You're absolutely welcome...you wrote a great piece!

The only tangential experience I've had like that was when we bought our first house. It was a short sale not because of the condition of the house, but because of a divorce. We caught the husband, who couldn't hold on to the house financially, on the way out the door prior to our showing.

It was weird for us and sad for him, but deep down inside, he knows he had some responsibility for his situation. The renter you wrote about had no choice, and that's just downright shameful.

Congratulations on the house purchase! It's encouraging to hear other people who bought at a potential top of a market and are content with their decision.

You are dead on accurate when describing the non-financial benefits to a house. The biggest one for me is that no one can take it away as long as I meet my financial obligation.

Best of luck with the move-in!