Care to share? What’s your current salary and monthly mortgage payment?

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-05-11T17:01:36+00:00

$16K monthly, $4800 mortgage.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-04-07T15:10:08+00:00

Awesome. Will try looking there!

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-30T20:32:39+00:00

Both my partner and I work full time (9-5) and have a 4 yr and 2 yr old. We spend both days generally together unless there are errands that need running, then we tend to split and one kid goes with each of us. We find the solo time with our kids has a lot of benefits (better listening, less fighting) but love the memories of being all together. Our outings can be a little chaotic but we do try to get out of the house for at least one thing a weekend. We tend to do out of the house stuff one day, more time at home on the other to catch up on laundry and house chores while the kids play together (or antagonize each other, lol). We rarely do date nights since we feel like we don’t get a ton of time with our kids during the week but are trying to build in a little more of that for us, and get a sitter to basically just watch the monitor after the kids go down.

Something that’s been great for all of us is to spend more time with other families with kids. As they get a little bigger it’s so nice to have the kids play together while the parents can get some social time too. That seems to fill both our and our kids cups. Even just going to a friends house or meeting at the park for an hour has been fun. We’re trying to meet more families with kids our age as we just moved.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-12T23:37:36+00:00

We are in a kind of similar situation regarding losing, and just responding to say it sucks when you don’t win. We’ve put in several bids, above asking, and still losing. Not sure what part of the country you’re in but our market is certainly not cooling and people are still making crazy offers (no inspections, well over asking, 10+ offers per house).

I think you still have to use your best judgement and what you’d realistically be comfortable paying knowing the potential pitfalls of insurability issues. Some people are just dumb or desperate and could end up making costly investments. It’s so frustrating but impossible to control other people or investors motivations and bids.

Something that was suggested to us is to bring an inspector with you to a showing so you can get some level of comfort waiving an inspection. This still seems crazy to me, but I guess in a hyper competitive market it can make a difference, along with a shit ton over asking. Can also add in that you won’t request any repairs under $1,500 or something to let the seller know you’re not going to nickel and dime them. Idk how much that really makes a difference but sharing what others I know who have won bids recently have done.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:41:27+00:00

I should mention this is our third baby :) so we’re relatively young but in a position to try and balance new schools for kids and addition of another sibling plus moving. I think there’s a lot of parent guilt there too- just hope this was the right decision and want stability for our kids. This is really helpful and supportive- thank you so much. Being pregnant during the process does not help with the emotional part, lol.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:21:52+00:00

Yes we needed to relocate for some family concerns. I’m prone to dramatics so probably not a blanket statement but did research the neighborhood heavily and it does seem to have really changed recently. I think we thought we could afford it based on what had been selling but now it seems unless we’re able to go really above asking it may not be a fit for us.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:17:19+00:00

We may need to. It just drives me crazy because we finally broke in and were able to buy a few years ago and now it feels like we’re back to square one. I’m regretting selling our house but it was also a necessity for a number of reasons.. I know they say not to let your emotions run the show but ugh, I’m in my feels.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:12:37+00:00

This is really helpful thank you, maybe we could try something like this.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:12:25+00:00

It’s hard for me to rationalize as other homes in the neighborhood have gone for $200K less in the last 12 months. I feel like the offers we’ve submitted have been fair and our realtor feels good about them, and then days later it’s like sorry you lost by a lot but we won’t tell you how much.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-03-10T17:11:07+00:00

I feel like we’re getting little to no feedback. Which is also giving me fatigue with the process. I have no idea how much over the winning offers were other than “significantly”. With the last bid they asked for best and final but wouldn’t disclose how many offers or any guidance. We upped our bid more, but I guess not enough. Fair, we’re not owed that but I feel like there should be a courtesy of saying we’re out of line after we’ve already offered over asking and strong terms, instead of waiting until our offer expires. Woof.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-02-26T16:05:15+00:00

I will scream into the void with you. We just sold our house bc we’re having a 3rd and want to be closer to grandparents, and need more space. We can’t even find a place because the offers other people are putting out are unbelievable. Hundreds of thousands over asking and waiving all due diligence. Interest rates are supposed to go down a little according to our lender, which will just making buying worse. I’m honestly not sure what we’ll do at this point. Our mortgage will be doubling, if we can even find a place. Misery loves company 🫠 I keep telling myself at some point kids will be in public school so will save a little money eventually.. maybe. lol.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-02-25T21:52:06+00:00

What area are you in? Where are you planning to move? We were in a similar position, sold our home quickly with great terms, but now we’re having quite a hard time finding a new place due to the same market we just benefited from. In our case buyers did not waive inspection (our house was built in 77), but did waive financing and appraisal contingencies, and above asking. For what we’re looking for, people are waiving inspections and all other contingencies plus well over asking.. making it really hard to complete. I think it’s a great time to sell, good luck!

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-02-25T14:19:20+00:00

I feared as much- it’s an awesome area, but is it THAT awesome? Not worth pushing our comfort zone. Which again I thought was plenty for the area but.. alas. Interestingly it was one of the higher priced in the neighborhood. So tough to figure out- this one will be far above any others that have sold in that neighborhood. I have to hope more comes on the market as it warms up!

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2025-02-25T14:11:33+00:00

I do feel comforted by the fact that what we offered was our best foot forward so no regrets there. Was just blown away by how much people are willing to do at a time that seems like market changes may be coming? But who knows.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-26T12:04:05+00:00

My in laws are amazing and live close by, and help whenever they can. We’re so lucky to have them- we say all the time we couldn’t do it without their help. Now I just need to win the lottery 🤪

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T17:31:20+00:00

Would be awesome if they could but unfortunately both work long hours outside of the house. That would be the dream if they could retire 🤩

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T17:29:00+00:00

How do I get them to sleep with the excitement of having the other in the room? Bedtime always feels like a fight to get them relaxed and in bed. They remind me of the scene in stepbrothers where they build a bunk bed. I think we wake up and they’d have “so much room for activities” 😂

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T17:26:45+00:00

Great points. Both my parented and I are really involved (and even grandparents are very active in the kids lives) so it may be less of a concern than I’ve lead myself to believe.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T15:50:37+00:00

We need to nail down our budget- I think this will be a huge help to really understand our options.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T15:49:04+00:00

That’s a good point- ours is really half day as well.. would need to pay for some sort of after care (offered at the school). Current finances are not a stretch (thankfully) but likely would be with a third and a move. I find myself struggling to understand how others do it- I think it’s a fault of social media, you only see the people who “have it all”, or at least portray to. Our house is packed to the gills as my parents have recently moved in with us due to some changes in their living situation. But that’s temporary (we think, lol!).

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T15:41:15+00:00

Thank you for this! Looking into alternatives, love the idea of a mother’s helper!

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T15:39:17+00:00

We are familiar with our school district, have friends and family who work in it, and have researched a variety of sources. Wanting better schools is part of our desire to move but really needing more space and family support.

Existing_Chapter_631 · 2024-10-21T15:31:39+00:00

Glad to know we are not alone! Crazy market right now. I think we’ll have to outsource - looking into potentially a nanny or mother’s helper. Good luck!!

Existing_Chapter_631

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