The View from a Drawbridge

Tag: buying

  • Realtors — The Inside Scoop

    I never realized that it’s really a helping profession.

  • The Importance of Love Letters

      When trying to buy a house, I cannot overstress the importance of standing out from the crowd. Even though there were multiple bidders on the house I’m about to buy, and my bid wasn’t the highest, I was the only one who wrote them a “love letter”, and that strongly influenced their decision. So,…

  • I’ve Come Undone

    I am at the end of my rope. I’m on the ragged edge. I’m losing it. I’m buying a house. I’m packing, I’m moving. I’m making changes and updating and getting rid of stuff. I’m doing paperwork. I’m documenting. I’m panicking that I won’t get everything done on time, or I’ll forget something important. And…

  • One Very Close Shave

    So, I’ve been house hunting in the cutthroat Seattle market. After three rejected bids, two of which were soul-crushing, I was sorely tempted to give up. But I don’t really have that luxury. If I don’t lock down a steady mortgage payment, my rent is bound to increase way beyond my means. So I resigned…

  • Greed

    I’ve been learning a very unpleasant economics lesson lately. Attempting to buy a house in the Seattle, Washington area is leaving a bitter taste in my mouth indeed. This is the most booming seller’s market in the entire country, and therefore I’m experiencing cutthroat competition. I’ve seen house values nearly double in the three years…

  • A Plea to Seattle Area Home Sellers

    Hi everyone. I’m a 52 year old woman who has been working since I was ten years old, and will most likely work until I drop dead. I’ve always led a simple life. I’ve saved when I can, and done my best to survive. In most housing markets, I’d be able to buy two houses.…

  • My Car Buying Experience

    For the first time in many years, I bought a new (to me) car. I had no choice, really. The old one was a death trap. There was no heat, no defrost, and no air conditioning. When it rained, the dash would fill with water and the electrical stuff would flicker on and off and…

  • Window Shopping

    In general, I’m not much of a shopper. The more I move, the less desire I have to accumulate. And when purchasing something cannot be avoided, I don’t really feel like dithering around. I just want to get in there, grab what I need, pay for it and leave. Yeah, yeah, I appreciate your offer…