Almost Time for a New Start

So by now, all immediate family, and those on Face Book know, that I will soon be the proud owner of my own house. The process moved quickly, although at times seemed to drag on forever!

On October 22, I went and looked at a house that is just over 2 miles away from the house I currently occupy. It had literally gone on the market that day; I was shocked when I asked my realtor to look at it, that they arranged the showing so soon. It is one level for the living space, with a garage underneath and an unfinished basement.

 

It has FHW heat (love the FHW) and air conditioning in the living area (haven't had that since I was 18). The living area includes 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, kitchen/breakfast area, and a small dining room (which I will use as a den/office). It has several nice plantings that includee lillies, a large rhododendron, hydrangea tree and two large yuccas (yes, yuccas). The garage opens into the basement, where a small workshop has been set up - that will be a great place to refinish the furniture that I've been picking up. Oddly, there is a built in closet in the basement, but it will come in handy for storing biking gear during the winter, and maybe off-season clothing.

My realtor wasn't able to make the showing, a last minute minor emergency, so I met the seller's realtor and looked at the house. Although the price requested was more than my budget, the listing said the seller was motivated, and the price was above the assessment, so what I figured I could get it for was within my budget. During the showing it was revealed that the seller was moving back down south - she had come to take care of her parents and her father had passed during the summer, so she and her mother were moving back to Tennessee.

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I contacted my realtor the next day and told her I wanted to make an offer, which was really low. By Thursday I had everything together to make an official offer, one that was reallhy low. They had more showings so the owner didn't reply until Monday with a counter offer that brought the price under the assessed value. I then countered Monday afternoon with the inclusion that she didn't have to clean the house (for a quick closing), I would waive inspection (I had gone over it thoroughly and was satisfied that is was way more sound than anything I had looked at thus far). The seller didn't answer until Thursday morning with a counter. In the counter, she threw in a Sears snowblower, roof rake, propane in the tank (you usually have to pay for fuel left), and the fridge (originally the only appliance included was the gas stove). However, half of the realtor payment was added which means she didn't come down that much on price.

Thursday afternoon I tendered a best and final offer at just below what her offer was, removed the realtor commission, and asked for shades/curtains to remain. Thursday night we dickered by text (between me and my realtor) and she threw in a treadmill (bonus!) at her slightly higher price, and without me paying any commission. The price was at the top of my comfort range - but within it, so I said yes.

Late Thursday night my realtor got me the new drafted P&S, I signed it and got it right back to her. Friday, fortuitously, I had arranged a vacation day (arranged weeks before, so I must have had ESP that I would need the day off), so I ran around getting documentation. Yes, I had to run around because no one would do it by phone, they needed to prove I was the correct person.

After a slight fiasco where a company sent info to my realtor of what all my assets were, instead of just the required assets (this gets sent on to the seller's agent, so didn't want that passed on), everything was corrected and submitted to my agent.

I finally got the initialed P&S last night, so it looks like this is going forward. The closing date is set for 11/15. I figure I won't move until sometime in December - depending upon how the cleaning goes and moving things in slowly.

This will be the start to my new reality and a place that the pets and I can make a happy home.

Comments

[bogie]

I grabbed all the pictures (except of the front of the house) from a realtor website about 7 this morning. I was going to link to the site, but when I went back it said the listing had been taken off the market. Makes it seem even more real that it will soon be mine!

[Cop Car]

I predict that you will thoroughly enjoy your new home, Bogie. It is completely different from the home in which you've lived for the past (what? nearly 20?) years, so it will be an adjustment; and, your new digs have so many great features! FHW = Forced Hot Water? Love the bay window in your kitchen/eating area. (Obviously! I love the one in our kitchen!) Your dad and I are happy, happy, happy for you and your critters. Live long and prosper! (And...lots of love.)

[bogie]

25.5 years at the present house. You are right on the FHW - that is what we have at present house. The temp stays more stable than FHA. I love bay windows too, which is why when we replaced the picture window in the front of the house, I had them put in bays. I've already thought I may put another bay window or two in - when it is time to replace windows.

I am sure I will enjoy the new home - the critters will go into shock. The cats won't be able to go outside anymore - a huge adjustment for them. Prince is more difficult to predict. He has been in a bit of a funk since we lost Missy and WS left. Maybe moving is just the thing he needs - or maybe it won't make any difference at all.

[Ruth]

Sweet! So glad it went smoothly for you!

[Cop Car]

Bogie--Thanks for correcting my memory on your buying of the house in (now) Deering. Let's see if I do better on Prince - that you got him in 2001? Poor Prince has seen a lot!

[bogie]

2001 is correct! You have such a good memory when it comes to your "grand-kids"

You are right, he has seen a lot - lost Sampson, lost Indy, lost Missy, WS moving out. Oh, and lost several birds too since he came to live here.