The things I do to make myself miserable

Coming back from work/training yesterday, I saw a woman putting in an “open house” sign nearby.

How could I resist? Oh, and this house – it’s PERFECT for us. Well, I won’t describe it because it will make me want it too much. And she’s accepting offers, but it’s outside my price range and there’s no rental unit, which I need to be able to make a mortgage.

But I chatted it up with the realtor and she’s going to start looking for me – she had all sorts of ideas about loans available and all that.

Yes, Tami, I hear you. I know. But why not investigate my options? It wasn’t the sanest thing the last time I bought a house, but it all worked out so well for me – I had the joys of home ownership and made enough money to do some things I really wanted to. I’m going to be here for the next 2.5 years, and it just seems to make more sense to buy instead of rent for that whole time. Rent will easily be $14,400 per year once I move – that’s $36,000 for 2.5 years. Why not be putting money into a house that I can either rent out or sell when I leave? And if there’s a rental unit attached, I could be making $9,000/year – which would mean that after 2.5 years I would be $58,500 ahead if I sell the house for what I buy it for, minus whatever I put into it (not counting the HUGE bonus of interest being tax deductible – once Dayton’s working).

Of course I’m not counting hurricanes or floods or drive-bys in that equation … but it still seems that I could at least break even and get to have more home joy in the meantime. The same urge that’s making me stuff 3 pounds of chicken in the freezer is the one making me drive to open houses. And the desire for a home with a dishwasher and washer/dryer. I’m not complaining that I don’t have these things now – but I’ll be happy when I have ‘em again.

But I also can’t shake that I came here to help rebuild. Shouldn’t I be rebuilding?

I’ll check out all my options – insurance may be a difficult thing, but the realtor had some good ideas and it might work out.

Last time I bought a house, it all worked out so perfectly. I told the realtor I’m in no hurry, but if the right situation comes along I don’t want to run screaming away from a good thing. Such as a driveway of my own. A garden and a yard for children to play. Appliances.

And Jenny, if I do buy, keep your suitcase packed. You know you’re the first one I’ll call with any color SOS – you’ll be my painting triage.