We have been looking for a vacant lot along the coast for the better part of three years now with just no luck. Me and my brides requirements really limited the already very limited land available. Our must haves were water views, all utilities already on site, trees, and be protected from storms. With that said, we were beginning to think we were hunting a unicorn.
After visiting with our dear friends Froghunter and Honeybee we checked out the sleepy little fishing community they bought into online. They had a couple on paper that checked all the boxes but one, no trees and the bay view was very limited if even existent. It was still worth checking out in person so we hook up our RV and head to Magnolia Beach to boondock and drive over.
After meeting the realtor it was time to view some properties. Our hearts sank as soon as we pulled up to the three lots listed. We told the realtor thank you and began to drive around on our own. Nothing, absolutely nothing was what we wanted so we decided to drive along the bay. We made a left and a right snaking our way to the water when we found a lot that checked all the boxes just two blocks from the bay and boat ramp. There was no realtor or fsbo sign, only 3' tall grass. Oh what the heck, lets pull the address up online and see what happens.
It was listed but showed no longer on the market as of the month before so I called the realtor to inquire. Oh my gosh, it is still for sale! A person had a contract on it but could not get financing and backed out. Suddenly our dream was within grasp.
The original asking price was about 20% higher than comps and we found out that the two friends that purchased it 10 years ago as a fishing camp had never used the property. Me being me, I wanted to see how low we could talk them down to so I used my pawnshop tactic and offered 50% of their original asking.
It was beginning to get late so we head back to the rv. The next morning Froghunter and I went kayak fishing and had a blast! The bay was so calm and as the sun began to rise I witnessed God!
After being ran off by an alligator and Froghunter heading back to their coastal trailer mansion I received an email from the realtor. Much to our surprise the sellers countered with 2% above our offer with the statement of "final offer". I just can't leave well enough alone and accept. If they came back that low, they are very motivated so I countered their "final" with a price in the middle. They jumped on it and quick! We were going to finally be coastal property owners!!!
After lunch we headed back to the realtors office to sign a contract, write an earnest check, and set a closing date. Being a cash sale I was ready to the following week but we had to wait 30 days. Three weeks in hurricane Harvey made landfall 30 miles West of the property. I couldn't get away from work to go help Froghunter and Honeybee or our sons in-laws that live in Rockport. My stomach was in knots. Thank the good Lord both escaped with only minor damage.
Power was still out after labor day and could not make contact with the title company or the realtor. I did however contact the city office through fb and loaded several gallons of fuel, water, and bug spray to donate. We hooked up to the rv, loaded the chainsaw, got a cashiers check in the event we could close, and off we went.
Upon entering the city the first thing we saw was a decimated mini storage unit with people's belongings strewn through a field. Our hearts wept.
We pulled in to the little rv park were we had reservations and dropped the rv. They actually had power back but we didn't want to hookup to water as they were still under a boil notice. The title company contacted me and said because it was a cash sale, we could still close because they did not have a way to verify funds had we gone conventional because their computers were still down.
The next morning, Friday, I got ready and drove to the municipal office while my bride was getting ready. Dropped off the donation supplies and visited with the mayor for a few minutes. He said 60% of the structures were damaged and two older homes were completely destroyed. No life was lost as he ordered a mandatory evacuation in plenty time for everyone to escape.
10:30 am found us at the title company and 15 minutes later it was time for us to start clearing debris and fallen trees from Our Coastal Property!!! We lost three huge trees and without Froghunter, Honeybee, their kids (I can't believe they are getting so big!), and our new neighbor Timothy, we would not have been able to get it cleaned up this trip!
I captured over 20 hours of video and am editing it now. Hopefully next week before we head back down I'll have it uploaded. This places progress will be measured in years so join us as we make our retirement dreams a reality...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
After visiting with our dear friends Froghunter and Honeybee we checked out the sleepy little fishing community they bought into online. They had a couple on paper that checked all the boxes but one, no trees and the bay view was very limited if even existent. It was still worth checking out in person so we hook up our RV and head to Magnolia Beach to boondock and drive over.
After meeting the realtor it was time to view some properties. Our hearts sank as soon as we pulled up to the three lots listed. We told the realtor thank you and began to drive around on our own. Nothing, absolutely nothing was what we wanted so we decided to drive along the bay. We made a left and a right snaking our way to the water when we found a lot that checked all the boxes just two blocks from the bay and boat ramp. There was no realtor or fsbo sign, only 3' tall grass. Oh what the heck, lets pull the address up online and see what happens.
It was listed but showed no longer on the market as of the month before so I called the realtor to inquire. Oh my gosh, it is still for sale! A person had a contract on it but could not get financing and backed out. Suddenly our dream was within grasp.
The original asking price was about 20% higher than comps and we found out that the two friends that purchased it 10 years ago as a fishing camp had never used the property. Me being me, I wanted to see how low we could talk them down to so I used my pawnshop tactic and offered 50% of their original asking.
It was beginning to get late so we head back to the rv. The next morning Froghunter and I went kayak fishing and had a blast! The bay was so calm and as the sun began to rise I witnessed God!
After being ran off by an alligator and Froghunter heading back to their coastal trailer mansion I received an email from the realtor. Much to our surprise the sellers countered with 2% above our offer with the statement of "final offer". I just can't leave well enough alone and accept. If they came back that low, they are very motivated so I countered their "final" with a price in the middle. They jumped on it and quick! We were going to finally be coastal property owners!!!
After lunch we headed back to the realtors office to sign a contract, write an earnest check, and set a closing date. Being a cash sale I was ready to the following week but we had to wait 30 days. Three weeks in hurricane Harvey made landfall 30 miles West of the property. I couldn't get away from work to go help Froghunter and Honeybee or our sons in-laws that live in Rockport. My stomach was in knots. Thank the good Lord both escaped with only minor damage.
Power was still out after labor day and could not make contact with the title company or the realtor. I did however contact the city office through fb and loaded several gallons of fuel, water, and bug spray to donate. We hooked up to the rv, loaded the chainsaw, got a cashiers check in the event we could close, and off we went.
Upon entering the city the first thing we saw was a decimated mini storage unit with people's belongings strewn through a field. Our hearts wept.
We pulled in to the little rv park were we had reservations and dropped the rv. They actually had power back but we didn't want to hookup to water as they were still under a boil notice. The title company contacted me and said because it was a cash sale, we could still close because they did not have a way to verify funds had we gone conventional because their computers were still down.
The next morning, Friday, I got ready and drove to the municipal office while my bride was getting ready. Dropped off the donation supplies and visited with the mayor for a few minutes. He said 60% of the structures were damaged and two older homes were completely destroyed. No life was lost as he ordered a mandatory evacuation in plenty time for everyone to escape.
10:30 am found us at the title company and 15 minutes later it was time for us to start clearing debris and fallen trees from Our Coastal Property!!! We lost three huge trees and without Froghunter, Honeybee, their kids (I can't believe they are getting so big!), and our new neighbor Timothy, we would not have been able to get it cleaned up this trip!
I captured over 20 hours of video and am editing it now. Hopefully next week before we head back down I'll have it uploaded. This places progress will be measured in years so join us as we make our retirement dreams a reality...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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