Jeff and I move a lot. A LOT. We’ve been in our current house a whopping two and a half years and that’s the longest we’ve ever lasted in a place. The shortest was a mere six months, with a nine monther thrown in there too. Everybody we know thinks we’re crazy, and I’m beginning to think they’re right.
Moving used to be fun. Back in the day when there was money to be made with real estate and no children to pack up, it was a blast. We’d buy a place, make some improvements and move on. I consider myself a professional-grade packer and mover by now, and found it a challenge to unpack and decorate in a few days. It was exciting and thrilling and we loved it. Back in the day.
These days, it just plain sucks. The last two houses we owned took us forever to sell and we took a loss on both. Each was full of stress and disappointment and financial burden. The house we’re in now was always meant to be a transition house to get us back into the area before we decided on where to settle down. It’s not the right neighborhood for us and I’m anxious to put some roots down in the right place, this being far from it.
Now that we’re looking at a forever house, or at least a long-term house, it’s so much more complicated. Four or five bedrooms, a decent yard for the kids to play in, public schools that we’re comfortable with and a price tag we can afford. It’s almost impossible. Except, last weekend, we found it: The perfect house. A beautiful staircase, just like I’d always imagined. Shingles and shutters and glass detail on the door. A Jack and Jill bathroom for the kids, a sunny family room and the charm I crave. It was perfect.
Unfortunately, it was also perfect for the couple that will be moving in next month. The couple who didn’t have a house to sell first. The couple whose financing I am evilly hoping will suddenly fall through, allowing us to live in the house I can’t stop thinking about.
Our house.
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That sucks! Don’t feel too bad for hoping that their financing might fall through. There’s actually a good chance that it could happen! I used to work in real estate and we’d see it happen all the time. And that was even before the market/economy crash!
We has something similar happen in May. Our dream house wouldn’t work with our financing, the down side of a VA loan. We had to wait 90 days to try to make it work. In July we bought a better neighborhood, with better schools and a short communte for my husband. The “dream” house sold for more than this one and is already back on the market. The right house will come along, which is a lame way of telling you something you already know. Good luck, drink wine and stay sane.
Sorry that sucks! I totally hope their financing falls flat on it’s face .
Oh no! I am going to hope and pray their financing falls thru to! Cause I am evil like that : )
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Pumpkin Patch Part 2 =-.
i’m sure YOUR house will find you, and soon!
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..CSNBaby Giveaway winner! =-.
Oh man… I hate moving house too. Most cos I am darn lazy and I hate the packing. And the unpacking!
All the best for your dream house! :)
.-= San´s last blog ..Lunch at Ma Maison =-.
If the house is right for you, you’ll land it. If not, you’ll find what you need. I firmly believe that the right house is out there and you will find it. Ours sat empty for four years before we moved in, and we had a dreadful closing with lots of ridiculous obstacles, and even though it’s not my dream house it’s just exactly what we needed and it suits us even after 15 years (wow!).
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Eye Candy =-.
Oh, maaaaan!
.-= Nan´s last blog ..Scary Stuff =-.
Oh, I am so sorry. That must be frustrating but there WILL be another house just perfect for you. Really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Mississippi Mud Brownies =-.
I hope you get “your house!”
Me and husband moved so much too…right now the house we’re living in is the longest we’ve ever stayed at a place. It will be 2 years for us too…everyone thinks we’re crazy for moving so much. Now that we have kids, moving is just not as much fun as it used to be. :)
.-= Stephaine @ Geezees´s last blog ..old baby photos …. and some canvas pics! =-.
Oh Jill so sorry to hear you didn’t get that house (yet!). But I honestly think everything happens for a reason, and hopefully there’s a better house out there for you. Or that other couple’s financing will fall through. Or something.
I feel for you – we moved four times in two years. We’ve now lived in this house 3.5 years – by far the longest we’ve lived anywhere!
.-= christy´s last blog ..Pregnant exercise =-.
that sucks…sorry Jill! Do you want me to wish evil thoughts on the couple that “stole” your dream house? I totally will :) Are you looking in the same area?
We lost a bidding war on our dream house about 2 years ago. While we are in a home now that we have big plans for, it still stings like hell when I think of someone else enjoying our perfect home. gag.
.-= jen´s last blog ..trying =-.
I saw my dream house when we were house hunting for my daughter’s family…we couldn’t afford it, but I still remember that house! Oh well, I told myself…the morgage is now paid on our little starter home, and I’m now trying to put the things I liked most about the “dream house” into the home I raised my children in. It’s old & a bit run down…but so am I. Most of all, it’s full of memories & love in every old nook and cranny…it’s home. I pray you find what I found.
This happened to me about a million times before we found the house that we are in now. Every time we looked at the house, I proclaimed my love for it and then cried when someone else beat us to it. BUT then we found our new amazing house. So don’t lose hope yet!
.-= Nel´s last blog ..Don’t worry, I’m still pregnant! =-.
This is just the universe’s way of telling you to leave the east coast and come to California.
Forget all of that “don’t lose hope” stuff. Let’s make it happen.
.-= Mayhem and Moxie´s last blog ..Tribute Tuesday: Favorite Teacher =-.
I feel ya on the moving… my DH & I moved four times in our first 16 months of marriage. It can be a headache! I’m sorry you didn’t get that house you wanted, but that is just cosmic proof that a better house is out there for you!
~Elizabeth
http://confessionsfromaworkingmom.blogspot.com/
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..G Want Cookie =-.
I’m going to be an ass and ask: Are you still moving your wedding dress each time you change houses? I have a history with such things.
LOL, yes. The wedding dress has survived the moves. And the marriage, too, which is more remarkable!
Hubby and I will be buying our first house within the year (we hope). He still has four years left in the marines, but we’re hoping to find that perfect house we want to settle down in and rent it out over the next few years. Thankfully we live in an apartment and don’t have to worry about selling first… I do hate moving. I really hope the house we find really is our forever place. (Until Sophia and any other children are grown and we buy an empty nest home, anyways.) May you find your forever home soon as well. :)
.-= Gigi´s last blog ..Listmania… I-Wanna-Read =-.
I’m so sorry ~ I work in real estate and it’s so hard right now. Moving with kids is definitely not for the meek. Sounds like you have it down, so I may be consulting you in the near future. :)
.-= Momlissa´s last blog ..Quack Friggin’ Quack =-.
Oh man, that sucks SO bad. You must be heartbroken. But, you have to know that there’s another perfect house out there for you. There’s just gotta be. Right? RIGHT?
Justine :o )
.-= Justine´s last blog ..My Answers, Part One =-.
Oh man this sucks. I east sleep and dream houses – the perfect house slipping through your fingers is your own little nightmare! I am thinking of you as you wait to know for sure and then continue the search. We almost moved to the area you are in a couple of months ago and the house hunting was SO stressful!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..Airplane Travel Tips with Small Children =-.
I look forward to my “forever home,” too. Thankfully, we’re not even thinking of looking for it, yet, seeing as there are a couple of moves ahead of us, too.
You should share your packing tips! I’ve been down-sizing and selling things for months, but still feel utterly unprepared for when the hammer comes down and we have to suddenly pack up and move!
.-= Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..Balancing act =-.
It is always fun and exciting in looking a long term house. I hope you can find a perfect place soon. Goodluck!
.-= Primary Work at Home´s last blog ..Awakening to a new Life =-.
Oh what a bummer! This same thing happened to me 2 months ago. The house had an offer put in while we were there falling in love with it! I still drive by and hope that maybe they’ll think they made a mistake and pack up and move again! Hang in there. Your house is out there!
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