Timeline - First Time Home Purchase

Purchasing a home is such a meticulous process, especially since we were first time home buyers.  I did tons and tons of research before we made an offer, as well as while we were waiting to close.  Through my numerous google searches, the most common thing I found was that the process can change to some extent depending on the buyer.  With all of the answers I received, I literally became more and more confused about what would likely happen.  So, I decided to keep a detailed list of how the home buying process worked for us.

6/28/2013 - Looked at the house
7/3/2013 - Made an offer
7/5/2013 - Submitted application with bank
7/7/2013 - Agent called to say seller accepted
7/8/2013 - Received copies of signed purchase contract
7/9/2013 - Received disclosures from bank
7/10/2013 - Sent signed disclosures back to bank
7/10/2013 - Received pre-qualification letter from bank
7/11/2013 - Received and signed Interest Rate Lock-In Agreement
7/12/2013 - Sent the signed Interest Rate Lock-In Agreement
7/12/2013 - Received new TIL disclosures for locked interest rate
7/16/2013 - Sent the signed TIL disclosures back to bank
7/18/2013 - Received call from agent to schedule inspection
7/18/2013 - Sent copy of Graham's first pay stub to lender
7/19/2013 - Sent most recent copy of my pay stub to lender
7/22/2013 - Home inspection completed
7/22/2013 - Received inspection report via email
7/24/2013 - Met with agent to discuss which parts of inspection needed to be addressed
7/25/2013 - Lender told us we would also need to have 3 months cash reserves in savings. Saving away!

7/29/2013 - Received our approval letter from the lender

7/30/2013 - Paid appraisal fee to lender
7/30/2013 - Sent Graham's second pay stub to lender
8/1/2013   - Sent most recent copy of my pay stub to lender
8/2/2013   - Sent up-to-date print out of bank account info that includes recent deposits to lender
8/7/2013   - Signed agreement containing the items the seller is correcting from the inspection
8/7/2013   - Started getting insurance quotes!
8/12/2013 - Survey completed
8/14/2013 - Appraisal completed
8/15/2013 - Sent copy of Graham's most recent pay stub to lender
8/15/2013 - Sent copy of my most recent pay stub to lender
8/20/2013 - Lender told us they received the appraisal report - file is in underwriting now
8/23/2013 - Chose an insurance company
8/26/2013 - Received a copy of the appraisal report
8/27/2013 - Received HUD Statement
8/27/2013 - Purchased the cashier's check for our settlement amount
8/27/2013 - Final walk through with realtor
8/28/2013 - Went to the final closing
8/28/2013 - We are officially home owners!!

Home Sweet Home

It's official - We are homeowners!!!!  This was by far the most hectic process I've ever been through, but it doesn't matter anymore.  The papers are signed, we have the keys, and it's been posted all over facebook.  The house is ours! 

I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves, now that we have all of this room.  I can't wait to shower in that huge walk-in, can't wait to see how our big pretty cowhide is going to look in the middle of the livingroom, and can't wait to fill up that big pantry so I can get to cooking again!  This place will be perfect for entertaining.  Oh the parties we will have...

I'm excited to get to meet our new neighbors as well.  I've got lots of Pinterest-inspired gifts for the holidays running around in my mind that I plan to give out.  Halloween can't come soon enough... can't wait to see trick-or-treaters running up and down the block. 

It did make me a little sad when we met with the sellers for the closing.  The little couple are both in their 80's and were moving to a new apartment complex because the house (and the yard) was getting to be too much for them to maintain. 

The circle of life - no better way for me to explain it.  They were once a young couple that made this house a home, while raising babies and grandbabies.  I can only imagine the memories that family has made there.  I'm so excited and anxious to start making our own, which we will start doing in a couple of days!

  

   

  

    

       

  

 

             



Ayanna's 9th Birthday!

Today is my sweet niece, Ayanna's 9th Birthday.  It's so crazy she's already 9 years old, it seems like just yesterday we were in that Levelland hospital and I was changing her first poopy diaper.  Oh the memories...

I wasn't able to spend any time with my Levelland family this summer, so I was beyond excited when we left home Friday to head that way to spend the weekend with them.  We were also able to bring Jackson with us; which made it so much more fun.

  

Saturday morning we woke up to the smell of Mama's homemade biscuits and gravy.  I didn't get a picture (shocking I know), because I was busy shoving it down my belly.  The kids ran around and played for a while and then we all went to Ohana's for her birthday lunch. 

 

After lunch it was time for her party!  We loaded everyone up and headed to Lubbock to meet up with everyone at Joyland.  Kelly and I both worked at Joyland during the summers while we were in high school, so it was definitely a flash back being back there with her again.  Ayanna's party theme was Monster High.

 

          

        

After cake and ice cream it was time to open presents! 

            

Time for rides!

          

 

The kids were all smiles.  Well, for the most part...

   

 

  

  

This is the face I normally get when I take pics of Jackson

  

  

My long lost sister, Veronica also brought her little cousins with her and met us for some fun.  I used to work with her at Halliburton in Hobbs, and we were two peas in a pod.  I've only been able to see her a couple of times since I've moved to Artesia, so it was awesome to get to spend some time with her this weekend, even if it was only for a little bit. 

 

We enjoyed dinner at Cracker Barrel before heading back to Levelland.  I did what any good aunt would do and let Jackson have pancakes.  I'm sure his parents were thrilled...  =)

 

   

 

  

Just waitin' on the birthday girl to get home...

 

On Sunday we all went to grub on some BBQ before we had to head back to the land of entrapment.  =)

 

   

Having to save so much for our new house has made it difficult for us to do much this summer.  I'm so glad we were (finally) able to go spend some time with my family.  I needed it so, so much! 

Today is Ayanna's actual 9th birthday and her first day of school as well.  I just hope she has the best day.  I love that little girl more than I could ever put into words.  She and I have always been so close and I'm so proud of the sweet, smart, strong-willed little lady she has become.  I just know there are big things in store for her!  

Happy Birthday baby girl!