Home Sweet Home

Almost 4 months and about 14 contracts later Chris and I are officially (well almost officially) first time homebuyers.  It sounds so 'adult'.  While I became used to a comfortable, cozy, and simple lifestyle in our apartments in Kansas, we both had decided almost a year ago that if our paths took us to Florida, we would try to buy a home.  Might I add that the process is incredibly deceiving on the Home and Garden network.  If only it were as easy as choosing between 3 homes and then almost guaranteeing that when you put in the contract you will surely get the home that you want the most. I knew intuitively that just the right home was out there for us, it was just a matter of waiting for it to come along.  We took a look at some real pieces of work and the last thing that this 'weekend relaxing' girl wants to do every weekend for the next 3 years is housework.  Give me a home where we can make a few upgrades to it but that is ready for our arrival.  A place that we can feel at home almost instantly.  6669 Fairmont St. is just that, not to mention a fellow Romads home.  Coincidences in life are so funny.  What are the chances that when mom and I are performing the first walk-through I come across a beret hanging on the wall of what appeared to be a 'man cave'.  From one Romad to another, the house gets passed down and Chris and I fully intend to take just as good of care of it as our predecessors did.  It will be an adventure in painting, flooring installation and maintenance, maybe a little home depot and bed, bath and beyond on an occasional weekend but we fully intend not to let it run our lives.  We don't have to fill every corner with furniture, or continuously make additions every weekend to the cosmetic details of the home.  We fully intend on following our adventurous spirits wherever they may take us on the weekends with perhaps a Saturday or Sunday here and there committed to THE HOME.

We have completed the first steps: Home Inspection was a cinch.  Thanks to the handy work and pride in ownership of Theresa and Craig, the home inspection report came back with ZERO, (let me write that again) ZERO discrepancies.  When does that happen?  According to our home inspector, very rarely.  Theresa and Craig are using the HAP program, a housing assistance program designed to assist the military in compensating for losses when they PCS.  HAP has already approved the purchase price and therefore it's onto the Benefits phase.  We could be looking as soon as end of September at getting into our home.  45 Days!  We're beyond stoked.  The wait is almost over, and I must say while it has been daunting, it's been an awesome ride.   I really almost feel this duty to share the process more with other first time home buyers in this 'buyers market'.  I say that lovingly and with a hint of sarcasm because typically putting in 14 contracts indicates a 'sellers market'.  Our process was not typically but perhaps there are others that would benefit from a few words of wisdom so here goes:

1.) Avoid getting emotionally attached to a home. 
Our first adventures in looking at home were all online and while 'cold' feeling it was almost perfect.  We could scout out what the home looked like objectively and get an overall feel of the home without walking into it and becoming suddenly 'attached'.  Think: Going to a pound to find a dog verses looking online.  (don't look it in the eyes!)

2.) Trust your instincts.
If you try to rush the process, you'll end up with something less than satisfying and who wants that when you're looking at spending the most money you've ever spent on anything in your entire life?  Take your time.  The right home for you is out there when the time is right.

3.) Square footage, square footage, square footage.
Remind yourself that no matter what upgrades the home has, the square footage is a HUGE factor in the price!  If the home has a pool or a patio that is not necessarily a factor in getting a bigger return on a home.  Upgrades count for something but look at the square footage and comparable homes in the area to determine if the cost is right for the market.

4.) Patience is a virtue.
While you might find yourself spending countless hours in front of the TV dreaming of a day just like on House Hunters where your contract is finally accepted and you find the perfect home, DON'T get caught up in the luster of it all.  Sometimes home buying takes time and can't be done in an instant.  Perhaps you find the perfect home in a week, or perhaps you find yourself like us with 4 months going by before the perfect home finally makes it's entrance on the market. 

5.) Find a Real Estate agent that represents your interests best.
We were fortunate because what better agent to have than your mom?!  She knew our price range, our tastes and what things were most important to us in a home.  Make sure your agent has you in mind and isn't just trying to get you into a home for the sake of getting you into a home!

6.) Make a list of important features that you want in your home.
Are you a chef who wants a big kitchen?  Do you want a big backyard for your pups to run around in? Whatever your heart desires that are 'must haves' make sure to let your real estate agent know and make sure to rank what's most important to you to make the widdling down process that much easier.

7.) The layout is critical!
You can upgrade appliances, add wood floors, change the features of a patio and put in new sinks but unless you are an expert in home remodeling (see: See Holmes on Homes, Home and Garden TV) you had better be satisfied with the layout from the moment you enter the home because those walls will always be there!

8.) Set your budget and STICK to it!
It is easy to get swayed into getting to height of your budget but refuse to let it happen!  Think of all the things that you will need to purchase in the near future like a lawn mower and a pressure washer to keep the exterior clean and in good condition!  Taxes, insurance, home warranty and every month upkeep will be more than the cost of just renting like you were used to so plan for the unexpected and leave room in your budget for that first 'home repair'.  Words we don't want to hear but we know are reality.

9.)  Location is a home sellers best friend.
Sure you're not even beginning to thing about selling a home you haven't purchased yet but have you even begun to consider the potential resale value of your future pad? Weigh all of the pros and cons and think smart.  Homes that have a decent size yard for a family, that aren't in a flood zone and that are in a good neighborhood are likely to be attractive to most home buyers.  Again, those are the things that you are looking at  right? 

10.) Shop around!
Chris and I were dead set on using the bank that we had used for years to provide home owner's insurance and our mortgage loan.  Little did we know that the competitors out there were a possible option for us providing us lower rates and a better piece of mind that we were locking in the best deal possible on our new home.

Our journey continues as we get one step closer to actually moving our belongings in and making that house our home.  So sit back, relax and just enjoy the ride.  Its a process you'll never forget, with a finale that you'll forever remember.