Sex with Durex

Sunday 30th August '09

I drove out to the block today to see if the builders had started the preliminary works. I was told to look out for a hole in the ground with a pole protruding from it. I didn't see anything that wasn't there before.

I walked across to the end of the lot - the first time I've done this. It didn't take me long to pace to the far end of the block and when I turned around, it looked so small.

Scattered on the road, I found some rather disgusting things. I don't know who in their right mind would drive out here to have sex. Are they doing it in their cars and ditching the condoms out the window before driving off? Or are they rolling around in the sand and grass? *shudder*

the Waiting Game

Tuesday 25th August '09

Those who know me, know that I'm very organised and like to know what's going on and to be on top of things, which makes for the next few weeks to be a difficult time for me.

Waiting.It's going to be at least a three week wait until Keystart even get around to looking at my application, so I've been told. In the meantime, I'm trying to make sure I'm preparing myself with other things that I need to organise and just trying to not go insane with the wait.

So...let's talk BUDGETS.

I've never really prepared a proper budget and adhered to it. However, I do know my spending patterns and it doesn't take me long to save. I just don't seem to be able to retain any of my savings because once I get to a substantial balance, it gets spent on a holiday. Things are about to change.

Being on a single income means that I have to be diligent with adhering to my budget. I've spent hours working on it to try to get it right. It took a few hours to just get comfortable with using Excel again! Much to the amusement of friends, I've come up with a budget spreadsheet that I'm very happy with and am really excited to see it in action. Over the past week I've been working on it a little each day to try to iron out the kinks and to plug in numbers to make sure it's working as I want it to.

With my budget in place, I won't be forced to live on instant noodles, but there will be a change in my spending habits, especially when it comes to food. This won't mean that I will be sacrificing on quality or quantity though. It just means a few less lobsters and bottles of wine, and more dining at home rather than going out for expensive degustation dinners *sniff*

Being one of the last of my friends to finally get into real estate, I have a huge resource of people in various situations to go to for advice and help. It gives me a boost in confidence knowing that in a way I am not alone in doing this, that my friends are eager to help me and to watch out for my best interests. I really appreciate all the help I've received so far - and I've still a long long way to go!

So...I am feeling really good about my decision. Yes, it does mean that Europe is on hold for the time being, but my priorities have changed for the time being and can only benefit me in the long run.

and the saga continues...

Friday 21st August '09

I thought the contract saga was over and dealt with, but I was wrong. Upon arriving to work and checking my email, the builder had informed me that he had not yet received the annexures and covenants (that form part of the land sales contract) that were necessary to put my paperwork through. The block of land I'm purchasing is one of twenty strata blocks and there are building restrictions that need to be taken into consideration when putting the building contract together.

Extremely frustrated, I pulled out my own copy of the contract and faxed all twenty-one pages to the builder myself.

If you want something done, you're better off doing it yourself.

Contract MIA

Thursday 20th August '09

The last few days have been so stressful. The offer I placed on the block of land was accepted, but the signed contract was yet to make its appearance at the real estate agent's office. After being reassured that my builder, broker and myself would get a copy of the scanned contract sometime yesteryday afternoon at the latest, I was pretty anxious that I hadn't received it yet. The builder informed me that if he did not receive the contract by today, I would most probably incur additional costs since the price of building materials had increased on the 15th August.

I rang the real estate agent - ATTREE - and spoke to the manager on duty. He called back shortly to tell me that they did not know where the contract was, but that it was assumed to be in transit to their offices after several day's delay.

*Grrrr*

No matter how frustrated I felt, I had to restrain myself and be as polite as I could so as not to annoy the real estate agents because I didn't want to run the risk of them delaying things even further out of spite.

By the early afternoon, I finally received a call from my agent to inform me he had managed to pick up the contract from the developer and soon after I received the scanned copies.

Another hurdle crossed.

Land Ahoy!

Monday 17th August '09

I drove Mum and Simba out to the block of land today, for two reasons. First, I had to take a photo of the block to send to the builder. Second, I suppose I wanted to reassure Mum that I wouldn't be moving far away and that it was a safe neighbourhood. It's about a five minute drive from my parents' home.

As soon as Simba got out of the car, he dragged Mum on the leash lke a crazed animal. After a few minutes, he made his way to the front of my block of land, squatted, and did the biggest poo right on the road. I couldn't help but laugh, thinking that he was marking his territory (and mine).

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

Friday 14th August '09

This is it! I am ready to face the new challenge of owning my own home. And the huge debt that comes along with it. It's happened so fast, it's been a rather stressful yet exciting whirlwind.

Sunday 9th Aug: Went with Meng and Kong to the land sales office to check out the House & Land package that I saw advertised online while browsing last night. I loved the location of the land - right between the Livingston Shopping Centre and IGA just down the road.

I went to see the display home and fell in love with it. I had seen the plans online and loved the open space living area but seeing the display home just drove it all home for me. I wanted this.

Monday 10th Aug: I went down to the land sale office to put an offer in. While the agent was starting the paperwork for me, someone came into the office with a problem - it was his settlement day but he hadn't been given the keys. The agent had to close up the office and go sort it out. I was annoyed with this, but reasoned with myself that it would give me time to take a copy of the contract home to read and think about overnight.

Wednesday 11th Aug: I went to see the display home again and set things in motion by starting the paperwork. With time to spare before my appointment with the finance broker, I went to the land sales office and fortunately I did, because the agent didn't have the necessary information to get my paperwork ready. We arranged an appointment for the next morning for me to officially put the offer in on the land.

I met the finance broker and we put together my loan application.

Thursday 13th Aug: I submitted my offer for the land.

Friday 14th Aug: The offer for the block of land was accepted!