...help...

[shepgirl]

Catty, sorry to hear you are going through such a fearful time right now, but I do agree with the others about you being the rock here. You were one of the first people I met by pm on here and I was always glad you cleared things up withme. So I'll be thinking of you throughout the night and day tomorrow. I know when the chips are down you will find the strength to rally to the challenge.

What really amazed me is the price you were paying for a 2 bedroom condo, out here this would be at least $900 and sometimes not all inclusive.

I know your real estate agent will give you his best advice and will help you through this rough spot.

[Catty1]

Hi, everyone.

First - shepgirl, my mortgage for the condo is $569.00; the $320 maintenance fee is on top of that, so it is about $917.00. The taxes are inlcluded in the mortgage; heat and hot water in the fees (as well as snow removal, garbage pickup, etc). Electricity and cable TV are extra.

Sometime around 6 pm yesterday (Sunday), I found that "I" was back. That horrid distorted thinking that sat in my head like a steel cage and had me so horribly scared of everything had gone. WHEW!

I did some writing last night, and have been able to keep a good head on - today I even walked to a meeting and back, 15 minutes each way - it was a breakthrough as I haven't 'walked' in months.

Work today was ok...no panics on my part...I didn't come home all tense and stuff.

THANK YOU all for the support, and the phone call, and everything. I am working - like, homework! - on moving forward and REALLY taking care of myself. One day at a time.

OH - and I emailed my realtor and said "let's get me out of this place and find another one for me to live in"!

{{{{hugs}}}} to you all.

[carole]

I could not agree more,Candace you always go that extra mile to help anyone out, you take the time to research things out and help people,you are amazing, i have often thought it and now want to say it, i am sorry you are having this troublesome and worrying time ahead of you, i am sending you giant hugs and positive vibes that everything will work out ok for you and you will be able to continue to live where you are, take care and all the best.

[Catty1]

Thanks, Carole, and to everyone.

I have called the mortgage broker my realtor recommended, and she and I are having a meeting on Friday afternoon. I'm just doing my homework and getting 'pre-approved'.

Out of the 12 units in my building, at least 6 are for sale...mine would be the 7th.

It will be interesting to see what the meeting about this on the 24th turns up. When I state my opinion that the building is not worth pouring all the money into - Alberta is an oil province. It goes through booms and busts. This building is one that was built during a "boom" around 1980. This means it was likely built in a hurry - and it was run down a bit when it became condos instead of apartments...and the first management company to have really let it slide, and spent money in inappropriate ways.

The new management company and the Board are really good...but this massive repair facing all of us just may not be feasible.

A homeowner might have to go into debt with a loan to replace a roof...but doing that will add some resale value to the home. Here - all the repairs would not increase the benefit to anyone, and would increase our costs tremendously. As it is...the main repairs, replacing two boilers and two roofs, will not even be completed for about 6 years. Worth waiting for? I can't afford to.

Thanks again folks.

{{{hugs}}}

[Bengalz]

Hi Candace,

I haven't been on PT much (work + life have taken over...especially work) however, I just had to pop in and give you my best You are always so supportive of everyone here and now it's your turn to get some back.

Not sure where exactly you're located but Alberta living costs are outrageous at the moment - real estate being one of the major factors. Your situation and feelings are understandable and I sincerely hope a good solution is soon to be yours. Is location a big deal for you? Have you thought about moving to one of the smaller surrounding communities - would that work at all? A very dear friend of mine did just that and she is a much happier lady.

Please keep your chin up and all of us informed. A lot of good vibes here to keep you focused and get that problem solved!

Hugs

Betty

[phesina]

Dear Candace, I'm so sorry you've been going through such a bad patch.

Just wanted to add our words and thoughts of encouragement and love.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~~PURRS~~~~~,
Pat, Peony, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, and Priscilla Angel

[Catty1]

...wow...I am feeling so much warmth from this thread...it's SO nice...like a group hug!

Bengalz - my town USED to be a small community, but has grown a lot, being so near Calgary. There are good affordable places here - much of the town has kept its small-town feel, which is good. My chiropractor's receptionist and her hubby live in a townhouse complex that I was looking at. The places are affordable - and I get to have a garage! (And maybe an extra bedroom to foster a kitty or two! )

Anyway - first to get 'pre-approved', and go from there.

thank you, friends.

[Emeraldgreen]

...wow...I am feeling so much warmth from this thread...it's SO nice...like a group hug!

GROUP HUG!!

I'm sorry I didn't see this thread until tonight. I tend to stay in the cat and dog section and forget that there are important things being posted in general!

I'm sorry that you are going through so much right now. It sounds very overwhelming and I can understand why you felt so scared. Your home is your safe zone, it's everybody's safe zone and when that is threatened, it's upsetting!

I think your plan to find a new place is a great idea. A new adventure awaits you! And, hopefully it will be a place that is more affordable and perfect for you and your fur family.

Please keep us updated with the latest. Praying that everything falls into place for you just as it should. It will!

p.s. it might feel good to make a 'vision board' and make that list of everything you want into images. Tear pics out of magazines along with any images and make a collage filled with what you want your life to be about. Look at it every day and believe. Dream big! You deserve it. You have been there for everyone on PT and you definitely have the support of everyone here as well.

[shepgirl]

Okay, now that I feel stupid for thinking you were paying so litle for a condo I have to say how glad I am that you took the bull by the horns and got yourself out of that misery hole you were in. Would have been too good to fing a place for so little I guess...
Glad you already found a new place and I'm sure you won't have trouble getting approved.
Come and knock some sense into me anytime...lol.

[Catty1]

LOL shepgirl, no problem! I haven't found a place yet...the mortgage lady needs to tell me WHAT I can afford, if anything, and then we send my realtor to find me a home!

The meeting about all this is Tuesday night...some people own these condos and rent them out, so maybe they just raise the rent and it's ok - but I can't afford to rent this place out AND buy another one.

So...we'll see.

[carole]

Wishing you all the best Candace, i hope it all works out well for you, thinking of you, keep us posted and updated won't you, HUGS.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Sorry for not seeing this thread sooner....

Cheer up, dear Candace, I am sure there will be a good end to this! You deserve it!!
Big hug!!

LUT

[shepgirl]

At these prices I would be doing some searching too, Isn't it the pits when rents go up by that much. Keeping my fingers crossed that you find something nice that agrees with your pocketbook...

[Catty1]

Monday night, got home about 6:15...there was a message from the mortgage broker saying she had gone over the numbers and wanted to talk to me about a couple of things....so I left HER a message...phone tag.

Tomorrow night is the meeting on the Reserve Fund Study - all about this condo repairs and fee increase and stuff.

So, things will be clearer by Wednesday morning.

I had three meltdowns today...maybe I don't belong in an office...anyway, the benefits cover counselling, so will see if job counselling - as in, how to adjust, is part of the plan.

I'll keep you posted.

[kimlovescats]

I'm just now catching up some here on PT. I'm sorry to hear of your struggles right now! Moving is stressful enough without feeling like it isn't really your choice! I hope you get some good news from your realtor!