A Home

I think we've found our new home. I say "I think" because honestly, until the day we move in, I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes as planned.

After months of searching, looking at every house that came on the market that met our criteria, and even placing a couple offers, we've decided to go in an entirely different direction. 

In the midst of our placing an offer on a house we liked (not loved), Doug pointed out that we could buy a brand new home in Flying Horse for the same price. For anyone reading this who doesn't live in the Colorado Springs area, Flying Horse is a HUGE development an exit south of us. I have to admit that in the ten years we've lived here, most times we drove by Flying Horse, we commented out loud that it wouldn't be a place we'd want to live. The Flying Horse development includes an athletic club, pool(s), spa, restaurant(s), and a lodge.  It's beautiful. But comes along with a pricey membership fee. 

Trying to keep an open mind, and focus on the positive aspects of living in a place like Flying Horse, Charlotte and I drove down Saturday morning and visited model homes. We found small lots, high density, and sparse views. The homes we'd be comfortable in were WAY above our budget. Taxes are higher than Monument, and then there's the club, which would've required an initiation fee along with a monthly membership fee, and food and beverage minimums. Not to mention that Beckett was devastated at the prospect of leaving his current school district.

The other thing Doug suggested was that we drive by a house in a development called Misty Acres on the northeast side of Monument. Charlotte and I missed the part about driving by a house, and went to the model instead. We loved the design and feel of the model, even though the floorplan didn't work for us. After narrowing down what our space needs with the salesperson, we discovered there was another model that would fit our needs perfectly. There were view lots available (major views, not sparse views), and it all would work within our budget. 

We went home and reported our findings to Doug. A few minutes later, he and I were on our way back up to Misty Acres, so he could see for himself. We looked at the model, drove by every lot available to scope out views, did a tour of the model we're interested in that is in the framing stage, went back to the model, asked more questions, and then came home to discuss Doug's opinions with Charlotte. Less than two hours later, we made an appointment to write the contract, put our lot on hold, and started our list of questions, and options we'd like in the house.

Later last night, Frank, Charlotte, Doug, and I drove up so we could see the view at night. There is one lot we wanted more, but it had gone under contract earlier in the day. Our second choice is still an amazing lot, in fact, it has a better layout even though the view isn't quite as good. 

We've spent the better part of today looking over the floorplans countless times, reading through options, meeting with our realtor, and looking at photos. We've discussed what rooms would be used for what, and what our life would look like living in Misty Acres.

Beckett is over the moon that he gets to stay in the Lewis-Palmer school district (as am I to be honest). We give up the amenities of the club, but get to stay in the town that has been our home since we moved to Colorado. For that I am so thankful and appreciative. 

The location of the development borders County Line Road, which divides El Paso county from Douglas county. The part of Douglas county adjacent to the development is open space. Which means that no matter how far south Denver's urban sprawl sprawls, it cannot turn into thirty-plus miles of suburbia. 

The hardest part of our new plan is the timeline. We're looking at four to five months from contract date to closing. And yes, I know that is quick compared to most builders. The best part of the hardest part is that if all goes as planned, the move-in date for the new house will coincide with the end of our lease here.

This part of our journey to a new home reminded me (once again), that a new door does open when another closes. That if something doesn't work out, like a house, it may very well mean that something better is right around the corner. Having faith in the face of what feels like a painfully-slow process, being patient, believing is worth it. It's worth having the trust that something better will happen or come along. As hard as it always is when you're in the midst of it. 

As I said in the first paragraph, my fingers will remain optimistically crossed as we step over every threshold of this process. Trusting. Believing. And being very, very thankful. (And excited.)

PS: As I read this post on the blog itself, I scrolled down to the post right before this one . . . and laughed out loud. Four days. Wow.