We Bought a House: "This is a HUGE mistake!!" | ONE YEAR HOUSE HUNTING JOURNEY
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- WE BOUGHT A HOUSE...which is easy to say, but house hunting is NOT that simple! After sharing our empty house tour, I got a lot of questions about how to save money and buy a house in such a tough market. That's why today, my husband and I sat down to share our home-buying experiences, things we wish we'd known sooner, and answer your BIGGEST question about buying a house from a couple who have been practicing frugal living and minimalism for over 15 years!
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ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
Along my journey to let go of 30 years of clutter, I accidentally became a minimalist and it was life-changing.
Before, I was an emotional hoarder with nothing but the clutter from lost loved ones - and $25,000 of debt - to my name. Now I have a beautiful home in Europe, a happy family, live debt-free, and - best of all - wake up to a life that I’m EXCITED to live every day.
My mission is to help you conquer your clutter and simplify YOUR way to a happier and better life. HERE'S OUR STORY: atozenlife.com/about-a-to-zen...
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NOTE: This description may contain affiliate links; these links allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no additional cost to yourself. While this channel may earn a small amount when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. - Навчання та стиль
What house-hunting or home-buying tips would you like to share? Drop them in the comment section below (and please don't forget to like this video. 😊) Empty House Tour here: ua-cam.com/video/FUctJd1OSLE/v-deo.htmlsi=e_LiaQaliTjCN2Ef (in case you missed it!)
Ach! I sometimes comment, but I forget to like. Sorry, I’ll do that now.
@@thesender6793 Thanks for both ✌️😉
@AtoZenLife Is a basement or garage part if the square footage listed or only the rooms?
Also can u do a video on thr best types of investing..spotting good vs bad etc
For me I basically had three wants. That’s it. I knew if I tried to get everything I wanted it would never happen.
Are you back in Germany ? Because of the background ❤❤❤❤
I'm always astonished by the people whose questions and comments indicate that they have all of the right answers for every single person on Earth and can therefore tell you everything you are doing "wrong." I can only hope you are able to completely ignore them. I think you have an amazing family and have chosen a great home. Best wishes as you begin this new chapter. ❤🚪
Amen to that. Enjoy your wonderful choice for your family. Love learning from you!
I LOVE seeing you with your husband ❤ you light up around him ♥️ you can tell he’s your person.
Aw, thank you! I was so excited to have him in the video, hahaha. 😁
@@AtoZenLife And of course his awesome hair.
I love that you call him Mr. Zen💜💜💜
It is crazy to me that people have opinions about where you live and why and what you like and why. And the size of your house or the amount of storage you have. We are all different. Enjoy your life and congratulations on the new house it is beautiful.
The two of you seem like an amazing duo, so much in sync with each other. Thank you for sharing all your tips and being so honest about your experience.
TY Mr. Zen for joining the Q&A. :-)
I really enjoyed seeing the respect and love you both expressed in how you each allowed the other to speak without interrupting when you spoke. Very balanced conversation. And how you each looked at the other person when they were speaking in such a loving manner.
My daughter and her husband bought a house 4 years ago. It was very frustrating for them. They looked at many houses and were turned down because they hadn't sold their house yet. My husband and I offered for them to move in with us so they could sell their place and make settlement. They moved in and found a great place but they were outbid. But the person had over bid so much the bank wouldn't give them a loan. My daughter was then given a second chance and they bought the house. They are still making changes to make it their own. It is on a wonderful street with the best neighbors. My grandson has so many friends.
Oh my goodness, what a journey! I’m so glad it worked out for them in the end. 👏
@@AtoZenLife They are very happy with how it all turned out.
Thank you for sharing your story! So glad they found a great spot!
Yay for a happy ending ❤
Oh my goodness, that really does look like My Neighbor Totoro - I love it 😍
Right? We love it too. When I went back and looked at the footage from MNT I can’t believe how alike it looked 🙌
Always fun when Mr. Zen makes an appearance! I can’t wait to see you decorate your new space and make it your own! Thank you for confirming you were filming in Germany. I noticed right away! Ha
Was so nice to have your husband on this video. Your home is so beautiful, the patio room is my favorite! Less is more. I have always enjoyed your videos through the years. Thank you for sharing!😊
Hi, Marissa! So glad to see Mr. Zen again and in your beautiful Berlin home! I've been hoping for some time that you bring Mr. Zen back to your channel because I find his approach to life healing for the soul. Once again, he didn't dissapoint, he said just what I needed to hear: "we are guests of a house". Love to you, guys!
I missed that part where they said they were doing the video in the Berlin home!
I agree, he is very nice to listen to and they compliment each other so well it is lovely to see.
@@Thomas63r2We should have known better from the background! But after seeing so many of her videos filmed in that home it wasn’t registering in my brain 😂
@@user-ep6ux6tl8e Me too! Now all I want to know is if anyone has figured out the square feet and room layout of their new house.
When you buy get an inspection and follow the inspector around. That way you can hear first hand what needs work what to do maintenance on first etc.
This is a great tip 👆 Husband and I went with different inspectors so we could hear what each said (sewer, home, roof, etc)
A friend of ours went round with the inspector and record your conversation so you can refer back to it .
The inspector was ok with this.
@@Smithjones12That’s a great idea for me to remember when we buy our next house in a retirement community.
Things change so much over time too. 18 years ago I bought on a sleepy quiet little street. It’s now full of huge buildings and has gotten quite noisy. I really hope yours stays quiet. I’m a quiet lover too. 😩
Love what you said about balancing each other out. I've always disliked the term "opposites". Men and women are not "opposites". We are complimentary.
In a good marriage, we compliment each other, and together we make one complete and wonderful entity, like you said. 💕
I love your new house and glad you were able to click off your boxes. Also, I would be excited about storage space even if I didn't not use it. Empty spaces give the best feeling. Congratulations on your new home.
Thanks so much, Denise, I agree - it’s nice to have storage options 🙌
So much more comfortable to have good storage that you don't fill up rather than not enough or not practical!
I am in the Chicago suburbs and sold my house recently. I gave up on buying another house for now because I kept getting outbid. And the interest rates were going up, which I was not comfortable with. I’m in an apartment for now and will hopefully try again next year. I was surprised that there are a lot of others in my apartment complex in the same situation as me. I’m glad you were able to find something. ❤
Your husband seems so steady and level headed. What a mature and lovely relationship you guys have!
At the beginning I was like:"their new house looks so similar to their house in Germany". 😂😂😂
I hope you are happy and make great memories in your new space.
Thank you so much for sharing. I've learned a lot, hopefully one day i will be able to use that knowledge in the future🤞🏽💜
You remind me of my husband and me because people didn't understand why we were frugal, despite both having well-paid jobs. It all made sense when we finally bought the home of our dreams - spacious enough for just the two of us, with plenty of storage space that we hardly use (because we're cheap, haha). My husband has an old-fashioned saying, 'penny-wise and pound-foolish' - we're thrifty with small purchases but sometimes spend unwisely on bigger ones. Unfortunately, many people do the opposite and struggle to save for larger projects. Enjoy your beautiful house! Best from Bogotá, Colombia!
Your new home looks terrific. The “sunroom” and view would be worth the price for me. Hoping you have many years of happy memories and beautiful times there.
It’s just so special 🥹
Mr. Zen: “Yeah I fully agree with you Marissa…”
Me: 👍😃
Congratulations on your new home! Thank you for sharing this video. I liked how you and your husband complimented each other with the practical side and emotional side of home buying. It’s a great balance. I’m so happy for you! 🎉
“Stewards of our homes…” that took my breath away. I agree, and I feel disappointed, sad, and angry at how often landlords in our area fail to take care of homes correctly while keeping rents as high as possible. We can’t buy in yet, but I would feel a responsibility to the public resource that a house ultimately is if we could buy one.
Landlords have a moral obligation to maintain their property, but so many don't it is sad! But not all landlords!
This video makes my heart so happy! I love 💕 how supportive you are of each other. Thank you for making these videos. 😊 And congrats on your new house purchase! It’s BEAUTIFUL!
Your story about the bamboo and how it looks like nothing is happening sounds just like my experience with decluttering. It looks like nothing is changing for a long time, then it seems like all of a sudden there's a huge change. It isn't really all of a sudden, but it's like there's a threshold reached and it's practically magical at how much the space looks different. I know my husband is like that, too. He doesn't see any change happening, then one day, there it is!
That is so true, the same thing 💯 applies to decluttering - good observation 🙌
so cute to see y'all back in the berlin living room :) congrats on the new house!
I was like "How are they filming this in their house in Germany?" Then you explained it😂 Love when Mr Zen makes an appearance, he is so cool & sweet...you really suit each other Marissa. Love the new house (I thought it has a really zen asian vibe/look too. Can't wait to see more more more! Bridget💞🚪
I don't think the size of a house has anything to do with minimalism. You could have a small house but fill it full or a big house and have a lot space for an airy feeling.
That’s so true 💯
💯
I love a big, open house with minimal items/decor. Not NO items/decor, just minimal. It's very refreshing.
I feel so warmly and caring for you and your family. It's difficult to choose a favorite UA-cam personality because of my many interests, but I am willing to go on a limb and say that it is you and Mr. Zen and the boys. Thank you for being honest and open and informative and kind and wise and generous and fearless, etc.
I think you guys did a great job finding a house. What a beautiful yard and the volume of the spaces is just lovely. As a past midwestern girl I love that modern vibe of Chicago homes❤
Cicadas are considered lucky as they represent renewal & transformation! 🤗
Praises to you for standing up for your property line. I can relate to your feelings. A neighbor built a fence one foot over our property line, but my parents preferred not to do anything about it to avoid trouble. (I came in through the Door).
🚪 Love that! "We're just guests of a house."
I don’t know how they count square footage where you are Marissa, but as someone who has owned a house in four different states I can say that it is amazing how differently square footage is counted in different states. My friends in Michigan marvel at how huge all the houses in Virginia are until I explain how square footage here is calculated. People need to stop comparing and judging. I hope you enjoy your new house. It is beautiful and the quality is obvious even over the screen.
What?! I’ve calculated square footage for flooring & other surfaces for over 40 years, throughout TX, AZ, GA, & FL. It’s measured the same across the nation.
@@sunshine3914 I agree with patty. All you have to do is a Google search and see the conflicting answers. In our last house, they counted an outdoor front porch in the tax revaluation! They (tax evaluations) did not in our current house one town away - in the same county!
I love your home. It has so much character. Your two are so right about the previous owners. They clearly took great care of that home. That’s important to me as well. I’m following a handful of inspectors so that I can learn what to look for when home hunting. I’m looking for an older cottage. No flips or new construction for me! Absolutely not!
Wishing you good luck with your search!! 🙌
@@AtoZenLife Thank you. ☺️
Love your discussion at the end re being stewards of your home and the Chinese bamboo growing 4 years underground and then shooting up 80 feet in a blink. Very nice!
So nice to see Mr. Zen! You guys are fantastic together. Really enjoyed this Q & A. And I am excited to see how you make the space your own !! You couldn’t have chosen a better home for yourselves! Actually, I think the house picked you. It’s perfect! I can just see your boys enjoying the yard when there is snow on the ground.
Thanks for sharing. I'm not planning on moving, but I enjoyed watching you and Mr. Zen talk about your new home!
Anyway, minimalists can have a big house. There are a lot of people who get mixed up with essentialists.🤦♀️
💯 Minimalism looks different for everyone
I love your new house! I definitely like the MCM style that leans more natural/zen. You are so right about that porch being like My Neighbor Totoro! The open entryway, kitchen, porch, and den/study are all so nice (and offer so much built-in storage!) 🤩
A survey is so important. Years ago we bought a house made into a daycare. It was built in 1930. Our neighbor said our building was on the line. Our property was really in the middle of the city street! Because it went from residential to business zoning, he could build on the property line up next to ours, making it unsafe for a daycare. We ended up selling for a new building to be built on it. It took 2 years to sell it. It was a small town so demand for commercial property was low.
What your husband said about being guests of a house really resonated with me. I completely agree. That philosophy can apply to other areas as well especially the Earth. I will carry that philosophy with me & share it with my kids ☺️ Thank you guys for sharing Best wishes & house blessings to you 🙏🏻💞
I had the same happen to me, I went for a house initially and we lost it, but in the end we ended up with the house of our dreams compared to the one we lost. So even though you feel like you missed out, there is most likely a better one waiting for you ❤
That’s awesome, it was meant to be! Thanks so much for watching and take care. ❤️
Same here…bought 3rd one after losing two and got a better house.
Congratulations!! Very happy for you and your family. Your new home is a beautiful choice!
Marissa, this is such a GREAT video!!! I have been resisting minimalism because I enjoy the things I’ve acquired in my 60 years. But, as I watch your journey, I am drawn to the peace and serenity a more minimal lifestyle offers. Your new home is perfect for you and your family. You will be good stewards of it. It is lovely to see you and Mr. Zen enjoying your wonderful German home this summer. Take care and safe travels back to your new home. 🏠💕
Thank you so much for your kind words and take care - wishing you all the best as you find the right balance for yourself and your own home ❤️🙏
I think your new house is beautiful. With your 2 active boys it is great. I love seeing you together This is a great video
I thought that looked like your house 😊 and that's awesome that your family lives there❤
You are so kind and mature to answer questions that should never have been asked. (mini rant here: how DARE anyone question your personal decisions? What presumption and arrogance! OK, end of rant. ) Thank you for your grace under unwarranted fire!
Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your journey despite the critics. This house hunting journey is wonderful example of marital commitment and values based decision making. The world so desperately needs more voices like yours and Mr. Zen's
Thanks Marissa & Mr Zen for all the advice. Me and my partner are currently renting & searching for our new home in the UK after recently selling our house - So far it's been a very steep learning curve & almost as stressful as selling but for different reasons, we also have 6 cat babies which is making finding a safe area for them an extra factor. Buying the right home is such a massive life step & a huge financial commitment so any advice is very welcome 🙏
9:20 the way Mr.Zen looks at you with adoration and love in agreement with your words ❤
I'm absolutely obsessed with your sun porch and yard. As a nature lover, having a space like this has always been my dream. I'm currently living in a space I don't like (apartment in the city, my bedroom window literally overlooks the kitchen in the next building and the room has no natural light). I have clinical depression, anxiety and am neurodivergent so my current space really takes a toll on me. But I'm hopeful because I'm discussing getting married and moving in with my partner within a couple of years and we are literally making our wishlist and non-negotiables for our dream home. We are poor, college kids so we are not going to buy a house anytime soon but even when renting, we need to check off our non negotiables. As minimal-ish people (who have grown up in hoarder households), we're more thane willing to compromise on space but not on having these calming, zen elements in the space we live in. Our home NEEDS to be a sanctuary for us. And I'm so glad you guys found such a place your family. I'll be showing my partner your house tour video for inspiration haha
I’ll keep my fingers AND toes crossed for you - remember, it always seems impossible until it’s done! My husband grew up poor in China and I lost everything, including my family, in my early 20s. It took a long time but we slowly climbed out of that hole and built a life for our. Wishing you all the best and lots of success doing the same! ❤️🙏
@@AtoZenLife thank you for your kind words, Marissa! ❤️
So happy that you got your home! My husband and I are still on the hunt and it is truly wild out here with people waiving inspections and so many houses going $100k + over asking. We keep losing out to people with cash offers as well. Wish us luck!
I feel you - it’s a jungle out there! Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 and sending positive energy your way.
I love your videos. I have been getting better at not buying things just to buy or to fill a space. I am making progress little by little. Thank you for all your insight. We have lived in my house for 24 years but we are looking for a retirement home somewhere in the mountains. I am keeping a list of the few things I want.
Great video, thank you both 😊 have a wonderful time in Europe!
Can't wait to see the new house all furnished and decorated! Thanks for those good advices.
Thanks so much and I’m excited to share with you 🤗
Great information that will be so helpful to someone that is in the market to buy! Love the new house 🏠… Wow!! A real Zen home.
You have a great channel with a trustworthy insight on so many things when your videos come up I’m all ears. You and your husband are such a wonderful couple!!
It was meant to be, you made a good choice. We have owned 8 houses in our 50 year marriage, we are good at renos and did well at each sale.The house previous to our current was a beautiful custom home that had been on the market for two years because the owners had put in a lot of odd things and too many things which made it look smaller than it was. We lived there seven years and when we decided to retire I pushed my husband to put the house on the market in the Spring so we could travel all summer and find a new location as it took two years to sell last time. The house actually sold in one day and we had no plan. It was all my fault, I didn't take into account that we had taken out all the weird stuff and also it had been on the Woman's club house walk in the fall and 500 people already saw it. We were down to the wire and almost had to move in with one of our kids!! The funny ending is we bought a temporary fixer upper house in a town we had never been to while we looked around. We fixed it up and like it here and have been here for eight years now! But if we move again I will already have a new house!!!
I am so happy for you and your family. I’m looking forward to watching you settle in. What a fantastic home.
A yard is a must for me. I have lived in apartments and hated that. Also I need space because we are all loud. Your house looks wonderful. 💗 The outside space
Those green trees are so beautiful. I wonder if they are deciduous? Marissa you are so lucky to both be crickets. I’m a minimalish cricket but my husband is a dung beetle - leaves stuff anywhere and everywhere and wants to keep everything
New sub here. Don't justify yourself to viewers who criticise your choices. It only encourages their self importance. Love your new house😊
Thanks so much for watching and happy to have you here!
This has been so good! Thank you!
It's so nice seeing you both filming again in your home at berlin. It's so nostalgic and everything still looks the same. We are so glad that your in laws took really good care of your house 🥺❤
We miss it so much 🥹
@@AtoZenLife I miss it too, even though I don't live there. I'm a huge supporter of yours and I knew that you've filmed a lot of motivational videos there. But still, I'm looking forward for your new journey with your new house ☺️
@@lilnxthie thanks so much for being here and all the awesome support - it’s very much appreciated ☺️
Congratulations on your new home! It looks beautiful! Good to see Mr Zen today. Enjoy your time in Berlin ❤
Thanks so much and we will, Susan ❤️
Very useful video. Thanks for sharing.
Very Interesting. Thank you both. It was good to have you both sharing.
This was so informative and interesting. Thank you both!
Goodness gracious 😱😱😱 my poor little french soul just fainted when I converted 4000 square feet to meters, I am already overwhelmed by my 1937 square feet of family mess and it is considered here in rural France like a pretty big house. Also absolutely great video 😍 I'm a realtor and comparing US regulations to French is very interesting. All the best to you 2 and your family in this new adventure 💝
same here in France too, 1180 sq m2. I listen to the .ramsey show and it seems like it is difficult to find a small house in the us
@@victoriamorris8678It depends on where you live. The US is enormous and each state is like a country, and every area within each state is unique-so you can’t make a blanket statement.
16:27 The builders can't make enough profit on small homes, so 2000 square feet+ is very average in many suburban areas. Many families want 4-5 bedrooms and 2-3 full baths and a powder room plus office, TV room, etc etc. 4000 square feet of a bigger home, but very common for families.@@victoriamorris8678
There are plenty of smaller houses in the US. Ours is just under 1100 Sq ft and I wouldn't want anything bigger! However, most new homes are very large (imo) and it's rare to see smaller *new* builds. Our home is from 1970.
I did the same conversions and felt the same shock haha. I suppose it's a matter of culture as well as how much room there is in the country (I'm in the Netherlands and the population density is super high here), but I've noticed in my own house-hunt that the balance between the house and the yard in newer builds leans towards bigger houses and (much) smaller yards. One reason why I feel more attracted to older homes :)
Love Mr. Zen. TFS.
Absolutely the BEST information regarding looking and purchasing a home!Thanks
This was such a good video !
Congratulations! I'm very happy for you and your family.
You are such a great team! Loved this video
Thank you for sharing. Love your videos!
Anyone who has found the perfect house has had a previous "perfect house" slip though their fingers. In the end it's for the best.
Excellent content! Thank you! 😊
Congrats on the new house! ❤️
So much great information! Thank you the video:) I'm glad it all worked out the way it did 🌷
Enjoyed the video! Thank you!
It is great to see you and Mr. Zen! Good video!
As soon as I signed on I noticed you were in your former home. 😃 I'm also a cricket. I feel the same way about storage space.
Keen eye! 😉
It was lovely listening to both you and your husband, share your perspectives about your home. Thank you for sharing...
Yay, looking forward to the makeovers so much
Love your new home. Congratulations! ♥ You two are fun to watch and have a lot of wisdom.
Thank you for sharing, great video 😊❤
Omg you’re at your old house, love it!
It’s great to hear from Mr Zen, again!
Can’t believe it’s been so long! 😄
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m wishing you and your family many happy years together in your new home. It was so nice to hear input from Mr Zen. You’re such a cute and sensible couple!! ❤
Many blessings to you and your family in your new home. This video shows how well prepared you are and also your family deserves it.
Enjoy it and thank you for sharing ❤
GREAT INFORMATIVE video!!!!!
Thank you for all your insightful advice and how you approach buying of a house and all that leads up to the purchase. 😊
Beautiful complicity between you two. Best video from A to Zen life
LOVED this video. SO much very useful information, taken to an awesome level by your discussion of this very important topic as a COUPLE. Thanks to both of you!
Your new home is AMAZING empty, I cannot wait to see it full of life and love!
What an amazing home you and Mr. Zen purchased! You two are so sweet with each other in this video 💕 Glad you were able to keep your home in Berlin as well! Hope you, Mr. Zen, and your boys really love getting settled into your new home 😊
Best of wishes to find furniture that works really well for you! That takes so long but worth the wait for just the right stuff. You chose such a nice home!
I bought my first house at 20, outgrew it as the children came along and bought my second at 26. Two major things I have learned from the process that most people don't talk about, is to never exceed 85% of the bank approved mortgage limit and to hire 2 different home inspectors.
Excellent video! One of your best Marissa. 😉
Great video! Buying a house is not an easy task, but you were able to find a very nice, zen one. I hope living there will be peaceful and joyful.
Thanks so much 🤗