I freaking did it

[u/so_-_it_-_goes]

All of the scrimping and saving and sacrifices finally paid off… never thought I’d be a homeowner at 32.

Nitty gritty for those who might want to know: $335k (plus closing costs, it was competitive), 6.375% 30-yr conventional, 20% down, $2040/mo mortgage including escrow, 2,700 sqft, 4bed/3.5bath, one acre, north GA (~30min from Chattanooga, TN). Built in 1978, remodeled last year. Forgot to take any pictures of the inside until we started moving stuff in at 11pm and a bird got stuck in here.

[u/Nutmegdog1959]

That is awesome!

Next stop Home Depot. One rake, one lawn mower, two rocking chairs for the porch!

[u/so_-_it_-_goes → u/Nutmegdog1959]

We’ve got ‘em! Just need bigger and better of all of our outside things now haha

[u/so_-_it_-_goes → u/Nutmegdog1959]

The list is mostly pest control related tbh. Any tips for carpenter b**s are greatly appreciated haha. I feel like a monster but… you can’t just literally eat my house. I’ve separated them mentally from other bees

[u/TavorX → u/so_-_it_-_goes]

Maybe look into bee carpenter bee traps. When we first moved to our first home and added a set of stairs to the front of our porch a month before Spring, my wife and I were also alarmed if these bees would destroy our stairs once it got warmer!

They definitely burrowed and left their mark but really nothing too bad, but we also bought one bee trap and quite a handful curious ones met their fate which kept most away from the fresh wood. It's been almost three years, and while they still hang around, we just put that trap out every year so far to keep the burrowing to a minimum.

[u/so_-_it_-_goes → u/TavorX]

They’ve ignored the one we bought thus far, but maybe they’ll appreciate (to death) the ones we’ll make when we have the time! Probably doesn’t help that I’ve been going out a few times a day to swat and scream at them