House hunting Week #2

We found a house!!!!

http://www.edinarealty.com/MN/Little-Canada/55117/homes-for-sale/566-Allen-Avenue-57683075Check out the link for more detailed info.
What we love:
1) Huge deck
2) Huge living room
3) Huge deck and yard
4) Huge basement family room (that can be divided to make a 4th bedroom in the future)
5) Huge bedrooms
6) Move in ready
7) Huge 2-car garage
8) Good, safe neighborhood
9) Roseville school district
10) 2000 sq. ft.

This is the first house Troy and I both love. :) We're going to make an offer next week! Keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Easter everyone!

House hunting, Week #1

Dear hubby and I went to look at 7 houses this weekend with our realtor. It was a lot of fun, but I haven't felt like I've found THE ONE. Troy was about ready to jump and make an offer on this one, listed at $149,900. He absolutely loved this house!! Mostly because it is 2,200 square feet, which is by far the biggest house we've seen so far. Me, I wasn't really feeling it, because 1) I don't like houses on slopes, 2) It has a flat garage roof, which is just totally idiotic in MN because you will spend your whole winter clearing snow off the roof, 3) I'm not too fond of the city of Maplewood, which is not as good as Roseville. So, no go.

We looked at two short sales, which were extremely disappointing. Houses were in very poor shape, and also the realtor said its a long and frustrating process to purchase a short sale because it depends on bank approval which could take months.

Got a call from the mortgage broker today we said we are qualified to purchase up to $200k or even $220k. But then Troy and I decided that we'll still stick with our lower budget of about $150k so we can have more extra money to have fun and future kids AND most importantly so we don't get foreclosed. Looking at several of the foreclosed houses really scared the heck out of us - what a horrible horrible thing to have to go through!

House hunting is fun. :))

House hunting fun!

Going to look at some houses tomorrow! Here's some more on the list:

These 2 are listed at about the same price, $160k. They are in Falcon Heights, 3 bed, 2 bath. In good neighborhoods with finished basements, but no guest bedroom. :(

Love the exterior of the first house!! Dunno what this style is called, but I love it!

House hunting fun

My coworker Sara introduced me to her cousin Jason who is a realtor. So, we are currently semi-seriously looking for houses. I say semi-seriously because although I enjoy looking at listings online, we have yet to take any steps to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

My my my, do I feel old and RESPONSIBLE. First getting married, and now.. buying a house?!

Here's our wish list: (I didn't want to have super high expectations, but the realtor says in today's market we can have everything on our list and more ;))

1. At least 3 bedroom, preferably 4
2. At least 2 bathrooms
3. 2 car garage
4. Finished basement (for Troy's man cave)
5. Livable condition, no major repairs needed
6. Good school district
7. Not-too-ugly exterior
8. Obviously, GOOD AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD

Anyway, Jason already sent me a list of 6 houses in Roseville, which is my preferred suburb.

I like the exterior of this house. I think it looks very homey and cute! Listed for $134,900, which is an awesome price! I don't like that it is in the St. Paul school district. This one is listed for $149,900. It has a huge private yard and huge basement, and is in the Roseville school district. I don't like the exterior quite as much though, kinda squarish and boring. Guess that can be updated though.Those are the only two worth considering so far. He sent us lots of houses in Maplewood, but in my opinion that is a less desirable suburb, so who wants to live there.

Online house shopping is fun. ;)

Almost spring

Springtime! Springtime! Oh glorious sun!!!!!!! :)

It's been pretty nice and sunny these two weeks! Oooh do I love the SUN. Maybe now I can finally get some REAL sunshine instead of having to take vitamin D pills!

Unfortunately springtime means lots of pollen which means ALLERGIES, which suck. I was sniffling all of last weekend and had a horrible sore throat. I feel much better now though.

New news.. I quit my job today. I never really thought this day would come, but alas, my job has really been really going downhill since the start of this year. I have to be at FIVE different locations and all the traveling just plain sucks. It is hard to leave Capernaum because its a great company and the people are great and everyone was soooooooo sad today when I told them. My boss was really sad and sorry that I'm leaving, but I said I would still work for them part-time so its not like I'm leaving completely.

SO, I start new job in 2 weeks. I'm praying and hoping that its the right decision and the new place will be a great fit for me. I've heard good things about the place from everyone so keeping my fingers crossed. I am excited and nervous at the same time. :P

Sooo... I'm going to start working about 45 hours (40 hours at new job + 5 at old job), which will be tiring but then extra money will be VERY NICE. :) Poor Troy has been picking up some extra night shifts too cos he gets paid A LOT for OT. It will be nice to be able to afford some furniture for our house, maybe a dog. ;) Best time to make money is when you're childless, right?