That's right...we bought a house! Matthew and I have been house shopping for about 2 months now, out with our agent almost every weekend viewing houses. Within the first few weeks we found one we fell in love with, only to have it bought before we could even think about making an offer. As time went on, we got tired of seeing more and more junk out there on the market, with hefty price tags attached. We really were praying for a home of our own, hoping it would happen before our wedding too. I was calm about the whole thing, hopeful and trusting that God knew the right thing for us; and if that meant staying in my apartment under mom's house, then God would give us the patience required to make that arrangement work. But I know God is a God who loves to give His children the desires of their hearts, and we so wanted a home of our own. So we were waiting on God...
I think it was Dec 19th when we saw the listing online. We contacted our agent to make a viewing appointment for Sat Dec 22, along with a few other listings. This one didnt look too outstanding on paper, but it was nice, and in our price range and in an area of town we didnt mind considering. So, we waited...
Dec 22, Matthew, mom, George and I all met up with our agent to see some houses. This was the last one of the day: Stanley St. We walked thru, taking time to look around, really look around. It was a small house, but so clean and so well kept! It seemed like no one was really living in it, but there was some furniture and stuff around. Nice lot, nice backyard, and the inside was in great condition...basically move-in condition with old hardwood floors everywhere, except for tile in the kitchen and bathroom. I knew then that this little place would sell FAST. We left with mixed feelings, knowing it would not stay on the market for long, but knowing there were a few things we didnt like about it...just layout issues and the lack of a bathroom on the second floor. We went home and prayed about it that afternoon.
We talked with our parents, talked together and just felt like this was the right thing to do. We called our agent that evening to put in an offer. He said it could wait until the next afternoon to do the paperwork and it would be presented to the owner on Monday morning. So, Dec 23, Matthew's birthday, we put an offer on Stanley St., conditional on a house inspection, of course. Dec 24 Matthew came over to my place and we waited by the phone...
The phone rang...it was the agent. Matthew talked to him, with mom and I close by, staring at him for a sign of what was being said on the phone. Ok, Ok, yes, Ok...we had no clue...but it sounded positive...LOL! He hung up and confirmed our offer was accepted! YAHOO!!! So we had until Friday to find an inspector. We had to go see the agent to sing some more papers, and when we got there he had set up a temporary appointment with an inspector for us and gave us the name of an electrician he knows. (There is some electrical work that needs upgrading). I was amazed it took us less than 20 minutes to make such a huge and monumental purchase! Later in the day Matthew talked to the inspector and booked him for Friday morning. So, we waited some more...
Friday morning, Dec 28, we met at the house and were there for about 2 hours with the inspector. He was really great about going thru things with Matthew and George. Mom and I walked around looking more at layout and potential arrangements and stuff. Matthew's mom and sister (Jen) showed up to see the place too, so Jen and I were running around taking pics of the house from every angle in every room! The longer I was in there the more excited I got about envisioning us living there! Our house, our first house!!! The women ended up sitting in the living room while the men finished up the inspection in the basement...we were eavesdropping...and heard the inspector say he was rather impressed with the construction and condition of the house considering its age (about 50+yrs). He had pointed out things we already knew, like the electrical, but nothing major. So we all left the house, and Matthew and I headed to the agent's to see if he was around. He was there, so we went in to waive our condition of the inspection and finalize the sale.
On Jan 11, 2008, Matthew and I will take possession of the new house! I pray that together, with God and family and friends, this house will quickly turn into our HOME.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."
