[idw2s]

We closed today, and though we had a hiccup with the wire transfer, by the end of the day we got the keys.

Hopefully we'll get some propane in and get it dewinterized before this weekend and be able to move in.

The house needs some little odds and ends taken care of, but it's a nice size, on a 35 acre lot. No barn or fencing, but we'll get a run in shed and some round pen panels for now and get a barn in this spring.

This family had to walk away from what obviously was a labor of love. They are in my prayers, because this had to be a difficult day for them. I shed quite a few tears signing the papers. It's a kind of bittersweet to fulfill my dream, when someone else is walking away from theirs. I am thankful they were able to do so without some bank forcing their hand. They had a sale fall through this summer because it couldn't appraise, so it was kind of amazing.

The real estate market in Michigan is brutal on sellers....

I hope even though we're just one more family that we can be part of a new day for this great state.

So, we're official.

Thanks for all the advice, help, reassurance, and kind words. You all were the first step in us falling in love.

One of these days I'll have the time to tell you about all the incredibly warm, valiant people who pulled our fat out of the fire more than once in this journey. You all should be proud, like you, they represent Michigan incredibly well. I pray to learn from their amazing example, and find ways to return the favor.

Wow.

[jeeg]

A big hearty congrats to y'all ......... and that was touching that you thought so kindly of the former owners. We don't see much of that nowadays.

[dweej]

Congratulations! I got a little choked up reading that

[michmoldman]

Congrats! There are a lot of good people who have lost their homes and it is sad.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Congratulations! I look forward to hearing much more about your move and your experiences!

[idw2s]

I forgot to mention, we're in Chase, just a little NW of Big Rapids/Ferris State.

We took a big leap of faith and leased our house in Washington, because we're pretty upside down ourselves, and no hope of being otherwise for a few years. We're basically paying on our new home what our renters are paying for our house in Washington. Basically, we're taking a huge hit, but we're lucky enough to be able to swing it, even if it's tight, we're lucky enough that my husband has a job that he can do anywhere he has high speed internet (and MiFi greatly increases that range).

But for the grace of God go we.... Trust me, the spectre of what this family is going through is all too real to us. We have another spectre, which is my health. It's cheaper to buy this home than continue spending 60k a year and going into debt for treatment we can never finish because we run out of money.

So hopefully we can learn about eggs and chickens, and I like to garden, and my horse keeps me off the pain meds, and does more than thousands of dollars in physical therapy. I'm grateful that the downturn in the market allowed us this opportunity, but.... I've been homeless as a kid (and briefly, as a young adult)... I know to a lot of people what has happened in Michigan is theory, something they read about. For me it's a bit more real than that.

I think this family is living with the in-laws, who co-signed the loan (they were on the contract, and had to sign the sales papers), so I believe they are okay, but I know others are not.

They are always on my mind. We've had some scary times in life, times when you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and try not to think too much about that cliff over there, and you keep walking hoping you'll get to solid ground.

That's what needs to happen for this state. There are too many good, hard working Americans here who just want an opportunity to do an honest day's work for an honest wage.

I'm not sure what I can do to help, but trust that it is the top 5 of my priorities to help that happen.

Thanks for the welcome, guys. There were a few times in this crazy journey we almost gave up. I'm so glad we didn't. We feel so at home here already.

Ah, enough rambling. I'm such a sentimental old sap!

[sunshineann]

Woohoo....Congrats my friend. I am so happy that you are getting settled. And it's wonderful knowing you have a heart to think about those who had to leave their home. Welcome Home my friend. And i'll keep you in my prayers as well with your health.

[Bydand]

Chase? Just down US10 from me a ways (About 35 miles or so). Welcome to the area!

Be sure to get out and about this summer, it is a nice area to poke around in. Don't get lost in the huge sprawling downtown area of Chase itself . A must do this year is the Music festival in Idlewild. The area is a bit worse for the wear of the past few decades, but the people are nice and the towns are trying very hard to keep their citizens.

[Dave Wojo]

A very heartfelt congratulations to you.

[dragon_fly_12]

Congrats, and welcome to Michigan! So many of us have had to leave for other opportunity (or, lack of opportunity), myself included. Now that I am out of the Midwest, I never realized just how different the Midwestern folks are.. and let me say that being up there is where "it all makes sense" to my husband and I. I hope you will come to enjoy your new home, and speaking from experience, the horse, the chickens, and even a cow or two can definitely keep life fulfilling and interesting. There is a huge horse community throughout the state and that is very apparent by the sheer number of MI horse forums available - I never knew the horse community was so great until I moved to another state.