House Hunting!

Front Door (pre-moving in)

       Why is home buying such a grueling process? I’m certain the amount of papers to sign, initial, review and “keep for your files,” are equivalent to more dead trees than it would take to build 17 log cabins. I understand the importance of documentation to protect the interests of all involved, but is all the lawyer jargon really necessary? I’m not a simpleton but wouldn’t it be easier to just list questions directly instead of all the useless political, constitutional, and ceremonial technobabble? For example, because apparently the threat of Natives of this Land quick marching to claim the property you just purchased is a tangible, highly conceivable possibility, you are encouraged to pay an extra fee to buy the insurance that protects against this event. Instead of pages of explanations, clauses, and provisions, why not just state the questions, unfluffed: 

1. Do you want Peaceful Ancient Tribal Men or Women appearing unexpectedly to claim the land you just bought?                                                                              

_____YES  _____NO     

     2. Would you like to spend ____ amount of dollars to feebly protect the land you just bought in the event the aforementioned claim is staked?  

                   _____YES        _____NO

Done. Was that so hard? One thousand, four hundred sixty-eight trees will thank you!

Personally, I am DELIGHTED the home-buying process is over! Not just because I feel as though I have purchased my dream house, also because I’m happy not to be dealing with all the personalities involved in the house search. There are so many real estate agents, lawyers, brokers, lenders, sellers, appraisers, home inspectors, insurers, permitters, and town hall personnel to deal with, it’s like a day at DIsney, except without the “best place on earth” theme! Almost every one of them listed comes complete with their own set of paperwork, fees, and (sometimes offensive) personalities. Not to mention all of the time spent attending house showings, meetings, signings, phone call placing and returning, emailing, and internet searching. It’s like having another full time job, only I’m paying the (competitive) salary to SOMEONE ELSE! 

My absolute least favorite part about the whole process was the bidding war. I expected the sellers wanted top dollar for their property, and I’m sure they expected I wanted to pay bottom dollar. After about a year of internet searches and actual home showings, not to mention a several month hiatus when it became just too overwhelming, I stepped foot in the house, and knew it was THE one. Our first offer probably sent the sellers into intense paroxysms of laughter, followed by two letters that would be used ad nauseum throughout the bidding combat: “N-O” In the end, we paid a few cents shy of the asking price, I got my dream house, my husband got a few ulcers, and the sellers probably got a night filled with champagne glass clinks, sneers, and snickering finger pointing to the suckers who just bought their property. More of my least favorites include the fact that we had to pay closing costs (on HGTV the buyers NEVER pay closing costs, what’s up with that?), the hugely extended closing date (sellers insistence), the problems found at inspection, and especially the unprofessional, unknowledgeable, unseemly, amateurish, smarmy, and acutely obnoxious sellers agent.

My Recipe Nook (pre-moving in)

My favorite part about the whole process of course, is the end result: MY NEW HOUSE! I attended many home showings before being introduced to “The One.” Within minutes of walking through the door, I knew it was The One. I consider it my Dream House, even though I looked at many houses that were bigger, more expensive, and newer. We close June 17th and I am counting down the days by milliseconds! I’m so excited, every time I look at pictures of the house I get butterflies in my stomach, a faraway look in my eyes, and the words “I do,” automatically form on my lips. My kitchen has SPARKLY granite countertops, slate stone flooring, and a built in “recipe nook” complete with desk, book shelves, and its own sparkly granite desktop. There’s a custom pantry built around the refrigerator that has shelves that slide out, and the dishwasher....Oh, the dishwasher is TWO DRAWERS that can both be loaded and set separately. How awesome is that?!! There is two bathrooms that are completely updated with beautiful stonework, one with a jetted tub, and the other with a huge stone tile shower and cedar closet! 4 bedrooms, a fireplaced living room open to the kitchen, huge upstairs bedrooms with cute little dormer alcoves, and while the cellar is clean and free of water damage, it isn’t finished but has a half wall of built-in cabinets and a work bench/counter. The garage enters right into the kitchen, I even love the stairs leading to the kitchen entrance. The backyard is absolutely amazing, and has the potential to be the “outdoor oasis” I fantasize about. I already have paint colors and themes picked out for every room, a whole boatload of brand new furniture waiting to be delivered, and holiday/party menus planned! I CAN’T WAIT! This is the second most excited I have ever been in my life! The first was waiting to see what my little baby girl would look like :) 

Start flexing....cause come June 17th I’m going to need plenty of muscle to move all of this Internet Shopping into my new house! Expect good food, friends, and fun...and plenty of parties in Lakeville, MA! WOOOOO-HOOOOOO!