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I'm not sure how I wondered onto a post from a year ago, but it's exactly what I needed to read right now! I've been deeply frustrated at the seemingly fast closing window to purchase a home as a single woman in a major US city. But when I think about the reasons I want to own a home (painting a bathroom my favorite color! a backyard for my dog to run around in every morning while I water the flowers I planted with my parents! a big enough kitchen to fit more than one person while I'm hosting book club!), I'm sure I can do all those things while renting, too. Thanks for the perspective shift, Teresa!

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Love that fresh perspective! I currently have a leak in my ceiling and they're telling me I have to tear off the entire roof soooo I sure wish I were a renter right now, haha.

Thanks for reading! <3

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We just bought our first home and we actually move in tomorrow! EEK! While the process has been daunting (see: ness and gad stressing out every week for the past 2.5 years) we are unbelievably excited to get settled specifically so we can host friends and family. So your reason for home ownership resonates deeply. PS - If you've ever wanted to venture to Toronto, we're gladly accepting visitors! But you must bring both puppers ;)

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Congrats!!! It really does feel so different to own your home and be able to shape it into exactly what you love over the years. LOVE Toronto, can't wait to visit :)

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Apr 24, 2023Liked by Teresa Wu

We love staying with you guys and hanging around that gorgeous kitchen island! đŸ¥°

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My partner and I are in the process of closing on our first home together and it’s been a stressful but wonderful experience. I can’t stop fantasizing about setting up the space. It’s been interesting to observe what we collectively value in putting together this home and how often we’re thinking about each other and our friends and family.

I know things will get more stressful once we close, but so far I’m enjoying the ride!

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Thank you for sharing this! I’m currently feeling so frustrated with our home with repair after repair and you definitely have a positive perspective!

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Having a physical manifestation of my personality helps me feel real. I could always *sort of* do this in rentals, but owning really lets me go hog wild.

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Apr 21, 2023·edited Apr 21, 2023

I can resonate with this so much and have been thinking about this a lot lately. Yes, homeowner is a b****. We are in an older home so the first year was lots of repairs and painful learning processes; I can barely put away much into my savings now after home and baby expenses; and I often look around my house and think how did we already accumulate so much stuff and why do I feel like it's so messy?

So what makes it amazing is the memories and people that have been in it. Now that we moved out of state , we have family and friends that come visit for days or weeks at a time. We've hosted holidays here, that we could have never done in our micro condo that we used to live in. And now with a baby, I am so grateful to be in our home and have the space for my baby to Play, be safe, and thrive.

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Give yourself grace, it's not just you—even the neatest of neat freak friends that I have find their homes turned upside-down mess-wise once they have babies :) I don't even have kids and my house looks like a mess 70% of the time, haha.

To your point, I think owning a home becomes even more meaningful once you start a family! I love the idea of having a place where you can carve out exactly the spaces you need for your babies and their evolving needs.

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Apr 21, 2023Liked by Teresa Wu

I also love hydrangeas and need to try this trick! Ugh home ownership IS a B*tch but I do love making a house a home - esp since renting seems so temporary/fleeting it makes it harder to devote the necessary TLC to make it home-y

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