Bittersweet

I posted a quick note regarding this on my Facebook, but thought I would document it here in a little more detail.

In 2005 I purchased my first home. I was an independent, fresh out of college gal with a big girl job. I was dating Mr. Pickle at the time and had no idea what the future held for us (although I knew what I had hoped for).

Mr. Pickle had bought his house a year or two prior and I really liked the neighborhood, etc. Although Mr. Pickle begged me not to buy my own house and suggested I move in with him and wait so we could buy a house of our own together sooner than later, I was stubborn and didn't listen (I know, some of you are shocked by this....these traits hardly run in my family).

I had found my perfect home, but was outbid by another buyer. Side Note - If you aren't familiar about the state of the real estate market in our area at that point, it was HOT...like one house would be on the market for a day or two and would receive multiple offers, all over asking price. I continued looking, and because I liked the area Mr. Pickle was living in and could get more for my money than in some other areas I was looking in, I found a few different houses I liked in his subdivision. I was outbid on one, maybe two other homes in his subdivision until one of my offers finally got accepted.

It was a cute little updated 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhome with large rooms, a garage, vaulted ceilings, privacy in the front and back yard (did I mention it was the SAME floor plan as Mr. Pickle's?!? yeah). I got a few roommates (some better than others...thank you cr@igslist) and enjoyed the time in my home.

So Mr. Pickle and I were neighbors for a year or so before we actually got engaged and eventually moved in together right before we got married. I wanted desperately to stay in my home because I felt like the location was better, but because marriage is all about compromise, I moved into Mr. Pickle's home and got full control of decorating :)

After renting out my home to the one family for several years, Mr. Pickle and I made the decision to put the home up for sale. (In all honesty, it took me over a year to come to terms with the decision to put it up for sale.) Due to the declining economy the home was valued MUCH less than what I had purchased and I felt like it was the best decision for our situation (having 3 homes total and losing money on all 3).

We worked with a Realtor that came highly recommended in the office I used to work in (back when I got out of college and was a Realtor before the market started to decline). The poor guy worked on selling the home for 17 months before we actually got a legit offer that was approved by the bank (due to the short sale) and the buyers didn't back out. It was a process to say the least.

Back when we made the decision to put the home on the market, I was struggling so much financially that I really just wanted to be D-O-N-E with the home and could care less what happened to it. However after recently spending time at the home doing some last minute repairs before close of escrow, I started feeling a little sad about selling it. Just being back in the house that held so many memories and knowing it would no longer be my house....it was sad.

Close of escrow was yesterday. I no longer own the first house I bought. Such a bittersweet moment. We are one step closer to getting through all of this and eventually owning our dream home. In a way I am glad that I was able to go through this, as it has taught me a lot. On the other hand I wish I would have listed to Mr. Pickle when he begged me to not buy a house in the first place (and eventually bought another).

I am proud of myself. I am stronger because of this. I think mine and Mr. Pickle's relationship is stronger because of this. Not to mention, I learned a few things along the way.

Thanks to all who supported me and was there for me while going through this difficult time.