To Build?

Considering the bad predicament we currently find ourselves in, we decided to broaden our house search to more than just existing REO and short sale homes. So, over the weekend, we decided to tour a new home development in Brentwood called Brighton Station (oddly enough, this was our second tour of this community and their models, as they first caught our eye back in April when Eric and I we first thinking about buying in Brentwood).


The community is located in our preferred area and is zoned for the better of the two school districts within the city limits. Although the lots are small (5k square feet at most), the houses themselves were gorgeous! We toured the models and were very impressed with the layouts and the architectural design. Obviously the models showcased every upgrade available, but once we began to talk to the saleslady, she mentioned that many of the upgrades we saw were standard- such as tile flooring in the kitchen and bathrooms and granite countertops in the kitchen. The only reservation that we had was the pricing- they started at the upper end of our budget…

But, as we see it, we have two options: Buy an existing home that needs improvements, or buy a new construction home that can be tailored to our taste and preferences. Every existing home that we’ve seen has needed some degree of work, ranging from just new carpet and paint to even breaking down walls for a complete remodeling project. Obviously the cost associated with such a hefty project is a huge consideration for us. But, on the other hand, new homes have their own limitations, such as tiny yards and less established neighborhoods. All things considered, we are starting to lean more toward the new house.

We just have to keep reminding ourselves that God already has a house in mind for us- and I bet it’s perfect. We just have to be patient in waiting...

Thanksgiving 2009

This holiday was probably the first in which I only had to visit 2 different houses!! LOL. Every since I could remember, Elaine and I would spend the majority of our holidays riding and then driving in the car, going from here and there to all the families’ houses- mom, dad, grandparents, aunts/uncles, step familiy… I think the record for us was six different places all in one day. Needless to say, not terribly fun!

We first started our day today by meeting up with my sister, then we all drove out to Antioch to spend the afternoon with my dad and his family. It was nice to sit and relax for a couple hours and visit with them. Then, Elaine and I parted ways and headed for our prospective in-law’s houses for the evening. Eric and I went to Patrick and Lucha’s house in Danville, which we always enjoy. Patrick is one of five boys, so when everyone gets together, it’s one big party! Plus, Patrick’s family is so relaxed and accepting- technically, Eric and I aren’t even family, but it sure doesn’t feel that way. It’s a nice change from step-family who obviously made me feel very different from the rest of the clan…

Anyway, it was potluck style this year, so everyone brought one or two dishes to share. There was soooo much food, it was amazing!! There was a little bit of everything- homemade creamed corn, mashed potatoes, veggie dishes galore, homemade challah sweet bread, and a huge turkey of course. Everything was delicious!

I think all too often, we as individuals (myself included) get so wrapped up in life that we forget what’s important- family and one another. So today, that’s what I celebrated- being a member of a huge extended family and forgeting about how I was related to this person or that person. But tonight, all I knew was that I was surrounded by great company, living in a beautiful and safe place, and fortunate enough to enjoy many of life’s luxuries, and for these things, I was thankful.

House Update

I have little to update, unfortunately, with exception of the news that we do not have a house yet. We have submitted ten offers now and have been rejected every single time. It has been really difficult to preview houses that both of us can easily picture ourselves in and then be harshly rejected- even when we submit an offer 50k over their asking price! We know this is a tough market at the moment, but this is just ridiculous. I would have never imagined that we would be in such a pickle. We know that we’re submitting good offers, in terms of price, but what has held us back each time around are the terms- our offers cannot compete against investors who can pay cash instead of financing. So that’s where we are at the moment. Irritating and completely frustrating.

It’s Almost that Time of Year…

The holidays are upon us and I’m now starting to realize that we most likely will not be in our own place before they officially roll around… which is a little upsetting. I always look forward to decorating our house, putting up a nice Christmas tree, baking all kinds of things, and gift wrapping! Well, this year is going to be a little different. With no house as of the moment, I’ve started to plan out our holiday plan of attack. Since our space is limited, that means there will be no opportunities to make extravagant crafty things like I usually do (and no space to hide away gifts!). Plus, with no kitchen of my own, I can’t dirty it for a week prior with all of my favorite baked items… :(

Househunting: Not as fun as Househunters!

Everyone who knows me knows that I just love Househunters- a television program on HGTV. The show follows a family or an individual as they hunt for the right house to buy. The program is typically divided into three segments, which showcase three separate homes, leaving the viewer guessing until the last few minutes of the show as to which of the three houses was chosen. I’m not quite sure what the attraction of this show is- perhaps my passion for design or my past aspiration to become an architect- but I enjoy every minute of it, taking note of what features I like and trying to guess which house they choose as their favorite in the end. I was so excited when we began our official househunt!

But unfortunately, life is not like Househunters at all. Not even close. I’ve learned, over this past month or so of searching (and 7 rejected offers so far…), that looking for a house to buy is emotionally exhausting and far more stressful than I could have ever imagined. Nearly every weekend, we’re carted around by our realtors as we tour what little is on the market at the moment. We’re trying to be open minded and evaluate the houses upon more than their immediate appeal, which I think we’re doing quite well- we’re not opposed at all to putting some work into a house and making it our own. And when we see one that we like, we submit an offer right away (usually the very next day and always over asking price) and then wait for the disheartening news that we’ve been outbid or that a wealthy investor gobbled up the property for cash! It’s so frustrating! It’s really challenging to tour a home that we both like and could picture ourselves living in and then be harshly informed that it’s just not going to happen. And then it happens again. And again…

So I need Househunters to come to me and present three great, affordable options to us and then we could choose which one we wanted!!! That would make this process so much easier.

In Loving Memory of Dodger :(

The world lost a beautiful member of our extended family today...

Britty's kitten Dodger had to be put down. He got really sick really fast all of the sudden... the vet thinks it was his liver. Mr. Blake and Penny were just starting to enjoy their little cousin too... he was such a dear. Poor baby :(



In Loving Memory of Dodger

You weren’t here nearly long enough…. rest in peace little one.

You will be missed!

Love Auntie, Uncle, and your Big Cousins

Quarter-Century Hollie-Ween

We celebrated my 25th birthday this year with a Hollie-Ween party! Eric’s mom planned a Halloween costume party for me this year, which was a lot of fun.

The theme for the party was “couples,” and everyone came up with some unique costumes- there was Wilma and Fred Flinstone, the Tooth Fairy and a dentist, an officer and an inmate, Popeye and Olyve Oyl- very creative ideas!

I really couldn’t remember the last time I had to dress up for something, but I wanted to dress up as something fun. So I enlisted the help of my sister, who helped me make a lovely green mermaid fin so I could dress up as Ariel the Little Mermaid (and Eric dressed up as Prince Eric). I even found a lobster costume for Blake! (kind of like Sebastian the crab). Blake wasn’t too fond of the costume… I couldn’t even get him to pose for a quick picture. Oh well, I tried.

Dinner was enchiladas and tacos and we had so many different desserts, I had to try a bit of everything from the ice-cream cake to the pumpkin pie. Then I opened a few gifts. Eric bought me a camcorder (which I’ve been wanting for quite a while!). It’s a mini pocket-sized device that records HD quality video, which is great. I also got a few gift cards, some new clothes, and two new coats- a teal pea coat and a new jean jacket to replace my old one (I love coats!).

The night before the party, we also celebrated over dinner. I chose to go to the Olive Garden, and to my surprise, many of my friends and family arrived separately to dine with us. Unfortunately the restaurant didn’t take reservations, and it was a busy Friday night, but all twenty-something of us were finally seated and I had a great birthday dinner! It was great to celebrate my quarter-century status among all my close friends and family.