This Crazy Mixed Up World...

As many of you already know, Jordan and I are in the process of building a home. See if you can see the craziness of my story.

So, here is my story from yesterday. Jordan and I have been pre-approved by the preferred mortgage company that the builder we are using recommends. We were a little disappointed with the closing fees, and so we decided to look at the bank that he has been banking with for 8+ years and I have been banking with for 4+ years, thinking that we could get better closing fees through them.

We are COMPLETELY debt free. We don't owe a penny to anyone. We both have amazing credit (I have a 788 credit score and his is 786). We never miss a payment on any bills, etc... We will put down in cash at least 10% upon closing of this house. We can swing all of the bills including the mortgage on his income alone. In other words, we are doing really good. We have budgeted most of our almost 5 years of marriage and we don't buy things that we cannot afford.

So, all of the above being said. Jordan and I were denied the loan at our bank yesterday because my husband has never had any credit. That means, he has never had to pay any loans. He was fortunate to have parents that paid for his education and his used car, which we are still using (we don't buy new things). His parents really planned for their kiddos. They don't live above their means; they actually live below their means.

The bank would love it if it was just me they were considering on the loan because Jordan and I have completely paid off all of my student loans. I had to get one every semester for four years of college. I also have a store credit card which I haven't used in over a year, but I paid it off when I did use it. We only have one credit card to our name and we pay it off every month (we like using it to get points for hotels and plane tickets). Anyway, they are saying that we will be able to apply for a FHA (which is for people with bad credit or no credit at all) loan and not just the standard loan through them.

For those of you who have kids and are planning on paying for college and their cars etc... Do this, somehow, have them pay (have them take out a loan) and then pay it back immediately in their name. If you do this, they will at least have some lines of credit. When they are ready to purchase their first home, etc... at least they will have some established credit.

So, we are being "punished" for my husband who has not ever had any debt to his name. It is a mess. We are definitely learning through all of this.

Project Build Picture...

Above you will see a picture of Jordan and me on our lot of dirt. It is amazing to think that a house will supposedly be in this picture in just 5-6 months! One thing that was pretty cool about the day that was captured in this picture, is the fact that we got to meet our neighbors. Let me rephrase that, "We got to meet our only neighbors." Since this is a fairly new area we only have one set of neighbors across the street from us. They were super sweet! They are a young married couple with a little daughter.

Project BUILD!!

Time for some big news! Jordan and I took the plunge! Yesterday, we put down money on a plot of dirt... Don't worry, it won't be dirt for long! We are building a beautiful home in Wylie that we will have plenty of room to grow into. We have been looking into doing this and saving for quite some time. We are very excited about this new adventure! It is estimated that it will be about 5-6 months for it to be finished; so, we should be in the new house by June or July! It is so crazy; I don't feel old enough to be getting house... We are already scheduling meetings to choose our bricks for the house, and we have to know by today what upgrades to the building process we need to make. I can't wait till it is built!



Click on "K. Hov" under "My Favorite Places to Go" to see the house that we are building. Once you click on the above link, do the following:

Click on "First Floor." Click on "select your options" in the right area of the screen and choose: study, corner fireplace, covered patio

Click on "Second Floor." Click on "select your options" in the right area of the screen and choose: Bedroom 5/Bath 3, Bath 3 Window

Now you can see what our home looks like on paper!

Denver, CO

Last Wednesday, I got on a plane and headed over to Denver, CO. As you know, I am a Pampered Chef Consultant. This year, our Leadership Conference was held in Denver, CO. Traveling to Denver was so much fun! I learned some wonderful news about some up and coming promotions that the Pampered Chef is offering! I also got to see all of the fabulous new Spring/Summer product that will be available to purchase on March 1st! I can't wait till March. I will be doing a "Last Chance, First Glance" party in February for all of my past hosts. This will be an opportunity for everyone to purchase any soon to be retiring products as well as sample the new recipes and look at all of the new products! It will be great! I will post pictures soon of some of the wonderful sights in Denver.