Sweat Equity

Ok, before I begin, let me just say that I only brag because I know most of you have been there since the beginning of this little bloggie. We came into this project with a big hopes, huge dreams, a little money and nothing but time. The experience of the last year and a half has been incredible. Ups, downs, elation, heartbreak and everything in between.

After 6 months of waiting for a crazy short sale loan from hell to close, 3 months of hard, hard, hard work, and 9 months of getting settled, Shupasaurus and I are officially at home in our home. We love it. We hang at home, because our home is awesome. It's ours. We did it. With a lot of help from those we love, of course. But it is everything we wanted and more. And do you want to know what the best part of the "more" is? Wait for it... Wait for it...

In the last month, I have been in the process of taking advantage of this whacked out economy and the low low interest rates available by trying to refi the Speakeasy. Rates are about a percent lower these days (especially since I got the crapiest loan ever since the house was the crapiest house ever- we just said thanks to the bank and insurance company willing to put their neck out for such a pile of bat guano).

So, we are trying the refi and seeing where we land. So far, things look good.

But the point of my story is that, after owning our home for just over one year (we closed mid-July and it is the end of September), we have... Drum roll... Over 25% equity. Our hard work has paid off, hugely. In this flailing (to put it nicely) housing market, we have managed the impossible: GAINING value. As homeowners are seeing negative equity of $100k+, we have over $50k on our side.

So thank you, to everyone who helped us accomplish this feat. I am so proud to have a real "investment" and something that I'm not only proud to call home, but something that I know I will own for the rest of my life and never have to worry about anymore heartache.

Now, who's ready to buy the next shack with us?!?!?!?! :)