A person of many interests

I have come to realize I have a certain quirk about my personality, which makes it somewhat difficult when I try to make choices. As the wedding approaches I find myself considering what new milestones I may pass as my life matures along with BJ's; like the possibility, even the likelihood of....*gasp* owning a house! For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, the real estate market is currently in a low point. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two of the largest morgate brokerage firms in the country, are in dire financial straits. They bundle mortgages with other stocks and then sell the packages to investors. However, because they are big, awesome, well established companies, they even insure the mortgage, meaning if the homeowner should default on their loan and go into foreclosure, these loan companies reclaim the property, and pay the loan amount to the investor holding the package. Due to all the foreclosures in recent history, these mortgage firms are suffering big time. The good side to this? People can get houses on short sales for much cheaper than they could even a year ago. I'm talking tens of thousands of dollars here. The bad side? If these companies lose control of what's happening, buyers will find it difficult to obtain mortgages, which would essentially freeze the real estate market. Now that part, would suck, a lot. But, the fact that homes are cheaper is very good for potential buyers. So, I find myself wondering, what kind of house do I want? What kind of furniture do I want? How big a house do I want? You may wonder, what about BJ? Our taste is similar enough that as long as it isn't too "froufy" we'll both be happy. So, the kind of house I would like, Craftsman!!!! I've been looking at architectural books and magazines and I am in love with the arts and crafts/ craftsman style. Too bad for me that most houses in this style would be a major rehab process due to owner neglect; or a really nice one, would still have a really big price tag. This led me to read a nice little book, "Building your dream home for dummies." I'm learning about appraisals, and the permitting process and purchasing a lot versus purchasing land and all the rules and regulations that can go into this process. It could take some serious time, but finding a decent lot for a decent price at this point wouldn't be all that difficult. And if you're smart about the fixtures you choose, the square footage you pick, and shopping for the right contractor, and how much space you really need in a home; building your own home can cost about the same as buying one. Granted there are more hoops to jump through, more steps to take, and it can definitely be a longer wait, but considering you could move into exactly the home you want, built for you under your instructions, would just be amazing. Yes, I know, I was FAR too much HGTV for my own good. : ) But really, how else am I going to get a 3bd, 2 bath craftsman style house with a double garage, a workshop, art deco furnishings and a double slipper Victorian tub? I know right? Sometimes you just have to do it yourself.