Buyer's remorse is common with homeowners. And while I have basically kept most of my anxiety off of here, I feel that isn't being as honest as I like to be. Well, last night I had a break down and cried and begged G to get us out of this, to sell the house, anything. This isn't the first time I have panicked about this house. I wanted to sell it back from day one, I wanted out of the contract right after it was signed.
It's not a bad house. In fact, all we've heard from people who have seen it is how nice it is. The neighbor even mentioned it while poking her head out. But the reality is that there are little things that aren't perfect, and I get disappointed and upset easily. The renovator's did a beautiful job in some areas (and worked miracles in a lot of it----the seller was kind enough to show us the befores....eeek!). But in some places it was done quickly and sloppily and it just annoys the shit out of me.
But realistically we obviously cannot sell it. And while I feel panicky and desperate and have told G it just doesn't feel like home, it's always better during the day time for me. So I am here, in this house, breathing in and out. And doing what the woman in Under The Tuscan Sun does and slowly introducing myself to the house. Baby steps people, baby steps.
The reality is (and this is what I try and keep reminding myself) is that I will probably come to love this house.....right before we have to sell it. We're a military family. We want to move overseas again at some point (I'm really hoping for Belgium or Italy myself), and we also wouldn't mind moving to the base that's less than 2 hours from our families either. G likes his job here, and we could be here a little while, but we were never planning on making this our forever home. I hope someday to find that place, but it won't be anytime so soon. He still has 16 years until he can retire!
Has anyone else ever bought a home and panicked? I've been told this is fairly common.
Yes, it's very common. I like you thinking of yourself as in Under the Tuscan Sun. It's a great analogy. It's your opportunity to put your stamp on a great house. You are so creative and dedicated to making a home that it's going to be just fine and probably downright smashing. I need to visit your decorating blog!
ReplyDeleteOf course it isn't perfect, you haven't had time to make it perfect as yet. Right now it is a house with many possibilities, and you have the opportunity to make it a home. Your home. How terrible if it seemed so perfect that you would hate to put your mark on it. Take the time to make it your own.
ReplyDeleteKalee, Since this isn't meant to be your forever home, you will probably fall madly in love with it! I never had buyer's remorse for the Texas house, and I knew more likely than not that it would not be forever. But I loved that house - more than any other house I had ever lived in. Good news is that luckily, when we did have to move, we found a house that we love just as much. Enjoy your time there, love it, and then when it's time, find another one you love. In the end, it's not really the house that matters - it's what's inside that house. You already know this.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I think our condo isn't perfect, I tell myself to compare it to what I could be renting, and it is in much better shape than any of the apartments I've lived in. I've always lived in older houses and admired the small imperfections - the molding that is smooth from ten layers of paint, the slightly uneven floors - it all tells a story!
ReplyDeleteLadies, I love you all! I am just taking my time, making this house our home. G wants to name it soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd Stephanie, our house slopes, which is craziness, and takes some getting used to, but it's very old (some reports say 1900, others 1920, we're thinking it might have been partially rebuilt at some point), so it comes with the territory. I love old homes with history!