The DU community has supported my family & I through a lot of BS, so now, some GREAT news to share! [View all]

[MarianJack]

My wife and I will always be very grateful for the support, kind words and good vibes we've received from our DU community through some HORRIFIC times recently. Some of those are here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002282915

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002311756

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002514497

I remember several years ago when Kephra passed on, Plaid Adder made the comment that we are a cyber "family" and we need to let each other know about the goods & bads of our lives. I wholeheartedly agreed, and continue to agree, with her.

After all the bad news BS I've shared with you these past few months, now for something truly wonderful!

My wife and I reached an agreement to buy a house tonight.

I know that many here have a very low opinion of home ownership, but both of us have always been of the home ownership mentality. We had a house in the Philly suburbs before we moved here 10 years ago. We've been living in rentals (sometimes really crappy rentals) for most of the last 10 years. for 7 months of 2009 we were homeless and living in a 9 unit transitional apartment house where there were 2 drug dealers and a woman who, shall we say, rendered professional services and a family who was hiding their fugitive sister-in-law in their apartment.

After my recently concluded 10 month nightmare of unemployment, we thought that we were at least a year from this. We were looking for a house to rent or lease/purchase in the city where my wife works. Our Realtor suggested that we talk to a mortgage broker to see what we may be able to qualify for when we would qualify. We found out that we qualified under my wife's income and job for a mortgage of the size that we wanted.

As of mid-August, we will move into a 3 bedroom, 1 bath (for now) ranch with an attached garage in 1/3 of an acre of land and within walking distance of a beautiful residents and guests only lake/beach. We will also be within walking distance of our son's new school (that has a sterling reputation) and some FINE ice cream, pizza and roast beef restaurants. We believe that this will be our final move. We believe that we will buy this house but our son will sell it in about 30 or 40 years when we leave the house feet first.

If I can master the technology, I'll post a picture after closing!

Our mortgage payment will be less than our monthly rent for a 600 sq. foot 2 bedroom apartment. Our combined round trips to work will be about 200 miles less every week. Our auto insurance and home owner's insurance will be less than our current auto & renter's insurance.

You've shared some very dark and difficult times with me and have been a great support to my family and I. For all of the faults and squabbles that we may get into in this community, DU is fabulous at coming together for it's membership in time of need.

Please allow us to share our joy with you tonight!

PEACE!