Day One, Part Two: O.v.e.r.w.h.e.l.m.e.d.

I know, I know--it took me FOREVER to put this post up.  In my defense, I have been transitioning from my job working as the Events & Volunteer Manager at the Trinity Booster Club to being an Andrologist and Clinical Research Assistant and the Fertility Centers of Illinois.  So, the past week I've been working 10 hour days and I haven't been very good about getting this one finished.  But here it is and I will be better from here on out! 
♥H  

After discovering that Mike’s hockey practice was actually Sunday the 7th, not Saturday the 6th, and I got to relish in a rare moment of imperfection in his life, we decided to head up to Lake Forest around 10 AM even though our first showing wasn’t until 1:30. We were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day so we figured it would be nice to walk around and check the “downtown” area (and perhaps have Mike treat me to a guilt-induced breakfast for waking me up so early for nothing).

Once we arrived in Lake Forest, which was an easy 20 minute drive up 41 from Evanston, we parked the car and went on a search for some good, fairly inexpensive breakfast fare. As we walked through the downtown, where we encountered several gaggles of girl scouts hocking their cookies on roller blades and scooters, we were both amazed by how quiet and charming Lake Forest is.  We stumbled across The Egg Harbor Cafe which turned out to be everything we wanted in a breakfast joint and more.  There were tons of people there but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table.  We both had fantastic meals and we left feeling satisfied and ready for some hunting.

We met up with Lisa, our realtor, at the Lake Forest Baird & Warner office.  Right off the bat, we knew we had a winner.  She is funny and outgoing but also direct and can get down to business.  We had intended to talk to a few realtors, but once we were done with her, I looked at Mike and said, "I think we've found a winner."  We went through some paperwork and talked about the basics.  She also set us up with a daily MLS search that gets sent to my inbox each morning.

She took us to this house in Lake Forest we had wanted to see.  It became quickly clear why they hadn't posted pictures of the bedrooms.  They were so small and the ceilings so low, there was absolutely no chance we could be in a place like that.  I actually hadn't really realized that we'd need to take Mike's 6'5" bigness into account--he couldn't stand up the basement!  I just assume all houses are big enough for him! There was also some seriously HIDEOUS wood paneling that covered every inch of every bedroom. We'd never rule a place out because of wood paneling, but we just were NOT feeling it.  Needless to say, it was a bit of a disappointment but was exciting to see our first place.

Next, Lisa took us to a place she thought we'd like.  It's a short sale, so we weren't allowed to take pictures and there aren't any on MLS listing, but we LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it.  In all honestly, the place was such a mess, we wouldn't have wanted to take pictures--but we were able see past all of that.  From the front, it looks like a single level ranch, but it was built on a hill, so the "basement" is completely finished and has a door that leads out to the backyard.  And oh, what a backyard it is.  It looks over a ravine and has a fantastic deck on the second level (which we would definitely want to build stairs up to so it could be accessed from the yard).  Unfortunately, it was a bit over our price range...though we have continued to talk about it all week.  We are definitely going to keep our eye on it.

Last, we met up with a different realtor to look at this house.  It was one that I had found and really liked from the pictures.  We both liked it a lot, but in the end, the fact that it had practically no yard made us rule it out.  We just enjoy being outside, hanging out, throwing a lacrosse ball around, grilling...you name it, we want to be outside doing it.  And if there isn't a yard, it isn't for us.

We ventured back home, feeling exhausted and fairly overwhelmed.  We really started to realize how much this whole house hunting thing can take out of you. 

But we've begun the process and we couldn't be more excited.

Day One, Part One: Dressed to Impressed

When I woke up Saturday morning, I spent several minutes in bed fretting about what to wear for the showings. And should I straighten my hair? How much makeup? Knowing that we were seriously starting this house hunting adventure, I thought perhaps it might be a good idea to show up looking at least marginally classy.

And then there was Mike. Sporting jeans he’d probably worn the past 2 days, an faded “Evergreen State” t-shirt from a trip to Washington we took a few years ago and the scrubbiest, nastiest hoodie in his collection, he was ready to go. Granted, he was on his way to coach hockey before we went to our showings, but I was astounded that he wasn’t at least bringing a nice shirt to change into.

After about the sixth time I asked him “Are you sure you don’t want to bring anything to change into,” he looked at me and said, “Hannah, being dressed like I can afford a $500,000 house doesn’t mean I can afford a $500,000 house. If they don’t want to sell us a house because I’m wearing this sweatshirt, then screw them.”

And you know what? He’s totally right. Wearing fancy, designer shoes or clothes or accessories, in the end, is not going to buy you a house. I think this is a mistake that a lot of homebuyers (especially young ones) make—they think that no one will take them seriously (or people will take them more seriously) unless they are dressed to the nines. Ladies, should you wash your hair and slap a little lipstick on? Yes. Guys, should you shave that five o’clock from two days ago shadow and make sure you have some deodorant on? Yes. But do you need to make yourself out to be something you’re not? Absolutely not.

Which leads me to another in my series of HTFACUIP.

Tip #2: Expensive, designer clothes ≠ expensive, designer home. Sure, there are people out there who will undoubtedly have both. But keep dreaming if you think that strolling in with your Gucci sunglasses, Jimmy Choos and Louis Vuitton bag is going to buy you that half million dollar house. While what you wear to meet an agent or see a house should be a reflection of you, it should, above all other things, be comfortable. If this means your nicest, designer clothes, then by all means go ahead and wear them. But I’m guessing for most of you a comfy pair of jeans, your favorite sneakers and fun t-shirt accurately represents you. In the end, only one type of money talks—the money a bank is willing to lend you for a mortgage. And last time I checked, they don’t send a banker to check out your closet before approving you.

So wear what you want and remember that the only thing that really matters when it comes to buying a house is whether or not you have the money to back up the offer. Mike may have been strolling around looking a bit scrubby, but in the end his checkbook can back up a purchase like this far better than I could on even my most fabulously stylish day.

…but I still wore heels and trendy spring scarf (sticking out of my coat in this über mature picture below taken in the front porch of house #3...more info in the next post).

♥H

Truth Time

So I'll be honest, when I say that Mike & I are looking for a house to buy together, I really mean that Mike is looking for a house to buy and I'll essentially being paying him rent.  And slooooowly paying off half the down payment.

But seriously, the man is 26 years old and I can say with full confidence that I have never met someone more financially responsible than him.  And the time for that skill is now, especially because we frequently have conversations that go like this:

Me: Mike, I found a great listing.  Check it out.
Mike: Hannah, that is $55,000 over our budget.  What is wrong with you?
Me:  Oh, well, I don't know....it's just....it's just so pretty!  And I love it and it's great!  Please can we look at it?  Maybe they'll like us a lot and give us a great deal!
Mike:  Absolutely not.  Seriously, are you crazy?  Do you understand that $55,000 represents a year's salary for people?  Sometimes, Hannah...sometimes.  (Shakes his head.)
Me:  Oh okay...um, sorry.  Of course.  You're right. (Sad face.)

We have this conversation several times a day.  And with this, I bring you the first in my series of "Homebuying Tips from A Completely Unqualified, Inexperienced Person."  Also known as HTFACUIP...I know, so much easier to remember.

Tip #1:  If one (or neither) of the parties involved in the homebuying experience is capable of sticking to the budget, it's not the right time to buy.  When it comes down to it, if both parties can't pick an acceptable, reasonable budget and agree to only look at houses in that price range, the only thing waiting for you at the end of the house hunting experience is deep, deep disappointment.

So, while I am sure I will continue to send Mike the occasional outrageous listing, in my heart I know our budget and only schedule showings for houses in that budget.

But one can always dream.
♥H

The Hunt is On

So as much as I absolutely loathe the word "blog" and many bloggers (not you, Pastor J-man--your blogs are great, which everyone can enjoy at DrJ's WISN Blog) I thought that in this economy, Mike & I might have a different take on the whole house hunting experience.

So tomorrow, March 6th, exactly 2 months after my 22nd birthday, Miguel and I will be heading out to look at houses.

Wish us luck!
♥H