So, I go to see a buyer agent early on this fine eve. Just about every aspect of this buying a house thing makes me nervous: What will break the bank for me? What the heck kind of maintenence would be waiting for me in such new digs? Septic or sewer (you pretty much have a choice since 10 minutes in just about any direction leads you into the country)? Resale value? Am I gonna get screwed by the interest rates that are slowly creepin’ up? Will I be able to find a decent and nice-looking place for the price range I’m thinking of? So many dire and dark questions, you’d think the end of time was swiftly approaching. lol.

I think what I’m looking forward most is the looking part. It can take a long time to find what fits you, as I’ve seen when my parents have taken me to look for the family house. I’m hoping that maybe by the end of July I’ll find something and perhaps by early August I’ll close, but we’ll see. The buyer agent is just that: he’s a realtor that’s focused on buying houses for clients and not selling to them. He came recommended via a friend, who said he was pretty awesome. All this stuff I’m learning–it’s almost like I’m in school again 😀 Ruthie is going to help me look. It’ll be good to have a woman’s opinion of it all, me thinks 🙂 I think she’d be a fun companion to search with, too. I have a basic idea of what I want in a house but her opinions will speak volumes, me thinks.

There’re so many things I’m going to have to buy, too, one of which being a lawn mower. I suppose I could start out with something relatively cheap from Target or Wal-Mart, given everything else I know I’m probably going to have to buy. A washer & dryer is something, too. I’ve been spoiled by the free one furnished by the apartment. That one is a bit of a more expensive proposition. Perhaps I can either roll it into the closing of the house, or maybe I could concievably save for one before or shortly after the move-in.

Still, despite all this worry and nervousness, it’ll be good to give my apartment office the proverbial finger for trying to up my rent 16-20%. Doofuses 😛 At least I know that, chances are, a fixed-rate mortgage will never go up that much. From what I gather, the only place that a fixed-rate is variable is in the property taxes. I’ll be saving a bunch of moola–of course, it won’t seem that way when I have to get the AC or the roof replaced 😛

Crazy stuff…

In other news, I finished Half-Life 2: Episode One in a matter of a few short hours. This included a number of deaths from either stupidity or sheer numbers of Combine or zombies. Despite the short game play, I did thoroughly enjoy the plot. I enjoyed that most of that plot meant that Alyx was fighting alongside you–it’s easier to play through it when you have back-up, even if it is a bot backing you up. I can’t wait for Episode Two. I think the $19.99 I paid for it was a bit expensive, mainly because of the short game-time. It’s still cheaper than the $29.99 I originally paid for the Bronze Steam account that came with Half-Life 2.

My mom is doing better. She’s still at home, resting a good bit more comfortably. My dad says that she doesn’t seem to be in any pain. I think and hope she’s less tired than she was throughout the entire ordeal. A lot of her tiredness stems from her liver condition, though. Her liver hasn’t gotten any worse but, from what I’ve heard, it’ll never get any better. It’s definitely an uber relief to know that she’s out of immediate impending danger, though. That was another crazy and certainly scarier ride :-\

Today’s Thursday. w00t!