The American Dream = Detroit, MI?!

I really, really love our home.  I love the hard wood floors, the new beadboard in the kitchen, my freshly painted furniture, wall art, and cozy bedroom.  But it's not mine.  We are renters.
Almost 30-year old renters.
I want my own home.  A place to call mine.  A place to call ours.  A place to decorate and paint and renovate all my own.  Just like Roeshel has done to her 1927 farmhouse.

I feel slightly behind the curve when I see and hear about friends of mine buying their first home.  And I start to feel anxious.  Feel the need to catch up.  To hurry up.

Since I can't start DIYing on a new "old" home yet, I started a "dream home" board on Pinterest.  It literally has two pins right now.  I'm trying to make my "dream home" be realistic. 
Pinterest is fun because it allows me to dream, but I hate dreaming about something that will never be mine.  That awesome 25 ft x 25 ft kitchen with stainless steel appliances, rod iron chandelier, and butler in the corner? 
Won't be mine.  

source: Pinterest

But I can wish for a porch out back for my kids to build forts on.  And a simple veggie drawer cabinet.  It's the little things, right?
Living in Michigan Detroit makes the American Dream that much closer.  {Although I DO realize that many of you would never put "American Dream" and "Detroit" in the same sentence.}
Most homes are completely affordable over here.  In fact, my friends applied for a loan on a house that cost $30,000 and were TURNED DOWN because it wasn't expensive enough.  Most decent homes are $40,000 - $60,000.  Of course, every one of them needs a little TLC.  But this girl loves herself a DIY project!

The cheap homes combined with the awesome VA loan rates that we'll receive thanks to hubby's years in the Army, should make this dream even more reachable, too.  (more info on VA loans here at VA.gov).

Over the next year, we plan on saving up cash for a house {remember homes are available on the cheap here}.  Or at least a major downpayment. 

Maybe we'll find one with a little studio out back for me to work in.  Oh how I'd love to move out of the kitchen!  Until then, I'm trying to keep Matthew 6:33 in the front of my mind.

source

PS - have you linked up to the Pinterest Challenge yet?  Yesterday, Ashlee revealed her Pinterest Piece and today Kara is!  Be sure to check them out and leave them some comment love.