We bought a house. I told you I would tell you about how horrible the process of getting it was, but I’m feeling weirdly warm and grateful for having it, so I don’t really want to relive the process.
Without going into the bloody, dramatic and traumatizing details, I will tell you that I had to cut off my social life completely for the last two months while proving where every deposit that wasn’t from my employer came from and providing supporting documentation that the money was either for a gift or payment for services (freelance — not prostitution, sheesh).
Maybe the rest of the world is better about keeping their documents in one safe, dry place organized neatly (like a filing cabinet or something even more preposterous), but I, apparently, like throw my really important (srsly) documents up in the air and let them fall where they will: Behind the dresser, in the attic, kitchen cabinets, under the sofa, in my car, lost forever or TBD.
So going back in time and just finding things like old tax returns (do you keep those? Am I the only irresponsible adult who doesn’t organize this stuff?), college transcripts, paystubs for the last two years, bank statements (which can be printed online, but do you think they make it easy?), W-2′s for three years, birth certificates and social security cards … there were others, but those are the big ones.
It doesn’t matter though.
Because I’m not entitled to a house. I’m honestly honored that we were able to buy a small percentage of a house and that someone trusted two people who can’t keep documents in a folder with the money for the rest of it. The first thing we did when we moved in is buy some filing boxes. We’re on our way.
Like I said last week, I’m sinking my teeth into this house. Every day when I get home, I pick up stray underwear that migrate to all rooms of the house for whatever reason, I’m washing dishes and clothes and vacuuming and sweeping and making my bed. All because this place is the first place that’s ours. And we’re proud of it.
I put all of my weird feelings about being a woman with typically reversed gender roles in my life (I’m not really into the domestic stuff) aside and I’ve been kind of into cooking lately and buying furniture and all of that stuff. It’s like a disease. But it doesn’t feel like we gave up any of our badassedness to have it.
Anyway, it’s coming along. This is the dining room (below) — but it needs some stuff still … we’ve lived there a week. The family room currently does not photograph well because one of our 70-year-old house’s former owners hung curtain rods just, like, wherever, so they’re all lopsided and weird. I’ll share more photos as I go.
The whole process has been really humbling and we’re both grateful to have what we have and to know who we know. Aside from the obvious “WOW” feeling of having the place, people have been so thoughtful and generous helping us move in, unpack, and celebrate.
Thank you.
Nikki J.
January 30, 2013
Those chairs! The metal ones, where’d you find them? My first guess was World Market, but they look more functional than the simular ones they have now.
Lizzie
January 30, 2013
Thanks Nikki! They’re from http://industry-west.com and they’re hella comfortable and sturdy. I shopped for chairs just like them for a long time, but couldn’t find any I liked better. Hope it helps!
Samra
January 30, 2013
Oh, this brings back memories. We built our house in Houston, so we had some time to get things sorted out. And in 1989 it wasn’t quite as bad as it is now–the mortgage industry has gotten more picky about giving out loans after the mortgage and foreclosure crisis. I swear, they want everything but your blood type. I remember at the closing Bill was using his expensive fountain pen, and when we were done put it in his pocket. Our realtor took us to lunch, and when Bill took his jacket off there was a huge ink stain on his chest–he stuck the fountain pen, without the cap, point down into his pocket, and it bled out completely. That’s how unnerving that can be.
We inherited the house we’re in now. It was built in 1969 and has had nothing but the light bulbs changed over the last 35 years. We know what you’re going through with the weird curtain rods and stuff. Be sure to do “before” and “after” pictures. And have fun making it your own.
Lizzie
January 30, 2013
Oh man, Samra. That’s not hard to believe. All of the work that went into buying this house … and I spent the first day in a seriously sad funk of regret while people told us things like, “You’ll probably live there three years before getting something else,” or my family pointed out so helpfully (seriously) that the drains in both bathrooms didn’t drain and there wasn’t a garbage disposal.
But now it’s home and it feels really comforting and worth working on. So all’s well that ends well?
Carl
January 30, 2013
Lizzie,
Thanks for sharing your house buying experience. It brings back many great memories and some of the same frustrations that you experienced. Now that Nancy and I are living in our third house I can tell you that the learning about houses never ends. Hopefully you’re ready to resume your social life at the SMCFW Tweetup. I’d love to share house stories with you.
Carl
Lizzie
February 1, 2013
Man, Carl, I’m sorry I missed the tweetup! I’ll be at the next one for sure. We can commiserate then, yeah?
Lena
January 30, 2013
Love the dining room–and that ya’ll have a HOUSE! The other day, John asked me if tax returns “refreshed”, so I’m pretty sure he will spend the whole of our house buying experience curled up in a ball.
Lizzie
February 1, 2013
Thanks Lena! I’m really excited. Ha, that’s … not that different from what happened here. You’ll find it in you to get it done when it’s time … It doesn’t spring on you overnight and if you aren’t comfortable with your broker or realtor, that’s the first problem — but a good pair of those will get you through some tough shit.