I am a Real Estate Mogul!

My new home with Christmas Lights

I closed escrow on my new home in Rohnert Park yesterday. I have the keys and the Christmas tree is up! Eight years ago as I was seeing the loss of my beautiful home in Forestville (yes, that was documented on this very blog!), I thought that I would never own a home again. My marriage was at an end with resources split down the middle, I was going to rent somewhere (and I did not know where), the real estate market was in the depths of depression and I was in a pretty bad place. I put on a  good show of being positive and I did rent a darling farmhouse out on Joy Road. It was a great place for healing.

My Farmhouse Living Room

In the summer of 2011 I purchased some property in downtown Forestville. Actually for total transparency, my IRA purchased the property. It was a real bargain and has been a great investment. It is just a couple of blocks from my old home and it has given me extra income when I needed it the most.

Friends celebrating my Townhouse Purcahse

Two years later the real estate market was just beginning to take an uptick and I decided if I was ever going to own my own home again, the time was now. I purchased a two bedroom, two bath townhouse in Sebastopol.  I am still amazed that I was able to qualify for a 95% loan and that someone was willing to accept my offer. Was that ever a great decision! The prices of homes in Sebastopol (all of Sonoma County to be more accurate) have gone through the roof. I have loved it here but have missed having a garden to grow my roses and those stairs seem to be taking a toll on my knees. This last June Chris and Laura needed to move from their rental when it was put on the market. Six weeks did not seem to be much of an inconvenience so the family of 4 moved into my spare room. Alas, it has been six months and we are all still here!

Yesterday was the beginning of my having a home for myself. I have great tenants in Forestville, my grandchildren have a great place in Sebastopol with school and friends, and I have a garden in which to play.

We knew that my new home is a fixer. It needs a heater which will be installed next week in time for Christmas. While changing the locks last night, we discovered that we need new doors for all doors not just the two we anticipated. When the water was turned on at the kitchen sink, it flowed directly to the cabinet. Looks like some plumbing needs to be addressed. I am sure that this list will grow as the week goes on. So exciting to be a homeowner!

Family helping make my new house a home!