I can't believe I'm buying a house!

Talk about starting a new chapter in my life. It's been almost four years since I went through the horrible experience of selling my Saint Paul condo in a short sale. At the time, I really didn't think I would ever own another home. I had this crazy thought in my head that "at my age, I really shouldn't be getting into a 30-year-mortgage." I honestly had written off the prospect. 

Last summer, I heard the news that new market-rate apartments were being built in Albert Lea bordering the Wedgewood Cove Golf Course. The rent would be $1150 a month for a two-bedroom townhome, but it would have such luxuries as a dishwasher, a washer and dryer in the unit and an attached garage that wouldn't require me to measure the size of my car to see if it would fit. 
Sadly, those were things I cared about. 

When I ran into a local realtor in August, she asked why I wasn't considering buying a house instead of continuing to rent. I gave her all my rationale and she gave me the name of a banker who she said could make it happen. And he did. (Big shout-out to Brad at MBT Bank in Lake Mills, Iowa)

Then the search began. I obsessively looked at all the local listing (having downloaded every real estate app in existance) and tried to find a house that would match my "have-to-have" list: three bedroom minimum, attached garage, located on the north side of town and in my price range. 

When Lynn, my realtor, told me she had a house getting ready to go on the market that she felt was a perfect home for me, I was excited. Then told me the location was the opposite side of town that wanted to be on. I thought what the heck, give a look. Before we walked into the house for the first viewing, Lynn mentioned she thinks the owner watches a lot of HGTV. Talk about getting my attention. 

I couldn't believe my luck. Three bedroom rambler with an attached garage, recently refinished hardwood floors throughout the house, new roof, new furnace, central air, and new granite countertops in the kitchen. And in my price range. Suddenly, being on the north side of town was quickly crossed off my "have-to-have" list. 

Within a week and another walk-through, and before the house was even listed, I made an offer and the sellers accepted. Holy crap! I'm gonna be a home owner again. And even more so, I'll be moving in December/January. In Minnesota. 

Since this is going to be an adventure, I thought it was a great time to restart the blog. You can come along with me as try to create my model HGTV home. It could be especially interesting because, as an adult, I haven't ever lived in a real house. With driveways to be shoveled. And lawns to be mowed. I don't even own a snow shovel.