Wish us luck!

[Nephythys]

Went house shopping today (for a rental for now) and found this fabulous house. Same price as an apartment, yard, deck, hardwood floors, and enough bedrooms for the whole family! Stained glass windows, frosted etched windows, granite counter tops in the kitchen-fireplace, garage- totally adorable and PERFECT for what we are looking for,

So- we put down a deposit and are now going through the credit check- yikes- but if we get it we should be moving in mid to end of September.

I love it- so I hope hope hope the credit check comes out acceptable to them.

So cross your fingers- send luck and wishes our direction. I want this house!

[scaeagles]

Excellent! Here's hoping.

[Jughead P. Jones]

I know how crazy housing costs are these days...I'm trying to find my own place myself.

I hope that things work out for you, and that you get a chance to move in as soon as possible!

[MickeyLumbo]

as much as i wouldn't wish moving on anyone... i do hope you get this place of your dreams. good luck!

[Nephythys]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/fx18EPj1a4iacJtx9lVS4vVVtYk1.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/sEEjkitDWy8Y0KkO6iIHkR46lNUw.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/W77hSpkGnU9l7RDmevuSJbTvw1n4.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/House002.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/House001.jpg

[CoasterMatt]

Nice! :D

[Scrooge McSam]

That's a cute place! Much luck!

[Mousey Girl]

I love that kitchen!! GL!!!

[Kevy Baby]

Luck

[Not Afraid]

It's beautiful! Good luck!

[RStar]

I hope you get it! Good luck!

[€uroMeinke]

Nice place - hope you get it

[Ghoulish Delight]

And probaby 1/3 of our upcoming mortgage payments :mad:

Fck Luck...here's pre-mature congrats

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Looks great!

[Alex]

I wish I could afford a $1.3 million house.

Oh, you probably don't live around here.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Great looking place! Hope everything works out in your favor. :)

What area is it in?

[Disneyphile]

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

It's beautiful, and it's just perfect for you. Sending you a "pre-houseblessing". ;)

[Nephythys]

They were not "comfortable" with the credit check. The only thing she mentioned was a lack of rental history- who would have thought that living at home would hurt me huh? She said there were other things but did not mention any-but they are sending the check back.
Someone tell me this will work out for the best- it'll be ok and we'll find just the right one.

Now if I apply for another one- my credit may suffer because of people checking it.

I am so sad.

[Snowflake]

Don't worry, there will be other opportunities! Keep the chin up!

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Sorry to hear the news, Neph. I know how much you wanted this.

But, yes, it will work out for the best, it will be ok, and you will find just the right one. You just have to keep trudging forward and put the setbacks behind you. Easier said than done, I know, but you just have to keep trying and it will work out.

When we were looking for a place last year, we found one that we adored. It was just perfect. The rental agency saw that there would be two males in a one bedroom and "felt that the owner wouldn't want that". It broke our hearts but we ended up finding a great place that worked out better for us. Just keep looking and you will find something.

[JWBear]

Sorry to hear the news, Neph. I know how much you wanted this.

But, yes, it will work out for the best, it will be ok, and you will find just the right one. You just have to keep trudging forward and put the setbacks behind you. Easier said than done, I know, but you just have to keep trying and it will work out.

When we were looking for a place last year, we found one that we adored. It was just perfect. The rental agency saw that there would be two males in a one bedroom and "felt that the owner wouldn't want that". It broke our hearts but we ended up finding a great place that worked out better for us. Just keep looking and you will find something.
My response would have been "I’ll bet the owner will want a housing discrimination lawsuit even less!” A rental agency should know better than that!

[Motorboat Cruiser]

My response would have been "I’ll bet the owner will want a housing discrimination lawsuit even less!” A rental agency should know better than that!

Yeah, we seriously considered pursuing legal avenues but circumstances were such that we had stay focused on finding a place very quickly and we just didn't follow up with it. I regret that.

[Nephythys]

:eek: just got pre-qualified for a home PURCHASE- $170 to $180k and if we find the right one we could also do a debt consolidation.

My credit was better than anyone thought.

[Not Afraid]

Can you even find a home to buy for $180K?

[Nephythys]

Can you even find a home to buy for $180K?

Heh- so far 4 of them.

One of the is bank owned- needs some work- 170k- 9 acres, 5 bedrooms, barn on property- built in 1993.

[tracilicious]

Can you even find a home to buy for $180K?

Lol, you sound like you are from California! :p

In most places 180k will buy something pretty decent. Congrats Nephy!

[Nephythys]

ok newest update-

Rose told us about a website she had heard of- so I checked it out and it turns out they had homes going up in our area in our price range. So we went to check it out.



....and found this (http://www.kbhome.com/Plan~PlanID~00840103-226.1361.aspx) (take the virtual tour)



Of course the pictures and the model are the fancy ones with all the upgrades- and we won't be paying that much. BUT it is still a brand new home- still in framing stages in fact.



The only catch is that I can't buy it just yet- it's part of a program and won't come available to the general public til mid-November. So I put down $1000 (which they won't cash yet) and signed an intent to purchase- as soon as it is available we will go in, set up the purchase agreement, get the financing and with any luck close in Mid-December.



It's beautiful, and will be all new. Going to go to the studio and check out the color scheme they have planned for it. Because I don't own it yet I can't ask for changes- and it will be done by the time we finish the closing. That's ok though because it's a blank slate to do whatever we like with-



So- right now it give us time to pay off little debts- leave our credit alone so there are no more inquiries on it- and really get ready for November. I don't see anything that should stand in the way- but obviously there is a long ways to go.



Stressful...big time, I'm still in shock- but it is also exciting. I may have a door on a house of my own to hang my Christmas wreath on.

[Mousey Girl]

10 years ago we went through the whole home buying experience. We prequaled for $150k (this was before the housing market went crazy). I was verrrrrrry pregnant, so we knew that we could only afford a house in the $80-90k range. We lucked out, our house was $82,500. Now the houses around us are selling for $250-300k range.

Just make sure that even though you prequaled for an exoensive house, you can afford the payments. An ex-friend of ours recently bought a new home. He will have $3,500/mnth payments for the next 40 years.

[Nephythys]

Our payment will be around $1400-$1500 a month. HOA fees $131 per month.

We are not going to be rich, but it is very do-able.

It's not an expensive home- to be honest the mid-line out here for homes is more $200's- $300s and up- some in the $500's and $600's! The home we want is actually a LESS expensive home in this area- it's a very rich county. I'm excited to have found this one. Plus it is in a good area for future re-sale or use as a rental.

To be honest it's at that price because it is part of a housing program for the county-they require that a certain % of new construction be set aside for this program-the same model that is not in the program is in the low $200's-or more depending on options. The thing is, they have never sold a home on that program- so once it comes available I can buy it at the lower price.

We'll be checking on it regularly to make sure it is still available- which the seller says is like 99.9% sure- and come November after we keep working on bills and savings we'll go get the pruchase done.

It's the best gift we could give ourselves-

[scaeagles]

That is so cool. Home ownership rocks.

[Nephythys]

Things happen fast when you are house hunting- or they can happen fast when someone puts something perfect in your lap.

My Realtor sent me a link to a house-fully finished basement and almost 700 square feet bigger than the new house we were looking at. Called him up and made an appointment to see it this afternoon.

Mom and I went over there and we loved it- like any home there are things we want to change- but overall it was perfect. We went to one other property with the guy (my Realtor's assistant) and after we were done I told him we wanted to put in an offer for the first house we looked at.

I spoke with my Realtor and he said he would get the contract done, discuss the financing with the mortgage guy and when did I want to close?

Ummmm.....huh?

Anywho- decided to close the last week of September. Then I got a call from him later this afternoon- he got the financing set, I just need to get the earnest money and all the ppwk together.

We should be closing sometime between the 27th and the 30th (trying to fit that around the picnic plans) and move in the first weekend of October.

Heehee- I bought a house today!

[Mousey Girl]

YEAH!!! Congrats!!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Congratulations!

[Snowflake]

Very cool! Congrats!
I'm years away from this, working on credit clean up and saving $$ now.

[Nephythys]

Very cool! Congrats!
I'm years away from this, working on credit clean up and saving $$ now.


I wish I had done that years ago! My biggest regret is money wasted over the years- and not being better prepared and knowledgeable.

I will still be cleaning up the debt- may be easier to do a debt consolidation loan now that I am buying a home.

[Disneyphile]

Woohoo!!! Even better than your other prospect!!!! :D

[Nephythys]

Woohoo!!! Even better than your other prospect!!!! :D

Almost 700 sq feet bigger- plus has enough room for storage for my Christmas and Halloween things.

[BarTopDancer]

Congratulations Nephy!!!!

[Prudence]

w00t! One word of advice - if you know you're going to want to paint, do it when you move in and before you get things really set up. It's so annoying to try to do later! Homeownership is great! Congrats!

[Nephythys]

Thanks -

The problem is we really don't have time nor funds to paint yet- we want to, but I suspect we will have to do it the annoying way LOL

I want to paint the house red...not fire engine red, but a country red, with white trim.....we'll see how that works out. ;)

[Prudence]

Well, I had the bathroom doorway from the master bedroom taped off for two years before I finally finished painting that hallway, so you won't be the first to do it later. And primer really is your friend.

Actually, although painting is annoying and messy, it's also kind of fun. After years of living under my parents' roof with their mandated room colors, and then years in rentals with institutional cream walls, it felt *SO* good to actually paint rooms different colors! Sure, the cats' bedroom is a weird green/yellow depending on the light. And the powder room is very, very pink. But I *LOVE* my yellow bedroom and the warmth of my butter-colored main floor. Painting the rooms really made the place feel like mine and erased any residual essence of the prior owner.

Yes, I'm a paint fanatic. ;)

[Nephythys]

Well, I had the bathroom doorway from the master bedroom taped off for two years before I finally finished painting that hallway, so you won't be the first to do it later. And primer really is your friend.

Actually, although painting is annoying and messy, it's also kind of fun. After years of living under my parents' roof with their mandated room colors, and then years in rentals with institutional cream walls, it felt *SO* good to actually paint rooms different colors! Sure, the cats' bedroom is a weird green/yellow depending on the light. And the powder room is very, very pink. But I *LOVE* my yellow bedroom and the warmth of my butter-colored main floor. Painting the rooms really made the place feel like mine and erased any residual essence of the prior owner.

Yes, I'm a paint fanatic. ;)


Which means I know who to go to for tips and advice!:snap: If you don't mind that is. :)

I have plans for this house- whoo baby!

[Nephythys]

Just a quick update-



The seller accepted our offer with only a couple of changes-

The mortgage broker sent over the loan ppwk and we sent it back with like 98% of the ppwk he asked for. We should have approval today or tomorrow.

We had the inspection today and there are a few things we are going to tell the seller to fix before we close- the roof has hail damage, so we are going to get that fixed. The furnace is 25 years old, so he has to replace that and he has to replace the garbage disposal.

I am currently getting quotes on homeowners insurance-

Once it is all said and done our monthly mortgage payment will be around $1600.

We are getting an 80/20 loan. The broker told me to go get the 20% refinanced right away- I am already in touch with my personal banker about that- plus debt consolidation.



So- getting the ppwk and busywork done- packing has commenced- the kids are very excited and if all goes as planned we close on September 29, and move in October 1 (I am taking the 30th OFF)



Keep your fingers crossed that nothing goes haywire!

[SzczerbiakManiac]

<crosses fingers>

[CoasterMatt]

<crosses fingers and toes>

[Kevy Baby]

<crosses fingers and legs>

(I gotta pee)

[Nephythys]

Thank you for all the crossed appendages- the loan has been approved. They just want to add a few documents to the file- and we will be set in plenty of time for closing.

The Realtor should be by with the ppwk to sign for the roof/furnace/disposal/sewer scope stuff- things the seller needs to certify or fix or check before we move in-and once that hurdle is over- all we need to do is pack, close and move.

wow- I bought a house. I really did it.

[Nephythys]

ok- so, they have until 12:01 am tonight to make a decision on the inspection corrections. Everyone keeps telling me that he will agree to make the corrections because if he doesn't- he will have to do them next time (for another buyer) if I refuse to buy the house. It's a buyers market out here- houses are NOT moving, prices are being reduced all over the place- but gah I hate waiting!

So- all is ready to go- my stuff is almost entirely packed. I am just waiting on this last hurdle to be done with and then it's full speed ahead. Going to be on pins and needles til I get that call though- and today is the worst of all.

Close and move in less than 2 weeks.....gak, I just want to get there!

[Mousey Girl]

LOL The waiting is the most unerving part of the whole thing.

[Nephythys]

The seller agreed to all the requests- they are just having issues getting someone out to certify (or not) on the roof. They should be faxing something over to my Realtor before close of business today- and I will make sure with him that all certifications and repairs are done by reputable people. Otherwise- it's a GO!

[CoasterMatt]

Rock on!

:)

[Disneyphile]

*happy dance* Neph, I am beyond happy for you. You need a housewarming gift registry. :)

[Nephythys]

*happy dance* Neph, I am beyond happy for you. You need a housewarming gift registry. :)


never thought of that- is it allowed?

[Nephythys]

ok-

The disposal will be replaced this coming weekend
The sewer will be scoped by next Monday
The roof actually was certified ok- not sure for how long, 1 yr? 3 yrs? more? We don't know that- but I am ok with that. I want to replace it anyway. Meanwhile looks like it's ok.
The furnace is being cleaned and checked for certification this Friday- if it does not pass certification he has to replace it with a new one.

My Realtor got the agreement in writing and I do still have the year warranty- so I am feeling ok about this.

I have one piece of ppwk to get to the loan guy-but otherwise all I need to do is show up at the closing on the 29th- sign my life away in the span of 45 minutes to an hour- and my fiance and I and the kids are staying the night there right away- moving small things on Saturday and making the BIG move on October 1st.

So- other than packing and faxing one piece of paper- it's done. For now, I feel almost aimless without something to do. Guess I'll go home and pack- not much left there either.

wow-a moment of peace!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I plan on giving each of our old appliances a swift kick every time I walk by in hopes that they'll die within the 1-year home appliance waranty. :evil:

[MouseWife]

Congratulations!!!!

Your plans for the upcoming holidays sound so exciting! You homeowner,you!:snap: :snap:

[Nephythys]

All done!

Closed today- went smooth, no glitches- got my keys! :snap:

[SacTown Chronic]

Very cool, Neph. Congrats!:cheers:

[Snowflake]

Very Cool and congratulations on your new homeownership.
It will be a blessing and a curse, no doubt and Home Depot will know yo by sight very soon

[€uroMeinke]

Congrats!

[Not Afraid]

Congratulations!!!!

[Nephythys]

AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok- remember how happy I was about the new garbage disposal?

Not anymore.

It was incorrectly installed- and we ran the dishwasher for the FIRST freaking time since the plumbing changes. The whole thing emptied out into the cabinet under the sink- and then.....went down into my basement ceiling which is now falling apart.

LITERALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The cabinet is still soaked-I can't use anything in the kitchen than involves plumbing and I am just livid.

So- called the Realtor and left him a message last night- he called this morning (not too happy himself) and told me how to use my warranty. He is going to call the other Realtor (on the sellers side) to discuss getting the basement ceiling fixed too. He told me to keep all the receipts because he says we are going after the seller for all of it.

Left a message at the service dept for the warranty- hopefully someone can get out there right away. Might need to ask my mom to go over there to let them in- putting her out too.

AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! We are not a happy bunch of people. Older house I understand- TLC- little changes here and there to update- but this???????

*sigh*

[scaeagles]

Yikes! That has to get taken care of immediately or you could have mold issues. Photos and videos as evidence are an absolute must.

[RStar]

Wow, good luck with it! I hope it gets fixed quickly!

[Prudence]

Oooh! that sucks! I hope they get out there to fix it right away. Document, document, document - including who called whom when and what they said.

[Nephythys]

I will take pics when I get home- or have my fiance do it. Hard to photograph water under the sink- but the damage to the ceiling I sure can.

Turns out this is not covered under warranty- the seller needs to fix it all. I have an advantage in that the other Realtor (the sellers agent) lives across the street from me. She's very upset and is in contact with the seller's attorney.

So- right now we are waiting to hear from her. We are going to try to get them to get a plumber out immediately because I need to be able to use the kitchen- then we will expect them to get someone out to check out and repair the water damage to the cabinet and the basement ceiling.

**update** while I was posting- the attorney for the seller wants to go check it out with some construction guys. So I am waiting for the time and I will go meet them, let them in and find out what they are going to do. Looks good so far-

Gak!

[Nephythys]

I am leaving to meet them at the house now- the sellers agent, the attorney and some construction guys-



Wish me luck guys- hopefully this will go easy.

[Nephythys]

OK- turns out much better than I thought.

The plumbing issue- the force of the water from the dishwasher popped the hose free from the fixtures under the sink. The fix is easy- reclamp the hose.

The ceiling damage is fairly small- we are going to let it dry, pull off the dry wall tape and ruined popcorn texture. Then retape it and re-popcorn it.

I think the seller will take care of all of it- they are coming out this weekend.

*phew*

[RStar]

Glad to hear that! Whew is right!!

[Nephythys]

heh- though I doubt I will actually rest easy until they have set an appt and actually gotten it done. :)

[Nephythys]

so- turns out the dishwasher is faulty. Doesn't drain- so they are getting us a "new" one. Won't be brand new- but newer and working. They are going to bring it to us- but won't install it.

Fine- we can do that.

The ceiling is fixed- one more spackle coat and then we can re-popcorn the ceiling. (yes, popcorn is SO 80's LOL)

Oh well, we're getting there. Did all my dishes by hand yesterday. Boxes are diminishing- it's good.


But happily the phone, internet and cable all got hooked up on saturday without any issues. :)