House offer...now the waiting game

We finally found a house after looking at about 25 (more like 100+ online).  It's in great condition, will only need some paint (not a big fan of all white walls) and a fridge so all-in-all it is a great house.  The house is in a great neighborhood, pretty upscale neighborhood actually with a park and trails across the street, the sports complex is nearby plus the lot itself is a little over half an acre with lots of trees and rooom for a nice garden plus most of it's fence for Morgan and Sitka to safely play.  Plus we hear that the schools are good here too.

The rub is...we went back for a second look and sign the paperwork to make an offer and we found out it was going to be a multiple offer deal.  And, to make things worse, the bank or whoever currently owns this house (it was a foreclosure at one point), priced it so low and put a due date for all the offers several days away.  It was about 3 1/2 days worth of extra waiting before our offer HAD to be in, making more offers possible...we were not happy about the game they were playing. 

Once we slept on it, discussed it thoroughly and slept on it some more, Larry and I decided we were not going to play the multiple offer game to necessarily win by a landslide.   We know what the house is worth, what it's listed at and what we can pay but decided to play it safe since there is another house we have our eye on so it won't be a total loss if we don't win the deal.  Oh!  And did I mention that when we were notified 2 days after the due date (only supposed to be a 24-48 hour wait) that we were 1 out of 13 offers!?!?!  Yikes!  So tomorrow morning will be 72 hours and counting.  I hope we hear soon so we can move on either way.  It's time for us to get a new house and get the family back together!

Houses, houses, houses....

My head is swimming from looking at so many houses both online and in person.  I've been driving around potential houses this past week to get the first impression of the house itself, the area, neighborhood, size of yard, garage, etc.  It takes a lot out of you, driving around all over the place.  I do enjoy house hunting but my brain is needing a break from it all.  So, tomorrow, Friday, I will try to stay away from the house stuff online and vow not to drive by any more houses.  On Saturday we are getting the chance to look at some of the houses I liked.  Our realtor is scheduling about 7 houses for our viewing pleasure.  :-)  I can't wait!  The best part about house hunting is getting to get inside them and see what is in store for us.  It is scary just how many are out there that are junk.  But now and again, there is a diamond in the rough and we are ready to pounce on the house that meets our needs and expectations.   Wish us luck!

Organizing the House...

I just found a great blog called A Bowl Full of Lemons that has some wonderul organizing hints and tips.  Try the 21 day challenge today and see how nice your house can be!  I'm working on ours!

January is almost gone

I can't belive there are only 5 days left in January.  2011 is flying by so fast...I'm sure it's because we've been so busy concentrating on our housing dilemna.  On Friday of this week, we'll be looking at yet another 5 or 6 houses.  I really do like looking at houses but at the same time it sure can be an emotional roller coaster and wear you out.  Espcially when you have a 2 year old in tow!  :-)  At least she is a good girl most of the time and as long as I can keep her happy w/ snacks, juice and a clean diaper, we're good to go.  Keep your fingers crossed that we find something that we all like and can live with for a long time.  We are hoping this next house will be either the last house or at least the last one for quite some time.  We are ready to settle down for the long haul...especially since Morgan is growing up so fast and I want her to have a neighborhood she will know and remember when she grows up.

Oh, and before I forget, Larry found out today that he is getting promoted to Chief next month for the Coast Guard.  Congratulations babe!!

House hunting fun

Well, we spent this past weekend researching areas we may or may want to live in around the Twin Cities.  I think we have nailed it down to one or two suburbs.  Now that may have narrowed down our house search slightly, there is still a TON of houses out there for sale and now it's time to navigate through which one will be our new home.  There seems to always be something that isn't quite right with the ones we have looked at so far.  Since our current house has not sold yet, I suppose it's karma and things will work out as they should in due time.  I do know that we won't be able to get everything on our wishlist and some sacrifices will have to be made but so far, the right house for the right sacrifice hasn't shown up on my computer search yet.  :-)

Happy Birthday Jim!

Just wanted to throw out there a quick Happy Birthday to my father-in-law Jim!  Hope you had a wonderful day today and wish we could have been there today to help you celebrate! 

2011...Here we come!

Time sure does fly when you're having fun!!  I can't believe it's already 2011...sheesh!  I still remember when we had all the hype and worry about Y2K!  So, a new year, means a fresh start, new beginnings, and lots of resolutions (that may or may not be upheld)...and I've been trying to think of my resolutions for 2011 and be realistic with them as well.  I want to be able to say I accomplished SOMETHING on my list!  :-)  Okay, here it goes:
#1  Try to write more regularly on my blog and add pictures
#2  Drink more water
#3  Lose 20 pounds this year (I lost a little over 10 last year w/o being too serious about it)
#4  Try to make a menu for each week and stick to it!!
#5  Try to make more things instead of buy them (greeting cards, clothes, etc.)

We'll see how these 5 things go...I'll try to reflect on how I am doing with them in the coming months....  :-)

What are your resolutions?  I'd love to hear them!!