I suppose the good news is that there are mortgage lenders who would be willing to make us a loan. The bad news is that our credit score is now a little worse than I thought ( "That's mostly because you don't really have the income to pay your current bills" a gentleman at one mortgage company said, as if this comment were enlightening. I refrained from saying "Gee, ya know, if you hadn't mentioned that I'd have never guessed!") and the rates would be, well, a kind of financial suicide. And it wouldn't just be the rates, either, since lenders aren't stupid and they know we'd refinance as soon as it was possible to do so. The up front fees would be astronomical. None of this surprises or shocks me....

the truth is, I was a little surprised that there were people out there who would make me a loan. After all, I look like hell on paper. Truthfully, I wouldn't loan myself money if I were still working in the financial services industry - but, of course, I haven't got any money to loan myself, which is the problem.

Anyway, there's no need to dwell on all of that, and on one level I'm really glad I don't have to go through the stress of getting another mortgage right now. The stress of moving is NOTHING compared with dealing with the stress of dealing with a mortgage company. Lenders never have the paperwork done on time, underwriters always want something different, something else. And these people aren't nice when they ask either. It's the golden rule "Those who have the gold make the rules"

The good news is that Jeff and Susan have a rental property that sounds like it would be perfect for us. It's a town house with an unfinished walk out basement - great for The Hub's workshop. They had photos. The kitchen looked like it was well laid out. Jeff and Susan are willing to let us have the dog there on account of they know us and know that we would repair any damage Winston might do - not that he would. Actually, they know very well that when we leave the house it will look better than it does now, since The Hub won't be able to stop himself from doing little repairs.

We plan to go over and have a look at it tomorrow morning. One of the main things we need to see about is how steep the steps are / how easy it would be for me to set up a little sleeping area on the first floor. Though my back has been much better these last few days overall it's getting worse fast. I'm trying to not worry about it: it's gotten bad then gotten better before. On 10/5 I'll have insurance and then lots more options. But I don't think it helps to have my head in the sand about the likelyhood of things getting worse. Crawling up stairs while dragging a walker is NOT the perfect ending to any day - and tossing the walker down the stairs and scooting after it upon one's butt is not exactly an ideal way to start!

So, I hope the steps are not very steep, and / or that I'd be able to make it on one floor if I had to. More news later!