So, I can’t remember if I mentioned that I looked at Hometown in Arvada, this is the place I saw last Saturday. The timing is right, but I was very wishy washy of the floor plans. I was contemplating if I like it or not, and the different floor plans they had. So, I had time to mull it over. The lady was nice, not too pushy.
Yesterday I went to see Dancing Willows townhomes and condos. The townhome person did not even work there, so was “covering” for someone, and could only give me a brochure. There was only one model also. I was put off on their townhomes, and I think they were the high end of my price range. I guess this is what the economy is doing to the builders. But I went to see the condos, and I’m glad I did. There were 3 models and the sales lady took us to see where 2 were going to be and a new build, which is slightly different from the model. These were southwest, in Littleton. Nice area.
So, I went back to the first place to see if I could get a handle of what I want. While driving to the other place, Sarah and I was talking about why I want a townhome vs condo. Good question. I think it had to do with not growing up in a house. In Brooklyn, my family lived on the top floor of a 2 family house. You don’t see that in Denver, or at least I have not seen it.
So, my perspective is a condo is a glorified apartment and a townhome represents more of a house. Both has no need to landscape or garden. But there are some “townhomes” which are ranch style where the floor plan is all on one floor, so is there really a difference? Also, condos are less expensive, but can have the same square footage as a townhome. Wow, I thought to myself, I guess there really is no real difference. Huh. What a revelation.
So, we get to the first place, and unfortunately we could not look through the places since they were sold and could no longer let us in. So I was talking about the floor plans and Sarah was looking at it with me, and I was telling what I liked and did not like with the floor plans. At least in my head there were things I liked and did not like. And as always, if I am going to spend that much money, I would like to have what I want and not necessarily settle.
So, again, Sarah says to me, well, it sounds like you will be compromising a lot to spend that much money. Why not spend less and have what you want more or could live with. I know, ultimately, I have to make the decision because I am going to live there. {sigh} Yet, again, there’s a small light in the head going off. Why would I spend all that money if I have to settle, when I like the bottom half of one plan, and the top of another?
So, I was driving around thinking about what I could do next. Now, before I left for the UK, I did but some money down on a place, and they are building, and still selling. So, I am going back to see what there is over there. Now there was this place that I really liked the floor plan, I mean it called to me. So, I finally found out that the place is in Stapleton, way too far for work, which is too bad. Living there would mean my commute would be 1 1/2 hours and that’s not counting on traffic.
Anyways, part of that process, was that I ended up talking to a real estate agent. In the morning, when I checked my email, she had emailed me a few places to look at and gave me some advice. I mean I had called her around 9pm, which I did not realize how late it was, and she sent me the emails around 10-1030pm. Wow, she did some stuff without asking. And the places she found me was really nice. I mean she emailed a couple of places in Belmar, and Dancing Willows and suggested I compare prices since I was going there anyway. So, I figured she did that for me, she was not pushy, so I figured what the heck. I’ll use her.
SIDE NOTE: I looked at Belmar myself and at the time there was no way I was able to afford it. Everything seemed to start around the $350’s. Holy Cow! So, when she gave me a couple of places where the description said have not been lived in, I was really ecstatic about it. That’s another reason why I am using her. Wow, Belmar. Let me tell you this place is like yuppie-ville. But it’s hip, trendy, has the best stores. There are a lot of restaurants and shops and lofts and condos, and townhomes. This part of time was being “re-gentrified” and the developers are building to last and attract. I mean there are lots of stuff to do, there’s a movie theatre, bowling alley, PF Chang’s, Elephant Bar, and a lot of other places all within walking distance. I am really excited about it and the possibility of living there . . . cross your fingers.
So, anyways, I always have a Plan A, B, C, and then D, E, and ultimately F. So, I am in between A and B and C. So, A was to just look at new builds by myself. B is use a real estate agent and begin looking for places that are around 0-3 years old. C is using the real estate agent for places that may not be on the market yet.
Oh okay, not getting all my hopes up. I am being somewhat resigned to the fact that I may not buying something absolutely new. But then, you know, loving the place and the location, is the compromise for buying new. At least the places are less than 2 years old. I figure that’s a good compromise.
I called her today while walking from one building to the other, and asked her to help me find some stuff. About an hour later, so I had 3 emails and a list of places that were for sale, in my price range, less than 2 years old, and west of I25. Wow. So, she told me to take a look and let her know what I thought about them. She added a few older ones, but she wanted me to see what was out there.
I’m looking at Belmar late Monday and I asked the agent if perhaps there will be something new in my price range. Everyone is saying it’s a great time to buy, and why not ask. Worse case scenario, they don’t have anything, and I am not worse off for it. Will let you know how it turns out.
The others I will have to get to on Wednesday, because we are starting late on Monday. Tuesday I have a couple of conference calls, and I think Wednesday I’m back to looking at the other places. Maybe, by the end of next week, I will be able to decide on a place and begin the buying prices. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to get through looking at places, then worry about financing for the place.
You know me, I worry about everything.
Today did not start off very well. It was barely dawn when I finally got some sleep. Of course, I slapped my alarm and woke up later than I wanted to. And of course, I had a huge work load. I was talking to my peeps, yep I have peeps now, and we jokingly said that I would some day be caught up where I would be reviewing their work while the audit is being conducted rather than weeks later. Hopefully, cross your fingers.
So, if you noticed I added a little something to my blog title. I guess this may help some of my readers realize that I have moved back to the US. Thanks for all who welcomed be back, either in emails, in person, or on my blog. I still have not figured out a name for it. I am sure it will come to me in a dream or something.
I asked my peeps what they wanted to call our region. It seemed pretty pretentious of me to call us, Ingrid’s Region. So, I made it a contest. Either I will win, or Jonathan will win. So, I have the casinos in Colorado and Lake Charles, Louisiana. So, my input was the CoLa Region. Get it? CO and LA? Too bad it couldn’t be LoCo, that would have been sooo much better. The LoCo Region, we are LoCo about everything!
Anyways, it may end up being something like The North Lake Region. But who knows. I thought CoLa was pretty neat, I thought of that just when I was falling asleep, and had to remind myself to write it down the next morning.
Well, got some more work done. What else is new?
I may have to take Cousin Dan up on his offer and let him make the decisions for me. {sigh}
Well, that’s all I got for now. I’ll be sure to let you know what I decide.
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