There is it

The signed offer on the house we probably won't get.

We will be waiting until Tuesday to hear about it. It's a probate house, not a short sale. The short sale will take much much much longer.

And on a side note- why do real estate agents classify buyers as "strong" vs not as strong? What gives? What is the criteria? They have money and lots of it?? That makes them rich, but a strong buyer?? All my insecurities for the world to see again.. *sigh* We were told we were bidding against a "stronger buyer" ugh. I assume it means they have cash to spend on it, but.. really.. is that what it means? It's not like they're a landlord looking to rent it and our kids are a liability.. it's not even like it's the guy who owns it and nostalgically will pick the future owners for it.. it's a probate laywer who decides..(so, yeah, answering that question- money(cash) probably is a factor there)

In all.. it's probably not the right time or the right house. I think God's going to use His "just in time" delivery system and we still have a few weeks to spare on this. And it doesn't have a solar panel or fruit trees.

Real Estate Part 2

I'm speechless. I know. It doesn't happen often but I am.

I don't know how to put into words what life is like for the ethnic majority living here.

BUT I think pictures say it all:


Yes. Those are Side by Side refrigerators.
As in- 2 refrigerators- side by side.

What happens here is several families move into one single family home. It seems the closer the relation, the fewer walls???.. but some then have the ambition to put up walls, some make additions, turn porches, garages or patios into apartments... Some put extra doors to the outside giving private entrances.

SOME add multiple kitchens- THIS 2355 sq ft house has 3 kitchens. And the description reads "Home has foundation issue, code violations and needs CASH BUYER OR FHA 203k Rehab Loan ONLY. Large home on expansive view lot. Home is currently configured as a three-unit property. Home has to be converted back to SFR, per zoning regulations and code enforcement. Property includes 1 fireplace and 1 wood stove. Tons of Potential! BTV all measurements and info given herein. CORPORATE OWNED PROPERTY! Home to be sold AS-IS. Seller acquired property through foreclosure, has no material knowledge of property and is exempt from providing a TDS. Buyer to do their own thorough investigations. All offers must include a copy of your earnest money check, pre-qualification letter and proof of funds. Buyer to verify all info/measurements given herein."

Well.. THAT really makes me want to buy the place. (not to mention we don't happen to have the cash to buy it and fix it)

Or THIS house's description- "BACK ON THE MARKET. .. .. SHORT SALE PACKAGE COMPLETED NEEDS LANDSCAPING, IN FRONT AND BACK * HOME WAS REBUILT IN 2007, LIVING AREA IS A COMBO OF DINING AND FAMILY ROOM * A GREAT ROOM * EVERYTING IS NEW, ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS * NEW PANEL DOORS NEW CARPET, WAITING FOR NEW FAMILY TO MOVE IN. QUIET STREET, BURNED DOWN BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN GARAGE.BUYERS TO SATISFY ALL MEASUREMENTS, no repairs, property "as is"OWNER HAS BLUE PRINTS NEW CONSTUCTION, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WENT DOWN * BUYER TO RESEARCH HAZARD INSURANCE FEES, OWNER IS WORKING ON REMOVING WEEDS, HOME IS SOLD AS IS BUT WE HAVE THE TDS, NO WARRANTIES OR TERMITE REPAIR "
(emphasis mine in bold. The listing agent must have thought the all caps typing was going to bring in more offers. You should see the picture- go ahead, click on it and you'll see why it's still for sale 240+ days later)

And there are such jewels as this- THIS Jewels' asking price is $270K and it's bank owned.
And lastly- This one. The description reads "FIXER, FIXER, FIXER great investment oportunity. Great Location. Views day and night(lights)Do not let anybody else take it. Hurry it won't last too long in the market." Uh huh.. right. I'll snatch it right up especially when you post the pictures of the water damage, holes in ceiling from where the sheet rock got wet and bulged out (opposed to the holes we see cut intentionally to fix said leak) and other "character pictures such as this:

Well.. the search is on

For a new place to live. To buy. (Gulp)

Don't worry, mom it actually is well thought out. All you have to do is add up what rent will be for the next 2-4 years and we can afford to "loose" that much in the purchase/resell and if we "loose" less than that we're ahead. Since rent is now even higher than when we moved here, it's a fairly well thought out option. OR as well thought out as anything living here with someone in the Navy can be.

So.. that said.. we've re-entered the market. Talked to a mortgage officer. Nothing quite as humbling as admitting what "we" make and how much house we want to buy and the debt/income ratio... Add to that the fact that I don't have a out of the home job, so I'm "just a homemaker" (Excuse me-I am raising and teaching the future generation. I Single handedly balance 40 tasks at the same time AND keep food in the house and prepared, laundry done, the house cleaner than 100% of the foreclosures we've seen AND I am the owner of a internationally known company peddling diapers from my garage, I'm MORE than a homemaker I am an Excutive here. Would you look your mother in the face and call her "JUST" anything?!!)

And it's a conversation with a person who doesn't live in CA and doesn't realize that trailers on rented lots sell for more than what mansions on acres cost in middle America.

So.. anyway.. let me share a few laughs with you- or not laughs, but what he'd found this week..

Property 1- has a 16. yes. 16 foot lot. The Civic can't even park on 16 feet. I'm hoping that's a typo, but I honesty wouldn't be too surprized if it isn't. Other places have lot size in acres or .something acres. Not here. We're talking feet. It's a selling feature if your backyard is big enough for a pool. (other than a 4 foot kiddie pool)

Propery 2- made excellent use of the cropping/zoom feature on the camera. Looks like a nice property, right? IN A BARRIO. We're driving down the street past the half dozen pushing shopping carts dragging ragged children down the street.. muttering this can't be right and right there, behind the liquor store- is this affordable, cute house. But hey, the backyard is big enough for a pool.

Property 3- the picture says it all. A box so ugly, they had to put a fence around it to keep it safe.

Property 4- an example of what happens when a house is in forclosure- the occupants strip EVERYTHING Then can from it and sell it- cabinets, appliances, lighting fixtures, sink fixtures, sinks..they dig up the trees from the yard.. but that said, it's one of the current top prospects.

Property 5- scroll down. This house has been for sale since Nov 2007. It was purchased June 06 for $690K (yes. really, look.) Anyway. It was listed for sale in November 07 for $625K. It's now a short sale for $400K. See what I mean- a relative bargain.

And lastly-
Property 6- again, creative use of the camera. It does not show that what was left of the kitchen in those photos is now torn out - I assume the "repairs in progress" noted in the listing. Also missing is the fact that they put up walls everywhere downstairs (or semi verticle structures involving 2x4's, presumably renting space out. I do not understand how it was sold this fall for 332K, that it's bank owned now and that they're expecting to make a profit on this.. but.. I'll watch and see. Maybe learn something..

Don't buy stuff you can't afford

Please forgive the commercial, I can't find one to embed without it. I find it super funny considering the content of the video..