See Part 1 for background. Bitchbot should link in the comments.
She had finally given up trying to live with me and DH for the moment and was content just having us all in the same town.
My OB and his fam have been back in town for a year. At one point they were stationed in GA (USA) and have been considering moving back. They even went down to look at houses. Initially they were looking 45 mins away from the beach then moved their search to a town 2 hrs away (where friends lived, though not the reason for picking said location).
She was appalled. And I quote, "I found out why they are looking at [town]! Can you believe they are picking friends over family and are just going to leave me here? Just when the kids are starting to like me! And its 2 hrs away from the beach! I don't want to drive 10 hrs only to have to drive another 2 to the beach..." All said in front of my then 6 y/o nephew. I told her it didn't matter, it was their decision, don't dog them in front of their kid.
They finally decided to stay here due to finances/jobs (+all siblings/parents on both sides live in this state). She was overjoyed, even cried. And so the house hunting began.
They found this neat house: older, in ground pool, 5 acres, pond, 3 decks, super unique. One day she took me to see it before tricking me into doing shit (another story). We pulled up, she began talking about how there was a space for her to put a camper/build a cabin. I thought whatever, she's day dreaming.
We get to the house and she had previously told me about selling her house and volunteering at a place where they house you for free and just visiting fam on weekends. The only feature she talked about was the basement with seperate entrance+full bathroom and how she could stay there while building said cabin since she babysits anyway.
This was a red flag. OB had turned down many listings bc he was afraid she'd try to move in. I asked. She said SIL was tots fine with it bc of babysitting and there was a seperate entrance. My dumb ass believed it. I later found out that she mentioned living there to SIL and SIL just looked at her and never agreed. Apparently no contest means full approval now.
After showing me this house she saw a for sale sign and pulled up. Two car garage makes up half the house, I stated this. She proceeds with, "Heck, I could live in one garage, and you and DH could live in the other, and OB+SIL could have the house for all I care." WTH?! I replied with a no thanks, I want to live in a house not a cold garage.
Because I thought they okayed her moving in I mentioned that my ILs may be listing their home and maybe OB would be interested. Its split level and ILs had thought about turning the bottom into an apartment for elderly granpa. Her response: "So you're saying if you and DH buy it from ILs, youre going to let me live there?" I immediately shut her down with its split level, I hate SL and want a ranch style.
Finally OB found a house with only so many rooms for their needs, no room to expand, no basement, and a small yard. They passed on the unique house bc she her plans for their house. And she is so annoyed because of it. It so satisfying but I know I'm next, though we have a while before buying. I still have issues with guilt but I have gotten a spine when it comes to making it clear that we will not have house/property guests for more than a week at a time.
Edit: They didn't solely pass on the house because of her but it was a major relief to know she won't be able to weasle her way into this home somehow.