TGHH: El Paso

(it was rainy)
El Paso
Sergio sees the house while I am at work. He really likes it and wants me to see it immediately. I am not thrilled by the outside but hopeful based on his impression. I go the following weekend and am underwhelmed. It has no backyard, the layout is odd and the house feels cold and awkward. Plus the tiny garage has been turned into a non-permitted room and there is little obvious street parking on the busy street. ugh.

HOWEVER, it's a really great area to be in. It's another short sale with zero offers or prospects. The listing agent thinks we can lowball successfully. Sergio is excited about this and if I squint real hard, I can sorta, kinda see us living there. He assures us that we can use the money we'll save to make the house our own.

So we put in an offer and keep looking.

Later on, he trys to get me more excited about this house by mocking up Before & possible After images. It kind of works, but I'm still not 100% on board.


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Meanwhile, The Criteria evolves.

THE CRITERIA

Target area, expanded: Highland Park, foothills of Montecito Heights, Hills of El Sereno

Needs:

1. We can comfortably afford it without having to survive on ramen alone
2. We need to feel safe in the neighborhood (how did this not make our list the first time?)
3. Two bedrooms
4. At least one full bathroom -- read: has a tub
5. Off-street parking for two one cars
   
6. 1000 900+ sq. feet home
7. In one of our target areas

Wants:

1. Two bathrooms (this would make getting a roommate easier, if needed)
   
2. Garage
3. View SEE BELOW
4. Walking distance to "stuff we like" SEE BELOW
5. Outdoor entertaining space
6. More square footage
   

Pie-in-the-sky want:

1. Walking distance to "stuff we like"
2. View
   
3. Move-in ready