So, yes, I wrote a blog just yesterday or the day before about the new house we looked at, and we even put an offer down on it. The seller was uneducated, or at least unwilling to listen to the knowledge and expertise of a "REAL" realtor. He has it in his head that the house will appraise for what he's asking simply because he wants it to. That's not how it works. Besides, the house had extensive pier work done less than a year ago, and it hasn't been appraised since. It hasn't even been inspected since that time. It will not appraise for what he wants, and he's unwilling to accept what we offered. Next!
My realtor has more than twenty years of experience in the business, and she knows what she's talking about. She is dead-straight with people and doesn't sugarcoat or over-exaggerate. She doesn't make you feel good just because it could help her get a sale. She is honest, and that's what we need. We literally have under 4 weeks to move. You can't find a home, put in an offer, expect it to be accepted, and then get the finances in order, have the inspection, and do the close in less than 27 days, usually. We're trying to make it happen sooner.
As you know, the house I was supposed to buy didn't qualify with FHA, and the man who owns it, like the man with the new house we looked at, will not agree to my paying what FHA will appraise and loan. His stubbornness has caused us a great deal of disappointment, not to mention all the mental and financial pressure it is putting on us. We have to start over with escrow because we can't get the other check back in time. We have to do the inspection on my dime as well. I will have to pay movers again - it's just not a lot of fun, but my realtor is a great asset. She has found us one that we strongly believe will pass the FHA appraisal and inspection.
The house is larger than I'm used to. I've never lived in a large house before, other than when I babysat mansions in the 80s...(which is another story). The house is 2148 sf and is a one-story ranch-style house. It is "sprawling," as they say. It has two living areas, one right behind the other, in an open-concept style. You can stand at the front door and see the back of the house, and in the middle are the kitchen, dining, living, and second living. There is a fireplace in the middle with a supporting beam.
There is a full-sized basement in the house, and Laura thought she would like to be down there to work, but decided she'll be upstairs in the second living area, and I'll keep my doors closed if she gets too loud - she is just so freaking loud, you know! (I think it's me that gets loud, and she needs to close my doors so I'm not being heard by her friends or co-workers.)
Then, there's the walk-through office - mine. It's really cool. It has two doors and a closet all at one end, and the rest of it will house the two desks that I have, one for work and one for play. There is a basement under the living room. I'll need to get a rail for that wall. The basement has vents to keep it from smelling, and it has a new sump pump and... if you know, you know, it has a Gary England Room! (This is Oklahoma! This is vital)
Laura's bedroom is 10x10 or so, and nothing too spectacular, but her bathroom is very nice. It's a new setup with a new tub, toilet, and sinks. The tile, backsplash, and shower components are new as well. There is storage in the hall, and that leads to my room, which is about 14x12, I think. It has a cutout in the ceiling where the fan is, and a double walk-in closet.
There is another bathroom in it, and you'd think you've stepped into the Jetsons. It's really cool. The bathtub is really deep, wide, and it's a whirlpool. The shower is glass-doored, has tile all around it, and has a bench -- the shower itself has several knobs, sprays, and gadgets - I love it. I will have to read up on how to use it, but I love it.
There is another room, maybe 8x12, behind the garage. That is our gym. The garage is a standard two-car garage with an opener. The laundry and water heater are in the garage. The gym area has an egress to the back door. There is no patio. I think they took it out to make the extra space for the gym area. I'm OK with it. I can add a deck if I need to, but I don't think I'll need to. Jeannie and I can sit outside on the front porch if we need to, or we can rough it in our patio furniture out back without a deck this year, and maybe I'll have one installed by next summer.
The dogs will love the yard. I will need to get 6 fence panels and 1 gate. There is a park literally behind my house, so I'll get another gate for that area so Laura can go out that gate with Rose when she's walking her dog. The whole thing is really very nice and in a wonderfully patriotic neighborhood with no less than 15 American flags flying around! LOVE IT. Mine will be just fine. Can't wait to start the process and hopefully unload my things in about 4 weeks.
I will, of course, keep you posted. The fact that the house is in a cul-de-sac really makes me happy. It's quiet, less traffic than the other house, and it feels really good. Today is a Sunday, and I saw people cutting their lawns, walking around, and talking to each other. It just looks like it's going to be a great place to live - prayers!
The Gary England Room in the basement.
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