market a few days before they're rented out by all the people that just aren't buying in this market. So although there are a lot of houses going up for rent, the demand for them is even higher because nobody is buying unless they can get a bargain. So bargains are selling and everything else is renting!