Inspections (I had two)

 The man who did the inspection of this house before we moved in was so thorough, and he was really easy to work with. His online report was very simple to use and read. He had color-coded charts for everything. You can glance at it and know it's either a low, medium, or definite concern. Rather than using green, yellow, and red, he used blue, orange, and red.  He had many photos for each issue, and he explained them in very simple terms. I have to tell you, it was really nice to not have to wonder about anything in particular. He told it like it is.

    So, when we got the report, my realtor and I went over what she believed the sellers should take care of and what I could handle. She wrote it up into a contract, and we both signed. I agreed not to be too picky, but he did need to fix the obvious or more hazardous issues. I didn't mind doing the lighter things - or I could be more honest, and say that Laura didn't mind doing the lighter things. She's the handywoman I always knew she could grow up to be.

    Well, we aren't staying here; we're moving. So I called the same man, and he did the inspection of the new house. While there are only a couple of big-ticket items, I think there are a few more little things that Laura will have to tackle. She's ready. If she needs anything, we go to Home Depot, and we make it happen. (That's not true, we go to Ace Hardware now.)  The new house has the following big-ticket items that are wrong: things I can't fix.

• Trusses need to be shored up in the attic. 

• HVAC is considered at the end of life, but will survive another 2 years

• The breaker box is old (1971) and has been outdated for years. It will need to be rewired or replaced, and the fuses need to be labeled. That's a big thing, but the seller has to handle it.

• There are wires that need to be terminated, closed off, and relocated in the basement.

• Some receptacles are loose, one is broken, and one has an open ground. Some plugs need a GFCI fix.

• The dryer prong is a 3-prong and needs to be a 4-prong.

• The garage door will need an adjustment to be sure it is 100% on track.

Other than that, I can replace some door handles on the closet, lightbulbs in a few places, and the furnace filter. Laura can caulk two bathroom corners, and I can buy 4 smoke detectors. They have to add a rail for the basement, and I will end up Googling how to turn on the stove and my shower. Both need a manual downloaded, I'm sure.

    I also had a termite inspection done today. That was one of those things that you do to make sure you're good. I paid $129 to be told it's all good and nothing has to be done, but you do need that peace of mind. You do. If you don't know, you wonder about it, and it's just something that I don't mind paying for up front. The house inspection included a sewer scope and a lovely 7-minute video. It's not that exciting, but it's good to know that there is nothing wrong or needing to be repaired. There are no trees for their roots to get stuck in my sewer lines, so that's a plus.

    All in all, I'm a happy camper. If my realtor can get the contract in place on Monday so they can fix what needs fixing before we move in, that would be lovely. I'm OK with them coming after we move in; I just don't want to pay for anything that they need to pay for. As for the HVAC, I'll save $5000 and finance the rest in about a year. I want to finance it to build Laura's credit. I think that will be a good thing. We may be out a few dollars on the other repairs, but the HVAC is the biggie. I should be OK with a year's warranty, and then I'll try to find the best unit possible with the best warranty and the best options.

    There's always something that needs to be fixed, repaired, remodeled, or replaced in a new or used home. There is no such thing as perfection - if it were, it wouldn't be perfect anymore if I moved into it. I trust the plan. I will be just fine. God is just so good to us. 

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com