Yesterday I signed what seemed to be an endless array of loan agreement forms for buying a home. I’ve done it, bought a home.

Ok so now I get to be in the advice seat for folks looking to buy a place.

1. Iron out all your finances waaaaaay before you start to look at anything. We sorta did this mentally but didn’t jump thru all the hoops we should have starting out. Figure out what loan you’re gonna do and why. Down payment is everything. We didn’t have 20% but we had about 13%, and that made us modify our plans a bit.

2. Condo or house? We started looking at condos at first mainly because that’s all we knew, and theres a sense that a home, woah thats a much bigger deal, but as far as money goes they are about the same expense right now in our market range. We looked for modest places we could live in, grow a bit bit avoided the mass pain of a crazy ass 300k, ie: beyond your means is not wise right now.

Thats not to say we didnt want to grow into something. In fact thats why we picked a house in the end over a condo. We had two good options staring at us, a 150k condo that was a decent deal and had nice stuff in it, vs a 180k home that could really grow into something more. We choose the home. Sure it didnt have the granite in the bathroom, but it had potential, and condos often feel like apartments where you can really only do so much, and a home, well skies the limit. We wanted that limitless option.

3. Document and photo journal everything. We created a google maps page with all our potenials, we photo documented all our visits and ranked homes by multiple factors- like “cat factor” and more. Looking at homes was actually alot of fun. Our agent over time thought we were nuts, and was amazed at our level of effort but we just never gave up, and there is a TON, a seamingly endless amount of homes to go stare at. The google map and photos also made it easier to digest and share the story of what we were looking for to friends and family and it reinforced in us what we really wanted, where we really wanted to live.

4. Know what you can afford, aim high, get more but don’t break yourself. 180k was definitely at the top end of what i wanted to pay. I had recently paid off all my debt, the cash save snowball was rolling and security was rolling in, it felt good to save, invest a little, everything was on track, I even had plan B money in just in case. I didn’t want a home that would break that reality for me. So why go to the top end of what I wanted to spend? Value. This home is a good deal. Its in a good area, near accessible highways, yet tucked away quiet. Its in a place that I could of never afforded 6 years ago when I looked way back then. It was cheap considering the yard, deck, home build etc. And I guess in the days of no money down you could afford anything right, i mean, denial works wonders right? I didn’t want to spend more, I didn’t want to get in a position of badness so thats why I kept myself under the means.

Now I have a good solid clear view vibe of the future regarding this home. I like that slice, I can deal with it.

5. Trust your gut, always trust your gut. 9.999998 times out of 10 my gut has the right info. I just knows. It knows you’re lacking a key form, it knows you probably left the water running, it knows when you feel like you found the right thing for you. Trust it, don’t debate it, go with the gut. My guts been in over drive lately, and I’ve executed a ton of stuff where normally I’ll admit it, I’m a waffling dude at times. Thats because I want reserves though. I don’t want to live check to check, I want to live, afford, be comfy and plan. I get off on it. Yet it can often hold me back. Thats where the gut comes in and helps me make decisions better. When it comes to people, my gut always sniffs out the pricks fromt he picks. Our agent, she was a pick, she had tolerance for a young couple who wanted to look at ever piece of candy in the store but when it came to bankers.. owww.. the gut spoke and at first I didnt want to listen. Wellsfargo was the first vendor I had talked to, fairly decent info, still a bit distant at times. Not bad but not good the gut told me. Then I met the National City guy that came recommened from a brother :P, he was mafia like, short and too the point, a no bs guy that just told me the way it is, that was raw at first but refreshing later. The gut said go National City, and of course that was after a ton of internal review with all brothers and more but generally I had a good feeling, gut confirmed it.

6. Don’t sweat minor details. House after condo after house after condo and the details like wall color, carpet or hardwood floors, shelves etc.. all minor details. I seemeed to always go more for general flow and less about oh my god pink walls, course I say that knowing the home I just bought has pink walls. But thats a paint color way from being something new. Open your mind up, and focus on the flow, and I think like connected goodness, I’m eating lunch, whats it like sitting here, ok what about there, or watching tv, or chillin, or playing with kids. Staring at some cabinets ya dont like is pretty silly i think.

Ok thats it for now. I’m excited!! New home goodness, our place, our big start awaits!