Real Estate Reality TV Junkie

I’ve been an HGTV junkie since October.

When my friend Katie bought her co-op in Mamaroneck, she said she used the network’s design shows as inspiration to transform her fixer upper into the amazing place it is today.  Being that I’ve been thinking about having my own place around the clock for about a year now, I decided to turn the network on as background while getting ready at my hotel in Hershey Park.

And I became hooked.

Now, I watch episode after episode of House Hunters, Property Virgins, My First Place and What You Get For the Money. I also get inspiration from the design shows, but being that I don’t actually have a place to decorate, I find myself more emotionally invested in the shows geared toward real estate.

Between the personal experiences of my friends and watching this network non-stop, I’ve learned more in six months about home ownership than I have my entire life. I think most of this zest for property comes from my burning desire to own – or at least rent – some of my own.

We could buy one of these historic homes that are for sale, but I'm afraid if I buy an old house it'll be haunted.

Through some chatting between myself and a friend and then my friend with her Realtor, I was contacted by a Realtor in North Carolina offering her services when Chuck and I finally make a move. (HOLY CRAP this is getting so serious I’m talking to Realtors [insert freak out here]) Initially, we figured we’d rent for a year or two so we’re not tied down in case we decide we absolutely hate southern living (not likely and worse case scenario we could rent said house to pay for rent here on LI).

I brought up the topic with my parents, who have finally decided to keep their thoughts about moving in before marriage to themselves. I told my mother we planned on saving the money by renting. Fiscally minded before traditionally Catholic, she said we would be stupid not to buy a place immediately, if we could afford it. She pointed out that with home prices being at a low and financial assistance being available, if we wait, prices will rise and assistance might not be there. In the end it becomes a wash and we save nothing.

Maybe something a little smaller for our starter home.

The idea of purchasing our first place within a few months of moving shot to the forefront of my mind and fueled my desire to DVR every episode of My First Place. Before making the decision to head south as soon as possible, even talking about home ownership was a depressing thought.

How much for a three bedroom?

$12,000 a year for taxes?

Electric is going up again?

While my friends have been able to purchase their own homes on Long Island, the option just isn’t there for Chuck and me. We’re both okay with that and now with newly restored hope and optimism we’re thinking about the new place we’re ready to call home.