Having Emma.

In every house that is built, there is always a story of how and why they chose that house. It may be because of the house price or the lot plan or simply just because of the location.

As for our case, we didn't choose Emma. It was as if she was chosen for us.

Given that we are currently living in a single income, it wasn't really our plan to buy a house. But then there is this agent who persuaded us to just try and have a look because as she said with the 26K gov't grant, there is really not much to cough up. And so I looked. Yes, it was only me who looked cause DH(dear hubby) really wasn't keen on the idea. And it was our agreement that he would be my back up shield just in case the agent wouldn't give up in sweet talking me into buying one. :p

The agent (lets call her Agent X) offered us a 3bedroom house on a 250sqm lot. And comparing with our current rent, the amortization was almost the same. So eventhough it was small, I thought it was still better than renting. So, I tried to convince my ever reluctant hubby. With the help of some nudging from friends, he finally caved in.

And all was set. Or so I think.

On the day that we were about to sign the reservation papers, just before we went to Agent X' place, I suddenly thought of going back to the display house that she showed me. (I still don't know why she used another developers unit to show me as her display house.) Just to see it one more time, to think it over and decide if we are really sure on what we are doing. We arrived at the display house just a minute before closing time. And here, when they say that shop closes at 5PM, they really do close at 5! No ifs, no buts! They were already locking up the place when we got there. The lady(while locking the door) asked if we wanted to look at the house, I sheepishly ask if we still can because it was almost 5 already. I was expecting that she would tell us to come back the following day, but lo and behold, she agreed and immediately opened the doors for us.

As we were inside, I told hubby that the display house that we are looking at, is almost the same as what we are going to sign for, only smaller. He just shrugged and said ok. As we were about to leave the display homes office, hubby asked the agent (let's call this other agent, Agent S.) how much was the house that we just looked at. And I was like, 'what the?!. why did he have to ask?' As if we could afford it! As I've guessed, it was way over the budget. BUT... she offered us another house. It was also a 3bedroom house on a bigger plot of land. And the price was lower as what Agent X has offered. So, bigger land + lower price, what do you think happened next? Yep, you've guessed it right. We cancelled the appointment with Agent X. Who wouldn't right? Anyway, I cancelled in a nice way. I didn't tell her any colorful story. I told her what exactly happened, and that is we were offered a place bigger on a lower price. Since she couldn't top the offer, she just said it was OK and that she would have done the same thing if it happened to her. (Though she said that only after she asked her manager to call me, who then tried to pursuade me by showing me 3bigger houses and bigger lots! But all of it was equated with bigger prices, so in reality they actually gave me no other choice but to back out from the deal. :P)

So we are already all set in getting this Cambridge house. Only problem was it only has a one car garage. Well at the moment, it ain't yet a problem. But I am positively hoping (and praying) to get my license soon and when I do, I will definitely get a car for myself. Cause really, a 3hour-commute is not what you will call fun at all! Thus the need for a two car garage. We asked how much it'll cost to extend the garage. It's a whoooping $5K! Geeeshhh, if I get that garage, I wouldn't have much money left for my car. We told agent S that we'll go home first, sleep over it and decide the next day. (In short, we will think about it. :P)

So off to home we went. As hubby was studying the floor plan, I was researching on the place that we are looking at. Was researching about the ammenities, crime rates, etc. Then I saw this lot and area package. It has the same lot area, same price as what we have been offered BUT with 4bedrooms, 2 living rooms and 2 car port garage!!!I was like, is this for real? Or are my eyes going bonkers due to excessive time facing the computer.

The following day, when we met up with Agent S, I asked her about my precious find. Asked her if it was still available. As I've expected, it wasn't available anymore. Sniff! Sniff! BUT... (she said BUT! Mind racing, heart thumping moment!) She said, "BUT I can offer you the same house, on a different lot. Price is slightly higher but it's in a move-in condition when its finished. Site costs, garage pavement, landscaping, fencing, blinds, etc. All included. You just have to move in. Would you consider?" I wanted to answer, "so when do we sign?" Any more offer better than this, and I will already be fainting I tell you!

And that is the story on how we got the Oxford.

God really knows the desires of your heart. When we were in the process of choosing where and what to buy, I didn't pray for us to get the house that we wanted. I prayed for Him to give us the house that we will be safe and be happy as a family. And he has given us the perfect house. There's a space for DH to have his game room, there's a lot of space for my two little boys to just run and jump without worrying about the neighbors, there's a space for me to let out my creative side AND there's a space for my future car! What else could we ask for?

God is really great!