Look Before You Leap

Savannah saved for years so she could become a homeowner. Working long hours as an Attorney she sacrificed materialistic things and going out with co-workers so she no longer had to rent. Spending countless hours making calls to real estate companies she made her choice.

Savannah was very articulate and paid close attention to detail, the real estate agency did not have any problems working with her. Amy her agent was professional, cordial and pleasant paying close attention to Savannah's needs. When Savannah was young, she did not pay close attention to her credit, so it had taken her longer then many of her co-workers to purchase home. She was more of a jet setter and had not concerned herself with settling down until she became partners at a very large firm. Overwhelmed with choices due to the economy, she finally came across a beautiful home in the exact location she had always desired to be. It was a little out of her price range, but regardless she was compelled to see the luxury home that was listed.

"Hello Amy, it's Savannah. "I would like to make an appointment to see the house on Lane Street." "Are you sure, you would like to see the home on Lane Street,"Amy replied. "Yes!" Savannah jovially said.

Throwing her purse on the couch, Savannah proceeded to jump into the shower. John would be picking her up in a couple of hours. He was a wonderful man. Simple, business savvy and was the owner of a motorcycle rental company. John loved bikes and felt this could be a way to give back to the community. They could rent them, enjoy them and bring them back when they were done.

"Where is that music coming from?" Savannah thought. Listen intently, "Ah Crap!" it was the cell phone. Technology had its downside and this was one of them. Jumping out of the shower she grabbed a towel. "Hello, Savannah, It's Amy." "Why is Amy calling?" Savannah asked herself. " How would you like to look at the house on Lane?" "Right now!?," Savannah exclaimed. "Yes now," Amy replied. "Let me get dressed and we can meet in 20 minutes." Savannah cheerfully said.

Drying off and throwing on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt she grabbed her purse and ran out the door. Excited about what she was about see, she didn't put any make-up on. A million things were rushing through her mind. Could she afford it? Would the floor plan be right? Would it be touch much house? What were the neighbors like? Using her GPS she mapped her route.

"Turn left on Paradise, then drive 3/4 of a mile, then turn right onto Lane street." Daydreaming as she drove the GPS was talking. Not paying close attention to the directions Savannah drove a little to far and ended up on Cinnabar. "This doesn't look right," Savannah said quietly to herself. She knew she wasn't paying attention and had to map the address again. Thank goodness the house was not to far away.

Pulling up to the front of the house, she was in awe! She had never seen anything so breathtaking in her life. Circular driveway. large pillars, curves everywhere she looked. Savannah loved curves and the home was all that she could hope for. Stepping out of her vehicle, she was speechless. This was what she always dreamed of, but was she really ready? Amy knew they had many beautiful properties but Savannah was adamant about this one.

"Let me go get the key from the lock box, I will be right back," Amy told Savannah. "Okay," Savannah replied. Running her hand around the pillar, she sliced her index finger. "Ouch!," Savannah yelped. "Are you okay?," Amy asked. " I am fine," Savannah replied. Her index finger was in pain. Anxious she began to feel warm. "Okay, door is unlocked let's go inside." Amy exclaimed.

In a bubble Savannah proceeded to open the door, mesmerized by the beauty, Savannah was not listening to Amy and ended up stubbing her shoe while walking through the door, ending up face first on the marble floor."Are you okay?". Amy asked. "I am fine!", Savannah replied. She was so embarrassed she could feel her face turning beat red. Knowing it was hard for Amy to honestly contain herself, she looked the other way and pushed herself up from the floor.

"What do you think so far?," Amy asked. "It's beautiful!" , Savannah echoed. Looking around she wondered if Heaven was like this. She knew John would love this home, but looking around the neighborhood she could see that rolling up on a Harley could be a little difficult. He was a free-spirit. Muscular, strong, hardworking; but a tux and tie was out of norm for him. He was simple and that is what she adored.

Stepping up onto the spiral staircase, Savannah's foot slipped and she hit her chin on the banister. "Okay" she said to herself," I am not feeling this at all." Amy turned around and did all she could not to laugh. Savannah could see the smirk on her face, but she knew Amy was acting professional and knew she could not breathe a word. " Shall we continue?," Amy asked. "How much are they asking for this house?," Savannah asked. "Three million," Amy replied.

Continuing through the home, the floor plan was beautiful. It was all that she had ever hoped for. "So what do you think?," Amy asked. "It is beautiful," Savannah replied. Besides some bumps and bruises she had to make a decision. She really wanted this house, but she had to confide in John. "Let me talk to my fiancee," Savannah retorted.

Amy was so understanding they both agreed to speak about the home the following day. Savannah knew the home was way out of budget and if she chose to make an offer, in the long run it would cost her dearly. Calling John he also agreed that it was way beyond their budget. She also realized that it apparently was not meant to be, especially after the home attacked her several times while seeing it. First it bit her, then it tripped her and the staircase grabbed her foot. With all of that abuse, she asked Amy to show her a home within her budget.

The moral of the story: All of us wish to make large purchases. Many of us think if we scrape the bottom of the barrel , we will still be able to afford what we have. If a house beats you as much as Savannah's dream home those are warning signs to "Look before you leap".