New Discoveries on the House Hunt

Every morning since we've been under contract, I start out the day with "Okay, Lord, this could be the day your house is listed..." Hope floats.... until about 5 minutes later, the realization sets that nothing is out there. Spring can't get here soon enough...

So, new epiphanies -- as we've been searching, I have been very surprised to find out about myself new things as it relates to the ideal property. The Lord is moving in my heart.

I don't want to live in an established, wealthy neighborhood. For our price point, we looked at great townhouses in Potomac Falls, Ashburn and Leesburg with 3-4 bedrooms and perfect floors, kitchen, everything---but it was just so.... cookie-cutter. All the design choices were made for me, and the neighborhoods were just so..... pristine. You're like, um...what's the issue? Move in! But, I feel like the Lord is calling us to an area where we can meet needs of people who actually have needs. An area that is more poor. How can you be the light when you're not even in proximity?

I want a fixer-upper. A fixer what-er?In light of a third baby on the way, that sounds ludicrous, but every time I see a property at our price point, that an investor has come in and changed -- not only is it overpriced for the work, but nothing they selected, I would choose for myself. Plus, half of them do a shabby renovation job. So, why not find something DIRT cheap and renovate and customize it perfectly to make it home?

I've got the itch to not only fix it up, but flip it. Before you freak out, of course, we'd buy it simply because we love it and we'd stay in it if the market wasn't profitable, but...we've seen HUD or bank-owned townhomes that nobody but investors want where we could buy for $250K, and put in $50K renovations and make it stunningly gorgeous, and then sell it for $350K. If we do this, it has to be good locations, with 1/2 the work already updated like roofs, HVAC. windows, etc. and having good contractors under our belt.

I think a small village in Africa would love a check for $50,000 at the end of one year! To minimize resale costs, I would need to become a realtor and broker, but that's what I was going to do anyways, at least part-time. My passion for interior design and Patrick's desire to learn how to fix houses (helping as labor for our contractor) could really benefit the poor. Plus, it is so much fun that I can't tell you how I stay awake at nights thinking how I'd knock down this wall, and then do this flooring...and this tile...oh my gosh, don't let me get started!

So, we're on the lookout for something cheap and ugly and in a neighborhood where we can make a difference. Hmhh....God is changing my heart and Patrick's. I pray we are headed in the right direction, and haven't fallen off the deep end, as many of you probably think we are nuts already. You won't believe me, but despite the daily emotional roller coaster, this still feels right. We are ready to go wherever He leads.