I went to look at Townhouses Thursday

[judy]

I met with my new RE agent, Edwin. He's in Kingston, NY. He's also Pres. of the Ulster County RE Board, so he knows the whole area well.

We looked at 3 townhouses in the same community. The 2 duplexes were nice, but not exactly what I want. They both need flooring, paint jobs, and one needs all new appliances. This one is a foreclosure, and I can probably get a very good buy.

I don't like the fact that there's no grassy land around it that would be mine. There's an area in the front, but it's concrete. There's also a lovely patio off the master bedroom on the 2nd floor. I can certainly use the grassy area on the side of the house, but I can't leave my ex-pen out, for example. It's got a large living room and a nice kitchen on the first floor, 2 nice sized bedrooms on the 2nd floor, and the 3rd bedroom is downstairs in the basement. This opens out in the front onto the cemented area. This is the one that needs appliances.

The 2nd duplex has just been put on the market, and they're asking too high a price for it. I liked a lot about it, except the kitchen. I hated the cabinets. Also, the stove is black and the fridge is white, although they're pretty new. It also needs flooring and a paint job.

Edwin, the realtor is looking into the prices he can get me for flooring. I think laminate is fine. No more carpeting with dogs,
and wood doesn't do it for me anymore. Too much care is needed, and I'm tired of it.

The city of Kingston is really nice in the area of the condo community. Very artsy and pretty upscale. There is a parking problem though! They have some parking lots, and parking meters. Don't you think I got a meter ticket! (I may have to live there - I'm already on the books).

And, no - I won't be calling their judge an idiot!

Jessie doesn't want me to rush into this. She wants me to find a place I absolutely love. I don't think, in my price range, and because I have such specifics I want, that there are that many available that are close enough to her. I want a pool, a duplex, a nice area, a nice view, low monthly payments,etc., etc. Oh - and a town were there's culture and nice shopping. Kingston has both and is very close to New Paltz, a college town. That's also on my list.

Actually, I'm feeling confused. I really don't want to be more than an hour and 1/2 from Jessie. She feels that I should look 2 hours away, but I don't want to. She's feeling fine now, but I don't know if that's going to last. On the other hand, she could decide to up and move some day - but that's her choice. I really think my choice is to live as close as possible without being so far north as she is.

I think I will leave this one up to God. I'm not saying I'll just sit here mindlessly waiting, but I'll know what to do when it's the right place.