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November 29, 2006
"Real" Estate
Today I spent more money than I've made in my entire life, all at once. With it I (or rather a bank) purchased a piece of Real Estate. I've always wondered in what sense the word "real" should be taken. Is there "False Estate," or perhaps "Imaginary Property?" If anyone knows the etymology, let me know.
Buying a house is part of Hollywood's idea of the American Dream. It's a strange dream--wanting to spend that much money, wanting yardwork, and assuming risk. I never wanted to buy a house. Of course, I never wanted to have kids either, but that turned out to be amazingly cool. I'm hoping the Real Property turns out to be a Real Boon.
If anyone's interested, I have a few notes you should re-read before buying a house:
- Make sure you don't have a divorce on the horizon. House buying is the most stressful thing my marriage has seen. You will fight about it.
- Hold out for classy people to work with. Mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and similar types are generally slimy, nasty people who are out to screw you. Let yourself be picky and don't use someone's services because they were the most pushy. Find someone good.
- Rethink your conceptions about the "niceness" or "ghetto-ness" of certain areas. I've found neighborhoods I liked in every city I checked. My new house is in Aurora, a place I generally hate, but I really like the neighborhood. The commute time also got shortened by 90%. I now get to have an extra 10 hours every week and feel like a good little tree-hugger.
- Make sure you have no desires to continue a social life because you will be broke for many years. Everyone who has similar tastes to you probably makes the same amount of money, which means everything you like will be just a little too expensive.
- House hunting sucks
For those few of you left in the world who are both friends and locals, expect an invitation to a house-warming party within a few months.
Posted by james at November 29, 2006 09:13 PM
Comments
Good advice - I'll try to remember that when I buy a house...
Posted by: Jodi at November 29, 2006 09:44 PM
Cool. You'll have to get us the new address. When do you move in?
Posted by: Jarrad Maiers at November 30, 2006 07:04 PM
Congratulations! I have only hear second and third hand accounts about what an unholy pain in the ass this whole thing has been. But, it will start to operate in your favor here soon (right around tax season, I think). Besides, think of all the walks you and Zoe and 'the boys' will take on the greenbelt path!
Posted by: Adrian at December 2, 2006 12:16 AM