House Hunting Part 1

Well, G and I went ahead and got pre-approved for a home loan for MD. Absolute craziness. First we were told we couldn't get one, because while she could see that we would have enough for a mortgage, we didn't have any real recent credit. Of course we don't. First off, we've been in England for the past 2 (3 for G) years, where our payments over there don't show up on American reports. And secondly, we avoid using credit like the plague, because quite frankly, we like to stay out of debt. The mortgage lady suggested getting a credit card. Then turned us down. I was a little upset to say the least and had G call back and ask to speak to a manager. The manager basically called the lady an idiot, said we had enough credit, said he might need to talk to her, and then proceeded to spend a huge amount of time re-doing the application and giving us the approval.

So now I am looking at houses. I feel slightly obsessed until I realize we're moving. To Maryland. In less than 2 weeks. Eeek! So I am guessing I will get little sleep. The biggest adjustment has been looking at mortgages 2 times what the most we were willing to spend in Ohio (if we had only gotten there) would have been. Deep breath in. And out. Okay, moving on.

Now, here's the difficult part----we want the type of house that doesn't exist in our price range in the Baltimore area. We love the town/row homes that are in the actual city with all the old details (including the old horse hitching block out front of one), but they usually don't have much of a yard (if any). One has concrete in the back, and we've thought about looking into jackhammering it up and laying sod. I would love enough room for a small garden, but don't really want to be in the suburbs. Hmm.

I love the idea of city living. Of finding a local coffee shop and being a regular. Of pushing a baby in a nearby park in one of our prams. The pulse of a city. The rhythm. The liveliness of it all. But not too lively, I don't need any crackhouse busts or gunshots ringing in the night. :)

For those of you who own homes, what made you choose yours? For dreamers like myself, what is a must-have feature? Crazy for modern? Like small cottages? City apartments? Spill!