When I was younger I remember that, after a time, I wanted to move. I didn’t want to stay in the same neighborhood. I had met kids that moved into the neighborhood, we became friends, some moved out of the neighborhood and they were missed. Others, not so much. 
Anyway, I always thought that it would be exciting to move, to have a larger house, a house in a different neighborhood, but that never happened. My first time that I ever moved was slightly before my 22nd birthday when I moved to Texas to begin life on my own.
Since that time, I’ve moved and moved and moved. Most of my early adult years spent in various apartments, moving to be closer to work or ‘upgrading’ apartments. From the time that I moved out until today, the longest time that I’ve ever stayed anywhere has been about 6 years, twice. Not bad, I suppose. During those times, though, I never really made that space my own by decorating, putting in a garden, or whatever one does to make that place home. When I moved out nearly 2 years ago, I knew that an apartment was a temporary situation. I didn’t know what I wanted to do going forward, so the apartment offered the most flexibility. If I needed or wanted to leave the state, or area, I could do so quite easily.
The other day I went to the apartment office to check on something. While there, I picked up the price sheet and saw that the same size apartment that I’m in is now almost $1,000/month. When I moved in, less than 2 years ago, it was $845. I talked to one of the staff and they indicated that they were going to have yet another price increase, bringing it over $1,000. I told her that she needn’t worry about me signing another lease. I then left and set about looking for homes.
As I commenced my home search, thoughts about how much to spend, location, how I want it too look, how I wanted it to feel (feng shui), etc began to pop into my head. I’ve decided on the easier parts of the equation – where I want to live – Fort Mill, SC, just over the border from Charlotte where property taxes and most things are cheaper, and price range. Now comes the more difficult part, deciding on a size, exact location, and a layout. This Saturday I have an appointment with a realtor. We are going to look at 7 houses that I picked out from the approximately 20 that she sent me that met my ‘wish list’ that I provided to her.
It’s an exciting time and a little bit daunting at the same time. I’ve to a few months to decide, as my lease expires on July 31st, so the decision and the closing have to be done by that time. I’m targeting July 27th.
Regarding the photo, this is a shot from my walk around Greenville, SC, some 90 miles from here. If it weren’t so far away from here, I’d certainly live there. It’s my kind of town.
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Paul, great news! It’s certainly a wonderful time to buy a home and secure an attractive mortgage. I’ve lived in apartments but they’ve never felt the same as a house/home. Good luck on your search and hold fast until you find what you really want.
Earl recently posted..Update
Thanks, Earl. That’s the interesting part, now isn’t it? I’ve been to your home and have seen the wonderful things that you and your wife have done to make it your very own. I have to look at this house as a starting point to putting my own touch on it, but still have to start out with ‘good bones’.
Glad to hear you’re looking to buy. I was shocked to see how much increase they want on this apartment. It went up from $765 to $841. Guess they don’t want people to stay. Good luck with your search. I’m actually excited for you.
Monte Stevens recently posted..Friends
Monte: From what they told me. They are at near 100% capacity, so basically they can get whatever they want, so they will keep raising the rent. I suppose they are testing what the market will bear. They are on the up side of things now with more and more folks giving up on their homes.
Paul recently posted..A place to call home
Interesting discussion. We’ve actually decided not to sell right now because of the depressed values and the “buyer’s market” in the area. We’d like the flexibility that comes from not owning a home and the necessary responsibilities that go along with it, at least for now. My idea of the ideal lifestyle does not involve spending my weekends running back and forth to Lowe’s, fixing toilets and doing yard work.
We’re going to hold on for now, since we figured that our house – even though it has twice as much room as we need – is costing us less than an apartment or rental condo. Eventually we’ll decide that the time is right to sell, and there is going to be an interim time where we’ll want to rent just to maintain the flexibility until we decide where to go. If you’ve decided that Fort Mill is the place for you, then go for it! The time is certainly right to buy if you are in the market.
Tom Dills recently posted..Silliness…and 5D Mark III Impressions
You are absolutely right, Tom. There are pros and cons on each side of the equation. You just have to figure out what you want to deal with. For apartments, there is the possibility of noisy neighbors, etc. For a home, yes, the trips to this store and that to maintain the home. The weekend grass cutting, unless you hire someone, and the lack of flexibility should you have to or desire to move elsewhere.
This is a buyer’s market. There seems to be a glut of houses on the market, prices have fallen and, in some cases, are still falling. I’m seeing lots of houses that have been on the market 180+ days, ripe for the picking, if you will. I’ve been on the other side of that equation, too, and it’s not comfortable. Fortunately, I’ve never been upside-down on a house. That would be a terrible position to be in.
As I have no immediate plans to leave the area, this move makes sense. I could go to another apartment, face the same issues, sign another lease, etc, but it doesn’t seem to make sense to do that.
Paul recently posted..A place to call home
I hope you find something that chimes in with you and your way of being. As I said before, you should have a small garden, or a balcony where you can keep large pots.
Ove recently posted..109
Ove, I agree 100%. I would like to have a deck with many colorful clay pots, filled with all manner of plants, both edible and not.
This is a great decision, Paul. Real estate is a good investment and it sounds like you did your homework on location, probably the most important aspect of buying. I never regretted my home purchases and i’m thinking of putting in a garden like Ove suggested. Good luck!
Ken Bello recently posted..LOOK THROUGH ANY WINDOW
Ken, I never really had the patience for a garden before. Let’s see if I do now. Talk about a built-in, ready-made photographic subject!
It is very hard for us to make a decision that can make a big change for our life.. Anyway, you are an inspiration and this can serve as a lesson to us..
Myrrtle recently posted..Sharepoint Hosting
I can totally relate to this post. I have spent most of my youth moving and moving some more. Funny thing is I never moved back home. But now I have been in the same location for 10 years and it feels strange and yet comforting. I guess this is a 21st Century problem, or issue as I like to call it. We are a mobile society and more things than just work can take us to different locations. Love interests, family, chasing the dream you name it. – nice post ~ John
John Masters recently posted..Things Remembered