Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Sold!

Over the weekend, among other busy activities, we sold the house.

When I was younger, I didn’t have the “chops” to buy a house. I didn’t know if I would be in one place long enough… I didn’t have the money… I had no backbone.

A few years ago (when I was about 35) I finally took the plunge and bought the first real house I’ve ever owned. A small-ish place, about 1500 square feet, three bedrooms, ranch-style with partially finished basement. About 170 grand. And it took both my wife and I to pay for it… that’s usually the case with first houses.

So when I learned that the buyer of our home was single, it was a little bit of a shock. Then, when it learned it was a woman, it was more of a shock because this house has a lot of maintenance requirements. (I know that sounds sexist, sorry) Then, when I learned it was her first house, I realized what a slow start I got in life.

Again, this will sound sexist, but it’s hard to imagine a single female home buyer paying over 500 grand for THEIR FIRST HOME. How did I get left off of the gravy train?!? It’s taken me 25 years to get to where I am.

It is things like these that keep me humble.

7 comments:

Chris Cope said...

I hate that woman.

... said...

Apparently she is a very smart, independent woman who is money-wise and secure in her abilities to play handy"man" if necessary.

Good for her, and good for you since it looks like you made some money yourself in the transaction.

Anonymous said...

Can I have her name and number? I think I want to marry her...I don't mind being a kept man!!

Weary Hag said...

Pssssst...
Enter the Hag. I'll see your humility and raise you the following:
At 35 I was still renting. At 45 I was 'part' owner of a mobile home that was literally falling apart around me. If not for the man who rode into my life on a fiber-optic steed five years ago, I'd probably be 50 and homeless today, but instead I live in one of those 1500 square foot homes like the one you owned at 35.
Everything's relative.

I don't think you sounded sexist as much as realistic.

I'm sure the sale is a tad bittersweet for you... still, congratulations!

I could read your stuff for days on end and never tire. I wonder how well your buyer can throw sentences together to create tiny masterpieces. Some things money can't buy.

Rob Seifert said...

Congratulations on the sale of the house!

Well, I lost one of those 1500 square foot houses in my divorce - not that I wanted it of course and that was when I was 32. We bought it together when I was 30 and it took both of us to pay for it. I'm renting again at 33 and soon to be 34. Gotta love it.

RCS

Kerouaced said...

Dave, could you get me here number?

V said...

Well, I just bought my first house, by myself at 33. It's only 1289 sq. ft. though, and I only paid about 20% of what she did.

By the way, what's this "maintenance" and "upkeep" you keep mentioning? :)