Pins and Frickin' Needles.

We have only viewed 13 houses, and we have found it.

Near the Alberta Arts district, a longish stumbling distance from the Kennedy School (a school converted into a bar for you non-Portlanders), and within walking distance to Starbucks and Alberta Park (which has a dog park!).

It's a single-story condo, and it's been completely renovated. Not flipped. Renovated.

We want it.

So we get this e-mail from our Realtor today and it was comparing the condo to those within the area--most were at least $30,000 more than this one.

And then I looked at the addresses.

SHIT.

The Model Home (the one we wanted) was listed as Pending (meaning someone's put an offer in, the seller accepted, and they're in closing, etc.). The other unit was the only one listed as "Active."

SHIT.

The Model Home and the Active unit only have a few differences- the Active one actually has a built-in linen cabinet (something we were frowning upon with the last place), and the Model's door to the outside of the unit (they have two exterior doors- one that leads to the center courtyard, and the other that leads to the outside of the condo) was right on the street with its own gate of sorts. And the Active one has a gorgeous hood above the gas range (and I checked the price on Ikea.com-- it's a $900 range!!).

We decided we still like it and to go for the Active listing. Only our contact with our lender has not gotten back to us about whether we are pre-approved or not. He ends up getting back to us, and mentioned he works with the listing agent often, and that we should give her a call.

Normally I would have our Realtor do this. But she is on her horse today. Literally. It is the only day she technically has off. Of course everything had to boil down to today.

So I call the listing agent, told her we were very interested, and she mentions that we need to get an offer in ASAP because another agent called her and told her they were taking their clients to see it again today.

SHIT.

Our lender gets back to us, e-mails us our pre-approval letter, and tells us to make an offer. There's just one catch. We're getting funded through FHA, and he needs to make sure the condo is an FHA-approved condo. He said he had a good feeling about it, so I will trust his gut.

So now I am on pins and needles waiting for our Realtor to get off of her horse and help us write up an offer before anyone else does.

I have to remind myself- everything happens for a reason (HA! I am suddenly reminded by one of my favorite Futurama episodes where the Brains invade Earth, and Fry becomes the smartest one on Earth, and he writes a book called, "Fry Tricks the Brain," and he traps the brain into the book, and the Brain's last line is, "I am leaving Earth...for no RAISIN!").

If this doesn't work out, I'll be bummed, but it means we are meant for something else. Something different. Something better.

Wish us luck.