Real Estate Woes

After we got married almost two years ago, the husband and I agreed that it would be better for us to simply continue renting for now and try to save up as much for a bigger down payment. Since I had my own place at that time, which was big enough for the both of us, we decided to keep it. The place is decent in size, has one big bedroom and one small one which we converted into a guestroom. We have a small front yard, where I can grow flowers and a porch in the back which we share with our neighbor. It was a perfect place for new couples like us. Besides, I like the convenience of having to walk only for two minutes to the bus stop or a longer 7 minute walk to the subway station. Our neighbors aren’t so bad either.

At the beginning of this year, the husband and I sat down and started talking about our long term plans. We felt it was time to move on and to get our own place. A home that we can call our own. It was an exciting idea. We looked at our financial situation, and with the condition of the real estate market where it’s a buyer’s world, we knew it was the right time.

I knew what I wanted in a house. At least a three bedroom house, decent size kitchen and a backyard for barbecue parties. Ideally, we would want a newly constructed house, or at least something built less than 10 years ago. Most of the newer properties carry a 5 year builders guarantee, which was very important to us. We wanted a place that didn’t need any major renovations.

We were lucky to get a pre-approval from the bank, so we started looking. This is where the husband and I run into serious issues. The area where we wanted, were way beyond our comfortable price range. We found some properties that were within our reach, but they were older and needed a lot of tedious work. My father-in-law suggested a an area much farther that the location we were looking at. My husband was not opposed to the idea, but I strongly disagreed. If we were to live there, it would definitely mean at least an hour of commute everyday, which was the biggest turn off for me. It would also require us to purchase a second car as transportation wasn’t as accessible during the weekends and off-hours. I suggested to go back to the original location and purchase a decent size condo instead, at least those ones were within our price range. And to keep the condo until we have built up enough equity to sell and buy perhaps our dream house. Needless to say, the husband wasn’t too happy with me about the idea. And to make the long story short, we decided to hold off on the big purchase again.

Now, the real estate market is slowly going back up, which means it is again becoming a seller’s market, which will probably mean our budget will also have to be increased, which means it will most likely take longer for us to own a place.

Now I wonder…have I been too picky?
What sacrifices are you willing to make to own a house?

Work Hard, Play Hard

I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. A vice that I have been trying so hard to tame. But it has become a part of me. When frustration consumes me, I seek refuge into it. The comfort in times of sadness. The therapy in times of illness.

I say I work hard, so I deserve it! I don’t really need to justify it. Well maybe I have to once in a while, when I fail to sneak it behind the hubby’s back. He has the habit of making me feel guilty, yet I know he’ll always give in anyway.

One can never have too many shoes, or to many purses.

Yes, I am a shopaholic! So there, I said it.

Posted by Wordmobi

To Be or Not To Be

I left the office yesterday with a massive, splitting headache.The day was way too eventful for me. Monday is the one day of the week where I wish I can just stay home and relax, instead of being at work, feeling miserable. Unfortunately, I haven’t stumbled upon big windfall of a fortune yet, so I have to keep going.

This has gotten me thinking really hard. I’ve been with the company for 5 years. Recently, I have realized that I am no longer happy on the job. The stress level has gone way up since the recession. Our department used to be a happy place, but it changed. The people around me have changed. Part of what’s stressing me is my colleague, who also happens to be a very good friend of mine. She has the habit of using excessive foul language in the office. I used to be able to ignore it, to tune her out, but lately it has been getting into me and I find myself getting annoyed more and more.

I have been thinking of leaving, of just calling it quits. But I am not comfortable with the idea just yet. Perhaps I need more convincing…

Someone Pull Me Out of My Shell

I started this blog a few days ago because I felt the need to write more…I wanted to write more…I HAVE to write more! I get into the habit of keeping my thoughts to myself, which eventually ends up consuming me. And that is deadly. For the past few days since this blog was opened, there was nothing sensible to write. So I merely stared at the blank screen in front of me. Attempted to write a few words here and a few phrases there…then would hit the Delete button almost instantly. I wanted to tell my story, in my own words. I still do. But words don’t come easy (ok, I borrowed those words from a song, I know). I still can’t find the courage to let it out. Maybe soon…hopefully soon…just bear with me for now.

Change Is Inevitable!

I knew it was coming. It was inevitable. Change. This is an attempt to graduate from the old, to embrace the freshness of a new beginning. It feels great! It is liberating. It is exciting. It was meant to be. To turn back now would be foolish. It is time to move on.