A really important question my husband I have been asking ourselves recently has been, do we want to buy a property that meets 75% of our wants, or do we want to buy something that meets about 25% and will help us build equity?
We're leaning toward building some equity. We found out we do not qualify to buy vacant land, nor do we qualify for a rehab loan. The best choice for us financially is likely a stick built home in a neighborhood.
It's a hard decision to make, since we want to have a large homestead, but if we sacrifice now, we might be able to afford our dream property after 5 years. And in the mean time, we will be able to control our own garden. Renting is wonderful in some ways, but not when you have to keep a landscaped garden rather than growing food.
Once we make an offer on a property, we'll have another garage sale. If my head is on straight, I'll remember to take pictures so I can show you how to make a lot of money at your own sale!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Tiny Update
I've been busy lately. We've decided to go ahead and look at properties more seriously. As in, we're going to buy something. Hurray! I've been spending most of my free time obsessively checking for rural properties. It's kind of hard because they're sometimes listed under larger town names. I really like the site Land and Farm. It has an option to search the whole state or by a particular county, which sites like Remax don't.
I still need to post about the amazing garage sale we had (woohoo for making $1,400 in a weekend!). I'm going to blog more when I wear myself out from property hunting.
Have a good weekend!
I still need to post about the amazing garage sale we had (woohoo for making $1,400 in a weekend!). I'm going to blog more when I wear myself out from property hunting.
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Finding a Routine
Things didn't end up panning out with the house that we toured. It was lovely, but needed far more work than our family could do. It also wouldn't have been safe with 2 little children. I've been eyeballing other houses, and lots of vacant land, though. We're still unsure on whether we will buy a starter home, or go directly to our homestead.
On the homesteady/grow your own food front, I found a walnut tree growing in our flower garden! I was pulling weeds and didn't recognize it, so out it came. I wondered what on earth it was, then realized the plant was growing from a walnut! It was unharmed and I replanted it. I've been watering it and making sure it stays healthy. I'll move it to a larger pot soon.
During my break from blogging we had a weekend garage sale and made $1,400. More on that later. :)
It's been hard for me to figure out a schedule now that I have more energy. The kids are both really demanding and I try to give them each attention, but it leaves me feeling drained. It also makes it hard to get the housework done. I imagine most stay at home parents of little children feel this way, but it seems to be the sort of thing no one talks about (possibly because of the lack of time).
One thing that has helped is the nice summer weather. We go outside every day at around 10:30 or 11. We usually head in around lunch time and find something to do until the baby is ready for her nap. While she sleeps, Wyatt and I spend some time together, which he really seems to need. I'd like to get a routine in place for the morning. I usually stumble around until I'm sufficiently caffeinated.
Our summer is getting busier, so soon I will have more interesting things to write about (plus tips on how to have a great garage sale).
On the homesteady/grow your own food front, I found a walnut tree growing in our flower garden! I was pulling weeds and didn't recognize it, so out it came. I wondered what on earth it was, then realized the plant was growing from a walnut! It was unharmed and I replanted it. I've been watering it and making sure it stays healthy. I'll move it to a larger pot soon.
During my break from blogging we had a weekend garage sale and made $1,400. More on that later. :)
It's been hard for me to figure out a schedule now that I have more energy. The kids are both really demanding and I try to give them each attention, but it leaves me feeling drained. It also makes it hard to get the housework done. I imagine most stay at home parents of little children feel this way, but it seems to be the sort of thing no one talks about (possibly because of the lack of time).
One thing that has helped is the nice summer weather. We go outside every day at around 10:30 or 11. We usually head in around lunch time and find something to do until the baby is ready for her nap. While she sleeps, Wyatt and I spend some time together, which he really seems to need. I'd like to get a routine in place for the morning. I usually stumble around until I'm sufficiently caffeinated.
Our summer is getting busier, so soon I will have more interesting things to write about (plus tips on how to have a great garage sale).
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