Our "pulchritudinous" home

A few weeks ago, we went down to Arizona in hopes of finding a cheap home to live in for the next four years, and hopefully in a nice-enough area where it will appreciate amid the housing burst down in Phoenix. With much research and house-shopping, we found a golden one. It was a little out of our price range, but it was still 100 grand cheaper than it was originally, making it cheaper than it was to even build the home. It came in a great area to boot, and we immediately fell in love. The only problem was that our offer eventually fell under 4 other ones, all of which were investors or 2nd home buyers. They offered more for the home than we did, but the bank was so kind to give it to use because we will actually be primary occupants! I felt very vindicated, because it truly wouldn't be fair if the investors and the 2nd home buyers always won every beautiful home in the phoenix area!! Nobody wants to live in a ghost neighborhood where all the homes are empty because they are owned by rich people who never visit. Anyway, we were both ecstatic when we got the phone call that our foreclosed home is now ours, and that after the next month (as we are closing) we can finally start moving in!

The only downsides to our house is that there are a ton of empty lots nearby because the builder went bankrupt, but the good news is that there is a new builder that took over the neighborhood and is planning to build soon. Also, the previous owners stole the appliances when they moved out, so we have no dishwasher, oven, or microwave. At least they left the place meticulously clean and well taken care-of. It was built in 2007, so we are hoping that means the home will not need any fixing up. The inspector will check it out and let us know.

A couple of my favorite features are the arched entryways that Arizona homes seem to prize themselves with! The kitchen is very modern and the master bathroom is one of my favorites I've seen.



It seems this summer we couldn't find any permanent employment because we will be traveling a bit, so we are investigating summer sales! I swore I would never sell security or pest control, but apparently that is the only job that will take in people like us. It may be hard to do such jobs, but we have nothing else better to do, so there is nothing to lose, right?? Anyway, learning to sell is always a good skill to learn. There are lots of subtleties. So, door-to-door salesmen we shall be!

Student teaching is still going fabulously, I am really enjoying it. Richard has a freer schedule now, so I actually get to see him before 9pm every night! Also, we are house poor, and it's a very, very good kind of poor. I love it.