Thursday 14 November 2013

First World Problem

And so it begins.  The constant phone calls and viewings and indecision about what to do.  Weighing up the pros and cons and trying to make the best decision for all concerned when really, all I want to do, is find a little corner to hide in and rock myself to sleep !

I'm talking about house hunting and selling our house - and dealing with the dreaded estate agents (having said that the two we have dealt with so far have been very nice).  I have been involved in buying precisely one house - the one we currently live in.  A had bought his house just when I met him so I wasn't involved in that in any way.  We sold that to move to Australia and after renting for 6 months we bought our current home.  It wasn't an easy process because we didn't know good and bad areas, and, if we had listened to some of the agents, we would have landed up in a house built on marine mud where whole streets are subsiding or in a dust bowl that gets all the afternoon sun and no breezes.  But, it was an easy process from the point of view of being able to buy for cash.

This time around, it's not so easy - we need to sell in order to buy BUT A doesn't want to sell if we can't find somewhere suitable to buy - I feel like I am living the chicken or the egg scenario - which comes first - selling and hope we find somewhere to buy or buying and then hope like hell we can find a buyer so we aren't left with two mortgages and finding a suitable tenant.

Like I said before, first world problem !

Factor in a very fussy child (who will have some say but not a lot of weight given to said opinion) and parents who are going to live on the property with us, menopause cr*p happening and a husband who is now leaving on Monday for a month away - and my stress levels are probably reaching an all time high.

So, today I am thankful that I have a home to live in, that I have the opportunity to buy a property which may, or may not, have something suitable for my parents to live in, and, if there is nothing suitable to live in, we will build something suitable for them.

I am thankful that a typhoon hasn't come through and taken my home away.

I am thankful that my husband has a job.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to have my folks live close by so we can keep an eye on them as they get older.

I am thankful for Rhianna who hosts Thankful Thursday because it makes me take stock of what is happening in my life and realise that, while there may be a lot of cr*p going on, I certainly have a lot to be thankful for !

What are you thankful for today ?
 
Have the best Thursday !
 
TFTD : People who lack the clarity, courage, or determination to follow their own dreams will often find ways to discourage yours.

25 comments:

  1. Sounds like an intensely stressful undertaking this buying a house thing, mad love to you for being able to see the parts to be thankful for amidst all the stress xx

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    1. Thanks Emma - sometimes just knowing that others care makes such a huge difference.
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  2. It is soooo stressful selling a house - we sold before buying again and it's good that we did because it took ages to sell. (we fell in that blimp). Then we got the right house very quickly, so it worked out in the end. But do not underestimate the stress and emotional rollercoaster that it puts you on.

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    1. I am starting to realise that. I think I am going to push hard to get this place sold and then look to buy rather than the other way around - I can only see it costing us money if we do it the other way around.
      Have the best weekend and thanks for your support !
      Me

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  3. Oh you poor thing! I can only imagine the turmoil. I have only ever purchased one house, the one we live in. I really hope we never have to sell it.

    Thanks so much for joining in with #thankfulthursday Sending lots of fairy wishes and butterfly kisses your way

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    1. I always said I would never move - in fact, when we bought our house I said to A to make sure it was the one he wanted because I was only moving out in a coffin !!!
      Then my priorities changed and a tree change plus wanting to help look after my folks has meant I will have to leave before I make it to a coffin !!!
      Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting the linky !
      Me

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  4. A whole month, that's horrible, be brave, you never know that perfect home could be just around the corner. Getting closer to Christmas new homes should come on the market. xxx Rae

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    1. That is what I am hoping Rae - more houses on the market and more people wanting to buy so ours moves fractionally faster than the one we want to buy !!!
      Have a great weekend !
      Me

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  5. Buying and selling a house is up there in the stress levels! Try to breathe, it will be ok. Your grateful attitude will get you through. X

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    1. Thanks Kathy - I am trying so hard to remember that !!!!!
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  6. The best part of looking for a new home is the open houses to see the decorating style of others. Ive been know to go to open houses for that reason alone :) Hope it all runs smoothly for you.

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    1. LOL - we have done that too - especially with homes that we have driven past before and wondered ' I wonder what the inside of their home looks like' !
      Thanks for your good wishes - have the best weekend !
      Me

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  7. I hope you are like me and walk into a house and say this is it….thats what I did nearly 20 years ago…and never have I regretted it.
    Good luck.

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    1. Oooh - that is exactly what I would like to happen - I will keep my fingers crossed that it does !
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  8. On it is so stressful! You're house will find you. You will all know it when you see it. We bought our house when I was in early stages of pregnancy and so sick and the weather was so horridly hot. I was so over it that I wanted to buy a house with a back garden on such a steep hill that it looked like it was going to topple over and become a mound of rock and sand any day. It would have been really safe for kids! Thankfully my partner was seeing clearly, but we both knew when we found "our" house and it was just before Christmas also so there is hope. Good luck!

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    1. I'm going to hang onto that and hope that the same happens to us.
      I think sometimes I have to try harder to imagine our furniture in places rather than looking at what they have. The first house we saw was just lovely but probably heaps too big for us - and my concern with a big house and lots of storage, is that the hoarder amongst us (aka A) will fill every nook and cranny - it would just drive me nuts when I am trying desperately to have a minimalistic home !!!
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  9. Oh Linda, it's so stressful buying and selling houses. And yes, possibly a first world problem, but that doesn't reduce the anxiety - we live in the first world and there are things that are stressful.

    I agree with Sarah, the right house will find you. We bought our house under some pretty terrible circumstances (one day when I'm in Brisbane we'll sit and have a wine and a chat!) and it was one I'd discounted on the internet, but when I saw it, and pictured it without all the previous owner's rubbish in it I knew it would be great. Two and a half years, and SO many hours of renos/work it is fantastic.

    Good luck my friend, xo

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    1. Thank you Kate - you have given me some hope ! I am trying really hard not to discount homes based on what is in them now but to imagine our furniture in it. The second house was easy because it was empty. I think I just need to keep calm and focus on what I do want in a house and what I will compromise on - but I was so hoping we wouldn't land up having to buy a house that needed heaps of renos - I don't know if I am up to that. The problem is that those are probably the only ones we can afford - and then do them up over time.
      At least there is no huge rush to get my folks in - they are OK where they are for now.
      Have a great weekend !
      Me

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  10. I am one of these people that if it is meant to happen, it will all fall into place, and selling and buying is a huge stress :)

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    1. I'm trying to hold onto that - it's just that sometimes I feel so over whelmed and it all goes to pot !
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  11. Good luck, make sure you keep a clear head when dealing with anything real esrate!!

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    1. I know - I keep really dissecting everything they say to make sure that we don't get caught out with something that we have min-understood.
      Have a fantastic weekend !
      Me

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  12. Oh wow I really feel for you. We haven't had a good run with real estate agents or buying or selling property so I wish you all the very best xxx

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  13. Oh you poor thing, you are going through such a stressful time. I've never had the stress of buying or selling a house - just renting has been stressful enough though! I'm sending some of that beautiful, positive energy that you always send to me and everyone in the blogosphere your way to help you get through this challenging time. HUGS. xx

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  14. Am just catching up! My, no wonder you've been so quiet! I hope you are getting some time for "you" too. Isn't' moving the second, if not the first, most stressful time in people's lives? I'm sure studies have proven it!?!? Thinking of you and hoping all goes smoothly! xo

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