Monday, July 16, 2012

HOMELESS and CAR-LESS

More correctly, we are really just HOUSE-less and only 1 car less. 

Long story short: We did NOT BUY THE HOUSE. We backed out after the inspection report came back to us. We started feeling worse about it anyway after getting the Flood/Wind insurance quote back for it- which is on an Island the was destroyed 4 years ago by a hurricane. Being in a flood zone is no good for the price of house insurance, and we weren't prepared for the "high-risk" flood zone price- at all. We also would not have been prepared for the possible risks that the inspection report posed either, had they ended up being real problems.

We sold our 2nd car, the Civic, two days after putting it up for sale. It drove away from us on the 4th of July, the same day we decided not to buy the house. Suddenly, our "home" no longer existed and we were back at square one, with less than a month to figure out from Kansas City where we were going to live in Galveston, and having already made the trip down there. It was quite depressing. I felt so helpless because now that we sold our car, we weren't guaranteed to live close to campus anymore. The housing options down in Galveston were slim-pickings when we were there in person- it's even worse from almost 800 miles away.

But, as promised, THINGS WORKED OUT. I was relieved of that desperate, helpless feeling after only a day and a half. Everything came together in a way that we couldn't have planned better ourselves. Instead of being tight on money and in a house, we are going to be tight on space (about 1/2 the space of the house) in an apartment, but have a little more money. I'm grateful for that circumstance because sacrificing space is more worth it to me than sacrificing so much more money- that honestly, we didn't really have. There's still no doubt that it will STILL be tight for us until he finishes in 4 years, but we will be much better off financially this way.

It's a little 3 bedroom apartment, the same place where the people lived that we stayed with when we went to Galveston to look for a place- So only by default did we get to check the place out that we otherwise would have never seen. We are so lucky to have called the very day we did, b/c the 3 bedrooms are almost never available. It was perfect timing. The exciting part is that it's a nice place in a nice area, really good price for the island (all utilities included in the rent) and it's only 1 mile away from campus (located at the north end of the neighborhood we were going to buy in).  So the fact that we sold our second car became a blessing again, Scott's bike and the free moped we inherited from a friend a few months ago will be very useful again, as well as the city bus that comes right by (and is free for students).

We feel very blessed, grateful and relieved that things are working out the way they are. I know we will be much happier in this situation, however long it may last for. For more reasons than I have mentioned, it has been a good learning experience, with only a minor price to pay for it.

Just for some viewing pleasure, here are some 4th of July pics- mostly of Syd in her cute garage sale dress ;) Call us ghetto. I LOVE (good) garage sales!! :)






 Playin' a little Croquet- A Fourth of July TRADITION in our fam :)


6 comments :

  1. That dress is so cute! We totally get the one car-far from campus thing, so I'm really glad things worked out for you to live so close to campus : )

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    1. For sure, it complicates things! We've been lucky. Hopefully it stays that way! Thanks Megan!

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  2. Sydney is getting so big and cute!!!! That stinks about the house, but like you said; it's really great that everything worked out so perfectly and you can save some money too! oh the life of a student! Well you guys are still our role models and it seems we are always following in your footsteps :)

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    1. That is right! We thought we were out of the "student" stage after finishing at BYU but I guess there's no avoiding it if you are still in school ;). You guys are too cute. We look up to you just as much as you look up to us :)

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  3. Hey Stephanie, hope you don't think it's weird that I came and read your blog after I saw it on facebook. I like blogs a lot. :) If it helps you feel better I personally wouldn't want to own a house on Galveston; one of the main reasons being hurricanes. We were here through Hurricane Ike and though the chances of another hurricane hitting Galveston that badly in the next few years are low you are spared dealing with all the headache if it does happen. Anyway, sorry you didn't get the house; it would be nice to be out of apartments! But if you have to live in an apartment, this is the best place to live (in our opinion). We've lived in 5 different places on Galveston and like this one the best. :) Excited to meet you in person soon!

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    1. haha Stormie you are too funny I don't think it's weird at all! I post it on FB for all to read, strangers and friends alike. You aren't a stranger anyway. I think it's awesome. Thanks for your opinion. I just read it to Scott because it's good to know that we made the right decision and we are happy that out of 5 different places, Ferry Road is your favorite. That made me smile :). So thanks again my dear and I'm excited to see/meet you in person soon as well!!! :)

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