In this strange land, her H begged her to put some inner city roots down. She finally caved in to his demands and began what is now known as the longest house search in history. (Probably not but, just go with it people.)
After a casual mention that my H and I may be in the market to buy a house in Baltimore, a co-worker/manager/Baltimore native informed me that I "have to use her realtor". She said her name was 'Andrea' and she was terrific. Then she gave me someone named James' phone number. Looking at her a little perplexed she explained that Andrea was probably way too busy to sell a puny house to little old me and that I should call her business partner James, who she assured me was equally as wonderful. Adding a, "seriously, you will love him". (Oh how right she was!)
H and I decided it was best for me to spearhead this Great Search because, I had a little more time than H (am far superior at multi tasking) and I am way more picky. H's motto is, "happy wife, happy life" and he had faith that I would find the perfect home for us. So, I left a message on James' voicemail.
James and I met shortly there after and The Great Search began, May 22, 2011. (One year, two and a half months ago-but, who's counting?!)
At our first meeting James brought along a newly christened realtor named, Dawson (like the Creek). I presume he did this as a safety precaution, thinking there is protection in numbers. You know, just in case I decided to put a knife to his throat, abduct him, and turn his bones into wind-chimes.
But, alas it wasn't Tuesday and I only do those sorts of things on Tuesdays.
James and my rapport quickly grew and during a few sweltering summer months our Great Search began to pick up speed. Pretty soon we were contacting each other almost daily via email, text, phone, or in person. James is a down to earth guy with a great sense of humor and a deep knowledge of all things 'Bawlmer'. We got along just swimmingly and James quickly understood just what I was looking for.
He began calling me "Princess" because, of my exquisite taste and overwhelming charm. Or perhaps it is just a tongue-in-cheek reference to my champagne taste with a beer budget. I like to think it is the former. I call him "Punkin", for no reason other than its an affectionate term and that I adore him.
During the Great Search we saw a lot of houses. A LOT OF HOUSES! I think we looked at 278 but, James thinks the number was closer to 80. (Maybe it just felt like more.) Have I mentioned that James is incredibly patient and a whole lot of fun? I can't think of very many other people I would want to spend all that time and energy with.
A fateful day in late September came along when James recommended we take a look at a couple of "new construction/tax credit" houses. One, was just about to hit the Market and the other was in the (very) new construction phase, both were being renovated by the same contractor. (Guess who?)
We first looked at the house under construction because it was our understanding that that house would be priced in our budget. I didn't love the location. But, it did have some great "bones" and it was an end of row home so, it had lots of windows and light. But, it is hard to see the house's true potential when its in that state. So, we went over to the other house that had recently been completed to see what this contractor's finished products looked like.
Even after repeating my mantra "do not fall in love with this house, it is out of your price range, do not fall in love with this house..." I did.
I was in love! Like, love at first sight, head over heals, actually excited about moving into Baltimore City. In Love!
That weekend we met with our (then) mortgage guy to go over some of the other houses I had seen lately that we were toying with putting offers on. At this point H was really pushing the move to Baltimore, poor guy was so tired of the commute. So, I felt obligated to suck it up and move already. During the last few minutes of our meeting I summoned the courage and asked the mortgage guy to provide one more estimate for my dream-y home, just to see how unachievable it was so I could finally let it go. To our SHOCK, it worked in to our budget! It was at the high end of our budget but, definitely a possibility.
After some begging H said we could "low ball" an offer on the house. Wahoo!!! James wrote up a contract for us and after a lot of back and forth between the seller (Mr. C) we got within $2,000. After conflict of egos (H) ensued, the offer was dead in the water and in the end, we did not get the house. It was under contract with another buyer two days later. At the time, James told me, "I know that no one likes to hear this but, everything happens for a reason". (It's true, I do hate hearing that phrase but, how wise James was.)
Things got tough for me after that. I had seen what I knew was possible. Tasted the sweetness of a home I would be proud to call my own and be happy to live in. I needed a break. I was emotionally spent. It had been a lot of hours of searching to find that house that we were so close (in my mind) to owning.
I told James that I needed to take 'a break'. He says it felt more like 'a break up'. Anyone remember this Friends episode? We have actually had a conversation (or five) just like this.
It wasn't him! It was me! I was spent. Looking for houses can be an emotional process. Especially for me who was trying to feel comfortable and excited about moving into a city that I wasn't quite sure about.
It took me about a month to recover. But, after a little encouragement from James I took the reins back from H who had stepped in as our point of contact. We started seeing houses again (of all kinds) although, I kept coming back to the other Mr. C home which, was H's favorite. I still didn't love this location but, was so ready to be done with this Great Search. Plus, it was a Mr. C house so, I knew that I could learn to love it. So, H and I met James one night, signed another contract and submitted it the next morning.
That very same moment H surprised me with a trip to Florida for my birthday (sweet H!). So, when we landed in Florida a few hours later we couldn't wait to turn on our phones and hear some good news!
"You've got some kind of luck kid! Call me."-James
That very same morning another couple had put an offer in on the same house. Ugh. A few hours of negotiating and a whole lot of back and forth it was apparent that this couple wanted the house much more than we did. We backed off and jumped out of an airplane. Literally.
When we returned from our lil vacation we expanded our options and explored: rentals, new construction, well worn houses, all kinds of "shells". But, I was stuck on Mr. C's product even though he didn't have anymore houses under construction.
Then, a fateful day in February and Mr. C came to our rescue. He put us in touch with an investor/property owner who was just dying to get these two little "shells" off of his hands. Mr. C offered to renovated the property with us and after a bit of paperwork, a few meetings, an offer, and a closing, the Great Search concluded. James was finally through with us! At least in a business sense. (Like I'm letting you get outa this relationship that easily Punkin!)
So in the end, rather than ending up with a fabulous commission that only required a little bit of searching and a whole lot less heart-ache and emotion, James ended up with a teeny tiny commission, and two friends who would do anything for him and his little family. (G,G,O)
James stuck with us during the good times and the bad. Has has introduced us to a slew of amazing people and events in Charm City. He cared about not only how he could find us a house, he cared about finding the house we could call 'home'. James is a highly motivated, respectful, professional man who is dedicated to his clients and their needs. He is the best of the best. The cream of the crop. The Great Punkin!
James is my Punkin, my "soul mate" (-per Andrea), my friend. I am almost as excited to move to Baltimore so H and I can be in our new, amazing house as I am to be closer to my BBFF (Baltimore best friend forever).
Thank you Punkin, for everything!
P.S. Andrea is absolutely wonderful as well. She is a lot like James, only in female form. (Which, may mean she's even better - cause girls>boys (wink, wink))
If you are ever in the market to buy, sell, or rent in the Baltimore, Maryland area you would be a fool not to contact James and Andrea (and I pity the Fool!).
If, you want more information on the amazing Baldwin and Griffin team please click on the picture above.
