Can we really do this? Yes, we can, and the Michael Jordans will come with.
Posted on July 11, 2012 5 Comments
The Michael Jordans
“OK, if the mortgage rate comes in at 3.5% on a $250,000 home, even with taxes and insurance, that would be totally doable, right? ” I asked, then reconsidered. “But if the rate is closer to 6%, it would be tight. Definitely not doable for 6% at $300,000.”
“Wait, which calculator are you using?” asked man-friend. “Because the one I was using this afternoon gave me a different number than the one you used.”
There we were, talking theoretical mortgages, he sitting at his desk with the laptop open, and me, sitting crossed-legged on the bed, on top of a very old plaid comforter, with papers strewn about. We acknowledged that credit pre-approval would have to be our next step.
“How long do they pre-approve you for?” I asked. “Because if it’s only like 30 days, that affects your credit. I read that once.”
“How can they only approve you for 30 days? It has to be at least 90. And even then, I bet there’s some paperwork you just need to fill out to keep your approval valid,” he responded.
Sigh. It was late, too late for this, and inside our little two-bedroom apartment, our minds were swirling. Yet we continued on.
Until, me: “Whatever house we move into, the Michael Jordans are not coming with.” I say this referring to the artwork I created for him during a particularly rough time in his law school career — five xeroxed color copies of his childhood hero hanging on the wall, inked with inspirational quotes like “I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Him: “I don’t know. They’ve been there for a long time. What about the grammar wall?” (The grammar wall was something I also created during law school when he was having trouble with legal writing.)
Me: “The grammar wall has to stay here. It’s covering holes in the wall”
We’ve been through a lot in our apartment — from layoffs, unemployment, and job changes, to disappointing LSATS and eventually to law school, to new cars, to new family members, even through surgeries and sickness. We’ve been through fights about nothing and fights about everything. We’ve had kisses and hugs, and happy times, we’ve traveled to new lands, and expanded our horizons. And now it’s time to move on.
We think we can do it. Well, we’re pretty sure, anyway.
The Michael Jordans will probably come with.
Category: Money
Tags: Home
Comments
5 Responses to “Can we really do this? Yes, we can, and the Michael Jordans will come with.”
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July 12th, 2012 @ 8:18 am
Bring them! I so love those!
We just bought our first home. It’s so crazy how much goes into it. If you have any questions please feel free to email me, I’m glad to share what I can.
July 12th, 2012 @ 9:02 am
Thanks Allison! I’ll shoot you an email. I think we’re going to wait until after our Yellowstone trip to look into mortgages.
July 12th, 2012 @ 5:48 pm
I live in Chicago and am in the process of closing on a condo so if you have any questions, need recommendations, etc. feel free to reach out.
FYI… preapprovals are good for 90 days
July 16th, 2012 @ 12:57 pm
Aww…do you know the last time I actually made something for Jeff? Yeah, me neither! You guys are cute. Good luck with this new adventure!!
October 2nd, 2012 @ 8:39 am
Love the Michael Jordans! I used to have a giant piece of paper on one wall that said “Today is the last day of your life” (inspired by seeing a play based on the book “Einstein’s Dreams” about different ways to think about time). Whenever anyone came over, they were encouraged to write inspirational quotes about living for today. I had to leave it behind – I miss that project…
Bring the Jordans!