Well, on April 9th, 2018, I'm happy to say that goal was checked off of my list.
I think, at first, people thought I was just being rash. This drastic change had happened in my life and that I must be determined to do something big, make a statement. Changes happen and people do all sorts of things - but it's usually things like cutting or dying your hair. Which, I did. Remember, I was getting my hair done when I stated my goal.
Buying a home was bigger than that to me.
I've spent the last year really working on myself. Learning who I am again. Being confident in who I am. Loving who I am.
With that learning experience you realize what you're capable and worthy of.
There was no reason, I, a single, hard-working woman couldn't buy a home on my own. I believed in myself. I could do this and I wanted to do this - FOR ME! I wasn't doing this for anyone else but myself.
There were people who didn't think I could do it. Some even told me so. People love to doubt what you're capable of.
"How can you afford to buy a house?"
"Your parents have to be paying for this..."
"The only way you'll be able to afford this is if you get a roommate."
"You realize you're responsible for it all. There's no maintenance man to call when something breaks like there would be if you rented."
Sometimes the comments would sting. Why do they feel the need to doubt me? More than anything, it added to my desire of wanting to do this even more.
"Sometimes,
the most powerful thing
of all
to be
is underestimated."
It made accomplishing this so much sweeter. It reminded me of how people thought it was odd I wanted to go into the IT field. "Women don't belong in that line of work." Well, I'm in it and I'm doing just fine.
I knew what I was capable of and I knew I would/could do it - Both in my career and buying a home.
So it began...I saved, I kept an eye on the market, and when I was ready I asked to be put in contact with a realtor. I did a walk through of the home and that night put in an offer. From there, the rest was history.
Overall, it was a smooth and easy process. I truly picked a great first home. I've learned so much about the home buying process. I've made great friends in my realtor, mortgage broker, and home inspector. Things couldn't have gone better and I owe a great deal of that to the great team I had around me.
Since settlement, it's been a work in progress. I wanted to get all the cleaning and painting done prior to moving in. I felt that having to move around furniture would slow down that process. Now, I'm able to get it done and have it be right. (Details on the work I've done will follow)
It actually took a while for it to sink in that I own a home. There's still times that I'll walk in, sit down, and just stare at everything around me. Soaking it all in that I did it, that it's mine.
"She believed she could, so she did."
I bought a home on my own. There was no "gift money" from family. There was no inheritance. I paid for it by myself with money I'd worked hard to earn and save. I've purchased all the furniture and appliances I needed by myself too. I've also decided not to have a roommate at this time.
And I don't talk about doing it by myself in a "I'm rich and loaded with money" type of way. I say it more because I'm not rich and I'm not loaded.
It took a real and conscious effort to save and plan. Some of the savings were from when I was a kid. That money you got for your birthday or Christmas that I chose to invest and build rather than buy the latest toy. I'm grateful to have parents who know the importance of putting money aside. I also shopped around for my furniture until I found exactly what I wanted at the price I was willing to pay. I didn't just walk into a furniture store and say I'll take the first thing I saw. That mentality didn't fit into my budget. I think it's important to set a budget and stick to it. Everything adds up fast and if you aren't careful you'll be in over your head in no time.
Most 26 year-olds don't have the opportunity to do this by themselves. I'm grateful to be in the position I'm in. I'm excited to make the place mine and have it feel like home. I've been envisioning it since I first walked through the house and it's going to be great to see it become reality.
Would you like to see or hear about some of the transformations I've done? Stay tuned...
