Surprise! I'm a Homeowner!
Earlier this year, in the Spring to be exact, I fell in love with San Diego. I put it out there that I would be moving to San Diego this year one way or another. I was serious about it. I updated my resume and sent it out to multiple Healthcare companies in the area. I wrote cover letters, and tried to find connections who could help me get a job at one of my top choices to work at (Kaiser). I then began looking for roommates and found one. We began touring apartments and I was sure I was going to be leaving Bakersfield.
came this huge opportunity to Then out of nowherecame this huge opportunity to invest my money. It all happened so suddenly honestly. Literally within one week of crossing paths with this opportunity, I made the biggest move of my life. I bought a home.
I know, it’s crazy. Let me back track a bit. Last year around the summer time actually, I became interested in investing. I had a great savings account and my money was just sitting there in the bank not doing anything. I was paying a ton in taxes because I am single with no investments to my name. My dad always stressed the importance of saving money and investing it. So I decided to go for it. I found a realtor and we began looking at properties. At the time, I was looking for a used home to buy and rent out. Come to find out in order to qualify for the First Time Homeowner Program I had to live in the house for at least a year. That was scary yet exciting. We looked at plenty of houses but I just couldn’t find the one that spoke to me and that was within my budget. It just wasn’t the right time, and the last thing I wanted to do was settle for a house I wouldn’t be happy in. I wanted to be able to walk into a house and feel like this is it, this is my home. Truth be told, there was another factor that played a huge role into why I couldn’t settle. That factor was me not being able to commit to living in Bakersfield for another year. I always wanted to leave and explore elsewhere so that commitment was huge for me. I had cold feet to say the least.
Fast forward to June 2019… I was talking to a friend who mentioned there were these NEW houses being built at such price. I immediately thought no way, new house at a price I can afford… I knew I had to check it out. I called the realtor the next day and she took me to see the model homes.
That was the feeling I knew I had been waiting for.
As I walked into that model home, I immediately felt I was in my home. I could picture myself in that living room getting cozy on my couch. I pictured myself cooking in that beautiful kitchen and having family over for dinners. I pictured exactly what I would do with those 2 extra rooms and extra space in the garage (my office, my painting room, dance studio/gym). Lastly, I pictured the bonfire pit and pretty patio furniture in my backyard while I read a book with a glass of wine and gaze at the stars. I’m not kidding I saw my future in that house haha!
It was crazy to me, it still is. It still hasn’t really hit me to this day that I’m going to be a homeowner.
So after leaving the model home that day, I spoke to my realtor and the broker. That’s when the pressure was on.
It was brought to my attention that there was a new California housing law effective 2020 stating all new homes must be built with solar panels.
This immediately would put me out of the buying game because well solar panels are expensive and they would increase the price of my house by around $20,000. That is not money I had at the time.
The broker advised me there were only a couple lots left where they can build before 2019 is over. Depending on the type of style you want, and what lot you choose your options are more limited. With the style of house that I wanted (Farmhouse) there were only about 3 left.
She emphasized the fact that these homes were selling out quick so I had to make a decision quick.
I picked 1/3 lots that I wanted and thankfully it was available for the Farmhouse style that I was getting.
FYI they won’t make the same style of houses next to each other so they don’t look the same. That’s why your options are very limited.
Once I chose my lot and house style, we talked floor plans/ cabinets/ paint/ etc.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
The most nerve-wracking day… signing the contract aka SIGNING MY LIFE AWAY... and giving away a good chunk of my savings. Or INVESTING I should say.
I did it!!! Not kidding you guys, on my way to sign the contract I was nervous, anxious, palms of my hands were sweaty and I was literally shaking.
I mean I was making a huge commitment. It felt like I was getting married LOL!
How I feel now:
I’m so happy with my decision and am ecstatic for this new journey. I can’t wait to make this house my new home and create new memories. And DECORATE. I can’t wait to have my own space and walk around my home with no pants, turn the music loud and do yoga in my living room. It’s the little things okay. I especially cannot wait to adopt a fur child. So many things to be excited about.
It’s been so fun to see the process of building a home from the ground up. In the beginning stages I would drive by my house every week and it was crazy how fast they work on the house. One week it was just a lot with dirt, the next week there was the framing of the house, then walls, roof, electrical, paint, and now the floors.
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I had a picnic inside my house. We toasted with champagne and celebrated this exciting new venture. It was exciting but at the same time I didn’t want to get too excited because I still don’t have the keys. I am supposed be closing escrow Dec 28, 2019 but it could be sooner… Eeeeeek!!
I keep talking about how exciting this is for me because it is but keeping it real with you guys it hasn’t been peachy perfect the entire time and I know it won’t ever be but that’s fine.
I’ve stressed myself out a lot, especially in the beginning. I mean I didn’t know much about what it means to be a homeowner. I’ve doubted myself on whether I could do this all on my own. Doubt about choosing the right mortgage company, getting the best deal, and not to mention all the documents you have to sign. Every time I would get a new document I would stress over knowing what I’m signing and making sure they’re not playing me because let’s face it I’m not an expert with contract terminology and housing stuff lol. I did my best research and reached out to my family and realtor for guidance.
Oh and all the extra little costs, that worried me. You think your down payment and closing costs cover it but you still have to think about property taxes, home insurance, etc. Before you know it your savings are diminishing.
As someone who takes pride in adding to my savings every single paycheck, this was hard to process that I may not be able to save as much as I do now when I start paying a mortgage. I’ve come to the realization that it’s part of being an adult and one way or another I’ll make it work and I’ll be fine.
So there it is. There’s my secret. I bought a home.
I initially didn’t want to talk about it because for (one) it won’t feel real until I get the keys and (two) I didn’t want it to seem like I was bragging.
But here I am now sharing with y’all. I’ve realized that this is a huge step in my adulthood and I should be proud of it.
I’m 25 and I bought my first home. ALL ON MY OWN.
While I’ve done this financially on my own, I could not have done this without the moral support of my parents, and the advice I’ve received from fellow homeowners.
I am eternally grateful to GOD for blessing me with the family that I have. It’s because of them, and well I guess myself too for listening to them LOL, that I am who I am today.
I am responsible, well-rounded, kind, and independent.
I remember the first paycheck I received from my first job at CSUB, my dad told me to save it. I didn’t have to listen but I did. I spent a little bit too though, have you not seen my closet? Haha I managed to save until I could buy my first car.
Let’s face it I didn’t really have bills, I lived with my parents so every now and then I would give my paycheck or a large chunk of it to my parents.
As I got a better job and started making more money after I got my degree, I started paying rent but still kept saving.
I’m proud to say I bought my second car (much improved from the first one haha) and paid it in cash too.
So thank you to my mom and dad for pestering me about saving and saving and more saving. Thanks to them I have no car payment, I’ve been able to do a whole lot of traveling this year and well doing the obvious: buying my first home. Aw that reminds me, when I signed my check to the broker for reserving my lot and a portion of my down payment, I labeled the check “My first home” and that sunk in real quick haha safe to say there were tears that day.
Welp with that being said, I’m saying goodbye to all the shopping I’ve done the past couple of years, and definitely a cut back on all my traveling (this girl’s got a mortgage to pay). I’m saying hello to more bills, more budgeting, and a whole of great memory making in my new home.
It’s bittersweet knowing I won’t be leaving Bakersfield to move to San Diego, I really thought it would happen. But it’s not goodbye forever, I can still visit whenever I want. Will I ever leave Bakersfield? Probably. Not right now obviously, but just like I didn’t expect this to happen this year it did. You never know what the future has in store for you. God had a better plan for me and I’ll continue to work hard, and enjoy every day of my life while I watch his plan for me unravel.
Cheers to all my independent women and men out there!
My advice to you all: Set a goal and work hard to achieve it. It may take sacrifices but they’ll be worthwhile. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance. And don’t wait for someone else to do the work for you. Be independent and do what makes you happy!
Thank you for reading, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions, need advice, I’d be more than happy to respond.
I’ll be here enjoying my last few days as a 25 year-old. Gosh I’m getting old.
Ready for you 26!!! BRING. IT. ON.
