Home Work

After a lot of dreaming, planning, discussing and saving, Samuel and I are getting serious about buying a house.  Now, when I say "getting serious" I don't necessarily mean that we are packing our boxes and taking out loans... but rather, we have talked to an agent and are narrowing down lenders.  We are searching for hours online for homes for sale (but often coming up with the same 30 or so houses we can afford).  We are asking questions about short sales, home equity, and mortgage rates.  We are making lists of MLS numbers, budget strategies, and areas we would like to live in.  I'm perusing pinterest boards like crazy for home purchasing, renovating, and decorating ideas.

One part of me is elated.  I am thrilled to be taking this risk and making this step work for us.  I am proud of what we have been able to do financially in our marriage. I am looking forward to renovating and gardening and updating.  I think part of me also wants to feel settled, permanent, established.

On the other hand, I am terrified.  We don't have to move right now.  In fact, we rather like our little duplex and big yard.  We are in a good place with good landlords. We are close to my school and have very reasonable rent.  Perhaps I am going into this a little bit selfishly-- I want to be able to paint and screw things into walls and landscape and store things in a garage.  But it is so scary.  I know I am a little melodramatic, but it feels like this decision--where to live, and all that goes with it--could change the course of our immediate lives.  It will throw a wrench in our commute, our relationships/neighbors, our finances, and our future plans.  There are so many "unknowns"!  There are so many things to consider!  There are so many decisions!  It is a big risk, to buy a house, and that is scary to me.

During this whole process, however, I am constantly reminded that we are not going into this big decision unarmed.  We have a lot of hope that we will be guided to a place where we can serve others, start a family, and stay true to our financial goals.  I truly feel like God is helping us to build a "house of faith" as we look for a place to create our home.  That is the blessing.

Anyway, if you have any advice for a first-time home buyer-- neighborhoods in the Salt Lake area worth checking out, financial tips and tricks, homes we should drive by, etc.--I would love to hear.  I'm sure we will need all the help we can get.