Saturday, November 1, 2008

Landlord

While buying a house always seemed like the most exciting time for any newlywed couple, I will impart a story that will soon change your outlook on this fable.

Our one year anniversary had passed and with this came the yearning for our first home. We began to look and with every prospect came the added intoxication of thoughts of a bright future. Sellers were anxious, brokers were pushy, and our minds were made up. We decided it would be three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and enough of yard so that our mini daschund can roam freely.

So the search commenced and a greater situation loomed over us. We were being threatened with eviction because our so called luxury living community had revoked its' dog ownership rules. Our search had just intensified ten fold and we were on what you would call a "mission".

We found what we believed to be the perfect home with the perfect price. The broker was a real asshole and tried to convince us to make a larger bid than we wanted too. While we deliberated the issue we walked outside and noticed the house next door was also for sale, so off we went to take a peek. The asking price was out of our range so we looked around, mouths agape, and left with a pit in our stomachs. Back at the first house, we put our bid in and drove home with a slight feeling of nausea in both of us.

When the phone rang a few days later to inform us that the owners had accepted another bid, we were elated. To make a long story short we went back to the house next door, negotiated, and eventually came to an agreement and the contract was in the works. This shows that you should never settle with something because of the price. We almost bought a home based soley on the price and got very lucky it fell through.

Six weeks passes and our closing is approaching when the phone rings and it is the home owners asking us for our kind hearted help. Their prospective home is not going to be ready for them and with us already planning on closing, they ask to remain in the home til the middle of November. They plead with us that the possibility of being out by November 1st is great. We sign a contract that will give them til the 21st because we have our place til November 28th and figure what is the worst that could happen. On October 15th we closed and are the proud new owners of our first home. Sweet!!!

With that being said, it is November 1st and I am a landlord still, and they have no intention of vacating "my home" until the 15th of the month or so. This is the example of the how not to buy your first home.

1 comment:

Lisa said...

well, I will make sure to take your advice when Bobby and I look for a house... I hope there out it time!! Best of Luck