There's No Place Like (House)

Apartment living is to be avoided at all costs. Sure, if you can't be tied down to a 30 year mortgage, you may rent a house, but at least rent a HOUSE, not an apartment, if at all possible.

Sure, an apartment may be cheaper and more readily available than a house for rent. Still, search diligently for that house that may be yours (through a lease).

Even Hannah, my six year old complains "why can't we have quiet neighbors?" The family upstairs (really only a retired couple lives there, but unfortunately one that has their grandson and his throng of hyperactive male friends visit nearly weekly). It is quite like living below the on ramp of an expressway when the weekend arrives. Of course, complaining to management does no good - the couple has been living there for 15 years.

My God, fifteen years of dumping over a thousand dollars a month down the drain? Not a penny of equity to show for the expenditure?

For this reason (that you may as well throw your hard-earned dollars out the window) and for others (too many neighbors on all sides), we are now ready to look for a house--to BUY.

I've started the nerve wracking process, made the calls to realtors, contacted mortgage brokers, inquired about insurance. Let the fun begin!

My daughter and I will live in a house by next year. The town in which we now live is desirable, has good schools, is pleasant and has thriving town centers. It also provides easy access to a major metropolitan area, where I happen to work.

I am, nonetheless, experiencing some anxiety at the awesome responsibility of home ownership, the lengthy financial constraints, the requirement of good money management skills, etc. However, I am ready for the challenge.

Hannah has already told me that she wants to paint her room red. I don't know about this, but certainly the ability to paint one's own walls any color without having to get the approval of management officials is attractive. Maybe, just maybe, red is okay- it's Hannah's room afterall.

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