Some of my 3 readers may have noticed a bit of a difference in the last 40 days….irregular posts, etc. Well, I’m now in a position to explain! Not that most will care, but since the blog is largely for myself first I feel it important. It also does emphasize the fact that work/life balance is about more than working to the average – there are peaks and valleys to manage as well. Keep those in mind as you trace back through how others are doing at any given time.
Nov 25 – fly to London (first time overseas) for week long client meeting. Leave Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.
Nov 30 – return home (full day of flights and running through the Atlanta airport).
Nov 30 8p – receive an email that the home we are renting is going into foreclosure and we have to leave “as soon as possible”. Let the freak out commence.
Dec 1 – begin looking at other rentals in the area.
Dec 6 – determine that there are no viable rentals available around Columbia SC during the Christmas season.
Dec 7 – decide to buy a house.
Dec 10 – look at houses with a broker. Take the opportunity to reflect on the situation and realize that the holidays are coming fast and we’re probably going to need to close in less than 30 days.
Dec 10 4p – put an offer in on a house. Very surreal moment. Still can’t believe that in 4 days of the decision we pulled the trigger.
Dec 11 – accept the counter-offer on the house. Let the financing begin!
Jan 3 – receive permission to close! Scheduled for the following Tuesday afternoon.
Jan 7 – day-trip to Chicago for client meeting (weather is great! What can go wrong?)
Jan 7 6p – 4 hour delay of flight. Won’t be getting back to SC that day but MAY get to Atlanta and be able to rent a car to drive the 3 hours.
Jan 8 1a – land in Atlanta, rent a car, find a hotel, sleep 4 hours.
Jan 8 3p – close on house!
Jan 8 7p – find out that the seller hasn’t counter-signed all documents yet. Closing not complete. Hold off on doing anything.
Jan 9 10a – word that all documents signed and closing is complete!
Jan 9 10:20a – paint some of the rooms in the house.
Jan 10 –refrigerator scheduled to arrive. Start the move-in process.
Jan 11 – movers.
Jan 14 – begin traveling for work again.
So if you made it through all of that – I can’t believe that we made it through. I can’t believe we closed on a house from offer to closing in less than 30 days. I can’t believe that this occurred over the holiday season. But we did it.