The house sold

[pammy]

We signed the contract agreement yesterday. Woohoo!! The buyers made a low offer, we counter offered, they accepted. Hopefully it'll move pretty fast. They were already pre-approved, the mortgage company already did the credit and background checks. The appraisal people have been contacted.

Things sure went fast, the house was up 9 business days before it sold. We had 9 showings in that time. Yowzer!!

When the dust settles we'll be making the 11 hour drive to south Texas, money in hand, to look for and hopefully purchase an empty house we'll be able to move into. We're leaning towards the smaller, older homes that needs some work. Something we can pay 100% cash for. We are both willing and able to put some sweat in the house, that's no problem. So a less expensive fixer-upper. We've got one in mind that sits on an acre, but needs work. We're waiting to actually go in the home to see how we 'feel' about it. Paint is cheap and makes a huge difference, so as long as the home has good bones we'll be able to work on most everything else. We're hoping to turn any home into a beach cottage type feel, as we'll be about 5 minutes from a bay, and 30 minutes from the ocean.

Still unsure about the jobs down there. We aren't in a huge hurry. If this works out right, we'll show up down there not owing a penny to anyone, not even on a house, with 6 months emergency fund and enough left over to take our time finding the right jobs and time and funds to work on the home. It's scary and exciting at the same time. Baby step-wise, we'll only need to get 15% to retirement going when we get jobs and money put away for dd's college. When we get that set up it's baby step 7 time, oh yeah... *happy dances*

But I do know when we find jobs we won't be making near the income we're now making (triple digits). And that's okay. I've got plenty of frugalness under my belt, I'm not afraid of living below my means, shopping sales, buying at garage sales and all of that. It's what got us to this place in the first place. No way this could have ever happened, nor had been possible, if we didn't decide to quit trying to live up to the Jones's, been paymenting all of our income, and learned to live on less than we made. (sappy today, aren't I? you know what they say bout stressful times.. full of emotions, haha)

Anyways, just thought I'd update yall.

[Cricketlegs]

Not sappy--SMART!

If I tried to keep up with my two sisters---I don't even want to think about it.

I am wishing you all the best on a quick and easy close and good happy house hunting!

Sounds like you have a great plan in place.

I am happy in my little 3 bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath brick home that I ONLY pay less than $600 a month for!

Guess what? My dd is in a major college and the other 2 will be too. No way I could have done that if I hadn't been willing to live within my means.

Staying home with my kids was just to important to me.

I don't think you are sappy at all, you are money savvy!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

Congratulations!!!
For some food for thought heres 2 site for gov. repo's. We've been watching the Texas market closly as we plan to move there in the next five years. Sooner if the right things happen. Its just gotten too expensive to live in Florida and its not looking any better anytime soon.

www.ocwen.com and www.homesales.gov.

With both of these links you'll see places that the gov. has taken back many need work but most of the work is paint, clean, mow and other minor stuff. If you know the business end of a hammer or screwdriver and don't mind breaking a bit of a sweat you can save hundreds.

Laurie in Bradenton

[bumplett]

wonderful

[Its_Donna]

Congratulations! Have a safe and easy move.

[JustJoy]

That's great! Congrats!

[jamie79]

Wonderful news

[banana]

Congratulations!!!!!!

[mikandmari]

Wow! Nine days! Can I ask what state you are in... here in the mid-Atlantic area even the nicest homes are just sitting on the market for months on end.

You must keep a very nice house to sell so quickly!

[Buckeye5]

Pammy, my goodness you defintely are inspiring!!! Keep us posted on everything. I envy you starting over with a different type of life, you have guts and courage moving without jobs, I would be too chicken!! I hope it all works out for you and your family!!

[bee9984]

Wow oh Wow! Congratulations

I have been following your journey since you started the Dave Ramsey plan and all I can say is once you make up your mind there is no stopping you! You, your dh and daughter have been so dedicated with sticking to your goals and dreams and look at the outcome!

It didn't even take you 2 full years to get to where you are today

You are an inspiration to us all

[FrugalMomof3]

Wow that's great, wishing you the best of luck in your new venture.

[3-boys-4-me]

Congrats on selling your home so quickly! I wish you much luck, success and happiness in the future.

[Jaded]

Wow, that sounds like a dream come true! In fact, it's MY dream come true. One day, I swear, I'll get there.

[lullaby80]

Congrats on the house selling so fast! Wow you must be so excited, good luck with the moving hassle.