A note for Angela - a Saskatoon home buyer

I was browsing a blog I frequent when I came across a reference to a post that appeared on MySpace.com from a 25-year-old Saskatoon woman who just purchased her first home.I was moved by her excitement and very much wanted to leave her a message. However, it seems that I need a MySpace account to place a comment there and I soon learned that I’m either too stupid or too old to sign up for a one. Since I was unable to leave her a comment on her blog, I thought I’d post a note for her here in the hope that she or someone she knows might see it.

Here’s what Angela had to say:

So, I decided that it was high time I jump into the Saskatoon real estate market.  I have been looking for over a year now, but always felt that I didn't make enough money, or that my credit wasn't good enough.  I am full of excuses.  Anyway, I found a 2 bedroom apartment style condo that was in my price range.  I went to a mortgage broker, worried that I was subjecting myself to imminent failure.  Nope.  Approved for the full amount I needed.  Too bad from the time I found the place to the time I actually went to the broker the price went up 7%.  I am still kicking myself.

My message to Angela: Congratulations! What an exciting move. It does take a lot of guts to step out there and dream big. I gather from your post that you’re feeling your guts a little more than you’re used to? That’s pretty normal for someone who has just made the biggest purchase of her life. It will soon go away. I expect that you’ll eventually be feeling very proud of this tremendous accomplishment. I hope you will.

You can probably stop kicking yourself anytime now. Any hesitation that you might have felt is normal for such a huge decision and only fools drop tens of thousands of dollars without a lot of thought. I expect that you will be well rewarded in the coming years. These homes should continue to do very well and I’m sure that your willingness to “put yourself out there” will open many doors for you.

I remember being 25 and how hard it was to sign on the dotted line but now that you’re in, I think you’ll find that equity growth in a home of your own is an excellent way to begin to build a little wealth and some net worth.

Of course, it’s not really about the money. More than anything, I hope you’ll find comfort in your new home. Having your own place is pretty cool. It’s nice to be able to invite your friends in, invite them to leave, and occasionally just close the door and shut the whole world out. It’s your place. You make the rules. You now have the freedom “to rip out EVERYTHING and make it all pretty and nice.” I hope you have fun with that.

You also provide some pretty good insights as far as “the bear décor theme” is concerned. I have to agree with you. That look is so yesterday! In fact, sellers would be wise to pack all of their animal carcasses and coats away prior to placing a home on the market. I realized this a few years ago while I was showing a house that had a few of those little ornaments.

Suddenly, my client was gone. 

Best wishes Angela and thank you for an inspiring message. You make me want to do something big today.

A tip of the hat to Larry Cragun for the heads up on Angela’s post.