Are We Really Doing This...Again?

There is probably nothing more agonizingly painful than going through the process of purchasing a home. Sure, you catch that real estate high when you first start looking online. Then you walk through the homes for sale with your realtor, planning where all the furniture will go, and how you would paint the rooms this color or that. I love that part. That part is fun. You're still in fantasy land picturing your lovely little family living in your lovely new home. "Oh yes, let's take it! We'll make an offer." It all comes crashing down when someone tries to mess with your la-di-da plan by starting a bidding war, finding the ghosts that haunt the walls of the house in the form of duct tape covered pipes, or eeek mouse droppings here and there. Ugh...this isn't so fun anymore. Can I get a shot of whatever made me swoon over the prospect of owning a home in the first place?

We are currently on chapter two of, "The Joy of Real Estate." We made it through, Chapter 1: The First Time Buyer, and are now in the midst of Chapter 2: Purchasing Your Second House. We skipped the part about listing our current home (which I'm sure is a real treat) and decided to rent it out instead. Fortunately, we found a renter yesterday. (Yeah! phew)

Four years ago I signed about a bazillion dotted lines to own our current townhouse, that has served us well. When we were looking for this home we needed something with a backyard for our 130lb beast and well, enough living space to throw a decent party.

What do you know, baby girl comes along and our perspective changes. Location has become an issue. Joe goes to work by train everyday now, and has been driving into Naperville (at ungodly hours sometimes) to catch it. Also, growing up in Naperville, our entire social and family life is still there. Not that it's a far drive, but wouldn't it be more convenient to just live there? And schools...nuff said.

So, Naperville here we come. That's all I'm really saying at this point, because I'm sure the real estate gods are watching me right now, and without things finalized quite yet they could strike at any moment. Hopefully, soon we will be on Chapter 3: Enjoying Your Home and Not Moving Again for a Very Long Long Time.