home bittersweet home

In an astoundingly whirlwind turn of events, I just bought a condo in Frederick! I saw it for the first time last Saturday, submitted an offer immediately thereafter, and just found out yesterday that my offer was accepted (this wasn’t a slam-dunk case because someone else had submitted an offer as well, and the condo easily could’ve gone to him/her). It was in the back of my mind that the day I submitted the offer was the one-year anniversary of when I arrived from my lovely stint in London, and the day I officially “won” the condo was the one-year anniversary of when I returned. And yes, I also thought about how the five-year anniversary of when the DC sniper attacks began took place the day before I scored the condo. Because I’m morbid like that.

I never wanted to live in a condo or in Frederick (no offense, Frederick!), but single-family homes closer to DC are just too expensive. Those that are somewhat reasonably priced are either in a ghetto or need rehabbing. Condos, meanwhile, are either really tiny or have high condo fees. Or, because they were apartment conversions, they don’t even include washers and dryers. Screw that!

So, I’m pretty excited but also very, very nervous. Like, so nervous, I’m amazed I haven’t vomited yet. Settlement will be on November 5th and I’ll move in later that month. This, of course, will mean having to pay a mortgage and rent at the same time, and don’t ask me how I’m going to do that, but I need time to get wood (laminate) floors and plantation shutters installed and get the place painted. Plus I need to buy a fridge and washer/dryer (with the $2000 appliance allowance the seller is giving me) and a new sofa and armchair (since Plath ruined my current ones during his pre-Prozac urine-spraying days).

It looks like a good neighborhood (**knocks on imaginary wood**). Hopefully I won’t have the noise issues I’m facing in my current place. With a condo it’s always iffy, but on the plus side, this building was built as condos, not apartments, so maybe there’s a bit more soundproofing in place? One can only hope.

It’s cute and cozy and it’s a decent size (just over 1,000 square feet). It has a cute sunroom that faces west, so it gets a ton of light in the afternoon. The price is good for this area. It’s still going to be a financial struggle for me, but if I become frugal and watch my pennies, I think I’ll be okay. I hope.


song heard most recently before posting:
Disconnected—Veruca Salt