With a roof right over our heads
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the tiny dining area of our tiny house listening to the boys through an open window as they’re tinkering in and out of the garage, trying to patch a hole in the siding (from which a local Bee Man recently eradicated a nest of German aerial yellowjackets that had taken up residence inside our bedroom wall, so help me OMG), and I can’t quite believe that in less than three weeks, we will no longer call this tiny house our home.
I haven’t said much about this process, simply because I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject of selling of our house that begun a few months ago. The thing is, it’s not like I’m proud of the fact that we had to short sell our house. It’s not what we had in mind six years ago when we decided to become homeowners. We had no idea the market would take such a dive, and we’d be faced with the prospect of never being able to even break even let alone make a profit that would allow us to buy again. This house was supposed to be a starter house, the one that got us to our next, which would most certainly be bigger, in a better neighborhood. Not one that felt like such a financial burden with no end in sight.
It’s not exactly the American dream, and yet, I know we’re not alone in this, that thousands of families have done what we did, too. But still, it’s not the ideal.
However, after just three days on the market, we had our buyer, and then after two months or so of negotiating with our banks, the deal was done. At the end of the month, we’ll sign a few papers and turn over the keys to the only home Rowan has ever known, and we’ll become renters again. It’s bittersweet, for sure, but the decision to short sell our house will be best in the long run.
Short selling isn’t without consequences, and there was a chance we’d struggle to find a house to rent, now that we’re considered a financial risk for landlords. Luckily, we found the right house with the right landlords, and we were completely honest and upfront with them about situation when we submitted our application. After refreshing my e-mail at least a thousand times on Saturday, we heard back from the owner of the house we fell in love with upon first viewing, thanking us for our honesty, and allowing us to become their new renters.
Oh, you guys. This house. It’s just perfect for us. Three large bedrooms, closets for days, dining room, breakfast nook, fireplace, mudroom, basement, garage, sunny deck. It even has a laundry shoot! It’s in a neighborhood we’ve long admired, within walking distance to grocery stores, where I work out, playgrounds, good schools. (We even hear there’s a 4-year-old boy who lives next door!) All for less money per month than what we paid for our mortgage. We couldn’t deny the math of it.
This tiny house with the large backyard and the low ceilings has served us well. It’s where we hosted lots of dinner parties and summer barbecue parties. It’s where Rowan learned to walk and talk. It’s the only home we’ve ever known since moving to Seattle in 2005. So many memories are contained within the walls of this cozy bungalow, but it’s time to move on. Eventually, maybe, we’ll try to buy another house. For now, though, I’m looking forward to this next chapter in our lives.
I think the most important thing to remember is that home is wherever I’m with my boys.
Posted on September 3, 2012 | Category: Uncategorized | 11 Comments
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We’re renting our loft right now (thank god), but I do wonder what would have happened had that not been an option. Wm and I certainly discussed foreclosing or shortselling. Right now I just try to think about it as “OK, we got a house, we’re renting the loft. Someday something else will happen.” Hopefully, we’ll be able to sell it. . . but I really doubt that day will come. So I do wonder what we’ll do then. I know how it feels. It’s so frustrating to think you’ve done all the “right” things and then…punished. But I bet once this is all behind you and you move in to the new place, a lot of those feelings will ease up and you can move on. You’re not alone!
September 3rd, 2012 @ 5:14 pmSo glad it all worked out! Excited to come visit your new place!
September 3rd, 2012 @ 5:35 pmI’m happy that soon, this burden will be over for your family. I know it’s been weighing heavily on your minds for quite some time.
I can’t wait to see more about your new house! I love the picture you posted on Instagram. Sounds like it couldn’t be more perfect!
September 3rd, 2012 @ 8:08 pmWillikat and I have had such heated, angry conversations about this exact thing, over and over. Why are good, bill-paying, responsible people like us getting punished in this market? Our family just wants a house with a yard, but we can’t possibly sell our townhome without losing tens of thousands of dollars. So, we might have to go the rental route, too, but then we become landlords, etc.
You’re right. This isn’t how we pictured it, is it? Our 30s are HARD. But it sounds like you guys are doing the right thing for you and that’s wonderful. Congrats on the new place!
September 4th, 2012 @ 5:39 amThe house sounds perfect! Can’t wait to come up and visit : )
September 4th, 2012 @ 10:49 amSO many people have dealt with (and are dealing with) the market crash. You are not alone.
It sounds like everything is coming together for you guys, though, and I’m super happy for you.
September 4th, 2012 @ 9:01 pmWhat a tough decision, but it sounds like it is working out so well. Congratulations on the new place–so happy for you guys!
September 4th, 2012 @ 9:42 pmYep. Great attitude. And, been there done that (as you know).
September 7th, 2012 @ 8:14 amWay to go! Excited you got such a sweet rental! And, hey, renting isn’t bad! When stuff breaks you don’t have to pay for it! Yay!
September 8th, 2012 @ 10:30 amSounds like this is going to make you very happy. I’m glad it worked out so well!
September 8th, 2012 @ 7:26 pmEep! It’s awful that the market screwed you guys so bad, but I’m so excited about this new chapter!
September 12th, 2012 @ 9:54 pm