So... We Bought A House!

Buying your first home is one of those things that feels almost mythical when you're in your twenties - like something our parents did and other people have done in the past. People with more money, more experience, or more... adulthood under their belts.

I used to think it would take years. And honestly, I wasnt sure if it was even something I could realistically do anytime soon, especially with how expensive everything is these days. But somehow - and I still don't fully understand how - everything fell into place. And fast.

I wanted to write this for anyone who might be dreaming about homeownership but feeling overwhelmed by it all. Here's a bit about how it went for us, what surprised me most, and a few things i'd recommend if you're just starting out.

The Quick Version

We started seriously looking one day, and within a couple of weeks, we had narrowed it down to two houses we might want to place an offer on. Wild, right?

It wasn't a rushed decision - we'd casually been scrolling listings for months and had a general idea of what we wanted and what we could afford realistically. But once we found this one. it just felt right. Not gonna lie, i wasn't set on it at first, my partner however was very excited and I took a bit longer to see what the place could be for us. We had a realtor (who was amazing and super reassuring), but honestly did most of the searching ourselves. We knew our vibe and our budget, and that made the whole process smoother than expected.

What suprised me most? It felt less stressful than i imagined. Maybe because we we're prepared to compromise. Maybe because we had done a lot of research beforehand. Maybe because we just didn't put pressure on ourselves to find "the perfect forever home."

That's one of my biggest tips, by the way :

DON'T TRY TO FIND YOUR FOREVER HOME, JUST FIND YOUR NEXT RIGHT STEP.

The pressure to make a perfect decision can hold you back from making a good one.

Emotions? All of Them.

I will not lie, I'm pretty proud...and excited. But also a bit heartbroken. We haven't even moved in yet, and I already feel nostalgic for the apartment we're leaving behind - the one I've lived in for four years, and the only home my cat has ever known.

It's a mix of beginnings and endings. And if you're anything like me, you'll feel all of it at once. That's okay. Let it be both!

Practical Things That Helped

Here are a few things I've already bought that i have found reassuring and helpful and might help you too:

• Smart Doorbell - because being able to check who's at the door from your phone = peace of mind [https://amzn.to/45AhVVZ]

• Mattress Covers - especially helpful if you're storing or transporting your mattress yourself [https://amzn.to/3IYwk5t]

• Cleaning Supplies - for that deep clean before move-in. [https://amzn.to/4mr7U2W]

• Printer ink - we printed so many documents... so many. [https://amzn.to/4mwYfrT]

• Curtains - not urgent, but trust me, you'll want them sooner than you think. [https://amzn.to/3Hf1yF4]

These are just a few of the essentials I'd recommend. I'll probably make a full checklist soon (maybe even printable one?) once we're fully moved in.

Final Thoughts (for Now)

If you're thinking about buying your first place, here's what I'd say :

• Trust the process - even when it feels like nothing's happening, something usually is.

• Do what feels right - not what TikTok says, or what your parents did, or what your friends are doing.

• Be open - the home you end up in might not look exactly like what you pictured... and that might be the best part.

This is just the beginning for us. We haven't moved in yet, and there's still so much to unpack - literally and emotionally. I'll be sharing more once we're settled, including things like what we ended up painting, how we organized everything, and the projects we tackle first.

If you're about to start your own home-buying journey or you're just dreaming about it for now, I hope this gave you a little insight (and a little comfort).

Talk soon :)