Well, ST, if you meet the right man, just make him sell his house and move in with you! Be liberated! LOL!

LOL – interesting you mention that because I was talking to a friend of mine a couple of days ago and she was saying to me “Now, I bet after all the paperwork is signed off on your townhome, you meet the man of your dreams and you’ll have to sell shortly thereafter”

May very well happen – I’ve seen some of the people in the development out walking their dogs, jogging, etc … lots of hubby potential (another great selling point for the neighborhood – hehe!)

You won’t regret it, renting is for the birds. I made the transition when single back in ‘86. I am still in the same house. The only problem is that the house is kinda small for my wife and myself (I bought this house when I’d given up on ever finding someone to marry, so naturally as soon as I did I met my wife). If I’d known I was going to get married, I’d have bought the next larger house. Still, I have a house payment of less than half of what an apartment would cost, so buying becomes a real bargain. The house has gone up over 3x in value since I bought it too.

And, it just feels so much better when it’s yours. Makes you want to do more to it too, not much profit in remodeling something someone else owns.

Congrats again!

Steve Skubinna: Thanks! Good to see you posting – been wondering where you’ve been as we haven’t seen ya in a while here.

Normally you wouldn’t close in mid-January, but as close to the end of the month as possible. Since mortgages usually run from the beginning of the month to the beginning of the month, closing anytime before the last couple of days of the month leaves you liable for interest on the loan, but no principle; these wind up being tacked onto your initial closing costs. The only way it makes sense to close in the middle of the month is if the added interest is less than your current rent, or if your lease expires in mid-month and you have no place to go, or don’t want to move twice.

If you are doing an every two week mortgage (they still exist, and lower your total interest payments), a mid-month closing isn’t a problem.

Of course, what we need is a Sister Toldjah Moving Party, where all of your readers meet in Charlotte on January 28th, and move you into your new house! Tell Patterico he’s responsible for buying the beer.

OK, Sorry. Just that of the crap they teach in public schools, this credit stuff should be a requirement for High School Graduation.

I’m taking a credit course right now. I didn’t know you hadn’t prequalified a mortgage before you offered. That is not a good practice. I’ve learned you not only should prequal to get your credit up to snuff but actually go for qualification before you start looking.

I have to admit, though, closing was easily the most stressful thing I’ve ever gone thru in my entire LIFE. Not my high school prom, not my wedding, not getting fired, not any surgery, not finals in school–NOTHING compares to the stress I felt on that day! On the other hand, when you go to your new home right after and turn the key…well, you’ll find out.