Yet another "Mulligan" post. I've been enjoying walking down memory lane, and finding some of my past "favorite" posts. This is one that I wrote just over a year ago and believe it was my first "featured" post. After that, I was hooked!
I haven't played Texas Hold'em for some time now ~ at least not since I traded in the iPhone I didn't like too much (I downloaded a Texan Hold'em game that I loved!).
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We had some friends over last night for a last-minute game of Texas Hold'
em.
We used to get together during previous summers every Thursday night for a game. The loser, or first one out, was always charged with the task of firing up the grill and making hot dogs for the rest of us who were still playing - as a penalty for being the first one out.
We had a good time last night. And, most importantly - I won! Too bad there was only four of us playing, and the winnings weren't that big, but nonetheless I got to add my name to the list of winners we've been keeping. Of course, winning isn't everything (who am I kidding?) but:
It occurred to me that buying a house is very much like a game of Texas Hold 'Em:
"You've got to know when to Hold Them, know when to Fold Them, know when to Walk Away, and know when To Run" (was it Kenny Rogers that sang that song?).
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~ Jeannie's Homebuyers Guide to Texas Hold 'Em ~
Ante Up - As a home-buyer you've got to "ante up" and start looking for a good Realtor and Lender. You're thinking of buying, but you have a few steps to take before you can walk away with that Royal Flush of a house. So, you start playing a numbers game, playing with loan calculators, surfing the internet for listings, going to open houses, talking to friends and family who've bought homes recenlty. Ante up - You've got to be in it, to win it!
Placing a Bet - Once you've placed your Ante and you have found your perfect Buyer's Agent, you've got your loan pre-approval in the works, you can start betting that what you've got in hand so far will help you obtain the right house - or that Royal Flush you're hoping for. You're checking the chips that you've got stashed away for your down payment and closing costs, and you're keeping a close eye on them, hoping you won't need to go "all in" -- but you are ready to do so if the cards are in your favor.
The Flop - This is a biggie. "There's the house that seems just right for you!" Bidding starts, and you hope you've made a sound enough bid to clear the table of the other players. It looks good - offer accepted -- and now you're really in the game! You've got your deposit check handed in, a sealed deal, and hopefully can see this thing to the end of Settlement, or The River.
The Turn - Well, before you get to The River some things can happen. That "house of cards" you've been building can come tumbling down! Whole house inspection, Termite inspection, title search, final loan commitment -- do you keep playing? Are the cards that have been dealt good enough to see you through to the end? Or, are you going to get "burned"? Do you cut your losses now and Fold? Are those cards good enough to hang on until "The River"? Or do you "walk away" or "run"? So much to think about!! You might already have everything perfectly lined up, with the perfect winning hand, and you go "ALL IN". Or do you hold back just a bit, hoping for that last card to pop up to make everything work out? Perhaps it's the sale of your own house coming through. Perhaps a glitch in the title search that needs to be worked out. This is where things can all Turn suddenly. You're confident -- and you go "All In" to see "The River" card.
The River - It can make the game or break it -
It's the day of Settlement - you're at the table with your
Realtor, the Closing Agent, and your Lender. The Seller is there with his representation. The stacks of mortgage documents comes out - and you try hard to understand everything! You think you know what is going on, but of course you're a bit nervous. Some last minute betting - or re-negotiating - because the Seller didn't move everything out in time, or forgot to leave the kitchen sink as promised. But you're confident you've got the winning hand. The deed is presented to you, signed by the seller and properly notarized. You sign that HUD --and show your "winning hand"! A Royal Flush!! That house is all yours!! (your Winnings!) Keys are exchanged, the garage door opener is handed to you, and congratulations and high fives go around the table. You don't only feel like a winner -- YOU ARE A WINNER and now you're A HOMEOWNER, TOO!
The bottom line is -- if you have a great Realtor dealing your cards, you will be dealth that Royal Flush. She may even have an Ace up her sleeve for you, if you need it!
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Now, I wonder if I would have been so inspired to have thought of this stuff if I had LOST the game last night. Probably not, as I would have been the one making the hot dogs for everyone else still playing.
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Lancaster Homebuyers -- feel free to contact me if you'd like to have a winner Realtor on your side of the table. I'll deal you the best cards that I can!
For Lancaster Real Estate Information,
www.jeanniesellslancaster.com/
