So just like that, we found a place, put a bid on it, and kablam! There's a street with our name on it. Just like we didn't want, we got a rambler. It was built in 1951, and is solid brick construction. No basement, one story. Three bedrooms, 1.5 baths. .44 acres, INSIDE THE BELTWAY. Five blocks off Seminary Road about a half-mile west of 395. It is a fantastic house, previously owned by old ladies, in great shape, with old hardwood floors everywhere. The lot is very square and wide, full of old trees in an old wooded suburb. We have a back deck, and a row of fifty year old boxwood in the front. No garage, because it was converted into a family room. Crazy jadite green bathroom tub and toilet in perfect condition (please send decoration suggestions). Lots of bulbs peeking up, and about five dogwood trees that look ready to explode open for Spring.
We paid an astonishing amount of money, but apparently less than the 33% of our pre-tax income that people think is responsible. Our home is 100,000 less than Conventional thinks we could get. What crazy people pay so much? Aieee! That must be for people who don't have hobbies or friends.
We have decided on a 7/1 ARM, and paid a point to get the rate down to a mind-blowing 4.875%. The caps on the ARM after it adjusts are: 5% the first year, 2% any other year, and 5% total for the 30 year period. So the maximum we could have in percent would be 9.875, which wasn't too scary. We're coming to terms with the idea that we might not live in our first home forever, in spite of the fact that our parents did.
Now, to introduce our whole family to it. The Realtor and EVERYONE is meeting us there at 9. Yay!
San Francisco is on a Wedding Spree! How utterly wonderful. The pictures of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin getting married at ages 79 and 83 respectively are about the cutest thing in the world - and I include finger monkeys in that tally.
On a separate note, we BOUGHT A HOUSE!
We've begun a hunt for a house. I deeply desire to be a property owner.
Yesterday we learned that the place that seemed high priced for $350,000 sold for over fifty thousand more.
I hope to add to this entry tonight. The process has been large and makes one feel puppet-like in the hands of professionals. Since i don't really trust my doctor, trusting random loan brokers and realtors (though ours is great) is very weird feeling.
also, i've turned off commenting for new entries. I feel guilty every time I spot a trashy spam comment, and haven't had enough time to patch.
