Foreclosure epidemic a blessing in disguise

A single word strikes fear in the hearts of home owners and sellers across the country.

Foreclosure.

It was a blessing for us. Brad and I bought our home from a list of foreclosed properties on the Housing and Urban Development Web site. Our real estate agent said it came with “instant equity.”

For the first-time homebuyer, that sounded great.

But as house after house on our block empties and for sale signs linger for months, we worry about that equity.

Self-doubt set in as we wondered if we had made the right decision to buy.

We’re in a good spot.

We bought our house when lenders were more likely to give loans to those without down payments and with less established credit histories.

Despite advice to the contrary, we opted for a 30-year fixed mortgage rather than an adjustable rate mortgage.

Then we did something I think many people have a hard time doing: We purposely bought a house for less than we could afford.

Then the bubble burst.

We may have to stay in our home longer than expected. We may not see that magical “instant equity” touted in closing.

But there is a reason a home is considered a long-term investment.

Accepting that changed my entire attitude.

Instead of dreaming of a vegetable garden and flower beds when we move into our more permanent house, I’m brainstorming how to arrange our current yard. I’m taking time to meet the neighbors and wave at passers-by. I’m thinking of how the office can be a nursery and how we can add shelving to the garage.

It’s reassuring to know that we have a home in a small town that has opened its arms to us.

The foreclosure epidemic has forced this transplant to sink roots deep into Statesville’s soil.

Sunshine and sizzling meat

Months of saving have come to fruition at the Norman house.

I'm a little worried about my meat consumption now that we have our own propane grill. It is way too easy to just grill up a chicken leg or chunk of dead cow.

We've had it for only three days and I've already experimented with zucchini (success) and portobello burgers (yum), too.

The best part of it all? I put the thing together all by my hard-headed self.