The Home Buying Process is underway

I had a girlfriend who used to bite her nails. I've really felt like doing that this past month. I need a nervous habit to comfort me during this arduous process of shopping for home. I really have to thank George Bush for tanking the economy and Alan Greenspan's confusing economic policy for the deal I may get for this house. If I get it, it will cost me about as much as I pay in rent, before taxes & utilities.

I scoured every MLS I could think of and found Coldwell Banker Atlanta's to be one of my favorite tools. Zillow, not so much. If you're looking as well, I highly suggest an MLS that utilizes map search so you can visually target an area you like and see what's hot.

The things I've learned through reading up on my own have been invaluable. That, choosing a great Atlanta-area agent, not to mention, my best friend who helped with negotiating a price below my target. He owns 19 rental properties in Jacksonville, so I don't think I could've picked a better wingman. Don't sign an agreement with any agent without feeling like they could be your friend.

I've kept running into advice from The Mortgage Professor around the web. I incidentally read a book of his at Barnes & Noble before I found his information to be so prolific on the web. His books are invaluable, so I suggest you at least skim through them or other media if you are buying a home. I've found everyone to be knowledgeable in different areas, but his books cover the whole span, such as PMI, getting an agent, the mortgage process in a thoughtful way.

So far, so good with the home buying process. I think I will be closing around the end of October.

I've been pensive, but things look really good and the home decor aspect is so much fun. The creative aspect and tailoring it to my own liking will be fun. I'm soaking in every HGTV show I can, including DesignStar. I'm getting the house for a price I want, in a location I like. It's only a few miles from downtown Decatur, from family, and the heart of East Atlanta.


Obviously the house needs some paint and some TLC. The obscured hardwood floors also need some finishing. But that's all part of the fun!

Choosing paint colors couldn't be any more fun. I've learned so much about home repair while researching Next up will be the outlets and Atlanta's Miami Circle.

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Why write? Why write at all?

I'm not sure where to start. I went to New York to broaden my portfolio, and ended up making new friends and the idea that maybe I should pursue photojournalism. Photography is a part of who I am, and have written off and on; I've even thought of pursuing a career in it.

So, the question is, should I? Will I be any good at it? It will be a while before I take time off to go to school, but I definitely want to go someday. I wrap myself up in so many things, I wonder if I'd make the time.

See, unlike most those lucky enough to pursue further education, when I was nineteen I entered the U.S Army. I was very naive, idealistic when I went in and came out the other end a little bit wiser, and more aware of the world we live in. I also had plenty of IT skills employers wanted as the IT industry had laid a very wide blanket over all varieties of companies that all felt they needed to be on this "Internet thing".

I have a great job. It's got it's problems, and can be stressful, without a doubt. But, do I really want to do this forever? I'm making someone else rich, and that's the best I can do for now. I have no problem with that, but I'd like to eventually run a business larger than the ones I have now, which are in the red. I'd like to do something more creative. Will I be switching careers anytime soon? I don't think so, but I definitely have had my interest in journalism sparked again by a Jordanian I met recently while traveling. But also, is personal enrichment enough? Could I really travel and do the things I love and still be a writer?

I met Lina when I visited New York City. I had arrived on a Thursday, met up with Demetri after messaging the NYC group on CouchSurfing.com, a website hosted in the data center where I work that is kind of like a Facebook for travelers. It was probably around 3 to 5AM Friday, and we were on a rooftop party in NYC, when suddenly some of my new friends decided to call it a night. I was having fun talking to Chenelle and Josanna from Harvard so I stuck around and eventually called it a night, riding the 1 train back to the Upper West Side.

I met Lina the next night, and as it turns out, she had not had any luck finding a couch, as her plans and had stayed up wandering the city looking for a place to stay before finally settling in a Starbucks 24/7. I had a similair story and related as I had stayed on a doorstep in Amsterdam with mail overflowing in its mail slot on Marnixstraat, after refusing to pay 200 Euro as we were backpacking.

To be honest, I didn't know much about Jordan, so I found what she had to say to be very interesting. But, since she'd practically been up all day, alot of the better photos I took of her that night were of her sleeping.

But, hey, some weren't half bad.

What I'm trying to say is, thanks Lina, for getting me writing again.

The U.S. Social Forum is going on today. If you're in Atlanta, you should check it out. Also, make sure to check out Sicko, Michael Moore's documentary on the American healthcare system. Everyone gets sick, so I believe alot of people will relate. I can't really describe how this movie may affect you, you just have to see it.

technorati tags:journalism, NYC, Jordanian, USSF, United States Social Forum, Army