If the first home you try to buy doesn't work out, you gotta believe there is a better one waiting for you!

Jane just got out of medical school pumped up to buy her first home. After checking out all Fair Oaks homes close enough to the American River Bike Trail for her to bike to her new hospital, we made an offer on one. She was in heaven, and her daughter said she didn't know homes that beautiful existed. It had a HUGE back yard (nearly a full acre), with expansive grassy areas bordered by bamboo and cottonwood trees that rustled in the breeze. Jane wanted to garden and plant fruit trees... from this yard, she could feed a small country!

It doesn't get any better than this.

After acceptance of our contract, we did a whole house inspection, a sewer scope, and viewed the seller's pest inspection. Hmmmm.... a number of problems... electrical, plumbing... the usual. But also a HUGE cottonwood tree close to the home threatening to churn up the entire yard, foundation, pool and deck, and the only thing holding up the rotted fencing was the bamboo and wild vines. 300 feet of fencing would need to be be replaced so her doggies didn't escape, requiring mowing down a swath of bamboo to allow access. We would need that small country's army to do the job!

When the seller refused to deal with any of the problems, or even credit Jane so she could deal with them, she elected to not buy the home. Just too many problems. It was devastating. She had already given a piece of her heart.

I am happy to say, however, that this morning, we are headed to the home inspection of her NEW new home. And even better one. Newer, more updated, a beautiful, newer pool, closer to the river... AND NO BAMBOO. I don't even think there is a cottonwood tree in the entire development.

I choose to believe that for every home we offer on that doesn't turn out, there is an even better one in the future, because we won't quit until we find it! I KNOW we will find the perfect home, so don't fret the lost one.

Thanks flickr's filmaker in Japan