What I Buy Wednesday...

Or I should say what WE bought back in 1978--our first house! 

It didn't exactly look like this--I pulled this from Zillow. 40 years later, it's showing its age.

Here's the story:

In 2020, I started a journaling club with my friends. Basically each person posted a question in their journal. Then we passed them around and answered each other's questions. 

Susan posted this question in her journal and I felt like it was a good one to share.

Write a letter to anyone about anything…a grandchild, your husband, the person who cut you off in traffic, someone you don’t like…doesn’t matter.

She was a realtor in Louisville, KY. The year was 1978. We were trying to buy our first house—well, if you didn’t count the one we tried to buy in St. Louis that needed a new roof. We didn’t have any extra money and the seller wouldn’t pay for it. The deal fell through which turned out to be a blessing since we found out two days later that Butch had been promoted and we were moving to Charleston, WV. 

Okay, back to 1978. We found the perfect, beautiful house! We made the deal for $45,500. A few days later, the realtor called to say that the house only appraised for $42,500. She said that in this case the owner/buyer splits the difference. Once again, we had no more money and the seller wouldn’t budge. The deal fell through. I spent the day crying that we would never be able to afford a house. Later that evening, the realtor dropped by. She said that she was going to loan us the $1500. She said that we couldn’t put anything in writing because she could get in trouble. Her commission was only going to be $750. I immediately started crying and said, “Why would you do this? You don’t even know us!” To which she replied, “You don’t know this, but I sell nothing but higher-priced homes. The day you called, I just happened to answer the phone. I had forgotten how hard it is for young couples to buy a house. I do know that once you have your first, you will always have a home!”

God bless you Mary Martin, for having compassion for a young family who waited and struggled for 7 years to be able to afford a house. I know you are living in God’s mansion!!

PS When I told my mom this story, she said, “Barbara, don’t sign anything—I’m coming down there!” And that’s what she did. She did not trust dear Mary and loaned us the money instead. 

PSS I can’t wait to meet Mary again and to thank her and share our journey of beautiful homes that she started!