Some of you
may have noticed my Facebook status back in mid-September when I mentioned that
my parent’s continuous attempt to modify their home loan with Carrington
Mortgage was ultimately rejected. We didn’t get a confirmed notice or anything
like that of date to move out. So my father figured there were options that
could buy us some time, at least enough time to keep us here through the
holidays. Nonetheless, my mom felt we needed to start looking at see what our
options were as far as affordability. And we would obviously have to resort to
renting for a while, at least until everything gets back in order. After a few
attempts by the mortgage company to foreclose on the house, my father got in
touch with a real estate company called John Hart Real Estate who ended up
doing a short sale. I’m not quite sure of the full details, but my parents felt
that it would be the best result and that we would be helped in the final move.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Just before Christmas, some investors put an
offer on the house. That’s fine, we figured, we should really consider looking
for a place and at least start packing and throwing out things we don’t need to
take with us. Then on the first week after the New Year, Carrington sent notice
that they were putting the house up for public auction on January 24. We
awaited word from the realtors about the investor’s offer, and I kept looking
for a place since my parents were too busy during the work day.
Last
Wednesday, I managed to get in touch with a realtor about a home for rent in
Cypress and made an appointment for my parents to see the house. We got home
that night and received a phone call from the realtors. The investor’s offer
was accepted, and they offered to pay cash on the grounds that they close
escrow in 10 days. They wanted to beat Carrington to the auction date. That
meant we have to be out of this house by January 21. And John Hart is not
offering any relocation allowance to my parents. They want the cash, they
basically threw my parents under the bus. Eff them. Amid the panic of having to
pack, we had to basically hope and pray that this home in Cypress would work out
for us. We moved the appointment up from Saturday to the next night on
Thursday. My mom felt that if we went prepared with plenty of documentation and
a written explanation of what got them to this point, we could have a real good
chance of the home owner accepting our application. We all went to see the
house and met the realtor who was very kind and understanding of our situation.
Fortunately, she said she would be meeting with the homeowner after our
appointment that night and could get all of the information to her right away,
and said she could let us know by 9pm that night. So we went home crossing our
fingers and ate dinner on pins and needles. Then at 8 o’clock the realtor
called and asked if my parents could meet the next day to sign a contract and
discuss payment arrangements. Our application was accepted!
By early
afternoon the next day, my parents told Louis, Richard and I that the house
keys were in their hands and packing would commence immediately. Nervous and excited,
we’ve begun to pack up and sort through the last 19 years of our lives this
past weekend. It sounds intense, but it’s going pretty well so far. We’ve all
started packing some small things since October, like CDs and DVDs, books and
knick knacks. And for the most part, we got rid of a lot of clothes since last
May through the neighborhood yard sale and donations. All that’s left is just
sorting through what’s left. We’re not gonna worry about completely cleaning
and hauling off everything we’re not gonna keep. With only 10 days notice, screw
them, it’s not our problem anymore.
The house we’re
moving to is a 2 story home with 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms with a pool and Jacuzzi.
Kitchen and bath are remodeled, new carpet and paint, perfect for a large
family like ours. We’ll be much more comfortable with all of that space. It’s
off of Ball Road and Walker Street, very nice and quiet neighborhood. Close to
Austin’s school, Cypress College is also very close, so Louis will be transferring
there in the Fall. He’ll have to finish out the Spring semester at Cerritos
College because he’s already been registered for classes since November, and if
he tries to transfer now, his VA benefits will get delayed. And now my parents
and Richard won’t have to make that crappy drive to and from work on the 91 and
5 freeways from Anaheim and Garden Grove. They could take the streets now if
they want. It’s a few short minutes from a Costco and plenty other retail and
restaurants, one of my doctors is also very close by, and even closer to
Disneyland now as well (hehe). My parents signed a one-year lease, and the
option to buy was mentioned. But we’ll have to see if the homeowner agrees to
offer the option after the year.
After all of
the struggles we’ve been through over the years, we were so worried that this
last minute find was too good to be true. But maybe our luck and circumstances
are finally starting to turn around for the better. We’ve prayed and held on to
hope and faith for a long time, and I’m very grateful to God for watching over
us and seeing us through this struggle. Naturally, I will continue to show my
thanks and do my best to help my parents as we adjust to our new home. I’ll
miss a few things about this neighborhood, like the paisa parties our neighbors
behind us would throw. I won’t miss the helicopters that seemed to come around
like clockwork nearly every night at 11pm. I’ll miss being a short drive away
from my friends, but I know Cypress won’t be that much further. And again with
the helicopters, I won’t miss the occasional midday police standoff with yet
another criminal hiding out nearby.
Some of my
favorite memories of living in this house are typical, but still sweet. My high
school graduation party and countless birthday parties. Bringing Austin home on
Thanksgiving Day 2008. Having my grandma with us up until her last days. Sharing
my bedroom with my baby cousin Tawny as we helped babysit her throughout her
first year after being born. All memories for the books.
It’s gonna
be a rough week for me personally. I still have to work this week because we
have inventory tonight and tomorrow night. I’ll have a day off on Wednesday,
then have to work till 2:30 in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday. It’ll be a
good paycheck, and with all of us working together in our free time, we should
be alright. Saturday we can start moving furniture in and begin staying there. The
weekend will be quite hectic, but we’ve managed to get help. I’m excited and
anxious. Sure wish I didn’t have to work this week, but the paycheck will help
greatly next week. So, here’s to better days ahead for all of us. Orange
County, here we come.
