New homeowners!!

Jordan sans Jamie (who was waiting for us at their rented duplex)

On the way home from Orcas Island this past Sunday, we made a stop in Spanaway, Washington, an unincorporated suburb of Tacoma, to see Jamie and Jordan’s new home. That’s right -- their new home.

The Army has a homebuyer assistance program for its troops. Jamie and Jordan sat through a few classes, then went out with a real estate agent and looked at a dozen or more homes. They made an offer on one they liked -- a 3-bedroom, 2-bath, split-level house on a quiet cul-de-sac -- and they got it.

They figured that since they were receiving an off-base housing allowance as a married couple, there was no reason they shouldn’t think about investing it in a home. They made the offer in late May, just before Jordan started three weeks of field training.

While he was away, there was some back and forth following an inspection but Jamie handled all the negotiations and the seller agreed to pay for all repairs. They began moving into their new home little by little and by the time we passed through on Sunday, the 26th, they'd gotten most of their big items in there.

We gave them a Home Depot gift card so they could pick out a lawn mower. They'll need it, as the backyard has a terraced lawn that wraps around one side and out to the front. Jordan, the presumptive mower, will have to maneuver around five fruit trees, a greenhouse and a raised bed for gardening.

Once they decide where to board Jamie’s two horses, they'll be set. The move puts them much closer to the Army base at Fort Lewis as well as to Tacoma, with its expanded shopping and entertainment options.

As you can imagine, we’re very proud of them. Homeowners at age 23 (Jordan) and 26 (Jamie)! What a great start.