Why I Will NOT Be Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is!

Just a little Point-CounterPoint to round out a Tuesday night...Ken Tracy, a fellow Realtor from Naperville, IL, just offered up a post about why he is moving forward with buying a new home for his family. Go For It Ken! (Just so nobody thinks I would actually try to talk him OUT of it!) But much as I envy him the excitement and the opportunity, I will NOT be availing myself of a similar one. Not that I didn't think about it...oh, I did...long and hard....the first time interest rates dipped to 4.5%.

Seriously, how could a REAL ESTATE AGENT not think about it!? I mean all we do ALL day long is tell other people how they will be missing a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity...as Ken points out, low interest rates, fantastic inventory ON SALE, FREE money from the government, for cryin' out loud!

But here's the deal. I already live within my means. I already have a great house with equity ( I bought in 1994) and best of all great neighbors. I'm within walking distance of Carrboro, which, is a must have for many folks in my area. Sure, I have my wishlist of things I want to do to my home to make it even more perfect. But that's a plus for me. I don't need the instant gratification of selling and trying to buy my dream home already finished. It gives me something to look forward to, to budget for, to dream about.

Maybe this is what age has bestowed upon me: the ability to see that I have what I need and I don't need more. That doesn't make it any less fun to help others accomplish their dreams. Give me a first time homebuyer and let me explain the gift they are about to receive in this market. I LOVE it! Nothing better than hearing from the parents of my first timers...they are so happy their kids get to achieve the American dream. And I get to talk to them about what the awesome responsibilty of homeownership means while their folks nod and smile.

Nope, I don't NEED or even want a new house. But I do want to share what I have learned and give advice to those who haven't gotten where I am yet. I just can't help being a little teeny tiny bit wistful about my part in how proud my first timers will be when they tell their kids in 20 years about how they were smart enough to take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity when they got their first home!

(Just so you know...I did buy a new car...have you SEEN the deals they are making?!?!?!)