Ok, so I havent written anything in a few months. Been busy. So, heres an update that should last until the new year.
Joe finally got a job with Dominion Va Power and its up in Hopewell. Well, even though I wanted to stay in Newport News and have him commute (not forever) until we had time to scope out the area, noooooooooooooooooo....he wants to move right away. I think its a bad idea but I'm out voted. So, I start looking within a 30 mile radius from his work. Not much, its slim pickins fer sure. Well, we have some criteria to meet like it has to be on at least 5 acres......it has to be a ranch-style house and it must have bigger bathrooms than my current house. Ok, no problem right? (laughing hysterically) The first one we saw looked great as we were driving up to it......once I got within 50 feet of the front door, all I could smell was cat piss...........not just a hint either........it was almost visible stench. I smiled at the realtor and said "PASS". And onward we drove to the next house which also looked fine from outside. The inside was odd and disjointed and the bathrooms were like broom closets. <BUZZZZZZZ> next. So, the next one was alittle bigger, not too bad, at least it was livable but it just wasnt giving me a good vibe. Joe agreed and we moved on. The next few had various things wrong with the insides...too small, too old, etc. Then she says, oh by the way, lets go have a look at this one down the road, the house has a contract on it but the sellers and buyers are bickering and it will probably be back on the market in a few days. Its close so we say ok. Its a new construction, almost finished. And of course it has everything we want. Its a 3 bed, 2 bath and has 10 acres. We both love it and ask her to call the realtor and see if we can make a bid. The contract is going forward with the other buyer, we're out of luck. We leave dejected and pissed off. I arrange for us to take a few days off while I gather more listings for us to view. Ok, so we drive back up last Wednesday, its a long drive. My agent is meeting us at the first house, I've lined up 7 properties to look at. The first one is right across the street from active railroad tracks.......PASS. The second one is nice...I like it....Joe doesnt....we argue and leave pissed. The next twowere crap. We drive up to the next one and the people are home. Its very nice on the outside, on 5 acres and in a small town. As soon as I walk into the front door I KNEW that this was my house. I was estatic, it had everything and more. The master bedroom is as big as our current living room and dining room put together. The master bath is bigger than my garage. I swear, I started crying. The great thing is, the kids rooms are on the opposite side of the house. The living room and kitchen are very open and big. There is a utility room off the back door and enough room for everything I have plus more. We write an offer the next day and they accept. Ok so enough about the house.
So, we're in the throes of getting our house ready to list, 4 days of painting and cleaning. The realtor calls. Oh, by the way, it seems that house you guys loved......you know, the one that had the contract on it? Well, it may be coming available, we think the deal is falling through. Joe is thrilled. I'm not so thrilled. I love the house I picked. It has 2000 square feet and a garden tub. The other house had a garden tub but it was only 1500 square feet AND all the bedrooms were clumped on one end of the house. Hmmmmmmmmmm. So, let the arguing begin. He thinks its closer to work so I look it up. Its about 15 miles closer BUT that 15 miles is rural roads...some not paved. The other house has an on-ramp for the highway only 1 mile from our house, which shoots him directly to the plant. He's being difficult. He says, but you loved this house first. I say, yes, I did, before I saw the new house. The first house costs 220,000, is smaller and has no sheds. The new house is 159,000 and is huge and has sheds. You do the math. I know I'm right and I'm sticking to my guns. So, anyway, we focus on other stuff for awhile to break the tension. We get the house on the market and busy ourselves cleaning. I log on and I have mail from my realtor. Oh darn, she was wrong, the house sold. Yay! I tell Joe in a semi-somber tone so he doesnt think I'm happy, even though he knows I am. I mean, I cant go backwards. Once I saw the new house, the first house looked like a shoebox. Anyway, I have my first showing of our house tomorrow at 6pm. Wish us luck! All I want for Christmas is full asking price!