Picture this: we're on the drive home back to Arizona, and the air is electric with excitement as we chat about the very real prospect of leaving Arizona and moving to the heart of Texas. We first set foot in Arizona back in '96, when we traded the cool Maine air for the sizzling desert heat. Now, the Arizona heat never really phased us, but the crime and cozying up with neighbors? That was another story.
For the longest time, I had been itching to pack up and start anew, but the question of when, where, and how kept me up at night. My ex-husband had zero interest in land, animals, or waving goodbye to his home state. Truth be told, my family and my newfound network of amazing friends were the glue that held me in place, stuck to the Sonoran Desert.
But 2019 was a doozy. I lost my stepfather and my mother, and the year before, I said goodbye to my dad. With my parents gone, the family ties keeping me in AZ were my daughter, three adorable grandkids, and a sister. But who's to say they wouldn't someday want to leave, too? I dreamt of the day we could all gather on a ranch, surrounded by nature and animals, far from the city's hustle and bustle.
Taking the plunge and pursuing my land and animal-loving dream wasn't easy, knowing I'd be leaving my loved ones behind. But life's too short not to chase after what you want, and my time at Twin Oaks only fanned the flames of my Texas-bound desires.
Initially, I thought it would take years to make a move, but after researching, I realized I had to act fast to secure a mortgage. I was glued to Realtor.com and Zillow, hunting for the perfect property: 20+ acres, under $500k, a house on site, and close to Schulenburg and Hallettsville. Once I had a few contenders, Brandie, flew out to Texas to scope things out with our new pals April and Craig,
The properties I'd been eyeing weren't quite up to snuff. So, imagine my surprise when Brandie video-called me from a property I'd barely glanced at before. "Keep an open mind," she said, chuckling. "Oh boy," I thought, "this should be interesting." The property's house looked more haunted than homey in the listing photos, but as Brandie showed me around, I fell head over heels for the 45-acre land and its untapped potential, complete with an old house, fenced pastures, pecan trees, and multiple outbuildings.
Sight unseen, I took the leap. (My ex, who was helping with the mortgage, was a tad horrified – he's more of a clean lines, no mess kind of guy. Maybe that's why he's my ex, eh?) We submitted an offer, asking for the property to be cleared of "stuff" before closing, and made it contingent on the sale of my condo. It wasn't an aggressive offer, so you can imagine my delight when it was accepted almost instantly!
It felt like a whirlwind! In May, we visited Texas for the very first time, and in just six short weeks, we were under contract on our dream property. Life, here we come!
As we wrap up this blog post, we want to thank you for being a cherished part of our community. Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a newcomer, we'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and questions, so don't hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
Be sure to share our blog with your friends and family, so we can continue to grow our Kindred Spirit Ranch community. Remember, the journey is always more enjoyable when we travel together!
Until our next adventure, take care, stay inspired, and keep in touch!
Adios, amigos! Belinda, Brandie, and Cadence – the Rambunctious, Rural, and Ridiculously Charming Rancheras of Kindred Spirit Ranch! 🌵🐖🌄