It’s been roughly nine months since we signed up to buy a short sale.  It was a little dream starter home for me with tons of character and privacy.   Today we turn in the papers where we decided not to sign a fifth addendum.  We’re letting this one go.  We can’t blame anyone on this – short sales are just tough no matter which way you slice it.  JB was a little hesitant not to sign it again, because in the years we’ve been home I have found maybe three houses I’ve actually wanted to go and take a look at.   And I troll trulia with the best, or worst, of ’em.  Real estate is funny here.  Lots of homes foreclosed on, or in the short sale process … not a ton on the market because the banks aren’t going to flood the markets.  ++ All of the new homes are out in another direction, not close to our families, to where I grew up.  All of the character is here and so is a higher price – but even with character, there’s always something you want to change.  JB would say this is a great house!  and I would say yes… but… i guess that’s the designer in me.  I can totally see potential in a lot of things; but know it takes a lot of work and cash to change things.  When people would say buying a home is so stressful, I never really got it.  Now I do.   And I know I always say it, and lots of friends reminded me throughout this whole time … But maybe there’s something even better out there for us.  God has shown me that a million and one ways in my life.  As frustrating as the past nine months has been we are ultimately grateful for this extra time in saving, being careful, and not rushing into anything… Because it looks like we are going to move forward in a new direction.  We are seriously looking into building.  There’s a lot of pieces to this puzzle, some big things we’ve decided on … some that still need to come together.  But picking out everything?  I am made for that.  As a bit of a dictator of taste, and someone who has always known exactly what I like, I think I’ll have a field day.  While I love nice things, I have a good head on my shoulders where budgets are concerned.  I think our main fear is it being way more expensive than what we are anticipating.  We just want to be realistic about it all, you know?   And so I come to y’all for some advice …