We got their counter offer last night and the sellers will do everything, but countered by paying only 1/3 of the closing costs. We are waiting to find out the final numbers on our loan, so we're thinking of probably counter offering with them paying 1/2 of the closing costs, but we'll see. Our closing date will be July 15.
I'm super excited!!!!!! I've already been thinking about landscaping stuff (which we obviously won't be doing right away) - I would really like to turn the front lawn into a natural landscape (rough landscape rock with trailing plants and low growing plants). I'm also thinking about gardening, both vegetable and flower gardens, so if any of you are thinking about splitting perennials, I would love to talk to you about taking some plants off your hands! The backyard appears to be full sun (there are no trees yet and I'm thinking about what trees I'd like to plant there). The side yards are mostly shade.
Woohoo!!!!!
31 May 2009
29 May 2009
Made an offer
After feeling crazy for the last few days, we saw a house last night that we like and we made an offer on it tonight. It's a bit out of our comfort zone, but I think it's well worth it because it's ready to move in. The only thing that likely needs to be done soon is a new roof, and our current offer will have them take care of that.
I know that there will be negotiations back and forth and we won't hear anything until Sunday night at the earliest I think since they are out of town for the weekend. I'm nervous because there have been other offers on the place since it's been on the market (which has been over 100 days) and the sellers are choosy because they are in no hurry to move. They are selling because they want to move closer to family because of their baby.
It's interesting how fast everything is going to move. We have to get the place inspected within five days of the purchase agreement being accepted. Eek! Need to move quickly! I'm feeling excited and nervous.
I'm guessing some of you may be wondering what this place is like huh? It's located in Highland. It's a rambler, 1008 square feet with three bedrooms and a newly remodeled kitchen. It's got a gas fireplace in the livingroom, beautiful tile in the kitchen and utility rooms, dark wood floors in the livingroom and hall, and carpet in the three bedrooms. The backyard is private and in need of trees. There's good closet space and good colors on the walls. It's ready to move in!
Wish us luck!
I know that there will be negotiations back and forth and we won't hear anything until Sunday night at the earliest I think since they are out of town for the weekend. I'm nervous because there have been other offers on the place since it's been on the market (which has been over 100 days) and the sellers are choosy because they are in no hurry to move. They are selling because they want to move closer to family because of their baby.
It's interesting how fast everything is going to move. We have to get the place inspected within five days of the purchase agreement being accepted. Eek! Need to move quickly! I'm feeling excited and nervous.
I'm guessing some of you may be wondering what this place is like huh? It's located in Highland. It's a rambler, 1008 square feet with three bedrooms and a newly remodeled kitchen. It's got a gas fireplace in the livingroom, beautiful tile in the kitchen and utility rooms, dark wood floors in the livingroom and hall, and carpet in the three bedrooms. The backyard is private and in need of trees. There's good closet space and good colors on the walls. It's ready to move in!
Wish us luck!
27 May 2009
What to do
I really want to get a house soon. With it being a buyer's market and the federal tax incentive and the first-time home buyers programs that we can take advantage of, I feel like now is the perfect time to buy. We've looked at some houses, done the mortgage applications, but I'm feeling uncertain about a lot of things.
The reason I feel uncertain is that there was one house we saw that I liked, but I absolutely love the yard. I think my love for this yard may be clouding my judgment since this place is only about 860 square feet with no basement. It has an oversized garage that could be used for storage of things that weren't sensitive to temp changes, but other than that, space would be limited. The other thing about the place is the electrical is not up to code and there is a strong possibility the roof would need to be reshingled soon.
But then I think about all the possibilities if we would get this place: we could put an addition on after we save up money again and in the meantime we would have a little bit more space inside than the apartment plus we'd have a garage and an AMAZING backyard in which I could do so much.
I'm trying to decide if I want to further pursue this place because of its incredible yard despite the small house, or if I should concentrate on finding something a little bit bigger. I do know that we need to look at more properties and I know that houses go on the market all the time, but the price range we are looking at means houses go on and off the market very quickly. Plus I want to get in a place that isn't too far out of our comfort zone just in case something would happen to one of our jobs.
I am glad that we filled out the mortgage applications and that we've been preapproved. So much to think about! I'm wondering if the house I described above sells, will I always regret not getting that yard? I know I'm unnecessarily worrying...but what if we don't find a place? I know it's not the end of the world because we have a good apartment here. It's just that I'm desperately craving a yard.
Most people I've talked to say that getting the place that's a little bit bigger and just a little bit out of your comfort zone is worth it in the end. I keep thinking about it because what if we decide to have kids in five years?
This is why I don't want to start planning our wedding because there's just so many things to think about and as you can tell from my wandering that I'm preoccupied enough as it is.
Any thoughts? Any pearls of wisdom?
The reason I feel uncertain is that there was one house we saw that I liked, but I absolutely love the yard. I think my love for this yard may be clouding my judgment since this place is only about 860 square feet with no basement. It has an oversized garage that could be used for storage of things that weren't sensitive to temp changes, but other than that, space would be limited. The other thing about the place is the electrical is not up to code and there is a strong possibility the roof would need to be reshingled soon.
But then I think about all the possibilities if we would get this place: we could put an addition on after we save up money again and in the meantime we would have a little bit more space inside than the apartment plus we'd have a garage and an AMAZING backyard in which I could do so much.
I'm trying to decide if I want to further pursue this place because of its incredible yard despite the small house, or if I should concentrate on finding something a little bit bigger. I do know that we need to look at more properties and I know that houses go on the market all the time, but the price range we are looking at means houses go on and off the market very quickly. Plus I want to get in a place that isn't too far out of our comfort zone just in case something would happen to one of our jobs.
I am glad that we filled out the mortgage applications and that we've been preapproved. So much to think about! I'm wondering if the house I described above sells, will I always regret not getting that yard? I know I'm unnecessarily worrying...but what if we don't find a place? I know it's not the end of the world because we have a good apartment here. It's just that I'm desperately craving a yard.
Most people I've talked to say that getting the place that's a little bit bigger and just a little bit out of your comfort zone is worth it in the end. I keep thinking about it because what if we decide to have kids in five years?
This is why I don't want to start planning our wedding because there's just so many things to think about and as you can tell from my wandering that I'm preoccupied enough as it is.
Any thoughts? Any pearls of wisdom?
21 May 2009
Eventful week
While I was expecting to basically sit around this week and get the things done that I've been putting off (like planting lettuce seeds and playing around with the sewing machine), things ended up very differently.
I did accomplish washing the carpet and did some relaxing. I spent part of the day Monday with my aunts which was fun. I also got to look at some houses. I found one I liked, but unfortunately it's a bit out of our price range, mostly because of the high taxes (we could offer much less than the asking price given that it has no heat, no plumbing and no appliances).
The not-so-good part of the week that turned out ok was that my uncle that has lung cancer had a mild heart attack Sunday night and had a procedure Wednesday morning. The procedure was to insert a stint since one artery was 99% blocked and another was 80% blocked. Beforehand, the doctor said they weren't really sure how things were going to go because they would typically do surgery but since his heart was very weak. Before the procedure, most of the family went down to bombard him before his prep - I'm sure anyone would love having a room full of people come in at just before 7 in the morning :) We got to hear some great stories about him from a friend that came down to see him. He did extremely well and is continuing to do well.
My mom came down the night before, and it was great seeing her even though it was not under the best circumstances. Banjo certainly enjoyed the company especially with all the great treats!
I enjoyed a migraine all day today - it's still hanging around. Banjo's enjoying the company today. We even spooned on the couch this morning, which you can imagine I absolutely loved. I didn't want it to end!
We're all going to be heading up to my parents' tomorrow to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend with them on the porch. We'll see how Banjo does up there will all of the great things to smell and all of the trouble Pokey can get him into.
I did accomplish washing the carpet and did some relaxing. I spent part of the day Monday with my aunts which was fun. I also got to look at some houses. I found one I liked, but unfortunately it's a bit out of our price range, mostly because of the high taxes (we could offer much less than the asking price given that it has no heat, no plumbing and no appliances).
The not-so-good part of the week that turned out ok was that my uncle that has lung cancer had a mild heart attack Sunday night and had a procedure Wednesday morning. The procedure was to insert a stint since one artery was 99% blocked and another was 80% blocked. Beforehand, the doctor said they weren't really sure how things were going to go because they would typically do surgery but since his heart was very weak. Before the procedure, most of the family went down to bombard him before his prep - I'm sure anyone would love having a room full of people come in at just before 7 in the morning :) We got to hear some great stories about him from a friend that came down to see him. He did extremely well and is continuing to do well.
My mom came down the night before, and it was great seeing her even though it was not under the best circumstances. Banjo certainly enjoyed the company especially with all the great treats!
I enjoyed a migraine all day today - it's still hanging around. Banjo's enjoying the company today. We even spooned on the couch this morning, which you can imagine I absolutely loved. I didn't want it to end!
We're all going to be heading up to my parents' tomorrow to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend with them on the porch. We'll see how Banjo does up there will all of the great things to smell and all of the trouble Pokey can get him into.
16 May 2009
Time for relaxation
After a horrible week at work, I'm now going to enjoy having a week off. With the department facing some major cuts, they asked employees to volunteer for budgetary leave. I decided to take a week, a much needed week after all of the problems we've been having with software over the past month.
Chris and I are seriously looking for a house, so I'm going to be weeding out some properties with our realtor this week. I'm really excited, and I'm glad that Chris is extremely level-headed about all of this because with any property that I really like but I know is not exactly what we're looking for, I immediately think of all the ways we could make it work. A coworker of mine put it this way: women are nesters. That's of course not true across the board, but it's true of the two of us anyway. The prospect of having a home of our own with a backyard that Banjo can patrol has made me want to move out of the apartment.
I'm going to also be working a lot with Banjo this week. We met with a dog trainer today who gave us a plan of how to get Banjo to stop being a growler towards me and how we can help him get over his separation anxiety. We've been working with him since we got him on this front and he was doing better, but then he started slipped backwards last week. I'm going to be employing lots of treats to help him get over this.
I'm also excited to get together with my aunts - it's been too long! And over the Memorial Day weekend, me and the boys are going to my parents' to spend some more relaxation time. I'm guessing Banjo will go nuts over all of the plaxes he can explore.
Chris and I are seriously looking for a house, so I'm going to be weeding out some properties with our realtor this week. I'm really excited, and I'm glad that Chris is extremely level-headed about all of this because with any property that I really like but I know is not exactly what we're looking for, I immediately think of all the ways we could make it work. A coworker of mine put it this way: women are nesters. That's of course not true across the board, but it's true of the two of us anyway. The prospect of having a home of our own with a backyard that Banjo can patrol has made me want to move out of the apartment.
I'm going to also be working a lot with Banjo this week. We met with a dog trainer today who gave us a plan of how to get Banjo to stop being a growler towards me and how we can help him get over his separation anxiety. We've been working with him since we got him on this front and he was doing better, but then he started slipped backwards last week. I'm going to be employing lots of treats to help him get over this.
I'm also excited to get together with my aunts - it's been too long! And over the Memorial Day weekend, me and the boys are going to my parents' to spend some more relaxation time. I'm guessing Banjo will go nuts over all of the plaxes he can explore.
05 May 2009
You're stuck with us now!!!
It's official: Banjo is now ours. We sent in the adoption fee today. It feels good :) To celebrate, Banjo stole my sock as soon as I took it off. I'm excited too Banjo!
On a different note, Chris and I are looking more at houses. We started up again once we saw a house about a block away from us drop $60k in price. We are now working with a realtor that our friends highly recommended and we're shopping around for mortgages. We're trying to find more than one person who is well versed in HUD's 203k program, which is a program that allows you to mortgage up to $35k above the price for major repairs. Given our income levels, we're definitely looking at a place that will likely be in need of major repairs. We were recommended someone from our realtor, but I'm unsure if she works with the local programs available in Saint Paul or from the state.
It's interesting to think about having house someday. I thought it was going to be more than a couple years, but now it seems like we're going to try to find a place this year. Gotta take advantage of the tax incentive and low interest rates, right? It's a bit scary to think about truly being an adult. First getting engaged, then getting a dog and the responsibilities that come with that, then thinking about a house. We are still in the we're-planning-to-plan-someday phase of the wedding plans. We are thinking that we may shoot for a ceremony next year, but stay tuned for that one.
On a different note, Chris and I are looking more at houses. We started up again once we saw a house about a block away from us drop $60k in price. We are now working with a realtor that our friends highly recommended and we're shopping around for mortgages. We're trying to find more than one person who is well versed in HUD's 203k program, which is a program that allows you to mortgage up to $35k above the price for major repairs. Given our income levels, we're definitely looking at a place that will likely be in need of major repairs. We were recommended someone from our realtor, but I'm unsure if she works with the local programs available in Saint Paul or from the state.
It's interesting to think about having house someday. I thought it was going to be more than a couple years, but now it seems like we're going to try to find a place this year. Gotta take advantage of the tax incentive and low interest rates, right? It's a bit scary to think about truly being an adult. First getting engaged, then getting a dog and the responsibilities that come with that, then thinking about a house. We are still in the we're-planning-to-plan-someday phase of the wedding plans. We are thinking that we may shoot for a ceremony next year, but stay tuned for that one.
02 May 2009
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