Sometimes when you are all settled in and daily life has become routine, the universal wind blows and changes come whether you like them or not.
On New Year’s Day we went to pay our rent. It was not accepted and we found out the tiny, little house we rent is in foreclosure. The bank is expected to take possession in the next month or two and we will not be allowed to stay long term. After a year of unemployment, the savings is gone. Yes, there has been employment for the last six months, but it hasn’t always been full time which has caused us to fall just a little behind on the bills. We were catching up and getting everything straightened out and then this news of losing our rental.
Even though this is unexpected, it was also expected because of the events of the recession and the death of our landlord fourteen months ago. We had feared it, but then grew comfortable when our fears were not realized and of course that is just when it all happened.
Am I angry about this? In some ways yes, but in other ways, I also understand how it happened and feel sorry for the owner as they did what so many others did by refinancing several times and then my landlord’s failing and unexpected declining health stepped in along with the crash of the housing market and the recession. I’m letting go of the negative feelings as they won’t do anyone any good.
The very next day I sent Spurg out to pick up some boxes.. yes, potentially we have a few months before we have to go, but with all the stuff we have and the lack of room, I wanted to start packing right away so that I could get it all organized as I go. He ran to the shop around the corner and picked some up, then to the liquor store near by. We know the owners of both establishments quite well. One of the owners of the liquor store asked if we were moving and Spurg told him yes but we haven’t found a place yet. The owner pointed out that the house across the street was going to be for rent. Spurg went over there to write down the phone number so we could call to take a look at the place. The door opened and he was greeted by one of the owners. He took a look around and quickly came home to tell me all about it. He had convinced himself that I would not be interested at all, but told me anyway.
After listening to him, I called the owner and set up a time to look at the house the next day. I explained briefly our situation with having to move. He asked how long I had lived in my current residence to which I answered 13 years. He was impressed. I explained how I really wanted to find something around our area because of Sydney wanting to attend the same school and Nick having Autism and not being able to handle change well. We agreed to meet the next afternoon so that I could see the house.
On Sunday, I walked to the house and was warmly greeted by a very nice couple. They showed me the house and we had a nice conversation. The landlord kept going on how my living in one place for 13 years spoke volumes to him. They are not so concerned with credit as so many are having credit problems in this economy, but he wants someone who will pay the rent. There were several couples who quickly looked through the house, but the owners did not pay as much attention to them as they did to me. Both took their turns showing me the rooms and all the little features the home has to offer. He kept making comments of how this just seems meant to be. They had just closed and taken possession of the home as it was a foreclosed property. He explained that he liked to buy older homes with character to fix them up and then rents them out. They had not even listed this house in the paper as being for rent yet.
I took an application and asked them what time they would be leaving so that I could bring it back before that time. Spurg and I quickly filled it out and I walked back, hoping they hadn’t left yet. The house was dark, but before I could knock, the landlady opened the door with a smile on her face. We walked around the house a little bit more. I know that they could see my hesitation as the rent is more than what we pay now. But honestly, anything I rent will be more than I pay now since I locked in my rent so long ago. Mentally, I kept trying to work out the numbers to see if I could do it.. they even offered to do the deposit in payments if they rent to me. I felt like they were trying to figure it all out as much if not more than I was.
They told me of the things that they were going to do to the house before they rent it. New tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom to replace the old linoleum. Maybe a few more cupboards in the kitchen. He is also going up in the attic crawl space to check the insulation and the roof for leaks. If I didn’t know better, I would think they were fixing up the house for them to move into.
As I was leaving, they kept saying that it just felt meant to be. It would be perfect for Nick since it wouldn’t be such a big change. They would let me know in a week or two if they would rent it to me.
A few days went by. I spent a lot of time thinking of the house and the finances. I looked at other listings and realized that the only other rentals within reason would be apartments or town homes. This home was just a touch more and for all it has to offer, the price is downright reasonable. I called him up and let him know that I know that I was hesitant while I was there, but after really thinking about it and talking with Spurg, we were very interested in the property. He told me that he and his wife had spoken as well, and she adamantly wants us to have it. They would draw up the lease and we could come sign it this weekend.
In just three days, we secured a new home. In many ways I feel like it was handed to us, or just fell into our laps. It is an older home, built in 1922, good solid wood construction and plaster walls. It has two large bedrooms and a huge bathroom.. well at least huge compared to what we are used to! A very nice living room with a fireplace, built in bookcase and built in bench. There are dual pane windows and a newer central heat and air conditioning unit. Front and back yards, washer and dryer hookups and a small eating area off of the kitchen. It will have new tile floors, brand new window blinds, fresh coats of paint of taupe with white trim in all rooms except the bathroom and kitchen which will be white. There’s a linen closet in the hallway and a towel cupboard with tons of drawers underneath in the bathroom. There are ceiling fans in the bedrooms, living room and on the front porch for those warm lazy days watching the world go by as I sip on some homemade lemonade. It has some quirky features as well such as the narrow little closets in the bedrooms which are not even deep enough to walk into, but I can work with that. I do have to remember that when this house was built, there probably wasn’t even indoor plumbing at the time!
I have been told that I may do what ever I want to the front and back yards. There is a lemon tree, dwarf orange tree and a loquat tree. I can tear out the old rose bushes on the walkway and replant the ones that haven’t died along the house. I can put in a garden in the back. The bedrooms are long and it would be easy to create a space for Sydney in our room, and very easy to partition it so that she can have some privacy.
It is a little noisier since it is on a busy main road. I can get used to that. The rent is higher and I will also have to pay water, sewer and garbage, but I’ve figured all of that out too. It does not come with a refrigerator or a washer and dryer. My current landlady told me to take the washer and dryer that are here as they are 13 years old and she has no use for them. The refrigerator I can pick up for about $150 at a local business that buys and repairs used appliances. I have no living room furniture save my rocking chair, entertainment center and spinning wheel but we know we can pick up and inexpensive futon to start with. There isn’t a garage, but there is a storage shed. The house is only three houses down from where we are right now.
In just a few short weeks I will no longer be cold because there isn’t a heater in my room. We will no longer have to be careful about using the stove in the summer because the house gets too hot. No more stairs to climb. No more chasing people out of my yard because it isn’t fenced in. I will be in a home that is easily twice the size of what I have now instead of this tiny two roomed depression era house. There is a large shade tree to block the afternoon sun and the little shop around the corner will be just a little bit closer. No more showers only as the new house has both a tub and shower. There will be privacy and room to have friends and family over.
In years past, I have wanted to move. I have listed the things that I would want in a home. This house has everything that I have hoped for and a little more. Financially, I believe I may have figured it all out. As the new landlord said to me when I told him I now had a washer and dryer.. “everything seems to be falling into place for you. This really just seems meant to be!” However, for some reason, yesterday I started having panic attacks. Maybe I have just lived in this one place for far too long and have become unaccustomed to change. Maybe it’s the responsibility of the additional expense, or maybe it’s that this couple who has so graciously decided that we were meant to be in that house are just so nice that I just don’t ever want to disappoint them. After all, I feel like I could invite her over to coffee like an old friend.
So, wish us luck. I will be back after I pack up this little house and then unpack it all at the new home that somehow seems to have just fallen into our laps! I know that I am a little late in this, but may all of you have a wonderful New Year, filled with love, prosperity and much joy!























