. . . and I couldn't be happier (or more nervous!). I'm a first-timer, you see.

After eight months of looking, finding, bad mortgage broker experience, looking again, finding, under contract, deal falling through 11 days before closing, looking yet again, finding, under contract . . . whew, it's been quite the journey!

Now, I can exhale. It's felt like my life has been on hold for eight months.

Well wishes to all who are buying or selling!

ZenMama, I don't exhale until after closing and taking possession of the property, personally inspecting it (again) and attempting to discover all of the unknown/hidden info. That's just me, however.

You'll learn many things, both good and bad, about the property as you go forward, especially in the first 6 mos - 1 yr.

Stay positive! Congratulations and best of luck. All, IMHO.

CONGRATULATIONS, Zen Mama! Way to go! Post back and let us know when it actually closes and you have the key in your hand. It's great to have someone post about the happier aspects of real estates when so often the posts are about the opposite.

So, thanks, and please up-date us when you walk through the door for the first - look around and say - this is mine/all mine!

Rejoicing with ya, ZenMama...

But as someone else said, I don't "exhale" until I have the keys in my sweaty, little hands.

Unfortunately, based on past experiences, you just never know what might happen.

However, I hope that by now, you're moving in and having fun shopping at Home Goods!

ZenMama...hope all goes smoothly! I just went through that in June and it feels ohhhhhhh sooooooooo gooddddddd to have that over/done with!

Enjoy breathing again...

Congratulations - and fingers crossed wishing you an easy close!!!!!

Thanks to everyone! Closing went smoothly on Friday. My realtor got her check, I got my keys and I also got half my closing money back (woohoo!), which I immediately deposited back into my savings account!

Bright and early Saturday morning me and my worker bees (family!) got in the condo and within three hours all the carpeting was pulled up and bagged and all the wallpaper was stripped.

I am not moving in until October 26. There are some projects that I want done BEFORE I move in like bamboo flooring throughout, a WIC expanded and the kitchen is a gut (saving the cabinets).

It's daunting, but also exciting!

WahOOOOOoooooo!!!! Good to hear the progress...do you/will you have pics for us?

Again...congrats!!!!! ...and what a wonderful family you have!!!

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! And you are SO doing it the right way - get the ugly construction done before you move in. This is so exciting!!!

Congrats!!!! My first place was a condo too and those were such happy, fun days. Enjoy your new home & fixing it up!