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by Claire

Disclaimer:  I’m probably going to be all over the place in this post and that’s because I am stressed!!!

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone and discussed that I wanted to just stay put in this rental house until at least September 24, 2014.  I feel like the debt will be much reduced by then and I’ll feel better equipped to tackle a house hunt and move. 

Exactly two hours later I get a text from my landlord asking me to call him.  There is a management company involved but it is not uncommon for the owners to contact me directly.  It’s a long, bizarre story but the owners divorced before we rented the house from them and the terms of the divorce included the sale of this house.  The house did not sell and it so happened that a friend of mine had looked at the house when it was on the market and told me there were foundation issues.  I can’t emphasize enough that houses in my neighborhood sell and sell fast.  I’ve been keeping an eye on that in the last 2 years.  That’s the main thing the house has going for it–the neighborhood.  Regarding foundation issues, there are minor issues with doors and windows that support that theory but the yard itself is the most telling.  It’s hard to describe but something is definitely not right.  The management company’s inspector always made note that the back of the house appeared to be sinking and needed attention.  Nothing has been done in the now 2.5 years we’ve lived here.  The house  needs a lot of attention and in my time here the owners have been responsive to my requests but definitely not willing to put any money into the house.   The husband part of this now divorced duo actually lives next door with his ex-mother-in-law.  I don’t ask questions as it is none of my business but that’s why he feels comfotable contacting me–we’re neighbors! 

So I call him back and he says that his ex-wife wants to exercise the option in the divorce papers of selling the house.  He wants to know if I am interested in buying the house.  Can you believe this timing?!  Just two hours before I was settling into at least a short term feeling of stable!  Now I’m thrown back into the housing decision!

I so do not want to move.  Let me just get that out there.  I absolutely, positively do not want to do the physical part of a move.  BUT, I know that is not a reason to buy a crappy house that I don’t even really like all that much.  Neither is the absolutely perfect neighborhood.  Not that I am in a position to buy right now but I’m just thinking aloud here.  I do want to keep the kids in their schools and that’s a major stressor.  I despise the thought of moving my kids again.

Let’s look at the bright side.  This could end up saving me money if I get out of this $1795 rent.  For that reason I am sort of interested in getting out of this contract sooner rather than later. I like the idea of leaving all of the Steve memories behind.  That’s a plus.   

Here’s where we are right now: The houses in the neighborhood sell for $250-$325K.  If I could find a miracle and be able to buy this house I would not pay more than $200K.  I told the owner that and he said he would talk to his ex-wife.  I  made it clear that I wasn’t saying I would buy it just that I know anything over $200K is out of the question.  He replied saying they cannot sell it for that price.  So I asked if they would let me out of the contract early so they can put it on the market.  I did some quick research and there are some rentals nearby for less but I’d want out by March 31.  He said he’d let me know.  In some ways I think it backfired on him–he seems to have assumed I would want to buy and now may have been surprised that I’m trying to use it to get out. 

So please bring on the comments!  I do value your input.  I’m feeling like a crazy person right now because this crazy stuff seems to happen on a pretty frequent basis (and then I spent time hyperanalyzing what I am doing to invite this kind of craziness). BUT, as I ALWAYS try to do I will work to keep perspective.  A dear friend of mine just posted on facebook that her mother is hospitalized for an aneurysm and the prognosis is not good, her job has been turned upside down because of restructuring and her friend lost a 6 year old boy to a drunk driver–just in the last seven days.  Perspective.  The kids and I are okay.  Just breathe.