Tuesday, March 11, 2014

A Peaceful Retreat

Tonight I'm feeling a little frustrated. On the eve of the 11 offer we've made on a house I'm waiting for our real estate agent to call. But I don't really need to be eagerly waiting by the phone, I know the drill. The sellers met with their agent at 5pm today to review the offers and as the clock ticks by I'm sure there's some happy person(s) signing paperwork.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with the California real estate market but it's the pits. Homes are going 100+k over asking price. Yes. One hundred thousand dollars. Growing up in the Midwest, Paul and I could easily buy a mansion for the price of a fixer out here. Our offer tonight is on a fixer upper.

It's challenging because, while we both want a place to call home, I'm not willing to be "house poor." I do have Ellie and Wilbur after all. So we're sticking within a comfortable budget and making offers that seem be to appropriate for the comps in the neighborhood. And frankly, the last thing I want to do is throw all my money against a wall and walk away feeling like a sucker paying too much for a 1200sf 2 bdrm 1+ bath. Call me crazy.

I found my solace in the barn tonight. I don't know about anyone else but I am LOVING daylight savings! And I am the weirdo that goes out to the barn after work, not to ride, but to hang out and graze Ellie. I don't want to jinx anything, but something just feels really right about this horse, the barn, the program. In times of stress (stupid houses) it's so nice to have a peaceful retreat and a fun companion!

11 comments:

  1. I understand completely :) I am missing having those kinds of days

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  2. Totally understandable. My ground time is forced but it's nice to just take a breather and have an escape.

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  3. Quick update- sellers are having trouble choosing between 5 offers but we'll know by noon tomorrow! Fingers crossed!

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    1. How exciting! Sending you good luck!

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  4. I found your blog and love reading up on your horse life. Congrats to you and Ellie :) Wishing you nothing but the best - maybe I will see you two at Sonoma Horse Park this summer.

    All the best!

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  5. 100k OVER? Wow. Um... I can't even imagine. I'm going to go ahead and guess that you could probably snag a 1200 2b 1b here for 100k and only have limited fixing to do. Of course, it's not California.

    Glad you are enjoying Ellie.

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  6. Good luck. I can't imagine trying to buy a house in Cali.

    Glad Ellie is giving you some peace and relaxation!

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  7. We got bit out time and time and time again by cash.. who has that much cash?!

    Hugs!

    House hunting sucks!

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  8. What you just wrote about houses costing $100k over asking price just terrified me greatly.

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