Barb’s Burblings

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at real estate listings online. I don’t know when this desire to own a house (townhouse?) became so strong. I’d blame it on spending time in a house this weekend, except that I’ve been like this for a while. Maybe it’s because part of me knows this would be a good time to buy…I just don’t have the means. I mean, honestly. I don’t understand how people can afford these places!
For example, take this cute apartment. I love it. Two bedrooms, which would be the minimum if I bought; that way, the second bedroom could be an office (with maybe a futon or a day bed). Look how pretty the kitchen is! Cute balcony, and pretty close to downtown Takoma Park. I could probably walk to the Metro! And a whirlpool bathtub!
Then there’s this house, which I passed on my way to tap. I’m intrigued by it. I’d have to see inside it, but I like it. It has three bedrooms (better than two!), but one is in a loft–which seems perfect for the office, right? The layout’s a bit odd, but it has built-in bookshelves! Dreamy! And it’s pretty close to the Metro, too. And only $400K! Sigh.
Seriously, anyone have a few hundred thousand they want to give me?