DC Diary: Day 4

I'm still tired when I wake up this morning. Yesterday was full of a lot of information to process and I probably stayed up later than I should have sifting through my notes, talking with Ryan over the prospects, then reading and relaxing for awhile.

Y., the real estate agent with whom we're working, picks me up at my hotel and off we go, taking a country route through Manassas, Virginia. Oh my goodness, it is BEAUTIFUL there. I'd happily ride around for an hour taking in the scenery; I'll bet it's amazing in the fall!

Summarizing the three new properties we walked through this morning is easy: they are all pretty much run-down, poorly laid out homes. Ranks for the day: all are relegated to the C-list. One in particular surprises me because it's in a really nice neighborhood. Y. ponders how the resident (I'm not sure if he's the owner or a tenant) could have the self-discipline to be in the army, yet be such a slob at home. I don't know what to tell her about that one.

Then we re-visit yesterday's "final four" homes. My opinion of them doesn't change much as I walk through them; they're all lovely houses that have been well cared for.

Reflection:

It goes without saying that relocating to a new area is hard. In addition to learning your way around, finding new churches, doctors, stores, friends, and activities (not to mention the heartbreak of leaving old friends behind), you have to get used to new ideas.

Here are some ideas I've had to wrap my mind around:

• For the last five years we've parked our camper at our home. That is probably not going to happen here since the most garage you'll find might hold two cars, and not much else.
• It is impossible to find more than a quarter acre in certain cities around here, since the zoning and codes require that lots not exceed that size.
• It is customary here to convey washing machines and dryers with the house you sell.
• There are as many, if not more, people here than there are in the last five cities I've lived in combined.
• Property is outrageously expensive. This has been a really big mental hurdle for me.
• Begging pardon for the language, but some people really, really don't give a damn about the condition of their home. I'd be embarrassed to offer up my home  for sale if it was in the condition that a few of these homes are in.

After a busy morning we eat a late lunch at an authentic Korean restaurant in Fairfax. Oh my, what a treat! We enjoy several varieties of kimchi with rice and some beef bulgogi, as well as a seafood pancake. I haven't eaten Korean food like this in over ten years- it is fresh and delicious! I've eaten on the run a lot since I've been here so it's good to sit down and eat a good, nourishing meal. I am a little rusty at using chopsticks but it comes back to me and I don't embarrass myself too much.

I'm glad we've wrapped up early today. I take a long walk around a lake near my hotel to clear my head; there are about a half-dozen properties in another neighborhood I'll look at tomorrow morning. Then it will be decision time!