I made a big mistake when I bought my first house.
I was really anxious to stop paying rent and move out of my cramped apartment.
I’d recently gotten a promotion at work, and the increase in salary had me excited by the possibilities.. I was hoping that another promotion would come my way and make the mortgage payments more affordable. The real estate agent definitely took advantage of my inexperience. She showed me properties that were definitely beyond my price range. These houses featured river views from giant windows, granite countertops, new appliances and all sorts of amenities. About six months after I moved into my new home, a big storm hit Jacksonville. The St. Johns river overflowed and my house flooded. There was several feet of water standing in my living room. Plus, the high winds knocked down a tree that landed on my roof. It did major damage. There was rain pouring in through the ceiling. The moisture not only destroyed walls, ceilings and floors but led to mold growth. Because I was struggling to keep up with the monthly mortgage payment, there was no way I could afford any repairs. I couldn’t even sell the house by way of a traditional listing because of all of the problems. It wouldn’t meet building codes or qualify for financing. I was very fortunate to find a cash buyer. I took the time to research and found a family-owned, local company with a proven history of dependability. They’ve purchased almost two thousand houses and have very good reviews. The process was quick and stress-free. I filled out an online form and got an offer that same day. I was relieved to walk away from that house.