The Calm Before The Storm

Yesterday I took a much needed road trip to Temecula Valley to both clear my head and take care of a few matters. I visited Danza del Sol for my quarterly wine club pickup, and for now I've decided to keep my membership. I can always revisit this decision before the next pickup in early March.

I also enjoyed this spectacular chicken and kale salad with a glass of Rose of Sangiovese at Meritage. I also scored a major deal while I was in Callaway Winery's gift shop. On New Year's Eve they're serving a special four course meal for about $120 plus the cost of wine for wine club members, and slightly higher for non-members. On the Marriott Bonvoy app I had enough points to score a free room at SpringHill Suites to crash in afterward. So guess who's not staying home for New Year's Eve for the first time since forever?

The drive through wine country was quite relaxing and allowed me to get some clarity on my current situation. My sister asked me via phone the other day to help with my brother's upcoming appointments through March. This leads me to believe two things. She realizes we must maintain the status quo, or she's incredibly naive to believe my threat to move away is just that. Time will tell which assumption is correct.

I spent the past week looking at possible landing spots in Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, and now I see an opportunity. I'll talk to my bank next week to see if I can qualify for a mortgage with 30% to 35% down. My retirement is the only obstacle, but I know I can get a stated income mortgage via Lending Tree if all else fails.

My idea is to buy a condo or home and then rent it out. The tenants can foot the bills for the mortgage, the insurance, the HOA fees and the property taxes. Another option is to use it as a secondary residence. I can stay there Friday thru Sunday and both be close to wine country and make new friends in the area. And in case my sister continues to crash out, I can move there full time.

I could also buy one of those places outright, but it makes more financial sense to keep that money working for me in the market. That's why I'm open to qualifying for a secured loan such as a mortgage and only finance 65% to 70% of its selling price.

I'll be back in Temecula Valley midweek, but boy are thing getting interesting.