The Big Move, Part 2: Buying a New House!

While I love looking at homes (like really, really love it), this wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. I mentioned the real estate boom in my last post. Well, it was "booming" right before our eyes and in the middle of our decision-making process. We chose to focus our efforts on new builds. And builders were increasing their prices on homes while we were looking at them. It was so frustrating to return to a builder the following day only to find out that corporate increased the price $10k from the day before. Not that we couldn't get it back down with all their gamey promotions and allowances but it was still annoying and making everything seem so urgent, which isn't where we wanted to be with such a major decision. We decided not to even attempt the rat race of pre-owned homes (is that what they're called?). Those have been flying off the market before people can even get a showing. Many of my friends who are buying have been in multiple offer situations on the 1st day of a house being on the market only to be beat out by a cash offer letting the sellers stay in the house for as long as they need. Who can compete with that?! So, we focused on new builds....

Our friends, Lori and Alan Anderson, live in a new neighborhood tucked away near the Trails and they have been trying to recruit us over there since they moved in a couple of years ago and long before we were ready. They kept reminding us that the builder was going to begin work on the creek lots near them. Fast forward to present day and the builder has started 2 out of the 6 houses on that street and we put a contract down on one of those!

Here's the scoop on why we decided to go with it:

• No backyard neighbors - backs to a tree line with a wrought-iron fence so it will seem a bit more spacious. Frisco tends to have small lots with 2nd floors being able to see into each other's backyards. Not a terrible thing but we are spoiled where we are and wanted to attempt to recreate it somehow.
• Price, of course - We fell in love with plenty of homes that were at the top of the budget but this one just felt right! We didn't want to be house poor even though those big, beautiful homes made it tempting. :) It also has a reasonable HOA; some of these neighborhoods are crazy with what they are charging!
• Quiet street - not too many cars go through there and you also can't hear any street traffic. It's so peaceful and we look forward to that! It really is a tucked away neighborhood!
• Front entry garage - We didn't want an alley. Beau's truck is too big to mess with that.
• Design Center - We get to pick out our finishes and have changed several things. Other builders' "quick move-ins" were inventory homes that we couldn't change.
• Neighborhood - Along with the Andersons, it seems like a good, friendly crowd. We weren't finding that with some of the other new neighborhoods. 

Only downside is that we really wish it had a 3-car garage like the other homes in the neighborhood :-( But as my Austinite sister Andrea pointed out: Suburbia Problems! Ha! I get it, some people would love to just have 1 car space or even 2 so I get it. But it sure would be nice with our huge cars!

I hope to post pictures as the house progresses. I really do love homes and this whole process so I want to remember all of this. Especially since Beau will probably never move again! He hate hate hates moving. So here are some pics before sheet rock...

Grayson is excited (to play in the dirt!). 

Living room (wish there were 3 windows across but whatev)

Kitchen/Breakfast area

Standing in the living room looking through to the master

Showing Grayson his room (which wasn't the entire truth as we aren't sure which one will be his yet)

Back of the house (we are trying to get used to the teeny tiny patio!)

Backs to a tree line/walking trail

So there you have it - move-in is set for mid-November. Pray for no more delays b/c we will be hotel-bound for the next 8 weeks and would love to be settled in for the Holidays!