House Hunting Horrors... Not For the Feint of Heart

I haven't really mentioned that Alex and I are in the process of buying a home. I didn't really want to say anything until we we under contract on a place, but I'm just too annoyed to not say anything.

Alex and I began searching for our first home back in October of 2011. We found our dream house and actually had our bid accepted and were under contract up until 10 days before closing and then we found out that our Lender would not approve our loan because of my inexperience in the work place. They told me to keep my job for 6 more months and then we could start the process again.

So  here we are 6 months 8 months later with still no house. And trust me, it's not for lack of trying. I think within the past 2 months we have put at least 10 bids on different houses. But we always get out bid. Stupid Cash Investors. Seriously, I hate cash investors more than my monthly "lady week", standing in line at the DMV, stepping on gum in new shoes, and terrorists... okay so that last one is a little extreme... but seriously these investors ruin my life.

For example. A perfectly nice house comes on the market at 10am. I call my Realtor and tell him I'd like to go see it and possibly make an offer. The house is listed at $110,000 and we are willing to offer $115,000. However my Realtor calls me back at 4pm that day and tells me that a cash buyer has offered $140,000 IN CASH!!!!! not only in that 30k more than listed, it's in freaking dollar bills.

This has happens on every.single.house.we.try.to.freaking.buy!!!!

Can you tell that i'm a little upset?

It wouldn't be so bad, but it seems like even the less aesthetically appealing homes are getting snatched. You'd think that a home with stained carpets, holes in the walls and ceilings, and missing cabinets wouldn't be flying off the market. but they are. I'm all for a little home renovation. I am excited to make the place my own, but it seems like the only way i could decorate a pace of my own is to get a refrigerator box and some Sharpies.

We have again widened our search out to San Tan Valley and Queen Creek in hopes of snagging something before someone else does. It's so hard to do though since homes are up on the market for a max of about 5 days.

I know that we will find something eventually and that it will be perfect for us and that the Lord is watching over us and all that good stuff. But I still have all right to be frustrated.

That being said, my husband has been a trouper through all of this, putting up with my temper tantrums and my tears. He is a much more patient person than I am, and that is good. He also is the better finance man and helps keep my sights within the budget. If it were up to me I'd up our budget as high as we could go. but having Alex stay grounded is good. Plus he's the main reason we have enough money saved to buy a home. Also he is sweet to me, letting me cry and telling me that no matter where we live it will be perfect to him as long as i'm there with him... cheesy, but it's nice to hear when i'm just so annoyed by everything.

We are going to see 3 new homes tomorrow afternoon and so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Pray for us, burn some incense, sacrifice a small animal, rub a Buddha belly or participate in some other sort of good luck charm/ritual.

I hope y'all are having a terrific Tuesday

loves.

Cheap Date Night

If you have never heard of First Friday then you are missing out! It makes for the most perfect date night. Down in Phoenix there are a few places that have free admission on the first friday of every month. The science center and the art museum are just two of those places. totally free. amazing.

Alex and i took full advantage last night and drove out to phoenix. I sure love the City Life feel that Phoenix has. so different that the little Mesa bubble i am use to.

We finally found the parking garage after 25 minutes of driving around and being so confused by the One Way streets that Phoenix is so famous for. But once we found the parking garage and got to the Science Center we had a blast playing with all the exhibits.

Test your flexibility.  

The little bank booth. haha

physics.

Don't so this more than once. Alex got so sick we had to leave early.

Bahaha So Dizzy!!!

Eye See You

He is really mature.

After the Science Center we went to Tempe and indulged in some Mexican Popsicles. We even had a Living Social coupon for it. :)

i'm so addicted.

yum.

i die.

So our entire date cost $4 and it was some of the most fun i have had in a while. I highly recommend it. :) 

Go out and tell someone you love them. and enjoy your Cinco e Mayo!!

Anniversary.

So, it's a little sad that my anniversary was the 4th of March and i'm not getting around to writing about it until the 4th of May... <shrugs> oh well. better late than never i always say.

Our anniversary was very low key and intimate. I didn't need any fancy vacation or present, in fact we decided to not do presents at all for this anniversary. It was so nice. Instead we focused all our energy on each other and making memories that weekend.

If I blogged more you would know for a fact that Alex and I are die hard baseball fans. Like we eat, breath, and sleep baseball. I am obsessed with watching or listening to all the games, we have the game highlights come straight to our phones and i follow all the players on twitter. We also have the goal to see a game in every MLB stadium!! That's 36 stadiums my friends. :) it's gonna be awesome... but anyways, we love baseball and our anniversary is right when Spring Training is so we deemed the perfect excuse to buy tickets and drive out to Scottsdale and see an awesome game! It was the most perfect way to celebrate. Afterwards we went to a nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then went home and watched some How I Met Your Mother. Seriously I don't think i could have asked for a better day.

Also, earlier that weekend we made use of the occasion and went on a fun day date and explored downtown chandler. We spent a few hours at Chandler Mall, window shopping, reading in the bookstore, and playing in the Lego Store. We walked around down town chandler and found the most amazing Mexican Heladeria (Ice Cream Shop)!!! Alex lived in Mexico for 2 years serving an LDS mission so this was an exceptionally fun find for him! They had the most amazing popsicle you will ever try and the service was so nice. We will definitely be going back.

I can't believe a whole year (and 3 months) has passed since we kneeled across the altar in the Mesa Temple and were sealed. I feel so blessed to be with my best friend for time and all eternity.

It's been such a learning experience being married, but it isn't something i would give up for anything.

I love you Alex.

Oh Paul Goldschmidt... <sigh>

There were SO MANY Giants fans there... crazy.

We Won with a Walk Off HomeRun!!! YEAH BABY!!!