I am posting tonight about a topic I suspect may become the dominant one in this blog for some time. That topic is homeownership.

I've been hemming and hawing and chickening out about this for the greater part of a year. What has me so freaked out?

1. I've been afraid of not having the funds.
2. I've been afraid of taking on a mortgage.
3. I've been afraid of depleting my savings.
4. I've been afraid of not finding an honest real estate agent or finding a crooked mortgage broker.

I could go on and on about the things that freak me out -- this is an enormous step. It isn't one I thought I'd ever be making alone either.

But here I am somehow. It is time to move away from renting. Why?

1. The cost of renting has exceeded the cost of a mortgage payment
2. I am tired of having to move because the landlord wants to rehab the building
3. I am tired of having to pay more and more rent at the whim of a third party
4. I hate white walls
5. I hate white blinds.
6. I want to control my own heat
7. I think that real estate is a good investment in this market.

So it is time. It is really time. I've been telling myself that every day.

Last week I looked online and found a real estate agent in my area, who seems to have a good track record. Today, I finally called him. I gave him all sorts of information about what I want and don't want, and he gave me the name of a mortgage broker he works with who will preapprove me for a loan.

Surprisingly enough, I got a bit of a charge from making the call. It wasn't at all frightening. Chris, my agent, ( my agent) even thinks I am being realistic about what I can get for the money I want to spend. I am looking forward to seeing the listings he'll send me.

Unfortunately, I can't rest on my laurels. I have to call about getting my bad self preapproved for a loan. Heaven help me.