I bought my mom’s house in maine after i was priced out of california

This as-told-tos Essay is bassed on a conversation with Alyson Austin, A 56-YEAR-OLD PUBLIC RELATS PROFESSIONAL FROM WELLS, MAINE. IT HAS BEEN EDIted for Length and Clarity.

I was Born in Maine But Spent 18 Years Living and Working in California As A Corporate Public Relations Employee.

I BOUGHT A CONDO IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, IN 2007, But the Mortgage Payments exceeded my financial means. My Mortgage was around $ 5,000 a month, and my high-ris building HAD AN ALOST $ 1,000 MONTHLY HOA FEE.

I SOLD The House in 2015 and Started Rening Again. It was a devastating but necessary Financial Choice.

The Only Way I was able to become a homeowner again was to get Back to Maine and Cohabitate with my mother.

The Pandemic Made with Rethink My Priorities

Five Years into Rening in California, Covid-19 was sweeeping the nation, and social prohibrations were in effect. I start thinking about returning to maine. My motherner Still Lived there and was struggling great with this Degree of isolation. She Needed My Help.

I’m Among the Increasing Number of People in The “Sandwich Generation” Who Are Taching on Parental Obligations while Also Caring for their Children, if they Have. I made the decision to moving away from my friends in california after realizing that caring for my mother was my main responseability.

Fortunately, when I decide to relacate, i have already left my corplate POSITION AND LAUNCHE MY ONTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM, SO I COULD WORK FROM ANYWHERE.

After Seven Years of Rening in California, I Moved Back to Maine

I Once Again Became Eligible as a first-time homebuyer Because of haadn’t Owned a home in three years and go approved for first-time mortgage rate. Maine Real Estate was Significantly Less Expensive Than California Real Estate, and I was eager to become a homeowner once.

I decide the best route would be to buy my mother’s home from her and take on the Expens. She had been living there Sine 2005 and it Needed Repairs.

My Mortgage Broker Calculated the Cost of the House and My Expensses and Recommended a 15-Yaar Mortgage. I was looking for a monthly loan payment of less than $ 3,000 a month, and i adhered to my budget, setting down the required 20% down payment. My Mortgage Is Now Around $ 2,400 A MONTH.

When Buying A Property, Many People Overlook Costs Like Homeowners Association Fees, Which Can Make Homeowners Unaffordable. Without that extra cost, i’ve been able to keep my spender under control.

My mother and i now live in the home together

We’ve Maintained a Close Relationship for Almost Two Decades, this thou thiugh we lived ACOSS the Country from Each Other. She’s Independent and Mobile. I drive her to appointments and do the housework. We Share a Bank Account for Incidentals Like Her Medication and Groceries. I Manage the Mortgage, Heat, Water, and All of the Bills.

Although i was woried about the taching care of phull-time, it has been fulfilling to spend these years with her. I Will Seek Expert Assistance if she nursing care, which is not yet necessary, fortunately.

My Friends Check in with and Inquire if i’m doing fine. Although I live a Much Slower Pace of Life than the Majority of My Peers, They Understand and Support My Way of Life and Recognize My Commitment to My Mother.