We're now in escrow - officially!

[FFC]

So Matt and I have been house hunting quite consistently for about 4 months. We were in escrow back in November on a home that was built in 1900. God had other plans - and there were big time issues with our financing and our dates. So we backed out on that house and kept hunting.

Since then, Matt and I have put in about 25 offers on homes in our area. Every single offer has come back "another offer has already been accepted - sale pending". We've been sent this message over and over and over and have learned not to get our hopes up on a home. Well, now we have our hopes up, even though we haven't gone to inspection yet.

We got confirmation this morning that the bank has signed the contract and now we're waiting on inspections - which will happen this week. We get to go meet with the inspector some afternoon this week and go over the home with him/her. Upon passing inspection and appraisal, it'll all be a matter of time.

It's a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath with a huge back and front yard (huge for Sacramento anyway). The house has new tile and decent paint, but the bedrooms need paint and carpet - so we've been working on ideas. Upon escrow closing, we'll be going to Home Depot and getting the paint (which we've already picked out for 2 of the rooms) and going *somewhere* and ordering the carpet. That'll be how we celebrate - painting our rooms :)

Will start updating here as escrow progresses :whoohoo:

[SerendipityCrafts]

Whooo hooo :) Congrats to you! I bet you never thought you would be so excited about paint & carpet before did you? :rofl:

Before you head to HD - check for coupons (online? friends/family? ask the employees?). About a month after we moved in here, we received some HD rebate coupons in the mail however we had already spent a good chunk of change there.

[WebLady]

Congrats :whoohoo:

[Jacobs_Girl]

yay! Congrats!!! House warming party time I know we are invited :)

[Kfancii]

Congrats Justina! Another thing to check at Home Depot- they used to give a 10% discount on the first purchase you make if you take out a Home Depot credit card. I did this when I bought my house 9 years ago, spent about $1000.00 on paint, blinds, screen doors, etc., charged it to the credit card and then paid the bill off in full when it came. Saved me over $100 on all my new home needs! (Just be careful with that HD card - I cut mine up to keep me out of there after I bought what I needed! :o)

[FFC]

Thank you! Great insight ladies. Matt is not on the home loan - he couldn't because of his recent drop in credit score. So guess who's name the Home Depot credit card is going on?? :whoohoo: That's a great idea - and I think we'll do it. I didn't even think about it actually. I think we'll set a limit for ourselves and see what we can do with that. We *have* to get paint for sure, carpet we might get elsewhere since we're only carpeting about 350 sq ft anyway.

Sierra has a front room - which she didn't want to begin with - so we have to get her thick either blinds or curtains. She doesn't want to see the light from her window unless it's on her terms. She doesn't like having a street facing room, but since Mine and Matt's room is street facing as well (the master bedroom is the smallest in the house :urgh: ) she's okay with us being right next to her.

I'd love to paint the whole interior if we can afford to. I don't like going in on someone else's decor ideas - it's bad enough I have to keep the tile LOL

*Pics coming*

[FFC]

These are from the MLS site... I gotta take more when we go for inspection :happy:

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4085&stc=1&d=1234277864
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4086&stc=1&d=1234277873
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4087&stc=1&d=1234277877
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4088&stc=1&d=1234277881
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4089&stc=1&d=1234277885

[FFC]

More :)

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4090&stc=1&d=1234277970

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4091&stc=1&d=1234277974

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4092&stc=1&d=1234277977

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4093&stc=1&d=1234277982

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4094&stc=1&d=1234277986

[FFC]

The plan with the kitchen and master bedroom is to eventually expand out into the back yard a bit more. I'd like to eventually make the master bedroom about twice the size it is, and the kitchen as well. Since the back yard is so large, it wouldn't hurt to expand out.

The white has to go.... eventually. I'm going to be VERY happy with what I have when I get it to begin with :)

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4095&stc=1&d=1234278052

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4096&stc=1&d=1234278055

[FFC]

Did the pics work? One of my friends said they didn't work for them.

We just heard from our lender - we're locking in our loan today :)

[SerendipityCrafts]

I can see the pics. Looks great! That is some big back yard gal :)

[FFC]

I can see the pics. Looks great! That is some big back yard gal :)

Thanks!

We have plans for that back yard! Where the posts and arbor are - we're going to fence that in and put a play house in the corner for Sierra - a real one, not plastic. She'll have electricity also, and we're going to plant a flower garden in front of her playhouse. That way it's like HER house... and she can have sleepovers in there as well. That's the plan anyway :)

[Jacobs_Girl]

Thanks!

We have plans for that back yard! Where the posts and arbor are - we're going to fence that in and put a play house in the corner for Sierra - a real one, not plastic. She'll have electricity also, and we're going to plant a flower garden in front of her playhouse. That way it's like HER house... and she can have sleepovers in there as well. That's the plan anyway :)

LOL that is sooo cool!! I wish I had one when I was growing up! Kids have it made now.

[FFC]

LOL that is sooo cool!! I wish I had one when I was growing up! Kids have it made now.


I always wanted one - and now is my chance LOL. If I can't play in it - I can build my dream playhouse for Sierra heheee :) Not to mention, we're going to start having kids hopefully the end of this year - so there will be siblings to enjoy it too :)

[SerendipityCrafts]

My kids had one of those huge wood play sets with a slide, swings and spinning tire thing but we never got around to building the little house.

You will have all the neighbourhood kids over at your place but at the same time, you will always know where your kids are :)

[FFC]

My kids had one of those huge wood play sets with a slide, swings and spinning tire thing but we never got around to building the little house.

You will have all the neighbourhood kids over at your place but at the same time, you will always know where your kids are :)

I'd rather have them all at my place than someone else's :happy:

[SerendipityCrafts]

I'd rather have them all at my place than someone else's :happy:

Exactly :) It's a hassle but you can always tell the kids to go home when you have had too much LOL

[FFC]

Exactly :) It's a hassle but you can always tell the kids to go home when you have had too much LOL

I plan on starting a daycare eventually so that I can be a stay at home mom - maybe a daycare and something else work from home-ish. It should work out perfect... in a perfect world LOL.

[Brian's Bride]

Congratulations on the house! I'm sure Sierra is excited for her playhouse!

[FFC]

I just got an email from my realtor.

We get the inspection done TOMORROW!!!!!! We'll know by 4pm tomorrow if the house passes inspection :whoohoo:

On top of that, I have a state exam that I have to take at 12:15. OMG.... I don't know how I'm going to concentrate on that when I go straight from there to my *hopefully* new home!!!

[MrsDM]

I found your journal! :) Your house (isn't that so much fun to think about?!) is sooo freaking cute!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes okay with the inspection!!!!

[FFC]

Thank you, and yes it is amazing to think about!!

[Jacobs_Girl]

good luck on inspection :-)

[FFC]

good luck on inspection :-)

Thanks!! I can't WAIT! I have to leave work at 11:15 to take a state exam - trying to get employed with the state - and the exam starts at 12:15 and is supposed to last 3 hours. That means the earliest I can get to the house if there's NO traffic is 3:30.. so I'm hoping I can get done with the test early. I am dyin' to meet with the inspector!!!!!

[Jacobs_Girl]

Thanks!! I can't WAIT! I have to leave work at 11:15 to take a state exam - trying to get employed with the state - and the exam starts at 12:15 and is supposed to last 3 hours. That means the earliest I can get to the house if there's NO traffic is 3:30.. so I'm hoping I can get done with the test early. I am dyin' to meet with the inspector!!!!!

how much are they charging you for inspection?

I got a buddy of mine doing our inspection. He is certified and everything and he is charging us $175. Usually charges around $350

[FFC]

how much are they charging you for inspection?

I got a buddy of mine doing our inspection. He is certified and everything and he is charging us $175. Usually charges around $350

Ouch... we're paying $65 for the inspection, and about $350 for the appraisal.

[Jacobs_Girl]

Ouch... we're paying $65 for the inspection, and about $350 for the appraisal.

wow nice! we paid $400 for appraisal here. But I guess it all depends on the house and location too.

[FFC]

wow nice! we paid $400 for appraisal here. But I guess it all depends on the house and location too.


The appraisal is what gets us... that's a huge chunk out of pocket that we weren't counting on. So we're having to save extra right now and pray hard that our tax return comes in before we close.

[MrsDM]

Ouch... we're paying $65 for the inspection, and about $350 for the appraisal.

Is $65 the going rate!? We had to pay $325, and that was because we got a $50 discount! The appraisal is the same cost out here.

Thats it, I'm packing up and moving....lol!

[FFC]

We're getting a termite inspection done - which is really all we need. The termite inspection inspects everything for 'section 1' - which is what has to be done to qualify for FHA. They inspect EVERYTHING.... it takes 3 hours. I *might* be getting my inspections mixed up, but from what my realtor told me, it'll only be $65 out of my pocket today. I'll letchya'll know this evening if I'm messed up in my head:ooh:

[Jacobs_Girl]

We're getting a termite inspection done - which is really all we need. The termite inspection inspects everything for 'section 1' - which is what has to be done to qualify for FHA. They inspect EVERYTHING.... it takes 3 hours. I *might* be getting my inspections mixed up, but from what my realtor told me, it'll only be $65 out of my pocket today. I'll letchya'll know this evening if I'm messed up in my head:ooh:

We are getting our termite inspection free from the seller (bank) my realtor says on new houses they should already have that.

[FFC]

Oh that's cool. With bank owned homes here - they have ZERO requirements, so unless they agree to assist in the original contract, everything's on us. They aren't even paying the home warranty.

I'm pretty sure it's the termite we're doing today.... I could be completely wrong though.

[MrsDM]

We don't have termite inspections here. I don't think its as big of an issue as it is by you guys. But wow, 3 hours for that?! Our entire house inspection took 3 hours!!! I know those can be destructive little buggers, but wow!!!

[Kfancii]

Ugggh.... Termites are bad here in Texas too. They say there are only two kinds of houses, those with termites, and those that will get them. Two years ago, I noticed what looked like ants on the corner of my house and they were termites. It cost me $900 to have the house treated, but it is something you have to do! The good thing is that if you keep up a "warranty" with the pest control company, they will guarentee your treatment for up to 10 years.

[Kfancii]

Oh that's cool. With bank owned homes here - they have ZERO requirements, so unless they agree to assist in the original contract, everything's on us. They aren't even paying the home warranty.

I'm pretty sure it's the termite we're doing today.... I could be completely wrong though.

Are you buying a home warranty? If so, what company are you going to use? I have one through American Homeshield and it has been great! I have the premium coverage, and it covers everything including the AC/Furnace and it costs me $45 a month. My maximum out of pocket for repairs on covered appliances is $60 and if they can't fix it, they replace it. So far I have had 2 service calls that would have cost me over $500.00 without the warranty and the service companies they have sent out have been top notch.

[FFC]

We don't have termite inspections here. I don't think its as big of an issue as it is by you guys. But wow, 3 hours for that?! Our entire house inspection took 3 hours!!! I know those can be destructive little buggers, but wow!!!

I *think* the home inspection is the termite inspection... I have to call my realtor and make sure this is the termite inspection. If I go there today expecting to spend $65 and it costs me $300 then I'll be in for a rude awakening - so I'll find out before we go I think.

Kelly,
I do believe we'll be buying a home warranty.. that's like $350 or something like that. I haven't really looked into it, but I'll be asking my agent about that too.

[Jacobs_Girl]

Good luck Justina!!! :)

[FFC]

Good luck Justina!!! :)


Thanks, I have this feeling I'm going to need it :ooh:

[FFC]

DARN.... It is the HOME inspection we're getting done today, and yes you are all correct, I'm looking at about $350/375 out of pocket today *doh* For some reason, I thought we were just doing the termite inspection. GRRNESS... oh well, guess that's how it goes, gotta deal with it.

Alrighty, so now we're uber saving - that's almost $400 extra that we were not planning on from the beginning.

Urgh.. I just remembered, we forgot to make the car payment this month :urgh:

[NurseLau84]

DARN.... It is the HOME inspection we're getting done today, and yes you are all correct, I'm looking at about $350/375 out of pocket today *doh* For some reason, I thought we were just doing the termite inspection. GRRNESS... oh well, guess that's how it goes, gotta deal with it.

Alrighty, so now we're uber saving - that's almost $400 extra that we were not planning on from the beginning.

Urgh.. I just remembered, we forgot to make the car payment this month :urgh:


Yikes. I hate those unexpected expenses. For instance, last week our vents were blowing out cold air (in the dead of winter, nonetheless!) and we had to have a guy come over to check things out. It was $220 for him to stay here 10 minutes and wipe the smegma off of the freaking pilot light (on the furnace, I think?).

Homeownership......gotta love it.

Keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well with the inspections!:chimp:

[MrsDM]

DARN.... It is the HOME inspection we're getting done today, and yes you are all correct, I'm looking at about $350/375 out of pocket today *doh* For some reason, I thought we were just doing the termite inspection. GRRNESS... oh well, guess that's how it goes, gotta deal with it.

Alrighty, so now we're uber saving - that's almost $400 extra that we were not planning on from the beginning.

Urgh.. I just remembered, we forgot to make the car payment this month :urgh:

I'm totally in yout same boat. At least your wedding is over! I'm trying to save for the house, save for the wedding in additon to all the regular monthly expenses!!

I hope the inspection goes well, at least it will be behind you and paid for after today!

[FFC]

I wouldn't be house shopping if I were still planning the wedding LOL.

And I gotta say, this inspection BETTER go well - for $350.

[MrsDM]

I wouldn't be house shopping if I were still planning the wedding LOL.

And I gotta say, this inspection BETTER go well - for $350.

Well, if it doesn't and you have to find a new house, similar to the boat I'm in right now, you get to pay it twice!! Thats in addition to the $1,000 earnest money you lost, so, we are looking at....$1650! Consider youself lucky :rofl:

[FFC]

Good point... And as long as we have our reports in by the end of the week, we'll get our EMD back. We've been working on and off with our realtor for over 2 years - he's taking care of us thank GOD because if it was someone else I'd probably be a LOT more skeptical.

[FFC]

Well... I don't remember if I posted this, but we forgot to pay our car payment this month! :urgh: So Matt paid that on lunch right before I left to take my exam and go to the house.

Oh, and guess what?











































THE HOUSE PASSED INSPECTION!!!!!!!!!

Now we just have to get through appraisal and get another paycheck or two and we'll be good to go! My lender has been so great. She said that she's worried bout us coming up with the money we need out of pocket. She's not taking any commission from us... I couldn't believe it! She thought we'd get more closing cost assistance from the bank than we did, but we only got 3% and she was expecting 6%. So, she made up for that other 3% by not taking commission. I couldn't believe it. All she said was "Just be sure to tell your friends about me!"

So the appraiser will be out within the next 2 days to do her thing, and we are going to crunch dates and figures with our lender as soon as we get the results from that :happy:

Matt and I went to Home Depot today and picked out our paint for the living room. I'm still debating on tile for the kitchen - it needs tile in the front of the sink edging, so I think I'll chisel out a lot of the old stuff and add an accent tile to the plain white that's there. I just haven't found anything that jumps out at me - YET!

[MrsDM]

Justina, I am sooooo happy for you guys!!! That is great news!!!!!!!! YEAHH!!!

[FFC]

Justina, I am sooooo happy for you guys!!! That is great news!!!!!!!! YEAHH!!!

Thanks!! The inspector went over everything with us... there are a few things that need to be done to the house "eventually", but nothing that HAS to be done NOW - although there are a LOT of little things that are going to add up fast that we're going to have to do. One of the worst things is that the outlets have not been updated - there is no ground wire to the outlets. So that's one of the huge fixes we want to do in the first year before we have a child or I should say - before our child can crawl lol.

Some of the things that need to be done:

~Tile on the kitchen counter fixed - going to chisel out the one row of tile on the very front of the counter and put in an accent pattern to set the kitchen theme

~Outlets updated w/ground wire

~New doorknobs (already picked them out) for every door in the house

~New knobs on the cupboards in the kitchen

~Interior paint - which Matt and I picked out for the living room this evening!!!!!!!

~Carpet in all the bedrooms - also about halfway picked out, still browsing vendors

~Screen on the floor vent in the garage

~The WORST part about the place - it needs a new garage door :irked: But for now we're just hoping to fix the tracks somehow and make it manual

I'll post a more detailed list when I don't have homework to do and I can sit with our big *** book that cost us $350 with all our repair recommendations in it :happy:

[Nekochanpurr]

OH my goodness thats exciting!!!! :D YOUR house looks lovely!! :D

[BnB]

I hope you are all done by spring

:)

[FFC]

I hope you are all done by spring

:)


I highly doubt it. It's going to take time to get everything fixed up the way we want it, but at we're hoping to at least paint and do the bedroom carpet before we move in - that carpet is NASTY it looks like they let the dogs and cats loose in the rooms and closed the door. It's terrible!

I'm still giddy this morning :happy:

[Jacobs_Girl]

Yay congrats!!!

you know my husband showed me the other day, door knob sets that to open you could either use the key or finger print!! Thats soo cool! And it wasnt that expensive either.

I am so happy for you :-)

BTW How many times did u guys offer before they accepted if u dont mind me asking.

[FFC]

Yay congrats!!!

you know my husband showed me the other day, door knob sets that to open you could either use the key or finger print!! Thats soo cool! And it wasnt that expensive either.

I am so happy for you :-)

BTW How many times did u guys offer before they accepted if u dont mind me asking.


We saw some door knobs (dead bolts) that were code operated - didn't see the fingerprint ones! That's awsome - cept they take tons of batteries :irked:

We are planning on replacing ALL the door knobs - and hopefully immediately after the close of escrow.

Let's see here... we offered > bank counter offered > we countered their counter > and they countered - which is what we both signed. The price remained the same, it was the terms that we were negotiating. It all took about a week and a half.

[FFC]

Well, I found out today that escrow is set to close on March 13!!!!!! We get 2 paychecks before then - so we're skimping pennies so that we can cover closing *fingers crossed*. I'm trying to get a number as to how MUCH closing will be - my lender is still working on it.

[NurseLau84]

Well, I found out today that escrow is set to close on March 13!!!!!! We get 2 paychecks before then - so we're skimping pennies so that we can cover closing *fingers crossed*. I'm trying to get a number as to how MUCH closing will be - my lender is still working on it.

Congratulations!!! Not sure if this helps any, but I think our closing costs were a little under $4K, but I've heard of people having to pay as high as $7K.
I hope yours are much, much less!!
BTW- What paint are you using? We used all Behr paint and the colors/quality are awesome, so I figured I'd throw that recommendation out there. :chimp:

[Nekochanpurr]

Congrats!!!!! :D

[MrsDM]

Thats great news Justina!!!! Just think, in exactly one month, you will be in your new house!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Not sure if this helps any, but I think our closing costs were a little under $4K, but I've heard of people having to pay as high as $7K.
I hope yours are much, much less!!
BTW- What paint are you using? We used all Behr paint and the colors/quality are awesome, so I figured I'd throw that recommendation out there. :chimp:

You use Behr and so did my parents. I second the recommendation :)

[FFC]

Congratulations!!! Not sure if this helps any, but I think our closing costs were a little under $4K, but I've heard of people having to pay as high as $7K.
I hope yours are much, much less!!
BTW- What paint are you using? We used all Behr paint and the colors/quality are awesome, so I figured I'd throw that recommendation out there. :chimp:

Do you mind me asking how much your home cost? Was that just under $4k including the downpayment? The total cost of the house is $80k plus closing costs/taxes. Our friends just got a home that was $160k and they had to pay about $7k out of pocket. I'm just trying to get the feel of what we're lookin at here. If we don't come up with it, we'll either have to borrow or give up the whole idea and all of our EMD/inspection money.

Yes, we're planning on using Behr. We have our colors picked out through Behr and I've heard nothing but good about the product.

[MrsDM]

I can't get over how much your closing costs are in both of yours areas! For $200,000 - $250,000 you are looking at around $1,000 - $1,500 at the most.

[FFC]

I can't get over how much your closing costs are in both of yours areas! For $200,000 - $250,000 you are looking at around $1,000 - $1,500 at the most.

Wow... Mine are at least $3k I know that much, and that's even with my lender taking ZERO commissions.

[NOTKT]

Yay! Congrats! That is so awesome it's finally working!

[Jacobs_Girl]

Wow... Mine are at least $3k I know that much, and that's even with my lender taking ZERO commissions.

My closing cost for a $225,000 is $13,000.

But it also depends on the loan type as well.

[FFC]

My closing cost for a $225,000 is $13,000.

But it also depends on the loan type as well.


Holy Cow!!! I'm assuming you're doing between 5 and 6% down??

[Jacobs_Girl]

Holy Cow!!! I'm assuming you're doing between 5 and 6% down??

we got an FHA loan and we are only going to put 3.5% down, we offered to put 10% down but said it wasnt worth it and just keep the extra for other items.

[MrsDM]

Did you guys hear that with this new potential stimulus bill, if you buy a house you get a $15,000 tax credit? That would be pretty cool! :)

[FFC]

we got an FHA loan and we are only going to put 3.5% down, we offered to put 10% down but said it wasnt worth it and just keep the extra for other items.


That's rediculous!

Did you guys hear that with this new potential stimulus bill, if you buy a house you get a $15,000 tax credit? That would be pretty cool! :)

It would be totally cool if it was amended to do just that by the time we amend our taxes. However, right now the tax credit is for up to $7500 and it's something that has to be paid back at $500/yr for 15 years. This is IN ACTION and you can do it.

HOWEVER... they're hoping to have the law amended within the next month so that a first time home buyer can get up to $15000 that they don't have to pay back. Gosh I sure hope that takes affect before we amend our taxes!!!!

Keep this in mind! I have the printout on the current law if you want me to email it to you - pm me your email address - this goes for any of you buying homes :)

[MrsDM]

That's rediculous!



It would be totally cool if it was amended to do just that by the time we amend our taxes. However, right now the tax credit is for up to $7500 and it's something that has to be paid back at $500/yr for 15 years. This is IN ACTION and you can do it.

HOWEVER... they're hoping to have the law amended within the next month so that a first time home buyer can get up to $15000 that they don't have to pay back. Gosh I sure hope that takes affect before we amend our taxes!!!!

Keep this in mind! I have the printout on the current law if you want me to email it to you - pm me your email address - this goes for any of you buying homes :)

I'll PM you!! :) Thanks!!

[NOTKT]

I think it's a deduction, not a credit.

[NurseLau84]

Justina-
We paid around $278K for our 2 bed 2 bath condo. We went through a family friend (lawyer) to do our closing, so that may be why the costs weren't astronomical.

Oh, and about the first time homebuyer thingy....they do cut you a check for the $7500 or whatever it is. You have to pay it back in monthly installments with no interest accrued (we calculated it to be about $45/month). We did not qualify because we bought our house last Feb.....2 months short!! :irked:

[Brian's Bride]

You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate from your lender. That should be accurate with what money you need to bring to closing. We got one from our lender and have to bring $8800 to closing... EEK! And we're closing on March 12th, so we're almost Closing Twins!

[FFC]

You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate from your lender. That should be accurate with what money you need to bring to closing. We got one from our lender and have to bring $8800 to closing... EEK! And we're closing on March 12th, so we're almost Closing Twins!

Closing Twins WOOHOO!!!! :) :)

According to my good faith estimate, we only have to bring about $3k... so I am very hopeful that that's all it is!

We went in today and I signed a bunch of papers that the escrow officer needs. I actually brought home about a 50 page packet that I have to read tonight, sign and send in tomorrow. Thank goodness my homework was easy tonight!!

[FFC]

GOOD NEWS! About the first time homebuyers tax credit:

The Senate passed the bill and it goes to the president on Monday to sign - the first time homebuyers credit is $8000 and does not have to be paid back! *fingers crossed*

(I got this from my realtor this morning)

[FFC]

I just checked the listing for our house, and it's finally been updated to SALE PENDING! Minor, I know, but it's EXCITING to see that that sale is pending to US!!!!!!!!! :whoohoo:

[Jacobs_Girl]

lol I cant wait till our listing does that :o

[FFC]

lol I cant wait till our listing does that :o

It's an awsome feeling... I've always looked at "sale pending" status with dread. It just always meant that I shouldn't even bother looking at the listing - now I can look all I want cuz that's pending for US :whoohoo: :whoohoo:

[MrsDM]

I just checked the listing for our house, and it's finally been updated to SALE PENDING! Minor, I know, but it's EXCITING to see that that sale is pending to US!!!!!!!!! :whoohoo:

Oh I totally know how exciting it is!! When our condo sold, I made our realtor put an accepted offer on the sign, it just makes it feel more real!!!

[FFC]

YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! The house appraised at or above 80k so we don't have to worry about any extra money out of our pockets!! We were told as part of the purchase contract that if it appraises under $80k we have to pay the difference. But now, that's one more huge stepping stone out of the way and we're VERY happy about this!!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!

[MrsDM]

That's great news!!!

My realtor is working with a lady who had her house that she was suppoesd to buy appraised $10,000 below asking price. Needless to say, they had to back out of the deal because she wasn't prepared to bring that much money to closing!

[FFC]

That's rough. That was the only thing really holding us back from our excitement - and now we don't have to worry bout it! I'm SO happy about this :)

[Brian's Bride]

My smooth-sailing home purchase has possibly come to a screeching halt due to the appraisal. Purchase price is $213,500 and the appraiser looked at the comps and said our house would be worth $208k. This was just on paper and she's going to the property today, and the report will be sent to our mortgage lender tomorrow. So now we have to wait. We did have an appraisal contingency on our offer (if it came in less we could back out of the deal). But we're hoping the sellers will reduce the purchase price if it should come in lower. We figure they already have a deal worked out with THEIR new home, which is a short sale. And if they don't deal with us on this issue, the next buyers will have the same issue.

Also, the highest our FHA loan will give us is the appraised amount, nothing more. So somebody would be required to bring that difference to closing, and guess what?! It won't be us!

[MrsDM]

My smooth-sailing home purchase has possibly come to a screeching halt due to the appraisal. Purchase price is $213,500 and the appraiser looked at the comps and said our house would be worth $208k. This was just on paper and she's going to the property today, and the report will be sent to our mortgage lender tomorrow. So now we have to wait. We did have an appraisal contingency on our offer (if it came in less we could back out of the deal). But we're hoping the sellers will reduce the purchase price if it should come in lower. We figure they already have a deal worked out with THEIR new home, which is a short sale. And if they don't deal with us on this issue, the next buyers will have the same issue.

Also, the highest our FHA loan will give us is the appraised amount, nothing more. So somebody would be required to bring that difference to closing, and guess what?! It won't be us!

Breckan I hope it all works out for you! I guess that seems to be happening a lot in Wisconsin!

[MrsDM]

That's rough. That was the only thing really holding us back from our excitement - and now we don't have to worry bout it! I'm SO happy about this :)

Now you can REALLY start looking for new things for your house!!!! :) No more, what if's..its on its way to being yours!!!

[FFC]

Now you can REALLY start looking for new things for your house!!!! :) No more, what if's..its on its way to being yours!!!

Yup! Now I'm getting so serious about colors and furniture and all that. I told Matt's mom that I'm going to let Matt and Sierra pick out our new fridge - they want the one that has the blue light that comes on when you open the door. I thought it was so cute how much say they both want in picking our fridge. I am picking the entertainment center out though with Matt... the living room is going to be one of my hobbies until we expand the kitchen (in a few years) :whoohoo:

[Brian's Bride]

Picking out new colors and furniture is so much fun! I can't wait to get a new bedroom set. I've never had a matching one before!

[FFC]

Picking out new colors and furniture is so much fun! I can't wait to get a new bedroom set. I've never had a matching one before!


I've never had a matching set either! Matt and I found a set at American Furniture Galleries that is black with polished nickel accents that is PERFECT for our room... most likely we won't get it for awhile though. But we can dream :)

[MrsDM]

You know, I'm not sure about CA, but a lot of stores here are doing spend a certain amount of money and get a free LCD or spend a certian amount and receive cash back for more items plus free financing.

For us, I don't like financing since we like to pay cash for everything, but if we go with the house we are potentially buying, we'll need dishwasher, refridgerator, stove, microwave, washer/dryer and new couches because we only have a loveseat and a recliner in our tiny condo. So, we might jump on the free financing bandwagon!

Just throwing it out there :)

[FFC]

That's awsome - I'll have to look into that. We are thinking about going with Costco for our TV eventually. From what we can find, they have the best prices for the brands/sizes. As for appliances - most likely HD, then we can charge it then pay it off right away. Our friends referred us to a furniture outlet store that finances even at discounted prices - no interest for a year. Well, another place near us is no interest for 5 years, so we kinda like that idea better, but the furniture costs a little more. Who knows... we're definitely shopping around for the better deal in the long run :)

[FFC]

I found this pic on google maps and thought I'd post what our lot looks like. We eventually want to push the kitchen and master out so that it'll make the back yard smaller, but our living area larger.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4148&stc=1&d=1234908909

[FFC]

Here's what we want to do... the red is where we want to extend the kitchen, the green is where we want to expand the master bathroom with a jaccuzzi tub and shower, and the yellow is the master bedroom (which, right now is the smallest room in the house).

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4149&stc=1&d=1234909057

[MrsDM]

Looks like its a good plan! How do you save images from Google Maps?? I've been trying to figure it out and post that on my house journal!

[Ohio888Bride]

Whooo hooo :) Congrats to you! I bet you never thought you would be so excited about paint & carpet before did you? :rofl:

Before you head to HD - check for coupons (online? friends/family? ask the employees?). About a month after we moved in here, we received some HD rebate coupons in the mail however we had already spent a good chunk of change there.

Excellent point. Also, Lowes will send coupons if you request them online. We've received many 10% off and specific $$$ amount off coupons over the years. They help a lot when you plan to spend a ton.

[Ohio888Bride]

Whew! Nine pages later, I'm caught up on the homebuying posts and pictures. LOL! Best wishes, Justina! The house looks great!

[FFC]

Looks like its a good plan! How do you save images from Google Maps?? I've been trying to figure it out and post that on my house journal!

Hehe... I just zoom in to where I want the image, then hold down Alt and Print Screen at the same time, then I open Paint and click Edit > Paste. It'll paste the screenshot into Paint. I then crop it to where I want it and save it from there.

[FFC]

Whew! Nine pages later, I'm caught up on the homebuying posts and pictures. LOL! Best wishes, Justina! The house looks great!


Awww thank you for reading my escrow journal!! I can't believe the thread has gotten this far and it's only been like, a week and a half LOL!

You're right about the coupons - I'll be hunting for those before we buy anything :happy:

[Ohio888Bride]

Awww thank you for reading my escrow journal!! I can't believe the thread has gotten this far and it's only been like, a week and a half LOL!

You're right about the coupons - I'll be hunting for those before we buy anything :happy:

I'm sure you're swamped, so I thought I'd make it a little easier and post the link to sign up for a 10% off Lowe's coupon.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=/moving/Coupon_Registration.html&ln=cstln4&drd=drd7

We've been receiving coupons automatically over the years, but we don't always need them before they expire. No problem, because Lowe's will let you request them at any time.

Oh, we use Ralph Lauren and Behr paints, but Behr often runs promotions at HD where you get a $5 mail-in rebate per gallon purchased (sorry Ralph, Behr puts money into my pocket LOL!). I've mailed in my rebate request and received the check in about a month or so. Some rebate companies lie, but this is one rebate that actually gets paid, so wee hoo!

One more thing, because I'm a bargain-shopper queen, I often check the paint section at Lowe's and HD to see if they have any unsold, but already tinted paint. We've made out like bandits a few times doing this. One time when I couldn't decide what shade of beige to use (why are there like 1,000?), I saw a can of beige marked down to $8, so my mind was made up on the spot! :bblol:

[FFC]

Thank you tons!!!!! That's great news.. I didn't know that I could request the coupons! Also, my mom made out like a bandit at her HD in her hometown when they GAVE her tainted paint that didn't sell. SWEET! I totally forgot that I could ask them for that... and I would think GRAY would be somewhat easy to find.


I got a package in the mail yesterday - my loan application :irked: I thought that my lender was filling that stuff out :urgh: So I have to fill it out this evening and mail it back in because I have 24 hours to mail it in and it's already been 12.

[Ohio888Bride]

Thank you tons!!!!! That's great news.. I didn't know that I could request the coupons! Also, my mom made out like a bandit at her HD in her hometown when they GAVE her tainted paint that didn't sell. SWEET! I totally forgot that I could ask them for that... and I would think GRAY would be somewhat easy to find.


I got a package in the mail yesterday - my loan application :irked: I thought that my lender was filling that stuff out :urgh: So I have to fill it out this evening and mail it back in because I have 24 hours to mail it in and it's already been 12.

Wow! Go, mom! FREE is good any day of the week. LOL!

It sucks that they're giving you so little time to complete the paperwork, but I know you can get it done on time. This is so exciting! :)

[MrsDM]

Also, I don't know if this applies in CA, or what the coupons are, but when you have a change of address with the post office, they have coupons enclosed with the confirmation of your new address that say here is a welcome home gift. I think recently they've been doing $10 off $50 at Lowe's of Home Depot.

[FFC]

Wow! Go, mom! FREE is good any day of the week. LOL!

It sucks that they're giving you so little time to complete the paperwork, but I know you can get it done on time. This is so exciting! :)

Yeah, now I have to see if I can get her to work her magic again... :ooh:

I have to cook Matt's Valentine's dinner tonight (I was supposed to cook it Monday, then we got invited to our friend's to help with invites, then I was supposed to cook last night and I got a call from another friend in need of serious venting, so tonight it is). I will do the paperwork after dinner - that way I have all night to work on it LOL!

[FFC]

Also, I don't know if this applies in CA, or what the coupons are, but when you have a change of address with the post office, they have coupons enclosed with the confirmation of your new address that say here is a welcome home gift. I think recently they've been doing $10 off $50 at Lowe's of Home Depot.


YES!!! I got those coupons in the change of address form :) Thank you!!!

[Jacobs_Girl]

try checking out the outlets, we have a sears outlet here and we looked at some fridges last night marked down because of dents or scratches. Who cares if they are on the back lol

[FFC]

try checking out the outlets, we have a sears outlet here and we looked at some fridges last night marked down because of dents or scratches. Who cares if they are on the back lol


Oh Outlet stores! I'm going to have to see what's in Folsom - There's an outlet center there. Thanks!

[Kfancii]

Oh Outlet stores! I'm going to have to see what's in Folsom - There's an outlet center there. Thanks!

A word of caution when applliance outlet shopping - I bought a washer from one of the scratch and dent stores and got it for a reduced price, but it only had a 6 month warranty on it. Since the outward appearance of the unit was good, I thought there was no reason to take out the extra warranty on it. Month 7 the washer wouldn't spin anymore and ended up costing me another $250 to get repaired. In the end, I would have done better watching the sales at Sears and picking up a washer for a little more than my original purchased price. While the outlet washer looked good from the outside, it had internal damage that we didn't see and wasn't a good value.

[FFC]

A word of caution when applliance outlet shopping - I bought a washer from one of the scratch and dent stores and got it for a reduced price, but it only had a 6 month warranty on it. Since the outward appearance of the unit was good, I thought there was no reason to take out the extra warranty on it. Month 7 the washer wouldn't spin anymore and ended up costing me another $250 to get repaired. In the end, I would have done better watching the sales at Sears and picking up a washer for a little more than my original purchased price. While the outlet washer looked good from the outside, it had internal damage that we didn't see and wasn't a good value.

Thank you Kelly. I'm keeping my eyes open on Craigslist and searching online different department stores. Paying for warranties sucks, but at least it'll be worth it IF something happens.

[Kfancii]

Thank you Kelly. I'm keeping my eyes open on Craigslist and searching online different department stores. Paying for warranties sucks, but at least it'll be worth it IF something happens.

I just remembered we talked about the home warranty earlier - if you have that in place, you will be covered no matter where you buy the washer. At the time my discount washer broke, I didn't have American Homeshield and it hurt to cough up that $250 but it was still less than a new washer!

[FFC]

Hmmm... I honestly don't know if I'm already set up for a home warranty. I'll have to ask my agent bout that one. Thanks for the reminder!

[FFC]

*shhhhh* I acquired the code for the door at the house - so we're going to sneak in and show Sierra and MIL tomorrow evening!!!! :whoohoo: I'm psyched! I can't wait to see what Sierra says about it.

Also, we got the pest report. The bank said they'd pay up to $1500 in repairs... there is only $290 in repairs that need to be done, so they're going to take care of some 'fungus' on the outside eves and the leak in the sink :) WOOHOOO!

[FFC]

So Matt and I went to IKEA last night. I'd never been there, and OMG that place is AMAZING!!!!! We picked out a few things we'd like to get for the house, but didn't buy anything yet.

On the way home from IKEA we decided to stop by the new house, so we called MIL and she met us there (she hasn't seen the inside yet).

I got the key out of the lock box and went inside - t'was a perfect time to take measurements!!!!!! So I got all the measurements that I need for planning! WOOHOO!!! Our bedroom is 157"x127" - not bad at all. So tonight we're taking Sierra out there to see the place - I can't wait to hear what she has to say bout it!

[FFC]

I made a *very* rough draft of the floorplan of the house. This is not to scale, but it's pretty close... I'm going to try to find a program that I can use to build the floorplan to scale now that I have the measurements :happy: The red is the windows - blue is doorways.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4156&stc=1&d=1235149684

[MrsDM]

Aw you are so cute! You can totally tell how excited you are!!!!!

The house looks like it has a great flow!! Which is going to be Sierra's room?

[FFC]

Aw you are so cute! You can totally tell how excited you are!!!!!

The house looks like it has a great flow!! Which is going to be Sierra's room?

I'm working on a furnished floorplan :) Yeah I'm excited, and don't have any work to do at work :irked: so I'm working on home LOL! :) :) :)

[MrsDM]

I'm working on a furnished floorplan :) Yeah I'm excited, and don't have any work to do at work :irked: so I'm working on home LOL! :) :) :)

Oh it will totally be easier to place all your furniture exaclty where you want it if you have a floorplan already! It might also help you figure out how much room you have for new things.

[FFC]

Here it is.... didn't do the rooms because those are bound to change LOL! We are hoping to find a decent LaZBoy sectional on Craigslist, and our plans are to get a kitchen island that we can tuck stools under for a dining room table/more counter space.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4157&stc=1&d=1235150950

I also found an ottoman that I want - regardless of the couch we get! You can flip the top over to be all cushion, or you can flip them over and eat out of them or put a cup on it... it's brilliant!
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4158&stc=1&d=1235151361

Also because the place is so small, we fell in love with this table - PERFECT for when we have guests! Gotta find it in black - or just paint it :)
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4159&stc=1&d=1235151426

For the bureau I'm thinkin something like this, but black/gray and a bit wider:

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4160&stc=1&d=1235151809

[FFC]

Oh it will totally be easier to place all your furniture exaclty where you want it if you have a floorplan already! It might also help you figure out how much room you have for new things.

You got that right - it's just a matter of GETTING the furniture we want. Right now we have 2 huge couches that I"d like to upgrade to a sectional, and most of the stuff we have is oversized. We gotta go with compact and storage (like the ottoman and the bureau and the kitchen island). I'd rather have a huge island in the kitchen where I can store stuff, cook off of and eat off of, than a dining room table that will never get used. So we're island shopping too LOL!

[MrsDM]

You got that right - it's just a matter of GETTING the furniture we want. Right now we have 2 huge couches that I"d like to upgrade to a sectional, and most of the stuff we have is oversized. We gotta go with compact and storage (like the ottoman and the bureau and the kitchen island). I'd rather have a huge island in the kitchen where I can store stuff, cook off of and eat off of, than a dining room table that will never get used. So we're island shopping too LOL!

In our condo, we have a breakfast bar and I absolutley love it. I do have to say, I would like an island more just because its extra space. The breakfast bar is apart of our counter space and not really seperate like the island would be, if that makes sense!!

[MrsDM]

Oh and I love that ottoman!!!

[NOTKT]

Me too, that ottoman is great! I love all the furniture! Your house is seriously going to look cool!

[Jettadear]

Also because the place is so small, we fell in love with this table - PERFECT for when we have guests! Gotta find it in black - or just paint it :)
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4159&stc=1&d=1235151426


Where did you find this table? We are looking for something just like this for xma and thanksgiving.

[FFC]

Jettadear, we found that table at Ikea... http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718

I hope you girls are right - I would love to have these things that would help us preserve what little space there will be *fingers crossed*

[NOTKT]

Oh absolutely! I think that is a great table for the kitchen, it's perfect.

[FFC]

Well, we took Sierra to the house and she LOVES it. She loves the color of her room already, so we're only going to have to paint half her wall until she gets tired of the top half, we're leaving the current paint in there (yellow with butterflies and dragonflies). We just gotta paint the lower half and then put in carpet and her room will be good to go!

We also took her to IKEA yesterday and Matt insisted on getting her a hanging chair. He thought it was TOO COOL and didn't want to miss out on it. He's going to have to climb his butt into the attic to hang this thing :rofl: She picked out a few other things she liked for her room that we're not buying yet. This way I'll know what to buy if I go back to get stuff without her.

I couldn't find a pic of the chair - it's not even on the website, so that's one of the reasons Matt bought it because we think it might be going out.

We also went to Walmart and she picked out curtains for her room, and she told us she wants a small lamp with a pink lightbulb :happy:

[FFC]

OH! Sierra LOVES that table from IKEA - the one 2 posts up :whoohoo:

[mitch]

We've got a similar Gateleg Table. Only instead of the four drawers. There's space for four fold up chairs to go inside. And a door that shuts to hide them. When the Table is folded down You can't see the chairs.

At the moment we're using it to build Dolls Houses and Miniatures on in the Lounge. It's normally folded up and tucked in the Hallway.

After moving from a HUGE Three Bedroom House to a Small Two Bedroom House. I had to rethink everything We own. (Hence selling loads on eBay)

The Kitchen alone in Our old House was Bigger than the entire House We live in now. :bbeek:

With great designs nowadays. And a bit of jiggerypokery. Sooner or later a Small House will feel Massive.

[MrsDM]

Hey Justina - with the tax credit..have you filed your taxes already? Are you going to file a amended tax return??

[FFC]

We have filed our taxes already, and we've received our federal return as of Friday :whoohoo: I found that we had to wait to amend till after we received the refund - didn't know that. However, yes, we're going to file an amended return. It doesn't look too hard - it's just a 2 page dealio that we fill out and send to the IRS. I found it here (http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php#9) under number 9 in FAQ's. I just went to the IRS website and printed the form up from there.

[MrsDM]

We have filed our taxes already, and we've received our federal return as of Friday :whoohoo: I found that we had to wait to amend till after we received the refund - didn't know that. However, yes, we're going to file an amended return. It doesn't look too hard - it's just a 2 page dealio that we fill out and send to the IRS. I found it here (http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php#9) under number 9 in FAQ's. I just went to the IRS website and printed the form up from there.

Cool deal. Thanks! Another question, how did you do your taxes? Did you have somebody do them for you or did you use Turbo Tax or another similar program.

Here is my situation. Dan doesn't qualify but I do and since we aren't married yet, I can still get the refund. Anyways, we filed by Turbo Tax and I'm wondering if it will just be easier to go to a professional to do it, or do it myself? Just curious to see what you were doing!

Any hold crud by the way! Your almost going to be closing!!!

[Kfancii]

Okay...I guess I'm confused. Wouldn't you need to wait until 2009 to file for this credit since you are purchasing the house in 2009?

[FFC]

We filed using the 1040, married/jointly, and we did it ourselves. However, Matt doesn't qualify for the home loan. He did, but in November he got a credit dump that dropped his score to 578... and he HAS to be at least a 580. CRAZY! 2 points! So, I'm buying the house solely on my own. While we did file jointly, and we're going to amend jointly (obviously), but since the house is in my name, we should get the credit. Now, we might go through a professional to amend. We *might* have to change to married/separate in order to get the credit. We will see....

And yes, we're so close to closing! Any time between next Thursday and the following week/Friday! My lender says all is going well :whoohoo:

[FFC]

Okay...I guess I'm confused. Wouldn't you need to wait until 2009 to file for this credit since you are purchasing the house in 2009?

Kelly, no. Since we purchased before April, we can still get the refund. I'm not sure exactly why or how that works though.. because I agree with you. However, I won't complain if they give it to us this year :)

[MrsDM]

Okay...I guess I'm confused. Wouldn't you need to wait until 2009 to file for this credit since you are purchasing the house in 2009?

No because from what I understand, its on your 2008 tax return now that the stimulus has been passed. So, if you buy a house between January 1, 2009 - December 1, 2009, you qualify. The website that Justina posted says that you can file an amended return if you've already filed taxes. I guess the government sees it as if you are buying a house now, the money would be better used now to buy new things for the house versus waiting a year and then you are more likely going to save it.

[MrsDM]

We filed using the 1040, married/jointly, and we did it ourselves. However, Matt doesn't qualify for the home loan. He did, but in November he got a credit dump that dropped his score to 578... and he HAS to be at least a 580. CRAZY! 2 points! So, I'm buying the house solely on my own. While we did file jointly, and we're going to amend jointly (obviously), but since the house is in my name, we should get the credit. Now, we might go through a professional to amend. We *might* have to change to married/separate in order to get the credit. We will see....

And yes, we're so close to closing! Any time between next Thursday and the following week/Friday! My lender says all is going well :whoohoo:

Let me know how it all goes. That is kinda why I'm thinking about doing it with a pro just because with the amount of money that is up for grabs, I don't want to screw something up!!!!

Hey and where did you find that ottoman? I think it would look great in my living room!!! LOL

[FFC]

Let me know how it all goes. That is kinda why I'm thinking about doing it with a pro just because with the amount of money that is up for grabs, I don't want to screw something up!!!!

Hey and where did you find that ottoman? I think it would look great in my living room!!! LOL

I agree, with the amount of dough at stake I ain't tryin to screw it up neither! It'll be worth the $150 to have someone do it!

LOL Ain't that ottoman awsome!!!! It's just about everywhere. I found it at a discount place for $200, and at Beck's it's $350, and $400 at another 'discount' place. I think just about any huge chain furniture store has it - just ask them for the 4 square ottoman with the 4 removable cushions that flip over to be eating trays - they'll know what you mean :happy:

[MrsDM]

I agree, with the amount of dough at stake I ain't tryin to screw it up neither! It'll be worth the $150 to have someone do it!

LOL Ain't that ottoman awsome!!!! It's just about everywhere. I found it at a discount place for $200, and at Beck's it's $350, and $400 at another 'discount' place. I think just about any huge chain furniture store has it - just ask them for the 4 square ottoman with the 4 removable cushions that flip over to be eating trays - they'll know what you mean :happy:

I'll have to take a look around! We have a dark brown leather recliner and then I want to get sage green couches with that ottoman. I think it would look great! I have a smaller brown chair with just one "cube" ottoman right now, and I always liked the way that looked. It just kinda splits up the fabrics, IMO.

[Kfancii]

No because from what I understand, its on your 2008 tax return now that the stimulus has been passed. So, if you buy a house between January 1, 2009 - December 1, 2009, you qualify. The website that Justina posted says that you can file an amended return if you've already filed taxes. I guess the government sees it as if you are buying a house now, the money would be better used now to buy new things for the house versus waiting a year and then you are more likely going to save it.

Wow! That is awesome! I agree that you would be able to use the money better now than waiting for a year. I have taken my house off the market since there are so many foreclosures and houses are selling for $51 a square foot, but I wonder if with this new tax credit, I should reconsider since I still don't have anyone interested in renting it either.

[FFC]

I'll have to take a look around! We have a dark brown leather recliner and then I want to get sage green couches with that ottoman. I think it would look great! I have a smaller brown chair with just one "cube" ottoman right now, and I always liked the way that looked. It just kinda splits up the fabrics, IMO.

Perfect! I found a perfect sectional this weekend.... and it's at a 'going out of business store' for $1300, and it's everywhere else for like $1800... I love it but it might be a little bit too light.... but the ottoman would go perfect, and it's got FOUR recliners....
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4190&stc=1&d=1236010254

[FFC]

Wow! That is awesome! I agree that you would be able to use the money better now than waiting for a year. I have taken my house off the market since there are so many foreclosures and houses are selling for $51 a square foot, but I wonder if with this new tax credit, I should reconsider since I still don't have anyone interested in renting it either.

Unfortunately, the market is still going down... then it'll level out for awhile - at least here in CA that's the word.

[MrsDM]

Unfortunately, the market is still going down... then it'll level out for awhile - at least here in CA that's the word.

First - wow Kelly! I'm so sorry about that. That has got to be so frustrating. For you, I hope that the market bounces back with this stimulus package enough for you to sell your house!

I just heard somewhere locally here, that the market has remained uneffected for the most part in Wisconsin. Sure, we have our houses that sit, but the prices aren't really going down that much.

[Kfancii]

First - wow Kelly! I'm so sorry about that. That has got to be so frustrating. For you, I hope that the market bounces back with this stimulus package enough for you to sell your house!

I just heard somewhere locally here, that the market has remained uneffected for the most part in Wisconsin. Sure, we have our houses that sit, but the prices aren't really going down that much.

Thanks Jeanne! It is very frustrating because I have been paying about $1300 a month between mortgage payments and utilities for a house that I can't move. I had people who were interested in it, but they wanted to pay less than I owed, and I just can't take that big of a hit. I have put it up for rent now, but haven't had any luck with that either. Everyone else who can't sell their house is trying to rent it these days too!

Your new house that you placed the offer on is adoreable! I hope that everything goes without a hitch this time!

Justina- I watched the "Deal's on the Bus" show this weekend and it was in San Diego and I couldn't believe how much homes have dropped in CA too! For the first time ever, they were actually affordable!

[FFC]

Thanks Jeanne! It is very frustrating because I have been paying about $1300 a month between mortgage payments and utilities for a house that I can't move. I had people who were interested in it, but they wanted to pay less than I owed, and I just can't take that big of a hit. I have put it up for rent now, but haven't had any luck with that either. Everyone else who can't sell their house is trying to rent it these days too!

Your new house that you placed the offer on is adoreable! I hope that everything goes without a hitch this time!

Justina- I watched the "Deal's on the Bus" show this weekend and it was in San Diego and I couldn't believe how much homes have dropped in CA too! For the first time ever, they were actually affordable!


Kelly, good luck with your home :( I'm sorry it's not goin real great :(

As for the market in CA - it's kinda evening out with the rest of the U.S. FINALLY, however, it's sad though cuz a lot of the homes that have been foreclosed on have been uber-vandalized. We looked at a home that was built in 2006 that originally sold for like $400k, and it's not even worth $50k now because someone completely trashed it. It's sad :( We're lucky with our home - we caught it as soon as it was listed and got our offer in that week...My mom wasn't so lucky though. She bought Matt's house to save him from going into foreclosure and she ended up losing it - she bought in at $300k, and it now appraises at about $120. She couldn't even short sale it.

[MrsDM]

Thanks Jeanne! It is very frustrating because I have been paying about $1300 a month between mortgage payments and utilities for a house that I can't move. I had people who were interested in it, but they wanted to pay less than I owed, and I just can't take that big of a hit. I have put it up for rent now, but haven't had any luck with that either. Everyone else who can't sell their house is trying to rent it these days too!

Your new house that you placed the offer on is adoreable! I hope that everything goes without a hitch this time!

Justina- I watched the "Deal's on the Bus" show this weekend and it was in San Diego and I couldn't believe how much homes have dropped in CA too! For the first time ever, they were actually affordable!

Thanks!

Were you watching the San Diego one? I saw that over the weekend and I couldn't believe the prices!!!

[MrsDM]

Perfect! I found a perfect sectional this weekend.... and it's at a 'going out of business store' for $1300, and it's everywhere else for like $1800... I love it but it might be a little bit too light.... but the ottoman would go perfect, and it's got FOUR recliners....
http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4190&stc=1&d=1236010254

Ooohh! It looks so comfy!!!!

[FFC]

Thanks!

Were you watching the San Diego one? I saw that over the weekend and I couldn't believe the prices!!!


Nope, I don't get to watch much TV....

Ooohh! It looks so comfy!!!!

Yeah, unfortunately it's too light and Matt said no. So I'm looking on Craigslist and I'm pretty sure we'll end up getting one off Craigslist - they're so much cheaper, and there are some NICE ones on there! I found a free one - keep yer fingers crossed!!!!

[Kfancii]

Thanks!

Were you watching the San Diego one? I saw that over the weekend and I couldn't believe the prices!!!

Yep! Those condo prices were amazing! I couldn't believe that they had taken over $200K off of the 2 bedroom one!

[MrsDM]

Yep! Those condo prices were amazing! I couldn't believe that they had taken over $200K off of the 2 bedroom one!

Oh I know! The dumpy house that that couple with the kids bought, that pool was awesome!

[FFC]

So last night = no homework.

I got to go through a bunch of stuff. Posted a bunch of stuff on CL and even had someone come out and take almost half of my wedding magazines. I had probably around 80 total... and I still have just over half of them. I have another girl coming tomorrow to get some. I also threw a bunch of stuff away, listed stuff for sale and free, and I'm SO relieved... I feel like I'm getting stuff done!!

[MrsDM]

So last night = no homework.

I got to go through a bunch of stuff. Posted a bunch of stuff on CL and even had someone come out and take almost half of my wedding magazines. I had probably around 80 total... and I still have just over half of them. I have another girl coming tomorrow to get some. I also threw a bunch of stuff away, listed stuff for sale and free, and I'm SO relieved... I feel like I'm getting stuff done!!

OMG - I started doing that last night! Although, we have a spare bedroom that has just a lot of this and that in it. I've been starting to go through it and pack what I want and throw away what I don't want.

I haven't even attempted the book shelf with all the wedding magazines/office type things. That is totally a weekend project!!

[FFC]

I haven't started in the 'wedding room'. Since I gave a bunch of the wedding stuff to my mom, I've been afraid to go through everything. Last weekend we had to pick up Sierra's bed, so that's taking up the entire rest of the floor in the spare room. I can't even go through it till we move her bed to the new house! Oh well.. I'm hoping to stretch moving out over the course of a week or two. Unfortunately, finals are the 16-22nd.... UGH! Same time we'll be moving/painting. Hoping we can get the painting done before our finals are due.

[MrsDM]

I haven't started in the 'wedding room'. Since I gave a bunch of the wedding stuff to my mom, I've been afraid to go through everything. Last weekend we had to pick up Sierra's bed, so that's taking up the entire rest of the floor in the spare room. I can't even go through it till we move her bed to the new house! Oh well.. I'm hoping to stretch moving out over the course of a week or two. Unfortunately, finals are the 16-22nd.... UGH! Same time we'll be moving/painting. Hoping we can get the painting done before our finals are due.

See, at least you can gradually move things over there and paint. We will either close on the house either day the before or same day as the condo. Ugh!! We will have to be crawling over furniture and covering things up so that we can get things done!

[FFC]

Ouch... well, we have no idea when we have to be out of the place we're in. Supposedly it went to auction on the 25th of Feb. But we figure if we're making an effort then we can move in a weekend if need be.

[FFC]

OMGGGGGG The whole escrow process SUCKS!!!!!!!!

I have a loan officer who works at the mortgage company, and a lender who I work with personally. So, today I call my loan officer and she tells me that they pulled Matt's credit and it shows he has THREE MORTGAGES!!!! WTF! I told her no, he doesn't even own a house. She says that even if he used to own a house, she needs proof that he's not paying on them anymore - EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOW ZERO BALANCE on the credit report. WTF! So I called my lender, and she said that's BS - she'd take care of it if she can.

Number 2: They need my bank statements up to this coming Friday, so I have to send that over first thing Friday afternoon. No biggy...

Number 3: They want me to write a letter as to why I have inquired for loan in the past 6 months (when we were in escrow in November). No biggy....

Number 4: We CAN'T close escrow this week :irked: The loan officer said that as long as we close before April 13 we're okay... Um, I said NO we're NOT okay, we're going to be HOMELESS by then!!! So I told my lender that this can't be this way - we have to close ASAP. She understands and is doing every thing she can (including losing sleep over us - so she says).

Number 5: If I don't have the full amount of closing costs in my account, I naturally would have to borrow from my HUSBAND. Well, they want (if I borrow from him) me to get records from him stating he has the money, where it came from, blah blah blah. It's a day long process to get money from my husband. So my other option was to add my name to his account. Well, he banks with the most rediculous bank on the planet, so I don't want my name in their books. Not to mention they probably wouldn't add my name to his account without opening a new account anyway, and that would render no account history and wouldn't work for the underwriter. So the solution is wait till Friday and hope I have the full amount needed for closing after I get paid Friday.

On a lighter note, I got to spend some time with my mamma and my sister and my BIL and my new niece today... how refreshing after being on the phone with my loan officer and lender for 2 hours at work today.

[MrsDM]

Oh no! It sounds like your loan offier is working hard for you, though. But why oh why does everything have to be such a hassle, ya know!?

The one thing I hate is when people say "they are losing sleep over your situation/you". Our realtor pulled that garbage with us, as if it was supposed to make us feel bad. That is their job! Get over it! *Sorry, mini vent lol!*

I'm sure everything will work out, it always does! But I totally feel your stress!!!

[FFC]

I don't know about my loan officer, but my lender is working hard for us I think. I forgot my bank paperwork they wanted this morning, and my lender gets to the office way late, so I'm going to call her after lunch. I just want my house dangit!

Good thing though - looks like all the money Matt's been saving can go towards carpet, paint, door knobs, and a garage door for the house! Seems to be that I'll be able to do closing costs with my own savings - a mere $3500! IF that's the case, HUGE relief! *fingers crossed* I want this OVER!!!!! *tantrum* LOL

[alli816]

Hi Justina, I know I'm a little late Congratulating you and Matt but here it is..Congratulations on the house....you two deserve the best as well as your daughter...

[FFC]

Thank you Mary Ann! We're SO CLOSE. I can't wait! Matt and I won King's tickets for Friday night - I might end up ditching him for shopping at Home Depot :rofl:

[Whitewater]

In some ways, closing is the worst part of the whole house-buying business. I was reading your post about what you still needed to get done and all the utter c*** and hoops to jump through and just kept nodding my head. That all sounds very familiar, and I had to do the same thing with the closing cost letter, because even though the money was in my bank account in my name, it originally came from my parents.

Luckily I had put it in my bank account early enough that it turned out they didn't need the letter after all, which was good, because when we were closing, my parents were on a river cruise along the Danube!!! With no phones or internet.

Sounds like everything is proceeding normally, though, so try not to worry. You'll close and you'll get the house -- and that feeling, when you first unlock the door and walk in WITHOUT a realtor or an inspector, is just priceless.

Hang in there! You're almost done!


Whitewater

[FFC]

Thanks Whitewater. We're down to 4 days!!!!!!! I'm going to call my lender today and make sure everything is in. I plan on painting this weekend :whoohoo: I am not buying the paint though until we're closed - it'll be my celebration shopping spree :)

[Jacobs_Girl]

*fingers crossed*

good luck girlie.. definately post up pics of before during and after

[FFC]

*fingers crossed*

good luck girlie.. definately post up pics of before during and after

Thank you! I will be starting a whole 'nother journal for the house reformation project! Matt and I have been talking about ideas come to mind. Here's one of my ideas for my western kitchen (I have to incorporate my roots somewhere!) These are going to be my cupboard knobs - eventually. I have to order them and I can't order them till after the 20th. I'm thinking about mixing them up a little bit - maybe the horseshoes and the horses or something. I haven't decided yet. I'm still baffled as to what color to paint the kitchen but I'm thinking a smoky brown is easy to coordinate - especially since it'll go with the tile so well.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4220&stc=1&d=1236607785

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4219&stc=1&d=1236607782

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4218&stc=1&d=1236607779

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4217&stc=1&d=1236607776

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4216&stc=1&d=1236607772

[kgvettegirl]

I've got a idea you don't have to use it if you don't like it.

Take bandanna's and make your valence over the window. I'm assuming you have a window in the kitchen. then use muslin for the curtains and use the bandanna's for the trim.

[FFC]

That's a great idea!!!! I know I could get bandanna material at WalMart or Joann's... I'll have to look into some colors. I kinda want light blue to offset the brown. I wonder if I can find light blue bandanna material - I could make the curtains easily! Thank you!

[MrsDM]

Justina that is all exciting!!! As much as painting is a pain in the butt, its so exciting to do when you get into your place!!! Its like the first thing you can do to make it "yours"!!!

I hope everything else goes smoothly this week!!!

[FFC]

Something like these maybe :whoohoo: I'm LOVIN this idea. I was wondering how I could incorporate light blue for my color accent and this is perfect!

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4221&stc=1&d=1236611529

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4222&stc=1&d=1236611533

[kgvettegirl]

That's a great idea!!!! I know I could get bandanna material at WalMart or Joann's... I'll have to look into some colors. I kinda want light blue to offset the brown. I wonder if I can find light blue bandanna material - I could make the curtains easily! Thank you!

They should have light blue. I know one year I bought my brother 14 different color bandanna's I'm pretty sure one was a light blue.

[MrsDM]

I think that would look great, especially with the wall color you were talking!

[FFC]

Matt and I just went to break together. He agreed to the idea of the bandanna bringing in the blue in the kitchen :whoohoo: And we're going to order the carpet today!!!!!!!!!! (that is, when my call to my lender goes well).

Girls, I'm so freekin stoked right now! He even agreed to my color idea regarding the spare room! We're going to put a rich chocolate brown on 2 walls, and a light brown (maybe the same brown from the kitchen) on the other 2 walls. That way when we have a baby, we can sponge in the appropriate color for the baby :)

[MrsDM]

Matt and I just went to break together. He agreed to the idea of the bandanna bringing in the blue in the kitchen :whoohoo: And we're going to order the carpet today!!!!!!!!!! (that is, when my call to my lender goes well).

Girls, I'm so freekin stoked right now! He even agreed to my color idea regarding the spare room! We're going to put a rich chocolate brown on 2 walls, and a light brown (maybe the same brown from the kitchen) on the other 2 walls. That way when we have a baby, we can sponge in the appropriate color for the baby :)

What kind of carpet are you going with? I've never done that before!! LOL!!! Is there a lot to carpet?

[FFC]

What kind of carpet are you going with? I've never done that before!! LOL!!! Is there a lot to carpet?

We're going with the cheaper brand - since we only need it for bedrooms and they're not a high traffic area. Sierra picked out a pale pink, Matt and I are going with a platinum color in our room, and in the baby/office room we're going to go with a brown color to go with the walls. We're not installing the carpet ourselves. That's one thing that we want done right. Although we are goin to paint and fix stuff ourselves. The only things we're *planning* on having done by someone is the garage door fixed and the carpet.

There's not a lot to carpet, only 340 sq ft total. At $1.81 sq ft (installed) it's still a bit steep dollarwise, but it's the best deal in town. They said if they have the carpet in stock they can do same day installation - but we know that Sierra's will have to be ordered for sure - and that doesn't cost us anything extra :whoohoo:

[MrsDM]

We're going with the cheaper brand - since we only need it for bedrooms and they're not a high traffic area. Sierra picked out a pale pink, Matt and I are going with a platinum color in our room, and in the baby/office room we're going to go with a brown color to go with the walls. We're not installing the carpet ourselves. That's one thing that we want done right. Although we are goin to paint and fix stuff ourselves. The only things we're *planning* on having done by someone is the garage door fixed and the carpet.

There's not a lot to carpet, only 340 sq ft total. At $1.81 sq ft (installed) it's still a bit steep dollarwise, but it's the best deal in town. They said if they have the carpet in stock they can do same day installation - but we know that Sierra's will have to be ordered for sure - and that doesn't cost us anything extra :whoohoo:

That isn't too expensive. I thought it would be more, honestly.

[FFC]

Well, that's the cheapest I can find with installation. For an average price? I'd have to say around $4.50 sq ft installed.... and that's guessing low I think.

[Brian's Bride]

When we were getting estimates, we thought $2.97/sq.ft. installed for polyester carpet was a good price. But DH's cousin owns a carpeting store about an hour and a half north of us, so we got a really good deal. It's basically the same price for nylon carpet (wears better in high-traffic areas).

[FFC]

You're right though - even $2.97 sq/ft is a pretty good deal! It's amazing how much a person learns about the contractor industry when buying a house lol.

[Kfancii]

Justina- based on the knobs you have chosen, you would love our house! I will try to download pictures to show you. We just finished painting our bedroom and did a dark brown faux leather finish on the bottom of the walls, then a light mocha brown on the top of the walls, with a white chair rail seperating the two. The faux finish was really easy to do - first paint the wall with the chocolate brown, then use a coffee bean colored glaze and put it on with plastic bags.

I also bought those star knobs to put on our bedroom dresser, although we haven't done anything with them yet.

[FFC]

Kelly, I'd LOVE to see pictures!!!! Go ahead and post them here if/when you get a chance :) Thanks!!!!!

[Kfancii]

Kelly, I'd LOVE to see pictures!!!! Go ahead and post them here if/when you get a chance :) Thanks!!!!!

I took pictures last week, so I will do my best to download them tonight and post them for you. Our whole house is western- our living room has a big brindle cowhide on the wall and two iron stars that were made from rusted roofs of old barns. Our furniture (anything that is new) is that Mexican rustic look, and someday when I can afford to buy new sofas, I want a leather or leather looking microfiber sectional. Our bathrooms are done with Talavera tiles, and have a mexican feel to them too. (Mack always says he is going south of the border when he is headed to the bathroom :o ) We also have this really neat headboard on the bed that is made of pipe, and has a big iron cowboy on a bucking bronco in the center of a pipe star.

[FFC]

Awsome!!! My kitchen is where I get to play with my Western roots. The rest of the house is supposed to be very modern (black/gray/blue). I'm going to have fun with this :)

[Kfancii]

Here are pictures of our latest paint job- the Faux Leather look is created by painting a basecoat of a dark chocolate brown, and then using a coffee bean glaze over the top of it that has been applied using plastic bags.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0440.jpg

Up Close

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0441_1.jpg

And just for fun- Our bedframe - normally the bed has a pretty chocolate microsuede duvet cover on it, but for everyday use since the dogs are on it, we just throw other covers on the bed.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0450_1.jpg

And our living room decor:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0452.jpg

[FFC]

Oh I looooooove it! I especially love how you did the chocolate and the glaze! I might have to do something like that in my kitchen! Not so dark though... I love love love the two tone. My hubby wants two tone just like that in our room, but with black/gray. Might have to go with black with a gray glaze!!!

[Kfancii]

I really like the faux painting techniques - here is just one more thing we have done. This is in our kitchen and is the backsplash of our bar area. I used a green paint, the color of copper when it has a patina on it. Then used a copper glaze with a sea sponge to get the effect you see here. I also wanted something to catch the light and be a little more metallic like, so I dipped the sponge into that superfine gold glitter you can buy to mix into the paint, then dabbed it on the walls. The pictures don't do it justice.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0446_1.jpg

And finally, the same sponge technique was used on my old house for my guest room. I also added a rag rolled blue sky and stamped bumblebees around the top of the room, then added detail to the bumblebees with a paint pen.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/Bedroom.jpg

[MrsDM]

Wow, Kelly! You are so good and doing that! That "leather" wall is awesome and so is that backsplash!!!!

[FFC]

I just showed it to Matt. Still waiting to see what he says - but I'm pretty set on doing this one in our room, with a light gray top and black base with silver glaze!

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/Kfancii/IMG_0440.jpg

[Kfancii]

Just be sure to use a high quality paint and glaze that are made by the same manufacturer, so you get good results. We used Sherwin William's paint and it was expensive ($39 a gallon), but the results were fantastic and we only needed 1 coat of paint to get this look. We have a large bedroom and we painted 3 walls in the two tones and only used a 1/2 gallon of the glaze and base coat.

[FFC]

Thank you for the heads up. I think we're going to go with Behr - but not positive yet. Won't know till it's in the cart LOL.

[Brian's Bride]

My brother loves Behr paint, but I'm a Sherwin Williams girl myself!

Kelly- that leather-look is sooooo pretty! Thank you for sharing!

[MrsDM]

We normally use Behr too, although I really liked the colors Glidden offered. Anybody use this before? Either that, or I'm going to give those colors to Home Depot and tell them I want Glidden colors in Behr paint.

[MrsDM]

Justina - I keep forgetting to ask you, did you guys ever get the three mortgages that were in Matt's name straightened out? The reason I ask is because I was calling around to some tax preperation places to get some quotes on what it would cost to ammend my tax return for the tax credit, and if you are married and one of the individuals owned a home three years ago or less, neither party qualifies.

[FFC]

We did get that taken care of as far as I know - my lender took care of it. However, I'm the only person on the loan, and I'm going to amend my taxes married filing separate I think... not sure yet. I haven't researched it enough yet. Do you think I'll qualify if I amend my taxes filing married/separate? Matt's not on the loan or title of the house.

[Kfancii]

We did get that taken care of as far as I know - my lender took care of it. However, I'm the only person on the loan, and I'm going to amend my taxes married filing separate I think... not sure yet. I haven't researched it enough yet. Do you think I'll qualify if I amend my taxes filing married/separate? Matt's not on the loan or title of the house.

Did you already file jointly? If so, you should probably consult with a tax professional to see if you can change your status to married filing seperate. My guess is they won't let you do that. I filed married filing seperate and found out after finishing my return that I can't file electronically because of it. I had to print off my return and send it snail mail which means it will really delay my refund. :( I sure hope you can qualify for the credit. Every $$ helps these days!

ETA - Thinking about it though, I bet part of the reason for my having to file by mail might have to do with the fact that Texas is a Community Property State- is CA also a Community Property state? That might make the difference.

[MrsDM]

Did you already file jointly? If so, you should probably consult with a tax professional to see if you can change your status to married filing seperate. My guess is they won't let you do that. I filed married filing seperate and found out after finishing my return that I can't file electronically because of it. I had to print off my return and send it snail mail which means it will really delay my refund. :( I sure hope you can qualify for the credit. Every $$ helps these days!

Yeah I have to agree. It might be helpful to consult with somebody. I think that if you can amend it to filing seperately, you should be fine, but again, talk to somebody. They may know something differently. Although, when I called H&R Block yesterday, they seemed clueless on how to do it, they said they haven't prepared one yet. :snide:

[FFC]

I will for sure talk to someone who knows what they're doing about this... specially since I'm not even sure I qualify now that I'm married. I hope I do dangit!!

I just got off the phone with my realtor. He said that while we may close on Friday, we have to wait another possible 4 days for the **** bank to sign the papers. We can't even work on the house until after the stupid bank signs! That's BS dangit! That means we have to wait till NEXT weekend to work on the house - a whole weekend wasted :irked:

Alright, done ranting for the moment.

[MrsDM]

I will for sure talk to someone who knows what they're doing about this... specially since I'm not even sure I qualify now that I'm married. I hope I do dangit!!

I just got off the phone with my realtor. He said that while we may close on Friday, we have to wait another possible 4 days for the **** bank to sign the papers. We can't even work on the house until after the stupid bank signs! That's BS dangit! That means we have to wait till NEXT weekend to work on the house - a whole weekend wasted :irked:

Alright, done ranting for the moment.

What!? Really?! So, the bank can't sign the papers that day?! They make this all look so easy on t.v....

[FFC]

What!? Really?! So, the bank can't sign the papers that day?! They make this all look so easy on t.v....

Highly doubtful anyone representing the bank will be present on Friday. Which is BS. We would get charged $100 per day that we're late if we were late for escrow. We should start charging the bank $100 per day after the 13th and see how they like that :irked: and double for Saturday and Sundays because that's money out of our pocket if we can't work on our home on the weekend :irked:

[MrsDM]

Highly doubtful anyone representing the bank will be present on Friday. Which is BS. We would get charged $100 per day that we're late if we were late for escrow. We should start charging the bank $100 per day after the 13th and see how they like that :irked: and double for Saturday and Sundays because that's money out of our pocket if we can't work on our home on the weekend :irked:

OMG - that is horrible. I hope it all works out. Its like teasing a little kid with candy. You just signed all the paperwork, but you can't have the keys yet.

[FFC]

I've been on the phone practically since I walked in the door. My mortgage officer called my insurance agent who called me to see what's going on. So I had to call my lender to see why I'm being called about this when it's supposed to be included in my closing costs. So, long story short..... it's not looking good for Friday. Section 1 repairs are supposed to be done tomorrow, and then we have to get that report out to the title company. Doesn't look like there's going to be much to sign on Friday - who knows. *sigh* one thing after another. Came home today and the water was shut off. LONG STORY. So off we go to MIL's for shower and potty. GRRNESS.

Did I mention this week and next are finals weeks? :irked:

[MrsDM]

I've been on the phone practically since I walked in the door. My mortgage officer called my insurance agent who called me to see what's going on. So I had to call my lender to see why I'm being called about this when it's supposed to be included in my closing costs. So, long story short..... it's not looking good for Friday. Section 1 repairs are supposed to be done tomorrow, and then we have to get that report out to the title company. Doesn't look like there's going to be much to sign on Friday - who knows. *sigh* one thing after another. Came home today and the water was shut off. LONG STORY. So off we go to MIL's for shower and potty. GRRNESS.

Did I mention this week and next are finals weeks? :irked:

Oh, dear! I don't even know what to say, except that come hell or high water, you will get your house and for sure, next weekend you will be painting!!

[FFC]

Matt and I have decided to rough it out and not turn the water back on. Long story short, I've always lived on a property with a well. When we moved into the city, I called the utilities, PGE, SMUD, and phone and had them hooked up. I asked the utilities company who my water company was and they said that they were. So, 2 years later I found out that they weren't my water company and the real water company wants me to pay 2 years back pay - even though they have no way of proving that I lived there.

Now I don't know if they can/will investigate if I fab up a lease saying we've only lived there for a few months, so we're either going to pay it in full, or just not pay it and leave the water off. If it follows my mom later on, we'll pay it. But right now, we're not going to let a little lack of water stand between us and our new house. The water company wants $928.00 and that's a HUGE chunk out of our house fund.

Anyway, we're roughin it now - brushed our teeth and washed up at work this morning LOL. Also, our work has showers if it comes down to it - but we used MIL's last night.

No progress on the house. We stopped by there last night and someone had removed one of the exterior door knobs - WIERD. So we couldn't go inside. Oh well *sigh* in a week we'll be goin inside with our own key Lord willing. They still haven't done the section 1 repairs yet - that's supposedly scheduled for today. We'll see how that goes.

[Brian's Bride]

Did you pay that first company you originally thought was your water provider for charges or were you not charged for it? I would think they owe you a refund if they were taking your money for water. I'd be like you and tough it out for the next week or two.

I can't believe you're running into all these problems at the very end. When will it ever stop?! I agree with Jeanne, they definitely make this look easier on tv!

[FFC]

Breckan, I've reviewed my Utility company bills and they don't say "water" they say "sewer". Well, who was I to know water wasn't included with the sewer payment. I feel like an idiot for not knowing, but oh well. I'm paying the price for it now! We're doing alright so far...

I know.. I don't know why it's all happening right before closing as well. Matt has soooo had it! He's so pissed about everything. I'm tryin to be calm for both of us. Hey, at least we can laugh about it later.

We found out that the only thing between us and our water access is a master lock in the ground in our front yard... *evil snicker*.... Matt's getting ideas.........

[MrsDM]

Justina, if it makes you feel any better, Dan and I both grew up with septic/wells. When we moved into the condo, we got a bill a few months in for $140 from the town we live in. It was for the stupid water/sewer! We were like, "huh?" We have to PAY for water?

So if I had to go and figure out how to hook it all up and who to call, I probably would have been in the same boat you are in!!!

[FFC]

Thanks Jeanne, that does help! Matt had lived in the city for years and he didn't even know there was a water company - his ex took care of all the bills. D'OH!

If the water company would have contacted me within a few months of me moving in, I'd have paid no problem, but they waited 2 years - that's a LOT of money to come up with when I didn't even know they existed. They should have hunted me down way before 2 years was up. They're insistent that I pay in full in order to turn it on - EFF that!

I'm told we'll most likely have a different water company at our new house :whoohoo: WOOHOO!!!!!

[FFC]

I got this from my lender today.... Looks like we're done with whatever we have to do on our end! We're still supposed to sign on Friday *so far* provided everything listed below is done: No

"These are the remaining conditions on your loan approval....

Compliance inspection: Install new switch plates on all interior electric receptacles where plates are cracked or damaged. Install new door knob & hinge on door from garage to house. Door knob & self closing safety hinge are damaged. Turned in to underwriting today

Poa showing Premiere Asset Services can sign for Structured Asset. Still need title to verify OOR. Ordered by phone and email several times by myself and by the Coldwell Banker escrow co-ordinator – title has still not provided to us.

Termite (state specific form or NPMA-33), well and septic certifications will be required, if applicable. Please provide the certifications to your processor 5 days before closing. Need pest report. Pest inspector must address the defaced wood & signs of potential wood decay on fascia boards per appraisal. Must be repaired or certified cosmetic. We should have this Thursday

Declaration page for the homeowner's insurance policy showing the Lender named as loss payee & verifying coverage of at least the mortgage amount or replacement value, whichever is less, no later than 5 days prior to closing. Ordered by loan processor"

[FFC]

OH!!! And I got confirmation we will have a different water company at our new house :whoohoo:

[MrsDM]

YEAH!!! I'm so happy things are turning around, and that you don't have to deal with the other stupid water company!!!

You could be painting this weekend afterall!!!

[FFC]

Nah, not a chance we'll be in this weekend. The bank won't be there when we sign, so we have to send out the papers through the chain of command: From my lender to my realtor, from my realtor to the listing agent, from the listing agent to the seller's lawyers, from the seller's lawyers back to the listing agent, from the listing agent back to my agents.

However, this is good news - not tryin to be a downer. Supposedly the repairs are supposed to be done today, and the report turned in tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. And yes, I'm very happy bout the water company :) That helps! Although I don't know if they'll investigate or not :irked: We'll see!

[MrsDM]

Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong, as we are in different states and they clearly do things differently. But..doesn't closing mean you are closing with the bank? Like, when we close, we will have all the loan docs signed and stuff.

And - shouldn't this all have been straightened out before hand? Like, why does it seem like this is all last minute?

[FFC]

Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong, as we are in different states and they clearly do things differently. But..doesn't closing mean you are closing with the bank? Like, when we close, we will have all the loan docs signed and stuff.

And - shouldn't this all have been straightened out before hand? Like, why does it seem like this is all last minute?

CORRECT!!!! You're right, it should all be done - but since we're dealing with a bank, nothing is ever done on time. The bank doesn't give a hoot when we close as long as WE are not late. The bank has had 3 weeks to do these repairs and they waited till TODAY to get on em. Yes, we'll be signing the papers on Friday - most likely. As for the bank signing - once they sign we'll be "closed". We can't even go into the house till the bank signs - which is BS because I give them my money on FRIDAY, and I can't go into the house till later next week.... or whenever they sign the papers. I'm ticked!

We'll see *sigh* It's all a matter of time, and seeing how fast people can work. Nothing is for sure right now.... except that next weekend I WILL be painting. *psh* I say that now - who knows. :ooh:

[NOTKT]

We had a lot of problems when we bought our house. It seemed like this was the FIRST TIME everyone, bank, mortgage, insurance had ever done a closing. It was so chaotic and so inefficient. Sorry hun, :(

[MrsDM]

CORRECT!!!! You're right, it should all be done - but since we're dealing with a bank, nothing is ever done on time. The bank doesn't give a hoot when we close as long as WE are not late. The bank has had 3 weeks to do these repairs and they waited till TODAY to get on em. Yes, we'll be signing the papers on Friday - most likely. As for the bank signing - once they sign we'll be "closed". We can't even go into the house till the bank signs - which is BS because I give them my money on FRIDAY, and I can't go into the house till later next week.... or whenever they sign the papers. I'm ticked!

We'll see *sigh* It's all a matter of time, and seeing how fast people can work. Nothing is for sure right now.... except that next weekend I WILL be painting. *psh* I say that now - who knows. :ooh:

Oh man, I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this. You keep mentioning the bank, I could have missed this because I don't remember you saying this, but is this house a foreclosure?

[FFC]

Yes, all the homes in our price range (under $80k) are bank owned. Haven't looked at one private owned home yet and we've looked at the upside of maybe 50 homes. I should have an update from my lender today... *fingers crossed* GOSH I want to sign and have them sign TOMORROW.

Hey, if they're ready for me to sign today, I will that way the bank *might* be able to sign by tomorrow - but I doubt it.

[MrsDM]

Wow, well, I really hope that everything works out. You would think with the amount of foreclosures, banks would be all about getting them sold as fast as they could.

[FFC]

Yeah you'd think so. Thing is - they got the money to doodle around and take their time. The one thing bad about me coming in to work at 6am is I wanna call my lender by 8.. and she's not even up by 8 LOL.

[FFC]

So I just got off the phone with my lender. She said that there are 2 banks involved, and one has to give power of attorney to the other in order to have someone authorized to sign on the house.

As of today, the house is fixed and cleared for section 1 - report is to the underwriter already. Appraiser report is to the underwriter today as well. The only thing we're waiting on, is the title company to figure out who can sign the house off. She said that it's not lookin too hot for signing tomorrow. She's been requesting this stuff for THREE WEEKS and hasn't heard anything back from the title company. She said she'd call again as soon as we got off the phone.

*sigh*

[FFC]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! All I can do is smile right now because if I don't smile I'm going to hurt myself hitting something. I got to work this morning and AOL is officially blocked on our servers. I use AOL for my email > I communicate with my lender and realtor via email 99% of the time. I can't even check it. Okay, so no big deal, I can call her, but it's SO much easier to email while I'm working than to make a phone call!

Still no word on whether we'll close or not today :irked:

[Brian's Bride]

Oh no! At least they haven't blocked your Onewed access yet! LOL. I'd be sooo frustrated if I were you. You're handling it pretty well, though!

[FFC]

I called my lender and got her VM :irked:

Left her my work email and my cell number (she always seems to call the wrong phone at the wrong time).

And Breckan - I'm lucky they haven't blocked OneWed. I'd go nuts!

[FFC]

*sigh*

I just got off the phone with my lender. She said that she's got 4 people (including herself) working on getting me in to sign today. However, she said it's not likely that we'll make it in. She said even if it's late tonight, she'll text me and let me know what happens today - if anything.

Frickity Frick!

Breath of fresh air: Matt and I have a King's game to go to tonight. At least we can have some much needed one on one time together.

[MrsDM]

All I have to say is, I would go to the bank and give them a piece of my mind.....:irked: You are handling this much better than I would be at this point!!

[FFC]

The bank is in So Cal or else I would (I'm in NorCal). Matt and I have no water at our house where we live now (I told my lender this). I told her that we're having to drive across town every time we want to shower or cook. She said she's doing all she can but she can only go so far.

I asked her if we'll have our keys in time to paint next weekend and she said "I hope so". Wow. WTF. **** bank should pay ME for THEM being late.

[MrsDM]

The bank is in So Cal or else I would (I'm in NorCal). Matt and I have no water at our house where we live now (I told my lender this). I told her that we're having to drive across town every time we want to shower or cook. She said she's doing all she can but she can only go so far.

I asked her if we'll have our keys in time to paint next weekend and she said "I hope so". Wow. WTF. **** bank should pay ME for THEM being late.

Whoa seriously!? Now you might not even get in NEXT weekend?!

Um...I'm thinking somebody better start thinking about putting you guys up in a hotel room pretty **** soon!

[FFC]

Whoa seriously!? Now you might not even get in NEXT weekend?!

Um...I'm thinking somebody better start thinking about putting you guys up in a hotel room pretty **** soon!

Hey that's a great idea!

She said that the bank requires 3-5 business days to get their side of the paperwork signed - that is AFTER I sign my side of the paperwork. WTF ever happened to everyone signing on the same day and me getting my keys???????? As of today my homeowners' insurance kicks in :snide:

[MrsDM]

Hey that's a great idea!

She said that the bank requires 3-5 business days to get their side of the paperwork signed - that is AFTER I sign my side of the paperwork. WTF ever happened to everyone signing on the same day and me getting my keys???????? As of today my homeowners' insurance kicks in :snide:

Seriously, I would ask your realtor and see what he/she can do. Even our realtor (who has absolutely not been the greatest to work witH) said that if something happens with closing, she will put us in a hotel room and she has done it in the past.

I understand you are dealing with a foreclosure, but because you were supposed to close today, you made arrangements to be in the house and now you are dealing with unhealthy living conditions because you have no water!

[FFC]

You're right - I will talk to my realtor (not my lender) and see what he says. I'm just exhausted with all the bs goin' on. I seriously think that since: if we were late, we'd have to pay $100/day, that the bank should be required SOME sort of late penalty. Sure pays off to play dirty huh? :irked:

[MrsDM]

Any new news yet?

[FFC]

Nah, news would be too convenient. No one believes in telling me ANYTHING unless I call everyone involved in my mortgage to pry out answers.

*sigh*

Sorry.... No, I haven't heard anything. I've called my lender today and left her a message. I'll be calling my loan officer around 2 if I don't hear from my lender before then. Then my Realtor if I can't reach either of the other 2.

[MrsDM]

No need to be sorry, I completely understand your frustrations, especially at this point! I hope you find out something today!! You still showering at MIL?

[FFC]

No need to be sorry, I completely understand your frustrations, especially at this point! I hope you find out something today!! You still showering at MIL?

Yes, still showering at MIL's. We were there from noon to 9 last night doing laundry, showering, hanging out with Sierra. We can't even take Sierra home and hang out there (where we live now) because there's no water. It's so frustrating. Now she won't even really get to say goodbye to her childhood home (well, she's still a child, but she's been there since she was 2).

:irked: I'll put up an update when I find something out *fingers crossed*

[FFC]

I've called my lender and loan officer and haven't gotten through to a live person yet. Going to try again around 3 when I get home if I don't hear from anyone :irked:

[FFC]

I talked to my Realtor around 2:45 and he hadn't been to the office yet and hadn't heard of our status. I never did hear back from neither my lender nor my loan officer :irked:

I'm to the point where it's not even really exciting anymore. I just want this all over with so we can move. I am not even looking forward to painting - and I was lookin forward to it.

[kgvettegirl]

Perhaps you should follow the example of one of the Senators and suggest strongly that they commit hari kari? If it's good enough for the screw ups at AIG it's good enough for those bozo's. :snide: But only after they sign your paperwork and you have your keys.

[FFC]

Hahaha... no kidding. I hope to have a positive update by this evening - but then again, I've been saying that for almost 2 weeks huh.

[MrsDM]

Aw, Justina, don't get discouraged! This will all work out for you! I do think it is pretty cr@ppy that nobody is giving you an update! Don't you have almost everything packed up at this point? Are you living out of boxes?

[FFC]

Aw, Justina, don't get discouraged! This will all work out for you! I do think it is pretty cr@ppy that nobody is giving you an update! Don't you have almost everything packed up at this point? Are you living out of boxes?


Well, I have most of our clothes packed. We probably still have just a box full left in the closet. I packed up one of the bathrooms last night - and OMG I never knew I had so many body sprays and lotions. I posted a free ad on Craigslist with 2 boxes of body sprays, lotions, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, etc and some girl came out at 10pm to pick it up! I still kept a whole box full of that stuff even though I got rid of some of my favorites. I mean, I don't need 100 bottles of body spray!

So I got our bathroom packed up - the only thing left is my 1 perfume, Matt's 1 cologne, our deodorants, and hair brushes. Talk about bare minimum (alright, so to some people that's all that should be in the bathroom LOL).

Got probably half the kitchen packed. I'm out of boxes just about. We haven't even started in the garage, but we got Matt's truck drivable finally so we can start packing up the garage any time. It sure is relieving getting rid of stuff though! Less stuff to move!!

[FFC]

Wow. My loan officer just called me back. Everything stands the same. She said that my loose ends are all tied up - and she said as soon as all the loose ends from the other side are tied up "then we can let you schedule a closing date". WTF! I HAD a closing date! *tantrum* GRRNESSSSS.

[Katiegirl]

Wow. My loan officer just called me back. Everything stands the same. She said that my loose ends are all tied up - and she said as soon as all the loose ends from the other side are tied up "then we can let you schedule a closing date". WTF! I HAD a closing date! *tantrum* GRRNESSSSS.

So frustrating! I am really hoping ours doesn't get pushed back. I think 3 weeks before the wedding is close enough! :bbeek:

[FFC]

So frustrating! I am really hoping ours doesn't get pushed back. I think 3 weeks before the wedding is close enough! :bbeek:

Holy MOLY! 3 weeks before the wedding! I missed that part! You've got a 6 week escrow though, you should be fine :)

[FFC]

Well, I got good news and bad news, and my Realtor quickly turned the bad news into good news!

Matt called our Realtor on our way home from work and we got the same story - still waiting on the power of attorney.

My lender called me at about 5:30 and told me that they FINALLY got the paperwork that we've been waiting on. She had had to call the supervisor at wherever it was and get the supervisor on the job and got the information right away (hullo.. couldn't do that TWO WEEKS AGO!). Anyway... we got it.

So, she tells me now she's gotta get the paperwork to underwriting and then from there to the title company to write up the loan documents, then get those to our realtor so that we can sign them. COOL.

So then our Realtor calls Matt and tells him that the underwriter won't pass the house because the section 1 repairs were not complete as instructed. WTF!!! That F************* bank says in the contract that they'll do up to $1500 worth of work on the place to make it pass section 1, and they couldn't replace the faucet? The total repairs needed were $240!

So our Realtor says he's on his way to Home Depot to buy the faucet and install it himself :wub: He knows we're in a bind. We can't even bring Sierra home because of the current situation here. So he's out fixing it right now so the underwriter will pass the house and get the title company to write the loan docs.

With any luck, we'll be signing tomorrow. With even more luck - we'll have the keys by Friday. Hmmm... Matt and I have agreed to go ahead and move some big stuff into the house after we sign even if we don't have the keys :) Once they have my check, the house is OURS anyway, key or no key.

[MrsDM]

Wow! That was a complete 180 from where you were this morning! I really hope that everything falls into place nicely this week. That is awesome that your realtor is putting the faucet in!

Sending prayers your way!!

[FFC]

Thanks Jeanne,

So Matt and I went to the house this evening because I have a shelving unit in my car that we can't take out where we're at. We took it to the house to get it out of the car LOL and our realtor was still there working on the faucet. Come to find out, this is the first time my realtor has had an underwriter require section TWO repairs. I guess the faucet was a section TWO repair, not section ONE as usual. Jack (our realtor) is going to send it back to underwriting in the morning and we should *should* *should* have something to sign tomorrow.

[FFC]

*fingers crossed* There really shouldn't be any reason for a hold up now.... :) I'm shopping for kitchen cupboard knobs.

[mrspataco13]

WOOHOO!!!! :hug:

The pics of the house are awesome girl! I'm so excited for you guys! I'm most excited to see a future nursery! hehehehe

[FFC]

:whoohoo: Welcome to OneWed Jan!!!! You bet we'll be doing up the future nursery! Most likely we're going with chocolate walls on 2 walls and a maybe white or beige on the other 2 walls. That way when we know if we're having a boy or girl we can add color as appropriate :) (hopefully within the next year!!!)

[BnB]

still tuned in for papers to be signed:)

[FFC]

My realtor came by to drop off the key that he accidentally forgot to put back when he was fixing the section 2 repairs. We went out and copied the key *shhh* and put his key back in the lock box. We spent 2 hours cleaning at the house last night. We're not supposed to, but we don't really have a choice. Looks like we won't be painting till after next Tuesday at the earliest if the bank lags, and if we're painting throughout the week, then we might be moving by next Sunday. We'll see. Jack (realtor) says that we should be signing today or tomorrow - depending on how fast the title company can write up the loan documents.

*sigh*

It was kinda fun cleaning though! Matt cleaned the bath tub big time, and I cleaned the outside of the cabinets that I could reach (there are 10' ceilings in the kitchen and the cabinets go all the way up). I also cleaned the stove and window sills in all but the spare room.

OH, and I got PICS!!!!!! I got the 'before' pics so that I didn't have to worry bout that on paint day.

[MrsDM]

My realtor came by to drop off the key that he accidentally forgot to put back when he was fixing the section 2 repairs. We went out and copied the key *shhh* and put his key back in the lock box. We spent 2 hours cleaning at the house last night. We're not supposed to, but we don't really have a choice. Looks like we won't be painting till after next Tuesday at the earliest if the bank lags, and if we're painting throughout the week, then we might be moving by next Sunday. We'll see. Jack (realtor) says that we should be signing today or tomorrow - depending on how fast the title company can write up the loan documents.

*sigh*

It was kinda fun cleaning though! Matt cleaned the bath tub big time, and I cleaned the outside of the cabinets that I could reach (there are 10' ceilings in the kitchen and the cabinets go all the way up). I also cleaned the stove and window sills in all but the spare room.

OH, and I got PICS!!!!!! I got the 'before' pics so that I didn't have to worry bout that on paint day.

I really hope that you guys can be in this weekend! Fingers are still crossed for you!!

Its funny you mentioned about cleaning, I can't wait! When we were sitting there during the inspection, I was like, ugh, I should have brought my cleaning supplies! The house was driving me nuts, it was so dirty!

[FFC]

I really hope that you guys can be in this weekend! Fingers are still crossed for you!!

Its funny you mentioned about cleaning, I can't wait! When we were sitting there during the inspection, I was like, ugh, I should have brought my cleaning supplies! The house was driving me nuts, it was so dirty!

Only an act of God would get us in this weekend. Unfortunately, for us to be in this weekend we'da had to sign papers on Monday :irked: But if we sign today and hear back from the bank by tomorrow (not likely) then we'll be in.

Jeanne, you'd never believe the filth in that house. It looks like whoever was there before didn't believe in cleaning window sills. The window sills, of all places, were the worst part of the house. Like the windows were left open wind/rain/shine. I scrubbed the one in the kitchen and still didn't get it completely clean!

I'm going to post pics today *fingers crossed*

I tried to get some good pics of the kitchen tile so that ya'll can understand the smoky gray/brown that I want in the kitchen.

[kgvettegirl]

Have you already paid them any money? Are they going to be expecting a monthly mortgage payment before you get to move in?

I would so be standing in front of someones desk demanding that they get there act together.
Yet another brilliant demonstration why the banking industry needs to be overhauled.

[MrsDM]

Only an act of God would get us in this weekend. Unfortunately, for us to be in this weekend we'da had to sign papers on Monday :irked: But if we sign today and hear back from the bank by tomorrow (not likely) then we'll be in.

Jeanne, you'd never believe the filth in that house. It looks like whoever was there before didn't believe in cleaning window sills. The window sills, of all places, were the worst part of the house. Like the windows were left open wind/rain/shine. I scrubbed the one in the kitchen and still didn't get it completely clean!

I'm going to post pics today *fingers crossed*

I tried to get some good pics of the kitchen tile so that ya'll can understand the smoky gray/brown that I want in the kitchen.

OMG! Just the way you described the house, makes me want to go there and help you clean! Its one thing to have a little dust and dirt, but to leave it in that bad of condition?! It just makes me cringe!! How could you live in that?!

I can't wait to see pictures!

[FFC]

Kvettegirl, they've got our $1000 EMD and they've cashed that check, but other than that we haven't given them anything.

I don't know when they're going to expect the first mortgage payment - but that's definitely something I'm going to inquire!

Jeanne, I've seen worse by far, but for being a family home with kids I'd think it woulda been more clean than it is.

[FFC]

Oh! Another thing. We were cleaning with very strong cleaners (Orange scented Pine Sol and Scrubbing bubbles, bleach and some other natural stuff that actually works). I noticed about 30 mins into the cleaning process that my chest was starting to hurt. Come to think of it, it always starts hurting when I am in anything but clean air. :irked: I can tell now that painting will be a test of endurance for me :urgh: I have costrachrongitis (whatever that is LOL) and the doc says it's not something that'll go away I just have to deal with it. :irked: Gee thanks doc. Hence the 2nd reason I'm out of shape. First being I'm too lazy LOL.

[FFC]

I just uploaded the pics to my computer - I have to resize them before I can post them onto OW as I have to use the OW attachment feature. It'll take me awhile.... :whoohoo: 76 pics to be exact :D But don't worry I won't bore you with that many!

[FFC]

Absolutely nothing new to report - our realtor said yesterday he didn't have anything in his inbox the whole day for us :(

[FFC]

Here's a small fraction of the pics I took - gives you a better idea why it's so important to paint and carpet :bbeek:

This is why we have to paint the baby room/office. We're planning on going with chocolate for these two walls and the other 2 walls will be a beige or white (because they're dirty white now):

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4261&stc=1&d=1237556506

Some of you expressed concern back in the beginning about the kitchen not having a window... woohoo!!! ETA: That green has GOT TO GO.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4262&stc=1&d=1237556557

This is why I'm thinking a smokey gray brown for the kitchen walls - I want to accent with the tile colors:

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4263&stc=1&d=1237556596

It wasn't raining, I think the bad pic is from light reflecting off of light...

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4264&stc=1&d=1237556607

It's a bit dark so the pic didn't turn out too good - this is our larger side yard.

http://forums.onewed.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4265&stc=1&d=1237556625