Buying a house

Max and I have finally decided to buy a house. While the papers constantly recap the mortgage crisis and the precipitous descent of housing prices, the East Bay, particularly the areas we want to live in, have not seen much of any drop. Maybe 10% from their high point a year or two ago, but not enough to actually make living around here affordable. While the thought of a $500,000 mortgage is daunting, we decided that we don't want the imp to grow up in our current neighborhood and behind concertina wire. While the Macaroni Warehouse provides a little haven in an otherwise crime ridden and depressed neighborhood, there are no parks, few trees, and nowhere to walk, especially in the evenings. We found a fixer upper (i.e. needs new roof, new heating, new electrical, new decking, foundation work, new plumbing, insulation, new driveway...) for less than $600,000 in a good neighborhood, made an offer, and actually had the offer accepted! I suspect it was the "big guns" i.e. photos of baby Zoe in our cover letter that did it (or perhaps that the offer we made was 15K over asking...).

It is a lovely little house and a place where Zoe can grow up surrounded by trees, a little garden, and a village center within walking distance of the house. We are looking forward to after dinner walks together. The imp loves being outside so much, we wanted to give her a place where we felt safe going outdoors after 6pm at night.

I am trying to stay calm (or as calm as I am capable which is not very calm). I am so scared being tied to a house like this. Everyone I have talked to seems to have gone through the same feelings of terror though, so that is somewhat comforting (although most of them are about 50-60 years old and have already paid off their houses).

Everything is set-the mortgage, negotiations with the seller done, inspections complete, etc etc. Within a month we will no longer be residents of the Macaroni Factory. I am already feeling nostalgic!

Here's Zoe, upset about leaving the Macaroni Warehouse.