After living in the same home for over 20 years, I didn’t think I’d be jumping back into the chaos of real estate—but here we are.
I wasn’t actively looking to move. But my wife subscribes to every “just listed” alert, so our inbox is always full of tempting homes. Most of the time, she’d show me something and I’d immediately find a reason to pass. Too dark. Too small. Too much work. That was our usual rhythm—until late February, when she showed me a house I couldn’t nitpick.
And that’s when the whiplash started.
I wasn’t actively looking to move. But my wife subscribes to every “just listed” alert, so our inbox is always full of tempting homes. Most of the time, she’d show me something and I’d immediately find a reason to pass. Too dark. Too small. Too much work. That was our usual rhythm—until late February, when she showed me a house I couldn’t nitpick.
And that’s when the whiplash started.
House #1: Love at First Sight
The first house was everything I didn’t know I was looking for. More than double the size of our current 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. Master suite downstairs (with a jaw-dropping bathroom), four big bedrooms upstairs, and one massive bonus room that I immediately imagined as my dream home theater. There was even a huge screened-in room for the cats and a pool table.
And the backyard? Stunning. A big pool, grassy space for the pups, tons of deck area, and a generous stretch of lakefront property. I made an offer the very next day. It was accepted. We were in motion.
Below is a pic of the "pool side" of the yard, to the left is a deck and screen porch and on the other side is a grassy area ( The only pic that I took of the place).
And the backyard? Stunning. A big pool, grassy space for the pups, tons of deck area, and a generous stretch of lakefront property. I made an offer the very next day. It was accepted. We were in motion.
Below is a pic of the "pool side" of the yard, to the left is a deck and screen porch and on the other side is a grassy area ( The only pic that I took of the place).
I listed our home and had an over-asking offer within 48 hours. It all felt like fate—until the inspection report arrived.
Let’s just say… it read more like a horror novel.
The house needed at least $50,000 in repairs—roof problems, mold, retaining wall issues, plumbing, electrical, pool repairs—you name it. We debated trying to renegotiate, but the house was already stretching our budget. We walked away.
To this day, I still wonder if we made the right call. The house sold a week later. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t meant to be.
Let’s just say… it read more like a horror novel.
The house needed at least $50,000 in repairs—roof problems, mold, retaining wall issues, plumbing, electrical, pool repairs—you name it. We debated trying to renegotiate, but the house was already stretching our budget. We walked away.
To this day, I still wonder if we made the right call. The house sold a week later. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t meant to be.
House #2: The Rebound
About a month later, we toured another home just a few doors down from the first. Also lakefront, fully renovated, and equally spacious with five bedrooms—two of them with en-suite setups. No pool, no deck, no screened porch, but it was $40,000 cheaper and the interior was gorgeous.
We didn’t feel the same spark, so we let it simmer for a few weeks. Eventually, we revisited, decided it was the smarter buy, and made an offer. It was accepted. Again.
I relisted our home and got a full-price offer after just two showings. The inspection on the new house went smoothly. Just a few minor fixes, which the seller agreed to. It all looked like a win.
But then… my house decided to betray me.
I relisted our home and got a full-price offer after just two showings. The inspection on the new house went smoothly. Just a few minor fixes, which the seller agreed to. It all looked like a win.
But then… my house decided to betray me.
Plot Twist: The Leak That Killed the Deal
The day before the inspection on our current home, the AC leaked under the floor. I had a repairman blow out the plumbing lines, but it didn’t solve the issue. During inspection, the buyers flagged the dripping AC unit, then added a few more concerns—roof, some minor wear and tear. Nothing huge, but enough to create tension.
We brought in AC experts. Still leaking. Finally. a plumber came out the day before the appraisal—still couldn’t fix it. We were upfront with the buyers, expecting to negotiate. Instead, they walked.
And just like that, we backed out of the second home, too.
Ironically, a week later, the plumber figured out a solution. It involved installing a pump—not ideal, but functional. The issue was solved. But the momentum was gone.
We brought in AC experts. Still leaking. Finally. a plumber came out the day before the appraisal—still couldn’t fix it. We were upfront with the buyers, expecting to negotiate. Instead, they walked.
And just like that, we backed out of the second home, too.
Ironically, a week later, the plumber figured out a solution. It involved installing a pump—not ideal, but functional. The issue was solved. But the momentum was gone.
What I Learned From (Almost) Moving
Let me be blunt: buying a home is exhausting.
Between mortgage rates, inspections, counteroffers, paperwork, and insurance shopping, it feels like a second job. The expenses add up quickly, too. My city requires sidewalk repairs before closing—that alone cost nearly $2,000. I also paid to remove an old hot tub and had the garage, shed, and attic professionally cleaned out.
…Only to move everything from the attic into the garage. (So now it’s a mess again.)
But the biggest surprise? The closer we got to moving, the more we started to miss our current home. The smaller mortgage. The pool. The sunroom. The sense of comfort we didn’t even realize we valued so much.
When the second deal fell through, I wasn’t crushed—I was relieved.
Between mortgage rates, inspections, counteroffers, paperwork, and insurance shopping, it feels like a second job. The expenses add up quickly, too. My city requires sidewalk repairs before closing—that alone cost nearly $2,000. I also paid to remove an old hot tub and had the garage, shed, and attic professionally cleaned out.
…Only to move everything from the attic into the garage. (So now it’s a mess again.)
But the biggest surprise? The closer we got to moving, the more we started to miss our current home. The smaller mortgage. The pool. The sunroom. The sense of comfort we didn’t even realize we valued so much.
When the second deal fell through, I wasn’t crushed—I was relieved.
What Now?
We’ve decided to hit pause. We’re fixing the roof and staying put for a while. Maybe rates will improve. Maybe the perfect house will come along. Or maybe—we already have it.
For now, we’re breathing again. No showings. No paperwork. No stress. Just a house we’ve loved for over two decades—and actually I came to find out that we still love it.
Below are a couple pics of the backyard (from March) - pretty happy to still be here this summer.
For now, we’re breathing again. No showings. No paperwork. No stress. Just a house we’ve loved for over two decades—and actually I came to find out that we still love it.
Below are a couple pics of the backyard (from March) - pretty happy to still be here this summer.
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