This is what emotional fuel looks like.
A batch of breakfast burritos made this weekend, as sustenance for Open Houses ahead.
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This is what thoughts of warmer weather look like.
Because after a weekend freezing your ass off, every springy thought counts.
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This is what shame looks like.
When months fly by without exercise, nothing quite does the trick like a Workout Calendar of Shame posted on your front door. No more denial.
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This is what trying to buy a home in DC looks like.
So... the whole "we might be homeless in six weeks" thing. It's, you know, a tad bit stressful. We lost out on renting the purple house, which the owners had led us to believe they'd be ready to sell to us in a year. (We also wasted a lot of time chasing this scenario, as you might imagine.) This weekend we found another place we love that's priced below market value, then discovered that it's priced so well because it's being sold closed/silent auction style, where offers will be taken for two weeks then all opened at once - with the highest winning, no questions asked or negotiation offered. Despite this craziness, we were actually feeling optimistic. Then last night, a local agent told us that it will probably go for $70,000 higher than the list price, no contingencies. Which sort of means that even putting in an offer is just an exercise in futility. Yeah. Moving on...
So how 'bout them community-owned, sexual predator-free Packers?
We are in the beginning stages of house-hunting in the DC/NoVA area. It is absurd how expensive houses are and how competitive the market still is. I watch too much HGTV and it just doesn't seem fair that those people living in South Carolina or Georgia get so much house for their money! On an Arlington episode I saw recently, they didn't even bother to show the yards (which all the houses did have) because there's so little to see... in all the other locations, outdoor space a prime factor in their decision. It's so frustrating.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll stop venting now.
@Stephanie: You're telling me! My sister and brother-in-law in NC are realtors and we've done the "this is what your DC budget would buy you in Raleigh" tours together. It's mind-boggling. And a true sign that I'm a glutton for punishment that the tours are my idea. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteI so need a Workout Calendar of Shame. Until then, I've decided to pretend that it's intentional and that I really do hope to look like I've swallowed Orson Welles.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least there's no picture of rusty razorblades next to house-hunting. I just saw my dream house, on one of my dream blocks, up for sale for a cool 29.5m (dollars, not drachma). Some sort of cardboard box/heating grate situation is beginning to look very nice. I'm sure it won't come to that for you. Positive, even. Chin up and all that.
I understand the stress that comes with impending homelessness. Last year we were seriously five days away from being forced to pack up all our stuff and live under a bridge in downtown Dallas. Luckily, we found our dream house at the LAST MINUTE and it all worked out perfectly. Since then, I have become a big believer in "everything happens for a reason" - as we lost so many homes that we thought we wanted on the way to a much better one. I hope this same scenerio plays out for you guys too.
ReplyDeleteI might need to post a workout calendar of shame on our door...
ReplyDeleteNot to bum you out even more, but the Packers aren't entirely pristine...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/6/1647160/packers-brandon-underwood
In other news, the workout calendar of shame is genius! The only thing that motivates me to work out is when I have a personal pilates or yoga appointment. My type a overdrive won't let me miss an appointment! Unfortunately, I'm not a scrillionaire so my solution isn't all that solution-y. I need to go back to the drawing board on that one.
Oh Maggie - that stinks. I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but it took us way longer than we really wanted to find and score our house. Another house we put an offer on fell through due to a stupid, bitter divorce - and we ended up six weeks later finding something even better. It will happen - you just need to have more patience than you probably can muster.
ReplyDeleteThis too shall pass. Venture capitalists are raising money in Silicon Valley. A rising tide lifts all boats:). Seriously, you'll find your house.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine the stress of trying to buy in a market like DC. Keep your head up girl.. There's got to be something out there.
ReplyDelete