Well, I'm guessing you bought a house. Am I warm?

1. Robb, whatever it is, I hope you're happy with it. Just today, my younger daughter went to settlement on her house, which was sold. She's happy about it, but it was still stressful.
2. I don't know why these numbers are here, but I don't feel like messing with them!
3. Anyway, please don't keep us in the dark for too long, Robb.

I got preapproved for a loan now that my credit is rebuilt... But what is just done is contact my realtor to begin hunting! I knew you'd figure it out.

;)

I'm glad for your daughter.

Congratulations! I know how hard you worked to get out of under that credit load not of your making. Hope you find what you want and think of down the road. The house we bought at 40 is not at all what we would have gotten 30 years later and definitely not now in our eighties.

Congratulation on getting back on your feet. You did good.

Not to preach or anything, but the old adage in real estate is, location, location. location.

anneliese32. I can identify with your comment. We are of the same mind. And very good observation.

w

I am trying my hardest to balance affordability with a desirable location...but this house is more than likely only a stepping stone. I want to lock in a steady housing rate. What started all this is, the current landlord slapped me with a fifteen percent increase?! I thought, this much? I should just go on back to owning, as I would at least know my rate for many years, and not get blind sided again! I will change again, but when it's time to cash in. I have such a good handle on housing in Nashville, I was spot on in my guesstimate of the rising prices timing, I think I could do it again. I hope!

Rob. I'm glad you have options and that you are able to make choices. That's great.

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to reading about your adventure.

I just looked and the house we bought in 2007 (but the bank wanted me to sell right after the flood in 2010), is now worth $50,000 more than my target goal (at goal time). Our housing market is going crazy right now. I hope it levels off before it bursts! Or I may be owning a really long time. Which might be ok? We'll see.

Rob, if you really want a house, and think it is beneficial to you to take advantage of your preapproved loan at this time,and take advantage of the low interest rates, go for it .

Looking back at 07-2010, I can see why you are concerned about investing in a house. Really bad years for housing.

Things change.

BTW, if you think I'm preaching, I'm not. I happened to know something about realestate.

;) I don't find you preachy. I totally understand what you're saying. Our market is really volatile right now, and there's probably no good time to get started. Just gotta jump in when I can? And then I can ride the waves. Once it's up, I can get back out again with money. Rent until it goes down and then get back in at the low. I'm gonna try!

I know I can't find anything cheaper than my landlord is going to charge me. At least not renting a house. An apartment and all the collateral damage, sure. I can't go back to endless sleepless nights and putting up with people above, below, next to us... I cannot do that. Just can't.

I have to add, our biggest problem is, developers from out of state are swooping in and buying properties (our cost of living is very very low, so their $$$ goes farther here), left and right, jacking up the prices. Ugh.

We have lived in silicon valley for almost 50 years,and we have been through several Boom to Bust cycles. The most notable was the .com bust. We are now in a Boom on steroids and yes, the speculators are a huge force to bring up the prices. And it can be difficult to navigate the real-estate market at this time.

DH & I have been able to ride all the cycles because we are very conservative, and we don't overextend, nor speculate.

Therefore we can handle the lows and enjoy the highs. Our house has gone up in value in a big way.

The thing is what you want to do, don't let anyone talk you into anything you don't feel comfortable doing.

We just came from meeting her and I'm fully on the mark on my guesses about how our market is acting and the forces acting on it. I did tell her I am NOT going to do the worst thing going on right now, bidding wars. She loved that!

Good for you, Robb! Stick to your plan, and you'll do fine. When DH and I sold our house--in which we'd lived for 28 years--and moved to WV for retirement, it was b/c it was what we wanted to do. We weren't smart enough to realize it was a great time--market-wise-- to make that move. We were just lucky!

Yes rob. good for you that you stick to your own plan.

Talk about bidding wars, the houses around here have several offers, and many of them are way over the asking price.

Stick with your own comfort level. Crunch your own numbers.

rob333, how long does your preapproved loan last?

I'm actually planning to meet with a different finance office. My realtor and I met to look at the house yesterday and we were both saying, if they'd drop the price and I also got an improvement loan (which we've done before, we on our own, she with us, and now I am), I could do this or that... so we'll see how this goes.

I'm so weary! I found a house, put an offer on it, they countered and I agree, all on the same day. It's been through inspection (almost nothing wrong), appraised for more than the selling price, and I have given the underwriter every piece of paper they've wanted. I'm still not done with underwriting. I have one more hoop that I know of. I'm sure they'll add more :( I've told my landlord I am leaving (but not the date), and I began packing yesterday. Are we there YET?! Built in 1926, but updated, and it's on the lake.

Rob, what a sweet- looking little house. My fingers, toes, even eyes! ( I just crossed them, so I wouldn't be fibbing) , are crossed for you, and prayers are thrown in for good measure.

As anneliese wrote, the thoughts of packing/unpacking are awful to contemplate, but you're young and energetic, so I know you'll manage!

Oh, that is a real cute house. I'm crossing my fingers for you.

Good luck.

What a sweet house! I'm crossing fingers and toes for you also, looks just like the place is waiting for you. Keep packing

My officemate reminded me that the week before closing is fall break and I could just take off when my son was off. Together, we could do it. I think.

Guess what's even cooler? I learned more about my dad (he's kinda tight lipped). The history he lists below is before my mom's time with him. He doesn't talk about that much because his daddy died when he was about LF's current age. All names are changed so it might sound jumbled; Main St is where my house is. But he connected the dots. Can't outrun your history!

______________________________

"Our family (___Knight____) has many ties to that neighborhood. My cousins, Fitzpatrick and Knight, lived there from my earliest memories until the mid and late 60's. Almost all of them are gone, now. Only_________ remains. I can remember my uncle P Knight walking up the street that parallels Main St (Elm) to go fishing. I know where Main St. is because the end of Main toward Broadway was the site of the community swimming pool. There is a park there, now. The house you are showing me is a "Boulevard" house built to shelter the workers at the tire plant by Domino's at the end of world war I and prior to world war II. Many of them were sold off after the war and moved to places like Doe, Tn. I grew up in one at 3333 First St. They were well built and meant to last. It is only fitting for you to be in that area!

Love,

Dad"

Serendipity at work! I love the connection, wonderful!

Robb, how great that your Dad shared that information with you. Each generation has stories that the succeeding one needs to know. Your son is 'ahead of the game', b/c he has learned that part of family history, already.

I love that house Robin! How great for you and not so LF. Wonderful history from Dad.