I have been casually viewing homes in person and online since around 2017. Since then I have yet to find a home I am willing to put up with. Many of the home in my price range of 200-250,000 are in conditions of a need for major resuscitation due to negligence or blatant doings. The couple of homes I could see myself owning were immediately snatched up because of their great condition and fairly reasonable price. I would say over 90% of homes are not kept up well. And during this market it doesn’t matter if the home is kept well or not because it will still sell. That is the most disheartening factor. The seller knows they need to do little to nothing at all to get their home sold for 30% or more. I find it against my own principle to give money to someone who is deliberately neglectful and looking to make a great profit for their bad behavior. This is the very reason I have no desire to own a home.
I will stay in my rented, brand new abode until I am ready. I am rushing to buy a home for what reason? I am rushing to buy a home because I believe people judge me based on it. If I do not own a home then I must not be successful. I am being foolish with my hard earned money by giving it to a wealthy landlord. I am constantly met with judgement from coworkers and myself to move out and buy. The pressure to buy a home and get in while it is good. I have the fear that prices will continue to sky rocket as they have been within the short time span of 2 years to the point where I cannot afford to own a home without fearing loss of work. Within 2 years prices have increased by 30% on homes. So if it continues on this path then in another 2 years the same home will be 60% more. The area I am living in is booming. The population has exploded so there will be no short supply of buyers anytime soon. There is also still a large employer base here so people can afford to buy more. It is a race. A race that I am tired of watching on the sidelines.
Is it smart to not run the race and not try? It is equally as unwise to remove yourself from the race. Because then what is there to strive for? My other thinking is there could be another way. Another way that is not seen. Another race where you are not running shoulder to shoulder with hordes of runners and only the strongest and fittest and most trained and disciplined go home with the medals. A race where you are running alone with sun beaming down and wind blowing past you and you can hear your breathing and the sound of the birds and trees. I’d like to run that race. A solo race.