MOVING ON TO AN AMAZING NEW LIFE

Stacy announced the breakup of her marriage on Facebook. I will never forget. It was a Friday night and I was mindlessly scrolling through my newsfeed. For a moment I cringed. Such personal news being shared on social media was seemingly out of character for her. But maybe that was her way of getting something very painful out there all at once, so she didn’t have to tell the story repeatedly to each concerned friend.
The news really stunned me. I had known Stacy for a long time. Her husband used to be a weekly golfing buddy. We socialized together. We were even in the same Sunday School class. Never in my wildest imagination did I see this coming.
Reaching out to Stacy privately, we chatted for a bit on Messenger and set up an appointment for the following morning. Upon arriving at Stacy’s home, I was greeted with the smell of fresh coffee and the slobber of the family’s Yellow Lab. No husband – he had already moved out. We sat at the kitchen table. Me with my trusty HP 12C financial calculator and notepad and Stacy with her concerns and fears for what the future would hold. The mood at that table was heavy. Stacy’s college-age daughter joined us – I think mostly for moral support. Her younger child did not. This conversation was going to be a bit too mature for a pre-teen.
Stacy shared her situation with me. They had already decided to sell the family home. But she hadn’t really started think-ing about where she would live after the home sold. As we spoke, she expressed her hope was to buy a home in the same vicinity for continuity of schools for her younger child, proximity to her job, AND a yard for her “puppy.”
Stacy’s husband had always handled the family finances, so she really had no concept of how much house she could afford on her own, what the payments would be, and how much money she would need to purchase the home.
As I continued through my mortgage pre-qualification interview, Stacy had a good job in the medical field. Ten years with the same employer. Her credit was excellent. Unlike so many others, her credit had not been negatively impacted by her circumstances. She would be receiving a nice chunk of change out of the sale of the marital home, even at a 50 percent split.
There are a few questions I always ask to see if the expectations of my clients are realistic. Have you looked at any homes yet? Do you have a price range in mind? What is your comfort level for your monthly mortgage payment?
With Stacy’s responses, it was time to crunch some numbers. Based on what she was hoping to accomplish, I told her she COULD qualify to buy a home close to her current location. Her youngest child could stay in the same school. Then I told her the price range she should focus on, approximately what the payments would be, and how much money she would need for the down payment and closing costs.
Almost instantly the atmosphere in that kitchen changed. The cloud of doubt and fear had been lifted. She exhaled deeply. And even smiled.
“Thank you so much, John.” Stacy said. “I had no idea what to expect or what my options were. I can do this!”
AND, SHE DID!
The next 45 days were a whirlwind. Her home sold, the divorce wrapped up, and she closed on the purchase of the perfect house for that next phase of her life.
Your circumstances may or may not be like Stacy’s. But whether you are just thinking about it or your divorce is in process, knowing your options and where you stand is liberating. It can give you peace of mind, hope, and power to move forward like Stacy.
Please reach out to me today for a free consultation