My god: I bought a house

(And I think it's quite a thing)

Oh dear people, so much is happening in my life right now, it's unbelievable. Do we remember that a few days ago I was shouting that I placed an offer with my boy on a house? I still can't type normally without having a panic attack but WE. HAVE. THE. HOUSE. At least, 99.9 percent sure, because the official paperwork still needs to be signed but the fact remains: we were the highest bidders.

We had to decide within a day whether we would do it or not. There were other bidders as well and suddenly the stress spots appeared on my neck. Is this all happening too fast? WAAAAH. Okay, four hours and eighteen phone calls later: we're going to do it. Now or never. Our realtor asks if we are willing to offer just a bit more, since we offered the same as one other party. We do it. And a few hours later I get a call: ‘Kiki, I can congratulate you. You have bought a house.’

Yes, I'm bouncing in the editorial office and I'm incredibly happy. Finally, after eight years of commuting between Utrecht and Gelderland, a place for the two of us. But honestly? Somewhere I also get a nervous giggle from the whole idea. I've never lived with a man before. Shit is getting serious now. Everyone around me seems to be pregnant, settling down, and suddenly I'm making the biggest purchase of my life. I've never talked about such large amounts in my life. I've been panicking about a Chanel bag for a few years, but now we're spending a few hundred thousand as if it's nothing. Help. The pressure of buying a house I think I underestimated a bit.

If you (still) don't have a house but have it on your agenda: be prepared. Just being honest, from me to you. It's mega exciting and fun, but it's also going to give you headaches. People bidding way above the asking price: decide quickly, because houses are selling like hotcakes, getting that whole mortgage sorted, suddenly paying thousands of euros to six different parties who are all helping you with the purchase, and so on. It's important to get good advice and especially to keep communicating with your partner. And yes, it's really worth celebrating once it works out.

You know what? Next week I'll write a detailed piece with all the tips & tricks to keep a cool head during this mega exciting period. And otherwise, read Adeline's piece about everything you need to know when buying a house.. I'm going to uncork that bottle of champagne now, okay? And run around the editorial office in my birthday suit. Or something.

P.S.: I can hear it in my head now, right. All together: ‘KIKI PANIEKIE HAS A HOUSE OLEEE, OLEEEEEE.‘