So today we used a wonderful tool on Bank of America's website that helps you figure out if you are financially ready to go from renting to buying. According to the info we gave, not only can we afford the mortgage, insurance, and average taxes for our area, but we would also, most likely be pre-approved for more than we thought! (we're still going to stick with a lower price range though).
So I think Ryan might finally realize that we can afford a house, just like I said!
If everything goes according to plan I think we'll start looking next April, and move by the end of July. We're thinking of going to some open houses in the area before then just to see what our money can buy.
We're looking for at least 3 bedrooms, and 1 1/2 baths in West Deptford. We want an outdated, but ready to move-in place. We are really really looking forward to having a house that we can update. We want to do all of the work (or as much as we know how) on our own. And yes, we know it's a lot of work, but it is what we are passionate about. We can't wait to get our hands dirty, and covered in paint :-). Plus, we're looking at it from an investment stand point and we know if we bought an already updated house it would take more money to make improvements on it in order to increase the value of the house....
My mom says I watch way too much HGTV and that I am starting to sound like the hosts of all my favorite shows. hehe.
But back to the title of my blog. Another reason I want to buy a house is to get new furniture. Ever since leaving my RI home to head to college I have only used dorm furniture and cheapo IKEA or hand-me-down furniture. We haven't wanted to buy nice new furniture for an apartment because we know that whatever we buy may not work in our future house. So Ryan has promised that once we buy a house we can FINALLY make use of his Raymour and Flanigan employee discount! Woo hoo! I can't wait!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Smart kitty
Yes I am a dork and I am writing a blog about my cat. But she really is smart.
Ryleigh loves the cat and is constantly chasing her around trying to give her toys.
So poor Hera was just laying there, unsuspectingly when Ryleigh came over and starts shoving a toy in her face. The cat gave her a menacing look that didn't even phase Ry.
Then before I knew it I saw the cat take a swipe at Ryleigh's hand.... and then she ran. Ryleigh started tearing up a little, so I checked out her hand. She had the tiniest little scratch, that can barely even be called a scratch really. Just a little white line on her skin from where Hera's claw grazed her.
Hera still knew she was in trouble, so she ran and hid. But once I saw that she didn't really do any damage I had some mercy on her.
It kind of amazed me how a cat can have that much self-control, even when getting frustrated. I'm pretty sure she wanted to claw Ryleigh's eyes out, but she simply just gave her a little warning scratch. She knows not to hurt the baby, even though we never taught her that. She just has an intuitive instinct.
And I feel kind of ashamed that my cat has more self-control than me sometimes!!
Ryleigh loves the cat and is constantly chasing her around trying to give her toys.
So poor Hera was just laying there, unsuspectingly when Ryleigh came over and starts shoving a toy in her face. The cat gave her a menacing look that didn't even phase Ry.
Then before I knew it I saw the cat take a swipe at Ryleigh's hand.... and then she ran. Ryleigh started tearing up a little, so I checked out her hand. She had the tiniest little scratch, that can barely even be called a scratch really. Just a little white line on her skin from where Hera's claw grazed her.
Hera still knew she was in trouble, so she ran and hid. But once I saw that she didn't really do any damage I had some mercy on her.
It kind of amazed me how a cat can have that much self-control, even when getting frustrated. I'm pretty sure she wanted to claw Ryleigh's eyes out, but she simply just gave her a little warning scratch. She knows not to hurt the baby, even though we never taught her that. She just has an intuitive instinct.
And I feel kind of ashamed that my cat has more self-control than me sometimes!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Not my proudest moment
Today something in me snapped. I literally lost all self-control.
Recently we have been stressing about whether or not to buy a house when our lease is up next summer. Basically we're realizing we're not going to have enough money for a down payment. So we have been thinking of signing another lease on our apartment to give us more time to save. I hate this idea because that means we will be spending that year giving away almost 10,000$ to the landlord, instead of putting our money in a financial investment like a house. Arrg!
I really have been trying to accept this and be thankful for what we have. But so far I've been failing big time.
The hardest thing is that we have no backyard for Ryleigh to play in. We have a very nice, green, common area right outside of our apartment. I look at it through the window and wish that I could simply bring Ry outside and let her run in the grass and kick a soccer ball. I tried it one day and realized that the grass is covered in dog poop! We've had issues with our neighbor leaving dog poop on the sidewalk where we have to walk all the time. The issue ended after we complained to the office. Now they're just leaving it all over the grass. I literally cry about it because I am so sad that my daughter can't just go outside to play. And yes, I know we can go to a park, but we're talking about my dreams of owning a house with a white picket fence and all... and it is so hard to think about putting off my dreams until 2012!
So today, after having to walk past another pile of poop I noticed that the neighbors door was open and I just yelled, "CLEAN UP YOUR DOG'S POOP. IT'S DISGUSTING!"..... a minute later we heard their door open and someone walk outside.
As I said, it was not my proudest moment, but man it felt good to yell and just let it all out!
Recently we have been stressing about whether or not to buy a house when our lease is up next summer. Basically we're realizing we're not going to have enough money for a down payment. So we have been thinking of signing another lease on our apartment to give us more time to save. I hate this idea because that means we will be spending that year giving away almost 10,000$ to the landlord, instead of putting our money in a financial investment like a house. Arrg!
I really have been trying to accept this and be thankful for what we have. But so far I've been failing big time.
The hardest thing is that we have no backyard for Ryleigh to play in. We have a very nice, green, common area right outside of our apartment. I look at it through the window and wish that I could simply bring Ry outside and let her run in the grass and kick a soccer ball. I tried it one day and realized that the grass is covered in dog poop! We've had issues with our neighbor leaving dog poop on the sidewalk where we have to walk all the time. The issue ended after we complained to the office. Now they're just leaving it all over the grass. I literally cry about it because I am so sad that my daughter can't just go outside to play. And yes, I know we can go to a park, but we're talking about my dreams of owning a house with a white picket fence and all... and it is so hard to think about putting off my dreams until 2012!
So today, after having to walk past another pile of poop I noticed that the neighbors door was open and I just yelled, "CLEAN UP YOUR DOG'S POOP. IT'S DISGUSTING!"..... a minute later we heard their door open and someone walk outside.
As I said, it was not my proudest moment, but man it felt good to yell and just let it all out!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Zoooo!
Facebook won't let me upload pics, so here's some from this weekend
Very interested in the monkeys.
First time petting a goat. Ryleigh loved it because the goat didn't run away like Hera always does!
The hippo in the background was pretty cool walking up and down the steps, and swimming. Very active.
Getting eaten by a giant cobra
lovin' on a lion
Very interested in the monkeys.
First time petting a goat. Ryleigh loved it because the goat didn't run away like Hera always does!
The hippo in the background was pretty cool walking up and down the steps, and swimming. Very active.
Getting eaten by a giant cobra
lovin' on a lion
Wonderful Weekend
This weekend my mom came down to visit... well, actually, she's still here, but will be leaving in a few hours.
I'm so glad she came down. I have been feeling so down/lonely/frustrated/etc, and it was so nice to have someone to talk to and have fun with. Ryleigh loves having her grandma around too.
On Saturday, with a forcast of 91 degrees we decided to head down to OC. I thought everyone would have the same idea and we'd be stuck in traffic forever. Nope. No traffic. Empty parking spaces right near the boardwalk. Beautiful weather for laying on the beach. :-) We bought Ryleigh her first shovel and pail and she absolutely loved it! We ate good food, and just enjoyed relaxing. And Ryleigh got to ride the rides for the first time and I think she enjoyed it, but she was a little scared going up high on the elephant ride.
On Sunday after church we headed to the zoo. It was very very humid, so we were dripping with sweat, but we still had a good time. Ryleigh had fun naming all the animals, and roaring at the lions. Ryan and I also did the math and realized that after paying for 2 adults, plus parking, it wasn't really that much more to just buy a family membership to the zoo.... so now we can return for "free" whenever we want. yay!
Now I am enjoying some freedom as my mom is reading books and playing with Ryleigh and I actually get some free time with the computer. What a nice way to start the day!
I'm so glad she came down. I have been feeling so down/lonely/frustrated/etc, and it was so nice to have someone to talk to and have fun with. Ryleigh loves having her grandma around too.
On Saturday, with a forcast of 91 degrees we decided to head down to OC. I thought everyone would have the same idea and we'd be stuck in traffic forever. Nope. No traffic. Empty parking spaces right near the boardwalk. Beautiful weather for laying on the beach. :-) We bought Ryleigh her first shovel and pail and she absolutely loved it! We ate good food, and just enjoyed relaxing. And Ryleigh got to ride the rides for the first time and I think she enjoyed it, but she was a little scared going up high on the elephant ride.
On Sunday after church we headed to the zoo. It was very very humid, so we were dripping with sweat, but we still had a good time. Ryleigh had fun naming all the animals, and roaring at the lions. Ryan and I also did the math and realized that after paying for 2 adults, plus parking, it wasn't really that much more to just buy a family membership to the zoo.... so now we can return for "free" whenever we want. yay!
Now I am enjoying some freedom as my mom is reading books and playing with Ryleigh and I actually get some free time with the computer. What a nice way to start the day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)