decision spiral

[jaeclectic]

You know, I started looking at condos in February, and was really kind of wide-open about kinds of places I was looking at, and neighborhoods, and I wasn't even sure about the price range I could manage or what I could get for that. Then I spent a couple of months gathering data and absorbing my own reactions to different options, and narrowed things down to one neighborhood and a particular price range, and although I was aware of compromises that would likely need to be made, this was actually very satisfying. And stress-reducing: it helped not to be thinking about so many different choices all at once, and to be convinced that I could find a place I'd be happy living, without stretching myself so much financially that I couldn't enjoy life otherwise.

When I decided not to counter-counter on that one place in Adams Point, it was a rational decision that involved calculated risk, but the risk seemed pretty low. I looked at past sales and saw that between December and February, there had been 15 units sold of about the size I want and in the exact neighborhood I want (not just Adams Point but a particular subarea of Adams Point), and of those 13 were in my price range. Based on that history, it just seemed implausible that I wouldn't see some good options in April and May.

Sadly, things did not work out according to plan. As the standard disclaimers always say "past performance is no guarantee..."

So here I am, with 2 months left on my lease, which means I basically need to find something *now*. Within the next 2 or 3 weeks, for sure, given the amount of time needed to close. Or start looking for a short-term place to live (I did try asking for a one-month extension here, and the answer was "probably not".)

With the result that I am now revisiting all those decisions, and opening things up again. Looking at other neighborhoods. Wondering if I need to spend more. *sigh*

Case in point: went yesterday to see a complex in Emeryville called GreenCity Lofts. Lovely units, quite exquisite actually, with all the little features that make my heart beat fast: wood floors, gas stove, in-unit laundry hookups, etc. Plus it's been developed with sustainable materials, so there's that whole feel-good factor. But only one of them is in the price range I've been considering, and I think it's probably too small. And the other units are 15-20K more than the maximum I've been considering.

Yesterday, I was mostly reacting to how charming the place was, and wondering if I could make it work, so a little excited and a little uncertain but fairly calm. This AM, I woke up awash with anxiety. Thinking about money, thinking about space.

Aieee.

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*hug*