Housing 2.0

Is 2011 the "year of the move" in the Allmen family?

During our time in Michigan, we heard a fair share of housing wish lists from family - and that on top of the condo that my parents will be moving into this spring.

Today, we took one step closer to realizing our own wish.

After a morning drive through one of our target neighborhoods, we met with 2 different mortgage lenders to talk about financing a loan.  We had a lot of questions answered, and now have mortgage pre-qualification forms in hand to talk to a Realtor...when the time comes.  We would ideally close on a house in the early summer, but the question is when to start looking.  Look too hard now, and we may find something too soon.  Wait too long, and we may be left homeless come July 1. 



We have given some thought to neighborhoods - whether to stay in our current location or move elsewhere in the city.  I feel satisfied in staying in the neighborhood, if we can find something in our price range.  We may not, though, because property values remain high and there are less single family homes in the area.  Our experience working in CPS also makes us picky about schools, so Rachel's pregnancy has led us to weigh the performance of the local schools as a factor.

As we have heard time and time again lately, now is the time to buy!  Happy house hunting in 2011!

-alan