How I Bought Our House Before The Crazy Prices - Vlog 050

In Vlog 050, I share the story of how my family bought our home before the housing market skyrocketed. I reflect on the journey, the challenges of finding a house within our budget, and the unexpected decision to look in Post Falls, Idaho, which ultimately led us to the perfect home.
Key Points:
Introduction:
Celebrating the 50th vlog milestone, recording from my sauna, and contemplating turning it into a vlog studio.
Journey to Homeownership:
The story begins in 2013 when my family was renting a duplex in Spokane Valley. I convinced my wife to start looking for a house, aiming to keep our mortgage payments similar to our rent.
We struggled to find a home within our budget in Spokane Valley, even considering fixer-uppers, but were outbid on a house we liked.
Expanding the Search:
After two years of searching, I decided to look across the border in Post Falls, Idaho, where we eventually found a house that met our needs with the help of a diligent realtor named Gretchen.
The house had a few minor concerns, like a half-wall between the kitchen and living room, but overall, it was perfect for our family.
Buying the House:
We purchased the house in 2015, just before housing prices soared. As first-time homebuyers in Idaho, we also received a $5,000 grant that helped with the down payment.
Post-Purchase Renovations:
After moving in, we made some changes, such as removing an awkward closet that encroached into the living room, installing LED pot lights, and considering further renovations like removing the half-wall.
Some projects, like patching the ceiling, have been challenging due to the difficulty of finding skilled labor for specific finishes.
Reflections on Timing:
Looking back, we feel fortunate to have bought the house when we did, as its value has more than doubled. However, selling and upgrading now would be difficult due to the current market.
Tags:
#HomeBuying #RealEstate #Vlog #HouseHunting #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #Renovations #HousingMarket
Keywords:
Home buying, real estate, first-time homebuyer, house hunting, Spokane Valley, Post Falls Idaho, home renovation, housing market, real estate prices.

[@thesource479]

That’s a pretty good idea!
Perfect studio space-
Can you keep it as a sauna too? Terrible to waste that!

[@thesource479]

Looks like a beautiful place;
Full of nature/ adventure/ activities/ potentials.
Congrats on 1st home.
I will get there one day,
Thinking tiny home on the land,
Grow food, form community with neighbors etc.
Self reliant.

[@thesource479]

50! 🎉