Home Buying Frustrations

Before I move right into venting about our home buying process, I'll at least give a quick update on Thanksgiving. We drove to south Georgia and spent time with Aaron's siblings, mom, and grandparents. It was a long drive for this pregnant woman, but it wasn't too bad. Thanksgiving day was good. We ate, played games, and then went to Aaron's friend, Kenny's, house to hang out around the fire and catch up. On the way home, we stopped in Atlanta to visit his cousins. Other than the usual family drama that always ensues during the holidays, it was a good trip and very nice to see the family-in-law. Aaron's family is always fun to spend time with.
Before we left for GA, we had the house inspector come. There were a few minor things found (disposal not working, etc), but there were also 2 potentially major issues. The vents upstairs were not releasing air, which means there is a problem with the temperature control. The bank has agreed to fix that. The other problem is that there are cracks in the foundation. The inspector recommended we have an engineer check them out to verify the severity. So, today we paid a certified Structural Engineer a pretty penny to come check out the foundation. Sure enough, because the house sits on such a sharp drop to the back, settling has caused several cracks around the foundation. He basically said that the house is not done settling since it's a newer home. He said we need to have a test done on each corner of the house to determine to potential damage and needed repairs (another $600 for the tests). If the foundation needs repairing, we'd be looking at up to $20k in cost. So... we are now struggling with the decision to walk away from this house, or negotiate with the bank to pay for the testing, repair any damage, or knock $20k off the price of the house and we'll have it repaired. Obviously our first thought was "walk away, walk away" from foundation issues. We know that's a big risk and potentially big problem. But, the engineer was very knowledgeable and said that if we did get it repaired, there would not be future issues. I guess we'll see what the bank is willing to do. If they agree to cover all repairs, I think we'll continue with the purchase. We really love the house and the neighborhood and everything else in the house is great. I feel like we won't find a deal like this again without having to fight other offers. Some friends say get out now while others say if it can be repaired and not be a future issue, stick with the house you love. We'll find out next week what the bank will agree to.

Little Ayden is doing well. Our next Dr's appointment is next Thursday and we are getting an ultrasound DVD. I'll be sure to post a clip! I'm hoping to post some pregnancy pictures soon, but we don't have a working camera.

Why not add "Home Owner" to our year?

Let's see... since April I've gotten engaged, pregnant, married, and now a new home! Is there anything else we can add to our plates right now? Oh yes, and Aaron bought a new (to him) car. I think we did it all! The way this house situation worked out, I will never question that when things are meant to be, they really do fall into place.

We are officially under contract for a house in Fort Mill. After losing an offer on another property, we found a house that is actually larger and in a more convenient area. It is 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It is definitely a house we won't grow out of and can stay in for a long time. It's also a bank-owned property that pretty much has instant equity in it and is a very good price. We are scheduled to close on the house by the end of the year. Merry Christmas to us!

Here's where the real blessing comes in. We are in a lease with our apartment until the end of July 2012. It just so happens my Dad got a job in our city and will be relocating here with my Stepmom in January. They need a place to live, we need to get out of our lease. Win and Win!! They offered to take over our lease so we are not penalized for breaking our lease. It would have cost us 4 months rent if we had to break the lease! Now they can take their time to find the area of town they'd like to live in and not have to move in somewhere blind. It is helping us out soooo much.

Now we are in all of the contract paperwork/loan application/inspection/etc, it's starting to get pretty stressful. I think Aaron is a little overwhelmed by how much stress this really is. Tonight he was so frustrated when a few things came up that we weren't expecting. I tried to remind him that we knew this was going to be a pain and the process is going to be hard, but we knew what we were getting into and we both want this. I just hope that he continues to focus on the positive outcome and all of the great things that are going to come out of our little family living in our own home.

I am keeping faith that all goes well and, come January, we are settling into our new house and starting to set up baby's room!

More Updates

I was in kind of a rush yesterday when I posted the news, which is why it was just a quick paragraph and some pictures. Right after the ultrasound appointment, we stopped home to scan and post the pictures. Then, we headed straight to the hospital where Aaron's department was hosting a dinner for all of the Security Officers on his team. We thought it was going to be pretty casual, but it was very nice. I'm glad I stayed in my work clothes and didn't dress down. I met several of his co-workers and their wives. He had already sent a mass text with our news, so there was a lot of congratulations.

Now that I know we are having a girl, it's so much more real now. Of course, I have been completely aware that I'm pregnant and that I'm going to have a baby. But, I don't know that the part of raising a child had completely sunk in. It's pretty scary to know that there will be a girl, teenager, then woman that we will be completely responsible for, and that how she turns out is massively effected by our decisions in caring for her. I know it's normal to be nervous though.

As far as the house hunting goes, we are still hunting. The house we put an offer on went to someone that bid much higher than we were willing to go. The good thing about our situation is that we aren't in a rush to get into a house so we feel like we have time to find the house that is just right for us and that we get a good deal on. Our lease isn't up at our aparment until July next year. We've been considering building a home in a new development. Either way, I think we'll be moving either just before or just after the baby is born. What a headache! But I know many people that have done it and I look at the bright side.... I won't have to lift a finger! Haha.

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Yes! We are having a baby girl! Her name is Ayden Jean Carroll and we are so excited! Aaron and I had our ultrasound today and everything looks great. The doctor said she looks great and very healthy.


Official "it's a girl" picture. She is baring it all!



This shows her face and leg. She is very snuggled up.

She was moving around quite a bit!

This is her with her leg propped up.

House Hunting

Aaron and I have been looking at houses the last couple of months. I've been doing A LOT of research on real estate and mortgages. We've been debating on whether to continue to look at short sales and foreclosures, or to build in a new development. It seems like we're leaning towards buying a short sale. We've found several that are very nice, affordable, and don't need any work or updates done to move in. We almost put in an offer last week, but 3 other people had the same idea and the house went under contract before we submitted an offer. We looked at another house this week that we really like and are working to put in an offer. The house is part of a relocation package for the seller which is causing a lot more paperwork for us to submit. If everythig goes the way we hope, we wouldn't close until around February next year so we don't have to pay more to buy out our current lease. We're crossing our fingers that our offer is accepted!

On Thursday, we have our ultrasound and should find out whether we're having a boy or a girl. We are very excited! I think I felt the baby move a few days ago, but I'm not totally sure. I guess since I don't know what it feels like, I don't want to mistake something else for the baby moving. Everyone tries to tell me it feels like a flutter, but I feel like I've gotten litte flutters my whole pregnancy. It won't count for me until I'm sure. We did a tour of the hospital maternity ward last night and took a "New Beginnings" class, which was really basic info about pregnancy and childbirth. I'd already been told 99% of the info.