Cleared to Close

It's been announced I am cleared to close on my first house. I'm 25, and been dating the same guy for over 7 years. Given that I am in no position to ask either of my dad's for a wedding,we are waiting to afford it ourselves. Sure we could go to town hall, or have a small gathering, but having a large family of my own, I grew up the flower girl rolling on the dance floor in a pretty dress and I fully intend to invite my whole family, not the 18 or older immediate crowd.

That being said, I watched this house for two years on the market. It was on and off, dropping over 30% over time, and so finally I decided 'what am I waiting for?' Sure it was a couple years earlier than I wanted, but a house in my town for under 300K was something to look at. It was listed at 259, and my real estate agent started out telling me it was best not to go too low ball but to pick a number and stick to it. The plan was 240K, until he went to look at it. He was honest and said it needed a LOT of work and that I should go in at 225K. After a minimal amount of haggling, and some level of doubt, I raised it to 231,500 and much to my surprise was accepted the next day. By then I had already started thinking- well... it doesn't have a fireplace and I really want a fireplace, and it doesn't have an attached garage, and the stairwell is very tiny.... but it was to be mine.

Months went by, turned out according to FHA- all necessary work needed to be done prior to close that included repainting the outside and putting in a new septic and a few other projects. Mortgage commitments expired and renewed, my rate lock fell by the wayside and the loan officer made me a promise not to give me a worse rate- which I am not entirely sure was normal but well appreciated. It took two months to find out that the septic-well distance was approved by FHA. Throughout all of this time I panicked about the size of the stairwell thinking I would never get furniture up the stairs. I began channeling my grandfather (who designed his addition) and trying to figure out how I would change the stairs, and how to add the fireplace. Meanwhile family and friends have held fast to 'just carpet and paint', 'don't do too much- live in it first and figure out what you want to do', and my favorite 'puddy and paint make it what it ain't'.

I nodded appreciatively but continued to fantasize about the massive amounts of construction I would engage in to make this my dream home and live in until the end of my days. Tile back splashes, a laundry room/bathroom, expanded bedrooms and walk-in closets. A hot tub for the back yard with a surrounding patio and steps up to a deck off the master bedroom.

Since then some level of more rational thinking has come into play. I was cleared to close yesterday and the plan is one step at a time. *wink*