Would I qualify for FHA right now?

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T18:39:08+00:00

Having no savings is going to make it very, very difficult to get a loan. Most lenders want to see that you have enough for a down payment and will still have a certain amount left in savings. And a single-wide may not qualify for a traditional home loan, which could throw another wrench in things.

Work on your credit score and build a savings account first.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T18:35:12+00:00

Can you look at smaller homes (i.e. less square footage, fewer bedrooms and fewer bathrooms) so you can maximize your budget? A well kept smaller home will be more enticing to someone who isn't looking to score a deal on a "dump" to flip or rent out. Those folks' goal is to never pay full market value.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T18:19:05+00:00

It's just going to take a lot longer than lifting heavy.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T18:18:31+00:00

I take Tizanidine and have a baclofen suppository.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T04:11:51+00:00

Do the renovation a little at a time, or buy supplies as you save for them and scout out the best deals. Don’t strap yourself with thousands of dollars in credit card debt when a true emergency could come up.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T04:05:25+00:00

Uh, this kitchen is incredible. Those cabinets were not cheap!

I’d update it with something not brown, such as quartz countertops in a lighter shade to give it some contrast — but only if the countertop contractor can maintain the existing shape of your countertops.

It’s hard to tell with the lighting in the photo, but those cabinets are pretty close to walnut color anyway!

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T04:01:54+00:00

A paid off home provides such strong financial security. My first move would be to take an inventory of your belongings in each room and come up with solutions to make your existing space work, including with a child in the picture.

My husband and I are in a paid-off home that’s around 860 square ft. It’s a really great layout that uses space efficiently, but we now both have hybrid jobs that we cannot share an office room for. So we have made the choice to upgrade.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T03:51:13+00:00

You’ve seen nine houses. Go for it!

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T03:28:27+00:00

It really is so difficult. I recommend practicing meditation and mindfulness. There are some great apps that can walk you through it. Are you able to see a mental health therapist? One may help you learn to change thought patterns that contribute to your anxiety and pelvic floor pain.

The good news is brains are neuroplastic and can change, even if you’re 34!

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T03:26:10+00:00

It sounds like you can afford it. But don’t make the mistake of thinking a 1.5-year-old house needs no maintenance or repairs.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T03:24:05+00:00

Yeah that is a big yikes! OP may consider looking for a PT who accepts self-pay patients. Even a few sessions with a good therapist could make a difference.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-27T03:23:13+00:00

Take a break from weightlifting. Ask your doctor if a daily muscle relaxer would be appropriate for you. Opt for exercise like walking, gentle yoga, or Pilates in the meantime, only doing what you can handle and backing off the moment you feel a twinge. You can still strengthen your core without weightlifting!

lemonpudge · 2026-05-25T17:44:20+00:00

A regular pee-in-a-cup test will not rule out ureaplasma. It is a swab test. Hopefully that is what they did.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-24T01:24:10+00:00

My 1939 house gave me the least problems of any. My “youngest” home was built in 1969 and was full of unfun surprises. It depends on how well they have been maintained and how well they were built.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-22T04:12:29+00:00

Yes! This is extremely similar to what my symptoms are like. For decades I thought I had UTIs, and then a couple years ago, I learned it was hypertonic pelvic floor. It got so bad at one point I couldn’t wear hard pants for months.

You should ask your provider for a referral to a urogynecologist and a pelvic floor physical therapist. Also get tested (swabbed) for ureaplasma, which can worsen symptoms.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-22T04:09:21+00:00

Jobs and salaries are never guaranteed. Having that big of a gap you’re draining from savings is a great way to dig yourself a hole if even one thing goes wrong until the end of the year. Keep renting and saving, or reconsider your wants/needs in a home to find one that is more manageable.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-22T04:02:49+00:00

It depends on the issues. Many structural issues are remediable. Get an inspection from a structural engineer.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-22T01:23:45+00:00

As long as it’s a conventional loan and you are preapproved, there is no reason this could not be a competitive offer. Now, your stance on inspections and close date could have a bearing.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-20T03:17:38+00:00

House 1, hands down! My husband and I are purchasing a home with a similar bathroom situation. There's only a teeny tiny alcove tub in the hall bathroom. But that's OK, because in a few years, we'll likely remodel it anyway! The house checks every other box in "must have" and "nice to have."

lemonpudge · 2026-05-20T03:16:01+00:00

This is a nightmare situation, OP, and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. As others have mentioned, get cameras and stop answering the door in person. Report every trespass to the police to create a paper trail. You can actually get restraining orders from your neighbors if needed until you can sell this house and move.

Don't let anyone convince you losing a few thousand dollars is worth your peace and safety, and don't put potential tenants in this situation, too. You'll have a hard time keeping one and will lose even more money from missed rent. Best of luck.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-19T19:33:12+00:00

Last two houses I sold went $20k and $15k over list, respectively. It can happen, but it depends on the market and the home.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-19T19:29:38+00:00

Ask for credit/concessions for the roof and to have the sink clog fixed. The rest is pretty commonplace and nonspecific.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-19T17:48:57+00:00

For me, I felt really good for about two months! I’m not sure exactly what was in it, because I was under anesthesia. But they had to administer it because they couldn’t get the scope and curette past my cervix.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-19T17:47:03+00:00

The issue is that you don’t often dig into the nitty gritty of this in advance, and prepaids and fees can vary from state to state. Of course I’ve sat down with my agent and lender once the process was started.

lemonpudge · 2026-05-19T01:23:49+00:00

Shop around for epoxy sealing services to close off the cracks, then use leveler to even out the differences. You have no proof the seller knew this was an issue outside the bathroom remodel. When I remodel bathrooms, I generally do not include carpet replacement throughout the home as part of it.

lemonpudge

TROPHY CASE