In 2016, I was finally ready to buy a house. After years of hard work, juggling two full-time roles at my job while also going to school full-time online, I had gotten my finances in order. My son was grown—about 24 at the time—and I had all this free time that I still wasn’t used to. So, instead of sitting around wondering what to do with myself after years of being a full-time mom, I made a plan: buy a home where we could put down permanent roots.
But the housing market had other ideas.
The House Hunt—And a Big Disappointment
Like most home buyers on a budget, I had a vision in mind but quickly realized that finding the right home wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. My son and his girlfriend (now wife) and I were living together in a rented townhouse, and we were searching for a home that we all agreed on. Since my son would eventually inherit the home one day, it was important that we found a place that felt right for both of us. We went through the entire house-hunting process together, knowing that we needed a space that actually felt like home.
We looked at house after house, but nothing felt right. Some were in bad condition, some were just…meh, and some were snatched up before I even had a chance to think.
Looking through my old files, I realized just how intense this search was. We looked at over 20+ houses across about two months, narrowing down the top 10 each month. Some were terrible, some were almost perfect—but none felt quite right. Until this one.
And then—finally—I found one I loved. I could see us there. I could picture family holidays, lazy Sundays, and, someday, grandkids playing in the yard.
And then? The very next day, it went under contract. Gone. Just like that.
Taking a Chance with a Letter
The market was moving so fast that I barely had time to think before the next house popped up. My realtor called me one night and said, “I found one. It goes on the market tomorrow, but I got you a showing tonight.”
We went. We saw it. We knew. This was the one.
But I was worried. What if someone else swooped in with a better offer? I wasn’t in a position to bid more than my budget allowed, but my realtor suggested something different: write the sellers a letter.
I sat down and poured my heart into it. I told them about growing up in a small town in Ohio where kids could safely play outside, and how I wanted that same kind of safe environment for my family. I shared how I had been working two full-time roles for nearly 2 years, while also pursuing my degree, just to get to this moment. I told them that their home wasn’t just a property to me—it was a dream, a goal I had worked toward for years, and a place where I could finally settle in and truly appreciate what I had built.
One part of my letter that truly captured what this home meant to me was:
“The layout of your house and yard made me think, I don’t have to buy a ‘starter home’ because I could see myself in your home for the next 30 years. The basement is perfect for my son, with the extra space for him to create as his own. So, we can both have our privacy, but still spend time together in the beautiful kitchen and family room. Then, I thought, when he leaves home, there will still be plenty of room for him, my parents, and my brother’s family to come for visits. I also imagined the future, when I become a grandma. This is my ultimate dream…to have a safe, beautiful home for my grandkids to visit and play for the rest of my life.”
The Moment Everything Changed
Even though the sellers received higher offers, they chose me.
I was floored. Humbled. Grateful beyond words.
After all that searching, the one house that truly felt like home became ours—despite the competition.
And you know what? I was right. This house has been perfect for us. In that letter, I imagined future grandkids running around the yard, and now I get to see it happen in real life. (Note: Past Me was a genius.)
But as life keeps evolving, so do my dreams. Now, I’m working toward something even bigger—a multi-generational home where I can not only enjoy time with my son and his family but also take care of my mom in her later years. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that home isn’t just about four walls. It’s about the life you build inside them.
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Reality Set In—A Little Conflict with the Joy
Even though I was thrilled to finally own a home, I couldn’t ignore a small pang of regret. I felt bad that it had taken me so long to actually attempt to “own” something. My son and I had lived in apartments, houses, and townhouses—all as renters. Buying a house after he was already grown made me wonder if I should have worked harder and done it sooner.
But then I reminded myself of something important: he saw me work for this. He saw the late nights, the long hours, the constant push to do better. And you know what? He was always proud of me. That alone makes everything I’ve ever been through completely worth it.
Now, he’s a great guy with a family of his own, and he’s buying his own first house with his wife. I like to think I did something right. When I was 16 and pregnant, my only goal was to love this kid, make him my top priority, and raise him to be a good human. That was it. I didn’t care what career he chose or what path he took—as long as he was kind, happy, and doing something that felt right for him. And looking at the life he’s building now, I think I far exceeded my goal.
Lessons from My Home Buying Journey
- Hard work pays off. Even when it feels like you’re juggling too much, every step forward gets you closer to your goal.
- Sometimes, a heartfelt story matters more than money. Never underestimate the power of showing people why something matters to you.
- Your vision will evolve—and that’s okay. What was “perfect” for one phase of life may shift as your family and needs change.
What’s Next?
While this house has been everything I hoped for, I’m now dreaming of that next step—a home that brings generations together under one roof. I’ll be sharing more about that journey as I go, along with tips on home buying, financial independence, and making big life transitions.
PIM Community Question:
Have you ever had a dream come true in an unexpected way? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!
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