Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Guess What??

We just bought a house!!!

It's been a very, very tense couple of days. We went to this auction on Saturday, and after a stressful 20 minutes or so, ended up with the winning bid. Unfortunately, the property was then passed in, as we'd fallen short of the reserve. The ball was then in our court to negotiate a price today, but some joker came in after the auction, having not even bid, and said he'd pay the reserve.

So anyway, long story short, we've spent the past couple of days stewing, discussing, weighing, praying etc. But we decided we really wanted to go for at about midnight last night, and got up this morning and went and did the deal.

The place isn't flash, and will need work, but it's in a really nice location, and has a lot of potential- room to add on, reconfigure etc. And a great big backyard. So hopefully that'll be us settled for a very long time to come.

So there you go!! It's a very lovely and exciting Christmas present, and once again, God has been hugely kind to us.

14 comments:

Laetitia :-) said...

Noice. But when does the lease on the place you're in run out?

Ben McLaughlin said...

Early March. So there will be about 5 weeks still paying rent. Could've been better, could've been worse.

Amy said...

Congratulations. Welcome to the stressful but rewarding land of Mortgage...

(Will say one thing though, fixer-upper wise - do one thing at a time and finish it or you will go totally, totally mad :) )

Laetitia :-) said...

Yeah, 5 weeks isn't long enough to get someone else in to take over your lease. However, you can view it as a way of getting any 'important to be done before moving' fix up work and make sure you only take what you know you love and ultimately want in the new place, rather than moving in a rush because your lease expires in 3 days.

KIM said...

how exciting!! congratulations!! :)

Anonymous said...

congratulations.

Simone R. said...

Wow. Well done.

Ben McLaughlin said...

thanks y'all

Anonymous said...

Wow...congrats on the house. Its the best thing in the world to have that extra little sense of security. My girls an I are so lucky we don't have to worry about landlords kicking out or selling, and I CAN KNOCK down any wall I like!
Oh and the turkey that came in the back door saying he would pay the reserve..... that is the real estate agents trick to push more bidding. They will do EVERYTHING TO MEET THAT RESERVE AN TAKE HOME THEIR LAZY COMMISION. Next time stick with what u offered at austion.....the turkey will disappear an u will get that price.

Ben McLaughlin said...

Yes, good advice Nat! I think we panicked a bit, just as they had hoped.

Anonymous said...

You never can tell .... you were meant to get the house. I just wish an auction was an auction.... everyone bids, they have that time to go there highest with no hidden terms n conditions after the bell is rung. I left you a post ages ago..... I can't seem to find it now, do you remember responding.....

Ben McLaughlin said...

I think I remember the one, but can't remember what post the comment was on. Pretty sure I responded though, Nat.

Anonymous said...

Thats ok....It was something to with christian beliefs an our kids etc.... but I can't remember either. Thanks an hope your year continues on grrreat.

Ben McLaughlin said...

Thanks, I hope you have a great year too, Nat