Buying a Home
Denise and I have been shopping around to buy our first house, and the entire process is quite a bit more stressful than I initially expected. We already had one deal fall through as a result of the inspection, and currently are making an offer on another house.
In fact, I've begun to compare the entire process to that of having children...
The first step is often getting pre-qualified for the loan. I suppose this could be compared to the potential parents asking themselves if they are ready to have children. Seeing if they can afford the costs, making sure their insurance will cover the birth (and child), and (of course) making sure both parents are capable of having kids. This, actually, is the part that requires the most thought, and the least action. Unfortunately, both with mortgages and children, we tend to put the least amount of thought into this until it's too late.
Next comes the step before conception. With children, this can be fun - involving lots of teasing, playing, etc. With house hunting, it starts out being fun, but (as with pre-conception) can start to wear thin if it lasts too long. This blog is "G" rated, so I won't go into details...
Towards the end of this "pre-conception" period, there is a blissful feeling, and an offer to buy is sent hurtling towards destiny. For many, this can be the most stressful part of the process. The offer might be accepted, or it might be turned down. In some cases, it might be days before you know either way. If the offer is rejected, there's no choice but to try again. For some, all the indications are that the offer was accepted, but it was a false pregnancy.
Once conception takes place (the offer is accepted), there's a flurry of activity that takes place, and only a limited amount of time to do everything in. There are property/pest inspections (doctor visits) and loan/insurance appraisals (sonograms) - either of which can cause the deal to miscarriage. Of course, there is the inevitable time of packing (preparing the new baby room) and window-shopping for those cute clothes (or for the new washer/dryer, floor mats, etc.)
As the deal comes closer to closing (or the pregnancy comes closer to term), both parents become more and more nervous. Tempers can flare, and moods will swing. Finally, near the end of the waiting, the pre-settlement papers are prepared (or the mother-to-be packs a bag for the hospital), and the labor pains kick in. The date of closing is very similar to a projected date of birth: It tends to move around in order to be inconvenient.
Finally, the Big Day arrives, and the prospective parents gather in a clean room full of professionals. The prospective parents are too exhausted to be nervous anymore. Mommy asks for something to help the pain and is given something. Daddy asks too, but is only told to “suck it up.” The doctor comes into the room and announces that its Time To Begin. Mommy (and Daddy) spend the next couple of hours pushing (and counting.) The repetitive motions cause limbs to go numb. With each passing minute, Mommy and Daddy accept that their lives will never be the same again.
Finally, the doctor announces: "Congratulations, it's your new home."