You grow up thinking that you are always supposed to move forward in life. Rarely sideways, but never backwards.
2010 was a really crappy year for us financially (among other things obviously). With Daddy being out of work for 7+ months, paying double rent/mortgage on two homes for another 7 months, paying COBRA insurance for the family for 8 months, and me not being able to work because of Hannah, we have incurred quite a bit of debt this past year.
We have been searching these past few weeks for a new home to purchase because our lease is up here at the end of May. Our “needs” and our “wish list” items are admittedly quite numerous. We NEED to have a one-story house, stay in the newer part of Henderson, little or no steps outside or inside the house and an open floor plan (knowing that we will likely be needing to get Hannah a wheelchair in the next year), decent backyard, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2 car garage. We HOPED to get a house with a second master-size room (to move all Hannah’s med stuff in there plus set up her room), decent sized kid rooms, kids staying at their elementary school, a separate master shower/bath, 3-car garage, and a separate space for an office.
Because of our newly acquired debt and because of the fact I really haven’t brought in much of an income for the past two years, what we were approved for is the lowest we have ever been approved for in the 15 years we have been together. Definitely an “ouch” realization moment. Since we lost all the equity in our Texas house when we sold it, we are basically starting over like a first-time buyer.
The combination of what we were able to be approved for plus the specifics of our “need” list, there really isn’t much available to us in this area. The schools in this area are the best in Vegas (which is saying a lot), so any other area is just not an option – we will sacrifice space and luxury for good schools. Many of the houses that Daddy initially checked out (as he does the first round with our realtor since I am usually just going to sleep) were either a bad layout, in horrible condition, or just had a bad feel to them. There was one house that we both really liked that fit many of our need and wishes, but it was about $15k over our price point, and since there were multiple offers, the odds of getting it lower than list were slim.
Then there was the one he took us to today. Daddy and Abby saw it yesterday, and Daddy felt it might work. It fit every single one of our needs but none on our wish list. But reality is, our “wish list” probably comes with a $25k higher price tag at the very least.
I liked the open-ness of the kitchen and the huge family room, lots of space to move around if we need a wheelchair. The three kids rooms are really small (10×10), and the master is a decent size. Two car garage. One little step from the outside into the house that can easy be ramped. About 1900 square feet.
The house was definitely not taken care of by its previous owners, you can tell (Ask Abby about the porn magazine picture taped to the ceiling in the living room). It is now owned by the bank, so I’m assuming it was a foreclosure. All carpet would all have to be replaced, especially in what would be Ethan’s room, as that carpet is completely destroyed by cat urine. New window coverings because the current ones are pretty thrashed (except for Abby’s shutters). The walls would need to be spackled and repainted. We would need an electrician to fix many of the pulled out outlets. Many of the fixtures and door knobs would have to be replaced (since quite a few of them are gone). The backyard would have to be completely pruned down, as it is grossly overgrown.
Despite all the issues with the house, it has a good feel to it. Something I feel that we can make work and enjoy. We are going to put an offer in on this house. We came to the realization that we are just not in a position to purchase our dream home right now. So our plan is to stay in the house for the next 4 or 5+ years, fix it up, and make it a home. We have no idea what needs we are going to have for Hannah in the next few years (being optimistic and hopeful), so we need to just settle down and make this home into what we need. This will give us time to pay down our debt as well as build up some equity for our next home, assuming that the market is going to go up within the next 5 years here. It can’t go much lower!
I do like this house, and I think it will work for us. Is it my dream home? No. It is a definite downsize from our previous homes in terms of space and luxury, but in the end, all that really matters is that we are together, and we will make it our home.
One thing I do know, if we get this house, Home Depot is going to LOVE us!
Carrie, I wish you the best of luck buying this house. It does sound like you have a positive attitude & hey, who knows–you may fix it up enough to either stay longer than you expected or sell it at a great price to get what you WANT along with your NEEDS.
It just doesn’t seem right with all the struggling you have went through the past few years, that now something else is dumped on your lap. Is your husband working now? I believe that things will start looking up for you soon. Well good luck and let us know how you are doing! I put my prayer in for you all, and am sending much love and light your way.
Marsha
I would have loved a 10 x 10 room to myself growing up. I always had to share space with one sister or another (having three of them) and it sounds like heaven. Getting into a new home that you own, despite the financial difficulties is a step forward, whether it feels like one or not. Be easier on yourself. Your kids seem to be doing great, and in my humble opinion, that’s all that matters.
It sounds like you can make a great home just because of the wonderful people you are…not the house itself. Your kids really are lovely and lucky, you guys heap love on them and think of their needs, like being in the best school district. I know this feels like a set back, but it sounds like what could be a good start. Wish we could all be closer so we could pitch in to help you guys get your home ready quickly to move in. Here’s to moving forward, and to your family’s happiness wherever you call home!
Carrie I totally get what you are saying. We ourselves our going through the same do I NEED or do I WANT question. Downsizing is the main topic. We moved to GA for the same reasons. Sometimes I look at (on a bad day) we dont know anyone, our family is across the US, we are isolated. Then (on a good day) I say at least we can breath a little financially and most important, as you said, at least we are together. You are the stongest woman I know and a little painting and new carpet is no obstacle for you. I hope you get the house and make it a happy home for your family. Hey it is an excuse to order some pizza and have a painting party. Good luck on making your new HOME.
My younger two have small rooms (10×10) and the older two share a large room. The younger two are happiest! If kids like to have their own space, size doesn’t matter. I wish you the best on this offer for the house and I am sure wherever you live you will make it a home. 🙂
Exactly…as long as you are all together, nothing else really matters 🙂
BTW…I’ve been watching Teen Mom 2 and there is a mom on there with twin girls. One of the twins hasn’t been developing like her sister, she’s delayed, a lot. So they wanted to do an MRI on her to find out what’s going on, and why, when you hold her hands she can hold herself up with her feet.
Then last week’s episode, they took her to the eye doctor because something is wrong with her eyes. They look exactly like Kyle’s did, the one turned in and she has trouble focusing in on something. The eye doctor said it could be something with her brain, but he gave her glasses anyway.
This week, they took her to have her MRI. No answers, but for the preview of next week’s show, they are told they need to take her to see genetics.
I pray that it turns out to be nothing major, but it seems like her symptoms are a lot like gaucher or something similar. My heart hurts for what they are going through right now.
Anyway, I thought I would let you know in case you wanted to keep up with it. I watch the episodes online (they get posted on Wed. around noon est)
http://www.mtv.ca/tvshows/teen-mom/index.jhtml
Melissa
I do hope and pray that you do get this house and even tho its “not your dream house” I believe that you will make it work. As long as you are all together and close to family things are already and have already moved forward!
You have been through soooo much I really think that getting this house into shape if you get it would be a “PIECE OF CAKE FOR YOU”!!!
With your positive attitude and love that you have for your family things can only get BETTER!
Good luck and God Bless!
I don’t know if it would work for you guys, but if Hannah (and her stuff) really need more space, could you guys give her the master bedroom and take one of the smaller ones? You could even keep your clothes in “Hannah’s” room, but your bed and things like that in the small room.
Sometimes putting electrical sockets back in the wall is an easy thing you can do yourself (I know I got good at it when we got our house, there were only a few I had to leave to the guy who did our electrical work)
Good luck with the move!