Another trip? OR wait until after home purchase?

[purpledisneyprncess]

My family & I just recently came back from a DW trip. Had a blast and REALLY want to go back again, ASAP! Financially, we could definitely swing another trip, and we were thinking of going the last Friday in August and stay for the 1st week of September. B/c Labor Day is that Monday, DH would only have to use 4 vacation days. Works out perfectly.

The only thing holding us back is we are in the process of looking to buy a home. We are renting now. Problem is we can't find a house we like enough to put an offer on. And I doubt we will find a home within the short period of now until August. However, I'm thinking maybe we should save that extra $2-3k that we'd spend in Disney (The trip would not be too expensive for us. ) and use it towards furniture for our home, closing costs, etc. The whole process of buying a home I'm sure is a money nightmare, but at the end of the day, we'd have a home for our family and that is ultimately what we want.

Anyhow, should we take this vacation or wait and get a home then plan our trip?

I feel like I already have our answer (TRIP!!!) b/c the memories we would make are amazing (like the ones just made from this past trip) and it's time well spent as a family. However, I'm not 100% sure and that is why I would appreciate some feedback and perspectives.

Also, if we end up finding a home between now and August, I might be so caught up in that process (looking for furniture, closing on the house, etc) I might be less excited to go on the trip. But on the flipside, what if we don't even find a house?? At that point, I'd sure be wanting that August/Sept trip!! LOL

I need to decide tonight b/c if we do go, I'm doing the Orbitz deal with the 10.5% cash back that is only for today.

 

[Colleen27]

If you're actively shopping for a house I'd delay the trip. Our 2009 trip was quite an adventure... postponed twice because of complications and delays in the process of buying our current home, and then scaled down from what we'd initially intended because of unexpected expenses that came up shortly after moving in. Ultimately we had a great trip but the planning would have been more enjoyable and the trip closer to what we'd envisioned had we put a little time-buffer between buying a house and going to WDW... but like you, we didn't think we'd find anything quite so soon. We started looking in Jan with the trip planned for May, but ended up closing in July and traveling in December.

 

[Lucijoy]

Just my 2-cents, you are currently thinking with a "Disney high." Definitely been there! I'm always ready to book again right away--just can't wait until next time, and I want to know when next time is. However, home ownership is a big deal. It is long-term, big-picture thinking, and it always comes with unexpected costs. I know in the scope of things when looking at the cost of a house, $2000-3000 doesn't seem like much, but having a little something in reserve is always a good idea. I love Disney and I love to "push" Disney trips, but there will be other deals in the months ahead. Take a deep breathe and make sure you're not making the decision totally on Pixie dust.

 

[Colleen27]

Just my 2-cents, you are currently thinking with a "Disney high." Definitely been there! I'm always ready to book again right away--just can't wait until next time, and I want to know when next time is. However, home ownership is a big deal. It is long-term, big-picture thinking, and it always comes with unexpected costs. I know in the scope of things when looking at the cost of a house, $2000-3000 doesn't seem like much, but having a little something in reserve is always a good idea. I love Disney and I love to "push" Disney trips, but there will be other deals in the months ahead. Take a deep breathe and make sure you're not making the decision totally on Pixie dust.

That's an important thing to keep in mind too... Your intended dates fall smack in the middle of the timeframe when Disney has traditionally offered free dining. If you plan on staying on site that may very well be a better deal than the "do it NOW!" price you're seeing on Orbitz today. And that will be a deal you're able to consider and, if you decide to go, book a little closer to your travel dates so you'll have a clearer picture of what to expect from the house hunt.

 

[beansmom]

^^ what Lucijoy said. House closings always cost more than you think they will...just like vacations.

I would put that $3k in the house account AND add as much to it as I could so that I could as much down on a house as possible.

 

[Southern Bell]

I would definetly wait on my Disney trip and buy my new home. Disney is fun, but buying a new home is so much more exciting! I think I would rather buy a new home than go to Disney or anywhere else for that matter. Having a home is alot more important to me, and a place to make memories and have holidays all year long and not for just a week or two!

I also find the longer I wait to go back to Disney the more excited I am about the trip than when we go every year.

 

[davedmaine]

My family & I just recently came back from a DW trip. Had a blast and REALLY want to go back again, ASAP! Financially, we could definitely swing another trip, and we were thinking of going the last Friday in August and stay for the 1st week of September. B/c Labor Day is that Monday, DH would only have to use 4 vacation days. Works out perfectly.

The only thing holding us back is we are in the process of looking to buy a home. We are renting now. Problem is we can't find a house we like enough to put an offer on. And I doubt we will find a home within the short period of now until August. However, I'm thinking maybe we should save that extra $2-3k that we'd spend in Disney (The trip would not be too expensive for us. ) and use it towards furniture for our home, closing costs, etc. The whole process of buying a home I'm sure is a money nightmare, but at the end of the day, we'd have a home for our family and that is ultimately what we want.

Anyhow, should we take this vacation or wait and get a home then plan our trip?

I feel like I already have our answer (TRIP!!!) b/c the memories we would make are amazing (like the ones just made from this past trip) and it's time well spent as a family. However, I'm not 100% sure and that is why I would appreciate some feedback and perspectives.

Also, if we end up finding a home between now and August, I might be so caught up in that process (looking for furniture, closing on the house, etc) I might be less excited to go on the trip. But on the flipside, what if we don't even find a house?? At that point, I'd sure be wanting that August/Sept trip!! LOL

I need to decide tonight b/c if we do go, I'm doing the Orbitz deal with the 10.5% cash back that is only for today.

So it's purchase a house or go to Disney? For the sake of your family, I'd think long-term and buy a house. Plus, the market is starting to turn so the buyer's market may not last much longer

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

Thank you guys so much for your responses. I guess I am thinking with a "Disney High". LOL



Davedmaine--- I've been thinking that too, that the market is turning around. I just hope we find something soon. Also, it's not that I am choosing one over another (Disney vs. a home) as of course we still want to buy a home and like I had said, taking this Disney trip won't financially hinder us buying, I am just worried about the timing of it...I just meant if we book another trip for 4 months out and we end up finally finding a home b/c we are currently looking, then we might be stressed out. We have been saving a long time for a home and still haven't purchased.

 

[*JoGo*]

Definitely house.
We are buying right now. I have a vacation planned that I may have to cancel because of closing. While I'm a tiny bit bummed about the vacation, I am really glad I had that vacation money in the bank! We don't need it for the downpayment, but it looks better to the bank that we have it available.

I would keep saving for the vacation, but not book it. You can go next year, after things have settled. Right now, we still don't have a closing date and I'm really stressed that I'm going to be moving dh into the new house just days before going on vacation! Then coming home to two houses full of boxes! I will cancel if we don't close at least a week before vacation. We won't be losing any money. If we had to book things and pay ahead/lose money, I would definitely be canceling or postponing than risk losing more money.

 

[crzyeeyoreangel]

Was in the same boat this year. I was determine I could do both a Disney trip and buy a house. But buying a house is so stressful and a waiting game. Not mention more money than I thought. We made 3 offers on 3 different houses in 4 months, looked at about 20 other houses. Then it took us 47 days to close. Then moving. All my trip money is gone now but I am happy in my new house and no more renting. And planning a trip for March 2014!

 

[wendow]

Oh my goodness...same boat and same decision! We sold our home and closed on the sale 2 weeks ago. We were not able to find a home we liked enough prior to selling so we moved into an extended stay hotel and have been here since. It isn't bad but with 4 kids, I'd love to find a home soon. Problem is our market has really low inventory of homes and prices are rising quickly due to that. We have a trip booked for mid-September and now I am starting to stress about whether we will have to cancel our trip. Like you, we can do both financially...take the trip (basically already paid for) and buy a home...but will the timing be too much???

No advice though since I don't know myself

 

[manning]

I feel like I already have our answer (TRIP!!!) b/c the memories we would make are amazing (like the ones just made from this past trip) and it's time well spent as a family. However, I'm not 100% sure and that is why I would appreciate some feedback and perspectives

Do the smart thing...think with your head, not your emotions. How are you doing with retirement and school savings?

 

[ssawka]

And I doubt we will find a home within the short period of now until August.

I would not be surprised if you found a home you like real soon. In the Spring you see many more homes come onto the market because everyone wants to move in the Summer before the new school year starts. In one sense, this is good because you will have more choices available, on the other hand there will be more buyers looking at the same houses, so negotiating could become more difficult.

 

[wiigirl]

^^ what Lucijoy said. House closings always cost more than you think they will...just like vacations.

I would put that $3k in the house account AND add as much to it as I could so that I could as much down on a house as possible.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

Definitely house.
We are buying right now. I have a vacation planned that I may have to cancel because of closing. While I'm a tiny bit bummed about the vacation, I am really glad I had that vacation money in the bank! We don't need it for the downpayment, but it looks better to the bank that we have it available.

I would keep saving for the vacation, but not book it. You can go next year, after things have settled. Right now, we still don't have a closing date and I'm really stressed that I'm going to be moving dh into the new house just days before going on vacation! Then coming home to two houses full of boxes! I will cancel if we don't close at least a week before vacation. We won't be losing any money. If we had to book things and pay ahead/lose money, I would definitely be canceling or postponing than risk losing more money.

I like the idea of continuing to save for my vacation and if we end up being able to go, then still going but not book it yet. I am only worried that Disney park ticket prices will increase before September and then I will be upset that I didn't buy them. Honestly, I would have bought thru Orbitz without any hesitation had I not been worried about the voucher. Basically, when you buy park tickets thru Orbitz you have to list a time frame you are going, and then be in Orlando, FL to pick them up at DTD or one of the parks. What if I had to cancel the trip and couldn't get to Orlando to pick those tickets up. That is what ultimately stopped me from doing this. The ideal situation is that Ebates/Orbitz has that 10.5% cash back again closer to Sept and we will see at that point where we stand with the house purchase.
BTW, a BIG Congrats to you on your new home, that is great! I'm hoping your closing date and timing of your vacation all works out for you!

Was in the same boat this year. I was determine I could do both a Disney trip and buy a house. But buying a house is so stressful and a waiting game. Not mention more money than I thought. We made 3 offers on 3 different houses in 4 months, looked at about 20 other houses. Then it took us 47 days to close. Then moving. All my trip money is gone now but I am happy in my new house and no more renting. And planning a trip for March 2014!

Did you end up going on the trip and buying a home or waiting until March '14? Just wondering if things all worked themselves out in the end for you...hoping that they did.

I would not be surprised if you found a home you like real soon. In the Spring you see many more homes come onto the market because everyone wants to move in the Summer before the new school year starts. In one sense, this is good because you will have more choices available, on the other hand there will be more buyers looking at the same houses, so negotiating could become more difficult.

I am crossing my fingers that we find a home soon. The market is good with interest rates being so low and home prices low as well...however inventory is low too, and that stinks---nothing good out there at least in our area that we want to live.

Do the smart thing...think with your head, not your emotions. How are you doing with retirement and school savings?

Our retirement is decent and yes we do have a nice amount of $ saved for college for our children. The $2k for our Disney trip as my DH puts it is a "Drop in the bucket" for us...not that I see it that way, but we would not be hurting to take that trip. Then again- extra money for unexpected house problems hasn't been taken into account either. We have always been ones to live within our means not outside of them, and we've never owned a home so I don't want to be over our head in water if we buy a home and don't account for these extra things....

Oh my goodness...same boat and same decision! We sold our home and closed on the sale 2 weeks ago. We were not able to find a home we liked enough prior to selling so we moved into an extended stay hotel and have been here since. It isn't bad but with 4 kids, I'd love to find a home soon. Problem is our market has really low inventory of homes and prices are rising quickly due to that. We have a trip booked for mid-September and now I am starting to stress about whether we will have to cancel our trip. Like you, we can do both financially...take the trip (basically already paid for) and buy a home...but will the timing be too much???

No advice though since I don't know myself

Wow we really are in the same boat.... in our area there is low inventory here as well and our trip would be the 1st week of Sept. I hope it all works out for you with the timing. If you have to cancel the trip will you lose any money or can you move the date?

 

[wendow]

Wow we really are in the same boat.... in our area there is low inventory here as well and our trip would be the 1st week of Sept. I hope it all works out for you with the timing. If you have to cancel the trip will you lose any money or can you move the date?

We bought our tickets already but we bought them through Disney (used giftcards we got at Target & HEB for 10-15% off) so they could be used anytime. We did rent DVC points so losing money there is an issue. The member we rented from said we could cancel but I don't want to leave him in a bad position.

I think there is a good possibility we will not find a house by September. If your market is like ours, and it sounds like it is, this is an awful time to buy. Very few homes come up and the bidding wars drive the prices up 20k-50k over asking price. Home prices have already risen so much that they are overpriced as it is so going over asking price is just NUTS. There are a lot more buyers than sellers.

We are also using this time to consider an out-of-state move where homes are a lot less.

 

[*JoGo*]

You could take a different smaller vacation if you wanted. If we cancel our vacation because of closing, I plan to take my son to a Jellystone campground a couple hours away. He loved it last year, and it can be booked at any time.

I also understand what you are saying about the $2000 not being a lot. It's the same for us. We chose to buy at the lower end of our price range so we could keep a similar budget to what we have now, which is saving almost $2000 a month. Yet with buying a house, every dollar counts. And unexpected things are going to come up. Unless you put enough down, you have to pay for a year of home owner's insurance in advance... Closing costs, moving supplies, eating out while you're between houses and dont feel like cooking, carpet cleaners, home inspections, appraisal, etc.

One thing we are doing is using cash only to live on until all the financial stuff is done. This makes us be more aware of what we are spending and it also cuts down on all the debits going out of our account. We use cash for groceries and spending money. I still pay my bills online. We have excellent credit and a good bit saved, but we want to be extra certain we are saving the maximum amount we can. This will also mean we should have more money to buy new things for the new house! I've never bought bath towels, we use the ones we got for our wedding 14 yrs ago! So I'm looking forward to upgrading things. I go "shopping" online a lot, adding things to my amazon wish list.

Good luck!
Look at houses you don't think you would like. You may be surprised! At the very least, it will confirm you don't like that style, layout, etc.

 

[auralia]

most houses are bought or sold in the summer months due to school. So odds are you will find something you like this summer as more houses should be on the market as parents move children to different school districts.

 

[wendow]

most houses are bought or sold in the summer months due to school. So odds are you will find something you like this summer as more houses should be on the market as parents move children to different school districts.

This might be regional. Our agent told us most homes hit the market in April & May. He said our market starts to become "stale" with fewer listings by end of June. But again, might be a regional thing. Here in our area, we have open enrollment so kids can attend any school they want without having to live in that neighborhood or even same district.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I would save the money for the house. Even if you don't think you'll "need" this particular pot of money, the odds are, you'll need to buy a bunch of new things for the house--stuff like furniture, lawn equipment, paint, and so forth. I remember we were so excited for our first house, and then we spent every weekend buying more stuff for it.

Disney will be there, and there will always be deals that you could take advantage of down the line. Maybe you could stick the $3k or so in a separate account. Once you've come through the closing and the first few months of home ownership, if that money's still available, you can take another vacation, guilt-free.