Weekends of Open Houses continue

Despite our best efforts last week, we fell victim to the ruthless real estate market.

Our realtor came by on Sunday, went through all of the details of learning what it takes to put in an offer. She left at 3:30 with the signed offer in hand and was going to head over to present to the selling agent. Unfortunately she wasn't able to reach him and when she finally did he said that he wasn't going to be able to find the seller this evening. So the plan was to present the offer Monday morning.

It was presented, the seller accepted all of the subjects and the only objection was to the price. We went in under asking and the seller was ready to sign it back to us at 1,000 under asking. Prepared to sign it and finish the deal, I waited for the paper work to appear in my inbox. I wait, waited and then heard that the selling agent has received a call and someone else wanted a second viewing. The seller decided not to sign it back to us but waited to get the second offer.

The other offer was for more than asking, and we went back offering a few thousand over the asking price, but it still wasn't as high as the other offer. So it was not meant to be.

It was a bit of an overwelming day as we waited to see if things were going to turn out. There is the sense of disappointment that we are moving into the next 'phase' being home-owners but I also have to believe that if it was the place we were suppose to be in, it would have happened. So we are back to the hunting, and there are some moments when you wonder if you are going to find what you are looking for. This is where you need to believe that persistence will pay off. We have seen a lot of houses in Vancouver ~ here's hoping we don't have to see them all before we find the right one!

A new house?

It's a rainy Vancouver Sunday. Akis has been working a lot and I have been sitting at home contemplating our afternoon. I went out earlier this week with our friend/Real Estate agent and saw a place. I took Akis to go and see it yesterday and we are on the brink of putting in an offer today.

The home is not in our current neighbourhood. We have come to realize the space we want is not something that we are able to afford in our neighbourhood on our current budget. The new location is a neighbourhood that does have character and activity. Moving here will allow us to get into the market and start building some equity. There will neeed to be some renovations done as the cabinets are OLD and the kitchen is SMALL. So we are going to need to have some creative solutions, but it is also something that will be ours.

We'll see what transpires, and keep you posted.

A night out with U2

The entourage had tickets for the final stop of U2's 360 tour. I have never been to see U2, and it was a treat to see everyone and get out for the night.

I had been catching up with Beth and Darci over the past few days after spending Monday night at Beth's dad's place and heading out to Spa Utopia for a very nice pedicure treat. Wednesday night I came home from work to pick up Akis and we headed down to the Westin where the Tacchi's and Yeo's got a suite for the night and gathered the group. After a few drinks, some BC 'herbs', we headed down to our Limo which was suppose to be waiting.

We arrived in time to see part of the opening act which was the Black Eyed Peas.







Had some snacks and beverages while the stage was reset:








Not much I can say about the concert other than we had a great time. Despite playing at BC Place which is notorious for having bad sound, I thought they were very good. The photos look pretty similar, but hey, it's Bono so I took a few. Had we been sitting with Ali, I might have had some of him from the stage, but hey, you take what you can get!

Some of the sounds from U2.

And then the battery gave out ~ but I wish I would have had more of this one!

Great time was had by all ~ only bummer was I didn't have a fully charged camera. That and I had to work the next day, but hey, sometimes you just have to go out and play on a school night.