I got an email from my bank telling me that my mortgage is 21 years old this June. A few weeks ago they sent me another email which said that because my mortgage had been in credit for a while they might go ahead and finalise it and give me the title deeds. This is not what I want because I currently use my mortgage equity to my advantage and I need it to continue with life as I know it.

It runs for another 9 years and yes there is an account keeping fee of $400 per year, this also provides me with a credit card and a few other benefits and besides I like the flexibility it lends me if I need money in a hurry. I might not be here in 9 years’ time and if I am then my “Super” will cover any outstanding payments needed.

Pictures above from 2004

I’m struggling to process the fact that I have been here since 2004, I have lived in this house for 21 years and it has changed along the way just like me….both for the better I think. My old house has been through the wars. In 2011, massive floods in South East Queensland caused major damage to communities and my house had water around 300mm on the second level of the house and is an experience I do not want to ever repeat. The insurance would not pay out immediately and it took nearly 9 months of fighting to get paid out and this I think was more stressful than the actual event.

Going through the flood was very surreal; it felt as if for the most part you were having an out of body experience watching yourself or someone that looked like you navigate through the chaos. Strangers stopping to help, or giving you food and drink, and the fire brigade coming in to hose out the shed and bottom of the house. Finding small fish in the garden and of course the smells were ripe and intense. It was the middle of summer and very hot and decay was in the air.

In 2022 after what was called a rain bomb sat over SE Queensland the flooding came within10m or so from the back of the house and that brought back many dark memories and stress, I guess it must be PTSD and that was the case for many years after the 2011 flood.

The house has protected me from many storms, it’s kept me dry and with the help of the air conditioning warm and cool when needed. It was built around 1980 and I have done much work to it over the years. This is my sanctuary. When I come home and lock the doors, close the blinds and leave the outside world behind then there is a sense of calm. At this time of the year the house is cool in the morning and so I like to sit out the back on the deck that was added many moons ago, a great place to read a book or have a siesta or just to contemplate.

I’m so glad that I was unable to sell up a few years ago when I had a bit of a “mental glitch” I would have regretted that decision I feel. I have everything I need here and the house has changed through the years like me. I would still like to make a few changes and I will get around to them at a later date. One thing I always think I should get is a wood burner for downstairs, especially when winter arrives and the frost comes.

Present Day 2025

This also means that I have owned my olde Ford for 21 years also; my trusty steed has also been through the wars during this time but I still enjoy driving my old friend.