Where to begin?

The daunting task of moving looms over our heads like a final exam - we know what to study, but where do you begin (especially after 7 years of class)?

Moving isn't as overwhelming as it is that we are facing many things at once. In fact, the actual boxing of our belongings and putting them in a truck is the most straight-forward part of the whole deal. But knowing that there are so many other things to do is where my mind starts to swim.

It will all come down to cost in the end.

We've completed an inspection on the house, and all in all, I'd say we're pretty lucky to have mostly minor issues. But one of those “minor” issues is that the AC needs to be replaced at some point, which will probably run us around $4,500. Also, there is termite damage and other things that are apparently characteristic of the area (in other words, not reasons to not buy this house), and each issue has a nice little price tag and needs to be addressed “in the near future”.

Perhaps these repairs and their costs would seem average or even insignificant to an experienced home-buyer, but for me, it felt like a decision between repairs on things that I can’t even see (termite damage), vs. the remodeling of things that I CAN see and hate how they are now.

$$$$$

The remodeling tasks are not urgent, but they are what will make me love this house much sooner as opposed to just tolerating it for what may turn into years (especially if we have kids right away). My income is only going to get smaller, if not outright disappear for awhile over the next year, so it seems to me that we should remodel while we can, and be happily poor for ever after. But would that mean that I have to choose between replacing carpet with hardwood floors or buying a car?

$$$$$$

Seriously, buying a car is the last thing on earth that I want to do. Not only do I not want a car at all, but I don’t even know where to begin in terms of what you’re supposed to pay these days, whether you should buy or lease, and whether or not it’s possible to get a hybrid or some environmentally-wise car. My sister has suggested a good dealer in Austin that she trusts, but other than that, I’m clueless. I’ve seen commercials about Vehix.com and CarMax is it? Those seem like interesting avenues, but again, what do I know. I didn’t know the first thing about buying a house either, but it’s the thought of one more expensive foreign purchase that is more overwhelming than the simple act itself.

As exciting and fun as it can be, home renovation is also pretty foreign and can be a little intimidating. Erik and I have particular visions here and there and are super excited about the potential, but the devil’s in the details. We know we want to replace carpet with hardwood floors, but such prompts the decision of knocking down walls that need to come down in order to open up wasted space in the house. The two are synonymous because it’s better to do it all at once so that you have consistent flooring where those walls once were. It’s hard to explain in writing, but one of those walls is in the kitchen and contains the sink – taking it down is a crucial part of opening-up the space, but that would take the renovations to a whole new level.

We had a long talk with our Realtor yesterday (who is awesome - thanks, Ravyn!!), and he helped us walk through some of our ideas. It may seem strange that we'd be discussing this with our Realtor (especially before we even own a house), but he takes particular interest because he wants to maintain a relationship with you long after you buy the house so that he can also help you to sell it when it's time (a win/win for everyone!). Not only is he interested in all of us being able to re-sell the house at some point, but he's very interested in what you do to it in the meantime. It's really nice to have someone helping us that has the same goal: making it work for us and increasing the value.

All in all, I think we've decided to move forward with a couple of things that will cost us big bucks now, but that will be worth it right away. Hello new floors, good-bye eating out (and good-bye asthma)!

Though I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the decisions that have to be made and the costs associated with each, I feel lucky to have these “problems” at all. Less fortunate families don’t have the luxury of being “burdened” with car and renovation decisions because they have to take the bus and they live in the projects. So no matter the repair or expense, I do feel fortunate to have my particular situation. We may have some seriously 80's features for awhile, but at least we’ll have a house with dynamite future potential! And we'll enjoy every step of the way.

While I was having a mini freak-out about how little money we'll have after all of this is said and done, and how it's not how I pictured starting a family (broke), Erik reminded me that many families start off with a lot less. My husband is fearless, and I am so lucky to have the influence.

Priceless.