Deciding to buy a townhouse

So one might be wondering how did I come to the decision to buy a townhouse and why did I buy that model.

Well, the simple fact was I couldn't live in my apartment anymore my parents were generously offering me the option of taking my old bedroom back and saving more so that in 2-3 years I could buy a home. Why couldn't I live in my apartment you ask? Nothing due to financials (thankfully) but I have been going through multiple infestations in my apartment (I rent a 2bed @ Parkwood Hills West from Minto), and needless to say it was 3 too many....and the way Minto was addressing it just irked me (ok, maybe I expect perfection). So in October I was casually looking at different builders and floorplans just to get an idea of what I might eventually like while I'm saving up at my parents (don't forget this is still 2-3 years away this purchase).

Christmas was fast approaching and the infestation wasn't clearing up (even after treatments) and now I started to feel I was really encroaching on my parents (just staying there few days a week), I thought there had to be a quicker way I could get my own place without having to burden them (they dealt with me long enough, last thing they would need was me back again). I started to do more research and kept coming across Mattamy Homes and then my friends (and neighbours) informed me they had just purchased a Mattamy, so I thought I would look a little more into it. My parents and I started looking at the different layouts and saying which looked best etc...we finally made the trip up to Half Moon Bay to see the model homes.

They have the Fernwater and the Maplefield, both are end units (though you can get the Fernwater as an interior unit). Walking through the Maplefield I thought it was a nice feel but it felt too big just for me, and I personally didn't like the layout that they had. We went into the Fernwater and even just as soon as walking through the Foyer entrance it felt welcoming, and then of course I spotted what I have always wanted in my own home, an island. Needless to say the model homes are completely done up to a standard that only someone incredibly rich (or maybe someone just willing to invest that much) would get.

Over the next two weeks I kept wondering if the Fernwater would be right for me, while had everything I basically wanted and it felt like home, it was a fairly costly investment. So I started to look at the smaller models and try and narrow it down between them (but still keep the Fernwater on the table, just in case). I started to look at the Eastland and the Devonshire, both had things I liked and disliked but somehow I kept always coming back to the Fernwater. I got the price list from both HMB and from Fairwinds in Kanata, both happened to have end units (and FW also had an interior unit).

On Friday after much sit downs and talks with my parents I knew I was going with the Fernwater, but now I didn't know if I was going to Barrhaven or to Kanata. There are decisions in that as well, while Barrhaven has greater resale value, Kanata is cheaper. After spending time discussing the pros and cons, I settled on Kanata, they also happened to offer a $5000 bonus upgrade in designs, so that was extra money in my pocket in the sense that I could put a little bit into the home without spending money up front.

January 16, 2010 I went to Kanata and signed for the Fernwater End Unit (premium lot) and I got lot 30-1. The current closing date (barring any delays) will be October 14, 2010 - only 9 months away (well 8 months and 28 days).

Nothing had actually set in until I was going to sleep (unfortunately not a very restful one) and then some of the anxiety and stress of buying a house kicked in this morning. The normal worries of financing, budgeting for the future, what options to get, furniture, etc....but I have to just take this one day at a time. Perhaps this blog will help me in expressing everything and be able to deal better.