Returning from our three day whirlwind tour of NC to look for houses, I have come to the decision that house hunting is just like dating. Nothing is perfect, you just have to decide what you are willing to overlook for a 30 year marriage...I mean, mortgage.

My husband and I are a complimentary couple; I believe the glass is half full and he believes someone is going to take the glass away before he can pour the water. Most of the time it works, especially with major purchases. Being a cop and a now catastrophe insurance claim guy, he is a worst case scenario freak. Being a gypsy, I've survived enough worst case scenarios to think it's not the end of the world. I have no business buying a house based on the places I have lived and the conditions I have tolerated. I thought a house was perfect and he said, "For a five year house, the tar strip on the shingles should have been under the next highest shingle. This roof wouldn't pass inspection." I could tell you that U2 shot their "Streets Have No Name" video on a roof, but I can't determine when one close to collapsing. Another house had a huge kitchen, now, if you read my LA blog you would understand that any kitchen for me is a good kitchen. He said, "the drawers are not dovetail, it's a piece of shit." My children are worse help than me because they want the house with the most acorns.

For this reason, we have worked out a house hunting plan. I play kid wrangler and he plays buyer. I don't even unfasten the car seats unless he comes back out and gives me the "hi"sign.  My only kudos is that of the houses that almost passed his inspection, our "favorites", have been ones I have picked aesthetically by looking at pictures online. I must be somewhat in tune, but even so, he did point out their few flaws...all of which I could live with. But could I live with him living with them is the question. We continue to look.

So, what do we want? An acre lot, trees that surround the sides(I've had my share of close neighbors), transitional (a new term for me) with a wrap around porch, a screened in porch and a grilling patio. Ideally a jack and jill bathroom for future quarreling teen girls and a guest room w/ bath for my MIL (Obama Mama  and FIL and a Target nearby. Okay, that's what I want. He wants a list of qualities that I never knew existed with "attention to detail" and a 24ft wide garage. Oh, and a grilling patio, too. We continue to look.

We are in the speed dating phase of our mortage pursuit, and just like dating, on the surface everything looks good. The really bad ones get eliminated after 30seconds and the others we exchange emails to find out more about each other. It won't be until we spend some real time that we start to see the cracks. What I hope hubby realizes is that just like marriage there will still be flaws that reveal themselves as time goes by, the "I never saw that when we bought it" surprise. At that point, it's all in how you look at it.