I have wanted a house for quite some time now since I have moved every year since I was 18. That includes moving into a dorm room as a freshman, in and out of my sorority house, into a duplex with some friends, into an apartment, moving back into my parent’s house, and now into a rent house with my husband. WHEW! I think the main reason my dad may have been excited that I was getting married was the fact that he wouldn’t have to be the only one hauling my stuff around all of Arkansas anymore.
Well, once Frazier and I returned from our honeymoon and got back into the groove of life, we began our search for our first house. I felt sure that I knew the market since I had grown up in Little Rock. I also was confident in gaining knowledge from my parents since they have bought four houses over the years and sold three.
Yet, I was at a loss of where to begin the actual process of buying. Frazier and I talked about it, and we wanted to get pre-approved for financing. We began shopping around for interest rates with several mortgage lenders, and finally ended up with Simmons First Mortgage. Our lender, Richard Gillespie (referred to us by our friend Michael Irvin, who just happens to be a Simmons’ banker) has known my family for awhile now, but Richard has also been in the business for many years so we felt confident in his expertise.
Once we were pre-approved, our next step was finding a house that we would be happy to live in for at least five years. We found one in the neighborhood of Sturbridge where I had grown up. Frazier and I extended an offer through our realtor, excited that we were making progress! However, the seller countered, and then we countered back again. The seller issued another counter so we began listing the pros and cons of the home. Finally, my husband and I decided we wanted the house and accepted the offer. But we weren’t celebrating just yet. Our offer was contingent upon the inspection of the house which we just had done this past week. The report showed some slightly major issues that would not necessarily be hard to fix, just expensive.
I mean really? We are so close, yet so far! Anyways, we are waiting to hear back from the seller. So I may have a new house by the end of July or I may have to go all the way back to a new search. I will keep everyone posted on our house hunt as it proceeds along, but in the meantime, if you have any house hunting tips, please share them below. We need all the advice we can get!