Muy Bueno!

As the old saying goes, when one door closes another one opens.

I mentioned in yesterday's post that we had found a new house that we both loved. Yesterday, our hardworking realtor spent the day speaking with the listing agent and the banks to find out what we would need to offer to make this dream a reality. Since the house is a short sale we would need both the sellers to agree to terms as well as the two banks holding the mortgages. No easy feat. We wanted to make sure we went in with a competitive offer that couldn't be refused. Especially since we were told that it would be 6-8 weeks before we know if they have accepted our offer. Worst case scenario would be us still waiting for an answer in October only to find out we didn't offer enough money and have to start looking for a new house all over again. So, we got the number they were looking for and submitted an offer last night. Our realtor is confident that we'll get this place and we can tentatively plan on closing in early October. This works out perfectly for us as it will give us some additional time to sock away some money. Until then, we wait. On pins and needles we wait.

But oh what a deal we will get. This house is easily priced at $50K below market value (having a real estate appraiser as a father really comes in handy at a time like this). There is no way in hell that this house would even be within our reach right now if it was normal market conditions we were dealing with. And while I feel badly for the family losing their home (divorce) I sure am happy that we are on the receiving end of their misfortune. Does that make me a bad person to feel that way? Probably.

This house has everything I've ever wanted in a home. A dedicated laundry room (wee!), a mud room (woot!), a master suite with room for a sitting area (!), a walk in closet the size of connecticut (for real), and a 2-story foyer (how the hell am I ever going to dust that chandelier?). It's also got a guest bedroom for the in-laws and a spot for a bar for my husband! We also get to keep the playset in the backyard. The fully landscaped backyard!!!!!! And it's in a good school district (Prior Lake) so that gives me some peace of mind too.

The only cons to this house (other than having to wait 2 months before we even know if it's ours) is that it needs a deck built onto the back. Which will need to be done ASAP otherwise my kid might open the back door and fall two stories. And there needs to be a fence put in to keep the dogs from running rampant around the neighborhood and the kids from falling in the pond in the backyard. The basement is only partially finished as well. We will need to put in carpeting and finish the bath. However it's already framed and the shower is installed so it's not work we can't handle. The current owner also has a great love for wallpaper and stenciling so lots of new paint will be purchased! And I look forward to the day when we can afford to get rid of all the brass hardware and lighting and switch out the vinyl flooring and carpeting for tile or hardwood. But that day is a long, long way off.

All in all, this is a MUCH better house for us than the last one so I am very, very excited. Please keep your fingers crossed and send lots of good "we accept your offer" vibes into the universe! A few prayers wouldn't hurt either.