I jumped on the boat and bought a house!

[NOTKT]

So we have been going to open houses for about 2 months on Sundays just to look around after church. We knew we wanted to leave our current home, just not sure when we could leave and what we could afford.

We found this house and LOVED IT. But we didn't really think twice about putting in an offer, we weren't ready, just looking. The realtor told us there was a guy coming at 4pm that Sunday and would probably put an offer in here or another house down the block. Well we wished her good luck and said the guy was very lucky to get the house and left.

Well on last Wednesday night, DH was looking at the houses and noticed that the house we really liked was still on the market. Being very surprised and wanting to see it again, he contacted the Realtor that night and she showed the house on Thursday to him. I got a text at work to come to the house he had spent 90 minutes going through the house again and wanted me to come see it again too.

So Thursday night at 8pm, we put on offer on the house. We asked them for a response by that night at 10pm. We got a counter-offer at 930pm! We thought about the counter-offer and countered with an offer on Saturday night. THEY ACCEPTED THAT OFFER! So on Monday we went to the bank and got approved for the loan!

All we need to do is get all the inspections we want done in the next 2 weeks, then we wait. Apparently VA loans are taking forever right now, maybe 60 days!

Now, onto the house! It's a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2100 sq ft with a full basement that seems to go on forever. The previous owners were in the house for 28 years, raising their family that has now grown up and having children themselves, so they want to move closer to the grandkids. The pictures are the ones supplied by the realtor, and they truly don't do the house justice. The backyard is not very deep, but it is long. It goes past the house a good 15 feet on both sides. It's at the end of a cul-de-sac, so no traffic! Apparently its SUPER quiet and very friendly. :) The Pergo floors are throughout the house, which will be nice for the cats and for the Romba that is going to sweep, haha.

The owners had a whole house inspection done 2 weeks before putting the house on the market. All appliances stay plus some of their furniture. Thiis way, we can buy our stuff a little more slowly. They just purchased a Whirlpool Duet that we get to keep! The only room we will definitely paint before moving in is the master suite, which is a 25x12 ft space! Almost all of the other rooms will be painted, but not necessary to move, we don't think.

Wish us luck that we can sell our house we live in now and that all the inspections go well!

[WebLady]

Congrats and good luck!

[gwenshack]

How exciting! Congrats! :)

[MrsDM]

Congrats!! Best of luck to you for an easy closing! Got any pics?!

[SerendipityCrafts]

Sounds wonderful! Good luck with the inspection & selling your place :)

The pictures are the ones supplied by the realtor, and they truly don't do the house justice.


BTW - am I missing something? I can't see any photos.

[NOTKT]

No I didn't post any! But here they are!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_28.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_21.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_2.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_23.jpg

[NOTKT]

More:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_20.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_3.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_6.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_8.jpg

[NOTKT]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_5.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_9.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_17.jpg

[gwenshack]

That's a really cute house! And it looks like it's in really good condition too. The hardwood looks really nice. :)

[MrsDM]

Cute house! Love the floors!! So, are ya keepin the paint colors?? :)

[SerendipityCrafts]

Ohhhhhhhh that is a nice place! :) Congratulations.

How did the inspection go?

[Qtpie]

congratulations and good luck

[Danielle9608]

Great looking house! Congrats.

[Brian's Bride]

What... your hubby doesn't want a purple bedroom?!? LOL. Great find! Congratulations!

[HisDelightfulFaerie]

Cul-de-sacs are my favorite. Good luck with selling!

[NOTKT]

Thanks everyone! We will probably paint all the rooms eventually, but we have to paint the bedroom before we move it, I won't even be able to take it! It's basically not even an option, haha!

We have no inspections this week, we need to schedule 2 or 3 for next week. Whew!

[Ninedays9]

That is a very nice house! Good luck with selling your old house! :)

[Nekochanpurr]

Thats a beautiful home!! :) I hope you plan on showing us some before/after shots!! XD Sorry, i'm nosey.

[NOTKT]

Oh definitely! I can't wait to decorate the place!

[amisteratwisterandme]

Congratulations! No ticket. (Everytime I see your name I think about that now)

[NOTKT]

Congratulations! No ticket. (Everytime I see your name I think about that now)


Haha! Thanks!

[KMS]

I love the house! It definitely looks like a place that could be a great home. I want a backyard like that!

[WBandMe]

Wow, the house looks great! I love the floors. Congratulations, and I can't wait to see what you do with it!

[SerendipityCrafts]

we need to schedule 2 or 3 for next week. Whew!

2 or 3 inspections? Is that how it's done there?

We normally have just one inspector give a report on the whole house unless of course ..... it looked like a specialized tradesman's opinion was warranted.

[NOTKT]

Well it's really up to us. Most people just get a whole home inspection, but we want to have a roofer and a structural engineer come out to give us some info. We have have as many inspectors as we want in 14 days.

The couple just had a home inspection done, so we want some things that are a little more in depth.

[SerendipityCrafts]

Well it's really up to us. Most people just get a whole home inspection, but we want to have a roofer and a structural engineer come out to give us some info.

Understandable. We might/should have done the same because we are having structural "issues" with the back room.

[MrsDM]

Having multiple inspections is a good idea. Better safe than sorry!

[NOTKT]

Fingers crossed, only one week left for inspections. Then we wait for the VA to do their inspections.

[JJsWifey08]

I like that!! Its a very comfy looking home!! Congrats

[NOTKT]

I just looked online and the listing says "SALE PENDING" !! I know it's silly but we are just that much closer! We are having 3 inspections tomorrow. Roof, termite and electric.*fingers crossed*

[MrsDM]

I just looked online and the listing says "SALE PENDING" !! I know it's silly but we are just that much closer! We are having 3 inspections tomorrow. Roof, termite and electric.*fingers crossed*

Not silly! I was the same way! To know that there is a "sold", "sale pending", "accepted offer", WHATEVER! It makes other buyers aware that its NOT THEIRS!! LOL

Good luck tomorrow!!! I hope everything goes well!

[FFC]

Aaahhhh Katie how did I miss this thread! CONGRATS!!!!!!! If anyone understands your excitement over seeing SALE PENDING on the website it's Jeanne, Breckan and myself!!! We all just went through this! I can't see the pics because I'm at work and most picture hosting sites are blocked (Photobucket) :irked: but I can't wait to see YOUR new home!!!! :whoohoo:

[val24]

wow your house is beautiful!!!!

good luck!

[NOTKT]

Aaahhhh Katie how did I miss this thread! CONGRATS!!!!!!! If anyone understands your excitement over seeing SALE PENDING on the website it's Jeanne, Breckan and myself!!! We all just went through this! I can't see the pics because I'm at work and most picture hosting sites are blocked (Photobucket) :irked: but I can't wait to see YOUR new home!!!! :whoohoo:

Thanks! I'm pretty excited but I just want to start packing. We really haven't told a lot of people so I'm just bursting all the time! I just don't want to tell all these people we have a house then we lose it! Oh this is soooo taking too long!

We have not heard about inspections yet, I hear it may take a few days.

[FFC]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited but I just want to start packing. We really haven't told a lot of people so I'm just bursting all the time! I just don't want to tell all these people we have a house then we lose it! Oh this is soooo taking too long!

We have not heard about inspections yet, I hear it may take a few days.

Hehe... I know all about taking too long :rofl: And YES it is exciting! I hope that everything goes as planned for you so that you can STAY excited! And I know what you mean - we were in escrow in November and ended up falling out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!!!

[MrsDM]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited but I just want to start packing. We really haven't told a lot of people so I'm just bursting all the time! I just don't want to tell all these people we have a house then we lose it! Oh this is soooo taking too long!

We have not heard about inspections yet, I hear it may take a few days.

Yeah, they sure make it look easy on t.v. huh? Like you put in the offer and tomorrow, you close!! Haha..not! :)

I hope you hear back soon with the inspections, I know its hard waiting! Do you have a closing date set yet?

[NOTKT]

Well we got our inspections today. The termite passed, but that was expected. The electrical needs some work. Nothing that major, but the breaker box needs to be updated, the wiring in the garage needs outlets, the outlets in the kitchen and the fan in the dining room is on a dimmer but it's the wrong one.We asked them to pay for all of that, which they just accepted tonight. :)

The roofer inspection turned out to be an estimate, lol. We did not get an inspection but what it would cost to replace. The roof is not that bad, but the VA requires a life expectancy. Guess we will try a different company haha.

[NOTKT]

So 1st, we talked to the roof company, they were able to give us an "official report" that says we have over 5 years on our roof. Whew.

The electrician fixed all the things needed on Tuesday and the VA went through the house on Thursday. The VA said everything went well and apprised our house for more than we are paying. Whew!

I'm so nervous to start packing, I don't want to jump the gun, so here I sit. We have an expected close date of May 14th, but that was set up when we signed the first contract. I just want to wait until I get the green light from the VA.

[FFC]

Katie, how much more did the appraisal come through than the paying price? In CA, we have to pay taxes on the appraisal amount, not the purchase amount...

[NOTKT]

It was only $1000. In Ohio, we also have to pay taxes on the appraised house. That assessment is just done by the city. I think it's like $3400 a year! Yikes!

[NOTKT]

Still no word on the closing date! This is driving us crazy! The underwriters did pull a credit report again, we were notified since we monitor our credit. That means they are DOING something, right?

We drove by the house yesterday and sat in front of it for almost 10 minutes! Then drove around the neighborhood for almost an hour! We did decide on a trim/shutter color though! It will be a steel/gray ish blue. Something that will stand on its own but not be too over powering. Kinda like this :

http://www.vinylshutters.net/image/Classic%20Blue.png

We saw our house in many different colors and this was the best fit. The hunter looked bad with the brick color and there is too many trees, too much green. Also the black looks cold and definitely not red, it makes the house seem pink!

[FFC]

Isn't it fun to dream?

Good luck with the underwriters! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[NOTKT]

So the bank called. The closing date has been postponed! :( They could not give us a date yet, we are waiting on the underwriting department. Rawr!

[MrsDM]

Justina...is this a flashback for you as much as it for me :whyme:?!

I'm sorry it got postponed! I hope they can get the docs together soon, so you guys can get in your house!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

[FFC]

Justina...is this a flashback for you as much as it for me :whyme:?!

I'm sorry it got postponed! I hope they can get the docs together soon, so you guys can get in your house!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

I'm sorry... but yes, it is :urgh:

Katie, I'm sorry that it got postponed... Let's hope it's only one postponement for your sake.. and that it's only a day or two...

Any idea WHY they postponed it??

[NOTKT]

I'm sorry... but yes, it is :urgh:

Katie, I'm sorry that it got postponed... Let's hope it's only one postponement for your sake.. and that it's only a day or two...

Any idea WHY they postponed it??

The bank just said they were not ready. Hooo humm.... I just can't wait to get outta here. I live in such a bad neighborhood and the warmer it gets, the worse it is. I guess I don't have to pack very much this weekend.

[FFC]

The bank just said they were not ready. Hooo humm.... I just can't wait to get outta here. I live in such a bad neighborhood and the warmer it gets, the worse it is. I guess I don't have to pack very much this weekend.

The bank said they were not ready..... WTF do they mean, NOT READY? Each day they have that house it's money out of their pockets :irked:

Grrnesss... I feel your pain!

[NOTKT]

I have no idea! We are all waiting for underwriting. Not really sure what they are doing over there...

[NOTKT]

We keep having to jump thru the hoops! They asked us to write a few letters, we submitted. Then they asked us to write one more! They today they told us we had to pay $3000 for 7 months of escrow and 15 months of home insurance! So now we don't know what we are going to do! We think it's total BS and this is ON TOP of closing costs! We are talking to bank tomorrow but not sure what we are going to do...

[MrsDM]

We keep having to jump thru the hoops! They asked us to write a few letters, we submitted. Then they asked us to write one more! They today they told us we had to pay $3000 for 7 months of escrow and 15 months of home insurance! So now we don't know what we are going to do! We think it's total BS and this is ON TOP of closing costs! We are talking to bank tomorrow but not sure what we are going to do...

Oh wow. First, I'm sorry you have to go through so much garbage. I completely understand! Second, that is a lot of money to have to put on the table all at once. Why are they requesting all that up front??

I really hope this all works out for you guys!

[NOTKT]

Well we got more information today. Apparently we need to prove we can pay it, but not actually pay it. This bank uses an outside underwriting agency and they have all kinds of funny rules. So not sure yet how much we will actually have to pay, I guess we will get that from the title company?

Our closing date of Wednesday may still be on, depending on when the underwriters get back to us. I am not hopeful at this point. They would have to get back to us on Tuesday and have the title company be ready on Wednesday.

Also we were given a 'good faith' estimate when we started this process about the closing costs and they added all kinda of stuff to that. We talked to the bank and they are actually removing some of the fees. One was $500! I guess they hope people don't actually pay attention to this stuff!

[FFC]

They did that to my estimate as well - except my good faith estimate was around $3500, and the actual amount they asked for at closing was over $6500!!!!! They found a $3000 mistake in the paperwork and we ended up closing with the amount they originally required.

Good luck this week!!!!! *thinking positive thoughts*

[NOTKT]

I guess we are closing tomorrow! I still don't believe it and I will ONLY believe when I sign the first paper! They came back with $412 closing costs, so here we are! It's kinda BS the good faith is not the same.... I'll let you know tomorrow when I get home. :)

[MrsDM]

I guess we are closing tomorrow! I still don't believe it and I will ONLY believe when I sign the first paper! They came back with $412 closing costs, so here we are! It's kinda BS the good faith is not the same.... I'll let you know tomorrow when I get home. :)

Oooo!!! Good luck!! I hope everything works out for you!!!

[FFC]

$412, as in four hundred and twelve dollars?? That's GREAT!

Good luck! I hope you get to sign today! My escrow buddy who got burned out closed yesterday - means it's a GOOD WEEK!!!!!

[gwenshack]

I hope everything goes smoothly! :)

[NOTKT]

We closed yesterday and it's official! We now own the house! I'm pretty excited! They gave us the keys at closing, so we went in yesterday! It's what I remembered. We have a lot to pay for to furnish the house so I'm a little worried, but things come in time. We really needed to get out of the neighborhood we live in and we did it! Being safe is way more important to me! Yayyayayayayyayayayay!

[MrsDM]

YYEAAHH!! Congrats to you guys!!! I'm so happy it all worked out!

[FFC]

That's AWSOME!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!! WOOHOOOOOO! I know the feeling LOL.

[NOTKT]

Thanks girls! Your support really means a lot! Once the first paint is done (this weekend) I'll start a new thread!

[MrsDM]

I was just checking in to see how the new house was! Do ya have any pictures for us yet?!

[FFC]

I was just checking in to see how the new house was! Do ya have any pictures for us yet?!

Good call!!!! :) :) :)

[NOTKT]

The house is great! We have been here a week and there are still boxes everywhere! We painted the master and the office those look soooo much better! When I can get some good light, I will take pictures. Thank for asking!

[MrsDM]

Glad to hear everything is going well for you guys!! Isn't amazing how much a little paint can do?! Can't wait to see your progress!!

[NOTKT]

Its difficult to do a before and after, but here are some updated pictures. We really don't have a lot of stuff to fill in all the blank space. In due time, I hope...

Family room: Only a chair and couch. We will eventually put those pictures up once the room is not FLUORESCENT BLUE, ugh!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2159.jpg

Looking from the kitchen to family room. My mom started filling in the space as a joke, she was helping unpack. Its kinda grown on us now, lol.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2161.jpg

View outside from the kitchen:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2162.jpg

View of the dining room, the kitchen is on the left. The filing cabinets will go in the basement and we are not sure where the coffee table and end tables will go yet. Probably the office so we can also hang out up there. The silly ceiling fan glass makes this wave effect on the walls. So 1980's, lol.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2175.jpg

[NOTKT]

Here is the rest of the dining room/living room. We are still deciding where to put the TV, we have "conflicting" opinions, lol.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2176.jpg


Here is the 3rd largest bedroom. We painted 3 walls silver...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2180.jpg

with a Yamaha colored accent wall. It will be filled with a huge Yamaha logo decal and other small decals. Its really bright in the picture, but will be broken up a bit.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2183.jpg


This is the wall in the office behind our desks. We removed the closet door and will put shelving and hooks up to display our motorcycle gear, locker room style. We only have a limited time before children may take over this room, so might as well enjoy while it lasts!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2184.jpg

[NOTKT]

The second largest bedroom will HOPEFULLY always stay a guest bedroom. I'll have to take pictures of that later, its trashed in there with all our clothes, etc! We are redoing our closets in the master bedroom, so that's our closet for now!

The 4th bedroom is pretty small and boring, nothing special. We will use it for a mail/craft room for now. I'll take better pictures when its set up, right now its the paint supplies room!

Here is the master, I do have before and after of these.

BEFORE: (notice the room is freaking purple! and the way way florescent bathroom at the end of the room.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_5.jpg

AFTER: The previous owners gave us the furniture. Its great to use until we can get something better.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2197.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2202.jpg

BEFORE:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/432382_12.jpg

AFTER:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2204.jpg

It looks a little desolate, we really need a headboard, curtains and rugs!

[NOTKT]

And lastly 2 pictures of the back yard, standing from the kitchen. The backyard hugs the back of a house in a "U" shape, going halfway around the side of the house.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2167.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/wukatie2000/New%20house/IMG_2169.jpg

[FFC]

WOOHOO!! PICS!!! Thanks for sharing! I love the 'storage area' in the wall between the dining room and living room!

[MrsDM]

Great pics, the house is really starting to take shape!! I sometimes wish we had a formal dining room, your so lucky to have that extra space!

[NOTKT]

Thanks girls!! It will be nice once we finally have furniture in there to use! We want to get a 10-12 person table since we can pull it out into the living room part of the room.

[FFC]

Ooohhh I can't wait till I have a house where I can have a huge dining table. I looooove entertaining and right now, if we do everyone has to sit on the couch... I hope you get it soon - watch Craigslist. They're on there all the time :)

[NOTKT]

Ooohhh I can't wait till I have a house where I can have a huge dining table. I looooove entertaining and right now, if we do everyone has to sit on the couch... I hope you get it soon - watch Craigslist. They're on there all the time :)

Thanks! We are not ready to revamp that room yet, so it will have to wait a little longer, ugh! I would love to just get things here and there for the rooms instead of buying the entire room at once, but I'm afraid it will be too mis-matched.

[mitch]

I've just found this thread and the first photos have been moved. :bbcry:

But what is showing is looking good. Love the wooden floors. And the grass in the garden is really lush. :D

[NOTKT]

Thanks! We have been lucky to get a lot of rain this summer!

Yea, I moved the pictures of the old house, but I can give you access if you want. Just PM me and I will give you the password to photobucket.com