Homes, Sweet, Homes

When I met M sixteen years ago, we had both just graduated from college. Both of us were waiting to start our real jobs in a few months. The major difference between the two of us was our living situations. Jen and I were renting the downstairs of a house. This was really inconvenient when the owners sold the house. In other words, we were twenty-two years old and suddenly homeless.
This is a stark comparison to M, who not only had the ideal living situation in Breckenridge, but also OWNED HIS OWN RENTAL PROPERTY, a duplex. Are you getting this? Tina = homeless. M = owner of an investment property. He sold it shortly after that, but if I didn’t see it then, I see it now. Real estate was in his blood. He has a gift with real estate.
On one of our first dates, M helped me find an apartment in Lincoln (since, again, Jen and me were homeless and weren’t quite ready to sleep on a cot at the YMCA). I can still remember us searching the Lincoln newspaper, trying to find an apartment that would work for a couple months. It seems odd now this is how we spent our time together. We could have been on a romantic date, talking to all hours of the night, and professing our love to each other. But, no, we were looking at real estate. (To be clear, I think Jen and I had about $400/month budget for a two-bedroom apartment, so I use the term “real estate” very loosely here.)
Not only did he help Jen and me find a great apartment, he also helped me find my first apartment in Houston. Then the two of us spent the day looking for an apartment for him in Kansas City. Right. I know. I see it now. From day one, both of us were kind of real estate nerds.
After we got married, M decided to move to Houston, so we started looking for an apartment. We were just about to sign the contract when we noticed some townhouses that were for sale. I will never forget M’s excitement when we found out one of those townhouses was in terrible shape, and we could get it for a steal. I remember us sitting in the office of the school where I taught, his eyes lit up as he started calling realtors and talking about FHA loans and escrow (which I kind of thought was the word for snails you ate at fancy restaurants).
All this to tell you that M loves real estate. His dad manages lots of properties in Lincoln, so M has had an up-close view of the ins and outs of being a landlord. So, over the years, we’ve bought some houses and rented them out. M loves the challenge and whole real estate deal.
He’s also a really good landlord. Mostly because he’s a gifted mechanic. So, when the tenants call and complain about a water leak, he goes over there, crawls around in the attic and fixes the leak. While I need to recite “lefty loosey, righty, tighty” to remember how to change a light bulb, M can confidently replace a toilet.
He’s also so nice. When tenants are late with rent, he handles it so well. If collecting rent were my job, I would be FREAKING OUT on the first of the month. I would be Mr. Roper, checking up on them and worried about the property. M has a knack for finding good tenants who pay their rent and take care of the house. I’m telling you, he’s the Albert Einstein of real estate.
Because of this, I’ve daydreamed for years about us buying a rental property in Galveston. Unlike most Houstonians, who are like, “Galveston? Really? I prefer Destin”; we love it. Do you know the big difference between Galveston and Destin? One is an hour away and the other is twenty-four hours away. I realize there are probably some other differences like white sand, etc., but I wouldn’t know since I’ve never been to Destin because it’s SO FAR AWAY.
So, for years, I’ve had this vision of M and me combining his good sense about real estate with my unbridled passion for the place of my birth. Galveston seemed SO OBVIOUSLY the next place we should buy a rental house. Unfortunately, part of M’s good sense about real estate is not buying in locations that are frequently demolished by hurricanes, so it’s never worked out.
But, after years of looking, we bought a house over Easter weekend. We found a good deal on a little house a couple blocks from the beach. When we heard about a good deal, I saw the spark in M’s eyes. Then he started talking about escrow and hurricane blinds (because, obviously), and I started praying like crazy that this would work out.
It has! After years of looking and discussing and praying, we have our house! I mean, not really our house since we’ll be renting it out. But I’m so excited to share my passion for Galveston with the world. Believe it or not, M is excited to build walls and figure out how to fix the sliding doors that don’t work.
Thank You, Lord, for taking this homeless girl and giving her home(s) with a man who loves fixer-uppers and understands option periods and mortgage rates. Amen.