Just for kicks I'll share the current house standings

• Months looking, quite seriously: 5+

• Offers: 4

• True loves (old red, with an acre in the city, sun porch, crazy perfect): 1

• Disappointments, with a dash of mental anguish: 2.5

• # of weeks we've waited for our offer on a short-sale home: 10 (hence the .5 above... Who really knows what to think about that?)

• Counter-offers: 3

• Counter-counter offers: 2

• Pages signed and/or initialed: 70+

• # of times the boy has asked (as we look through someone's house) to get "Na, plees" or, "Down, please": roughly 80

• Average daily search effort in minutes: 30

• Points lowered (yippee!) and risen (gasp) since our search (drat those pesky lenders): too many to reasonably keep track of without another sobbing breakdown (see below)

• Sobbing breakdowns (me, of course): 2 or so

• Packing tape rolls bought in blind faith for our future: 8, yesterday (totally on sale at Costco)

• All it will take: 1

Edited to add 3/11: Disappointments are now at 3.5... Oy.

Edited to add 3/13: Disappointments = 4 because you have to be friggin' kidding me with this crap...  The "short sale" people decided, after stringing us along for 2 1/2 months, that the market is picking up again so they're offering it to anyone at a much higher price now.  I have lots and lots and lots of bad thoughts about you, Countrywide Home Loans. 

Comments

[Sarah]

Oy...we rent but we are planning on beginning the house buying process in the next year or so.

I feel for you...with the ups and downs, the paperwork, the anticipation, and let-down - you've summed it all up very well. :)

[Bluebirdbaby]

Goodness...it's so hard, isn't it?! We've been there (twice!), but not as bad as you. I hope you find something perfect soon! Good luck :)

[susan]

Oh, man. I know it's frustrating. Hang in there- you'll find it. And then you'll think, "This is the one we were meant to have all along!"

[Trina]

Hang in there, it will happen. My good thoughts are with you.

[Bean]

We were in the same shoes a little over a year ago, isn't it insane?! At least you haven't been physically ill over it all yet, have you? :)

[Ellie]

Oh, I so feel for you. Such heartache. It's so not fair that a lot of things come down to money - or lack of it, or the fact someone else has more to offer. And nothing to do with how much you want, or love, or need, .....
We will be selling, and therefore buying again this year. I'm scared, tentative, anxious already.
I hope your ONE happens soooooooon.

[kirsten]

it will happen! it's stressful, and a pain, but it will work out how it's supposed to.

[Jodi]

thanks for this list. I hear you. my husband and i just moved from a small college town to a NY suburb... our disappointments are mounting as well. It'll happen though. The right house (and sellers) are out there.