.
.
I finally got an straight answer. They decided, definitively, to have someone in to do the work. The last thing, that I know of, was having the crawlspace enlarged. Of course, the work will have to be done and then it will have to be inspected along with all other work. As well, what can in theory be accessed through the enlarged opening must also be inspected. That is as good as it gets for now. But that is enough that I will take my foot of the brake and go ahead with anything I can do.
Why it took two weeks or more to get a definitive decision on these things in spite of having everyone press ahead ignorantly, I have no idea. Why the conflicting reports of what would and could be done, again, I do not know. I feel like the world merely messes with me from time to time, to see if I will go ahead and jump off a cliff or something. Well, no, I will not. I will not blindly follow someone who has no skin in the game while they set me up for failure. I simply will not do so. Faith in men falls somewhere between lacking and non-existent. Especially business men. And woman are simply business men in skirts and dresses, so no leeway there either.
If my broker and company end up not liking me, I can deal with that. They did a lot of work but they messed up just like the rest of us. Same with the seller, their agent, and the V.A. I really do not think anyone knows what they are collectively doing, to be honest. Or, the way things are usually done is quite... loose. The V.A. and myself seem to be a bit more particular, if in our own ways.
Oh well, if it gets done, and rightly, it is all good. And, yes, I will thank the parties involved and be grateful for their efforts. Mistakes happen. I certainly was not perfect, or even very on the ball. I did what I could, when I could, how I could. And I would guess that is all anyone did, if some were better at staying with it and getting some things right than others.
Well, good night.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Missed a call.
.
.
My broker called while I was otherwise busy. I called him back moments later. No answer. Since I had no information for him I did not leave a message. His "message" only indicated that he wanted to see what was going on. Well, nothing is going on or will go on until the repairs are complete. Repairs I cannot order, financially cover, or handle in any manner. They have had 3 weeks to decide to do or not do these things and they have not done them. As far as I am concerned, the deal is over, the owners simply need to admit it and return my money. Perhaps they will surprise me, though I have great doubts.
I went out to eat tonight. Ribs. Not the best, but okay. And, of course it being a college town, a gay waiter. I despise male servers, but I really despise gay ones. Then again, are there non-gay waiters? I am sure there are a few. Or at least the smart ones do not lisp like they have something in their mouth. Get outta here!
Well, bedtime. I will find out more when I find out more. Perhaps they want me to end the deal so they can keep the $500. It is not going to happen. They will have to admit they are not going to have the work done or the financial deal will just have to time out. I will do nothing more, but I will also not end negotiations, such as they are. I will sleep well and begin looking for a place to rent. Somewhere away from the gayness that is academia. Blah... Good night.
.
My broker called while I was otherwise busy. I called him back moments later. No answer. Since I had no information for him I did not leave a message. His "message" only indicated that he wanted to see what was going on. Well, nothing is going on or will go on until the repairs are complete. Repairs I cannot order, financially cover, or handle in any manner. They have had 3 weeks to decide to do or not do these things and they have not done them. As far as I am concerned, the deal is over, the owners simply need to admit it and return my money. Perhaps they will surprise me, though I have great doubts.
I went out to eat tonight. Ribs. Not the best, but okay. And, of course it being a college town, a gay waiter. I despise male servers, but I really despise gay ones. Then again, are there non-gay waiters? I am sure there are a few. Or at least the smart ones do not lisp like they have something in their mouth. Get outta here!
Well, bedtime. I will find out more when I find out more. Perhaps they want me to end the deal so they can keep the $500. It is not going to happen. They will have to admit they are not going to have the work done or the financial deal will just have to time out. I will do nothing more, but I will also not end negotiations, such as they are. I will sleep well and begin looking for a place to rent. Somewhere away from the gayness that is academia. Blah... Good night.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The house.
.
.
The update is that after talking to the owners, my broker, their broker through my broker, and the engineer, I know nothing more than I did before. A simple yes or no would suffice. I have heard the floor and electrical are done, just need inspected. But I have been told the crawl space cannot be expanded, which I do not believe to be true. However, if that is the case or they will not have it expanded, then the deal is a fail. The crawl space needs to be expanded, as what the engineer needs to inspect is both an expanded crawl space and what he needs to see when he is able to get through there (whether there is enough space between the wood of the house and the dirt underneath it).
Why, when they hired an engineer, they did not also fax or email him what they needed him to inspect or wait to hire him for the work to be completed (my broker agency) I have no idea. But that is it, in a nutshell. As I have said, until I know that the work will be done, all of it, I cannot put another nickel, cup of gas, or hour of thought or work into the deal. I am not sure if the sellers realize there are no eligible buyers except the few that trickle through from FHA or VA mortgaging. If one is harsh, I think the other (whichever that is) will be even more strict.
Add to that, their broker has the gall to push for a closure without pushing his clients to complete the work. It is more than a double standard as it is his side holding things up. I cannot order floor work, I cannot call in for the enlargement of the crawl space. I cannot even really do much work without their approval an allowance.
Oh, the painting. I tried to rent scaffolding but could not find a single rental. I made about 7 calls to that end. I can, if I am assured they will get the crawl space enlarged, do two more windows and anything on the garage. I cannot do the eaves or some of the other tricky to get to places. I will not go out on a very thin ladder to do that kind of work. And, I suggested that the $750 quote was quite high and that we needed to get quotes from other painters, not just one.
Who knows, but a close by Friday seems unlikely. Even if everything else goes well, the inspections (the initial inspector has to come back and approve the work and the engineer will obviously have to return) will take more time. They simply do not just show up, taking several days to fit a visit into their schedules. So be it.
Like I said, I know nothing more than I knew before. I know more detail, but not whether the list is going to be completed. They have to know that no inspector will now sign off without them doing the crawl space, as that will be required for even a regular bank loan at this point. Everybody is getting quite particular. And buyers are drying up due to many factors. I wish I could help them, or just pay for it, but I cannot. I am sure they have lost money on the loan, the deal, and such. But they are in line only to lose more. Possibly a lot more. Plus, as I have said, they will have to do everything on that list, and maybe more.
But I am not freaking, panicking, or even terribly bothered. I want this, but it is not the end of the world (probably, or at least not due to a house loan not closing, even this one). I want in, they want out, everyone wants their cut, nobody can or will spend what they do not have to see it happen. Still, the prospect of a rental for a year or three is no fun. I will have mere days to find a place if this falls through. Actually, I should start looking for a decent place to rent now... Ugh... Morz junk to research, negotiate, and such.
Well, have a good one. Bedtime hereabouts.
.
The update is that after talking to the owners, my broker, their broker through my broker, and the engineer, I know nothing more than I did before. A simple yes or no would suffice. I have heard the floor and electrical are done, just need inspected. But I have been told the crawl space cannot be expanded, which I do not believe to be true. However, if that is the case or they will not have it expanded, then the deal is a fail. The crawl space needs to be expanded, as what the engineer needs to inspect is both an expanded crawl space and what he needs to see when he is able to get through there (whether there is enough space between the wood of the house and the dirt underneath it).
Why, when they hired an engineer, they did not also fax or email him what they needed him to inspect or wait to hire him for the work to be completed (my broker agency) I have no idea. But that is it, in a nutshell. As I have said, until I know that the work will be done, all of it, I cannot put another nickel, cup of gas, or hour of thought or work into the deal. I am not sure if the sellers realize there are no eligible buyers except the few that trickle through from FHA or VA mortgaging. If one is harsh, I think the other (whichever that is) will be even more strict.
Add to that, their broker has the gall to push for a closure without pushing his clients to complete the work. It is more than a double standard as it is his side holding things up. I cannot order floor work, I cannot call in for the enlargement of the crawl space. I cannot even really do much work without their approval an allowance.
Oh, the painting. I tried to rent scaffolding but could not find a single rental. I made about 7 calls to that end. I can, if I am assured they will get the crawl space enlarged, do two more windows and anything on the garage. I cannot do the eaves or some of the other tricky to get to places. I will not go out on a very thin ladder to do that kind of work. And, I suggested that the $750 quote was quite high and that we needed to get quotes from other painters, not just one.
Who knows, but a close by Friday seems unlikely. Even if everything else goes well, the inspections (the initial inspector has to come back and approve the work and the engineer will obviously have to return) will take more time. They simply do not just show up, taking several days to fit a visit into their schedules. So be it.
Like I said, I know nothing more than I knew before. I know more detail, but not whether the list is going to be completed. They have to know that no inspector will now sign off without them doing the crawl space, as that will be required for even a regular bank loan at this point. Everybody is getting quite particular. And buyers are drying up due to many factors. I wish I could help them, or just pay for it, but I cannot. I am sure they have lost money on the loan, the deal, and such. But they are in line only to lose more. Possibly a lot more. Plus, as I have said, they will have to do everything on that list, and maybe more.
But I am not freaking, panicking, or even terribly bothered. I want this, but it is not the end of the world (probably, or at least not due to a house loan not closing, even this one). I want in, they want out, everyone wants their cut, nobody can or will spend what they do not have to see it happen. Still, the prospect of a rental for a year or three is no fun. I will have mere days to find a place if this falls through. Actually, I should start looking for a decent place to rent now... Ugh... Morz junk to research, negotiate, and such.
Well, have a good one. Bedtime hereabouts.
Weird about the wound.
.
.
It has never hurt. It hurt a bit when they were scrubbing it, but more some burning of the torn skin, not the wound itself. It did not hurt initially, it did not hurt shortly after, it has not hurt since. The nerves are fine, I guess. I can move my fingers and thumb well. I have simply felt no pain from it. And it is quite a rip. I often do not feel pain though, I think. I have some small belief that I am usually in a great deal of physical pain, running from moderate to high, but I simply have no sense of it.
Painkillers usually do nothing for me, except in a few rare and rather extreme situations. Well, except exacerbate my exhaustion. I wonder if the unfelt pain is part of why I am always tired? Yes, that is probably a part of it. Oh well, perhaps someday medicine or science will understand these things. They certainly do not at this time.
Well, good night.
.
It has never hurt. It hurt a bit when they were scrubbing it, but more some burning of the torn skin, not the wound itself. It did not hurt initially, it did not hurt shortly after, it has not hurt since. The nerves are fine, I guess. I can move my fingers and thumb well. I have simply felt no pain from it. And it is quite a rip. I often do not feel pain though, I think. I have some small belief that I am usually in a great deal of physical pain, running from moderate to high, but I simply have no sense of it.
Painkillers usually do nothing for me, except in a few rare and rather extreme situations. Well, except exacerbate my exhaustion. I wonder if the unfelt pain is part of why I am always tired? Yes, that is probably a part of it. Oh well, perhaps someday medicine or science will understand these things. They certainly do not at this time.
Well, good night.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
I am starting to doubt.
.
.
After talking with my broker today, I have heard nothing. I suggested that unless I get an itemized update on the requirements for the loan regarding house repairs and that is all positive, I would not put one more minute, dollar, our cup of gas in on the project. I have spoken with the owners, but I have to drag out every discussion about every issue. Without having the list there, I cannot remember every item on the list. And I often get very weak or simply no answers about some of the items I have asked about. If they have bailed on the deal, then we should just be honest and quit the deal.
As I said, I have heard nothing back since this noonish discussion. No email no phone no visit. I am guessing this is bad news. I am sure that someone has spoken to whoever by now. If they are making up their minds, it is a bit late. If they were not in this from the beginning, and I do not think they were, then this has been a huge waste of everybody's time. Perhaps they have just hit the wall. It is a rather harsh time to do that though, two feet from the finish line. I suppose it happens. That they love the house and do not really want to move does not help things.
I guess I simply have to wait for what I am expecting to be bad news. There goes $1,500, a bunch of paperwork, some actual work time, lost sleep, and such. I probably will just skip even looking until next year. Thank God I do not need the V.A.'s approval for rentals. I may look around a bit further afield when I go to rent though. I like Logan, but it is still city. I might find an affordable place a little more rural with access to more of the things I like. I guess time will tell.
.
After talking with my broker today, I have heard nothing. I suggested that unless I get an itemized update on the requirements for the loan regarding house repairs and that is all positive, I would not put one more minute, dollar, our cup of gas in on the project. I have spoken with the owners, but I have to drag out every discussion about every issue. Without having the list there, I cannot remember every item on the list. And I often get very weak or simply no answers about some of the items I have asked about. If they have bailed on the deal, then we should just be honest and quit the deal.
As I said, I have heard nothing back since this noonish discussion. No email no phone no visit. I am guessing this is bad news. I am sure that someone has spoken to whoever by now. If they are making up their minds, it is a bit late. If they were not in this from the beginning, and I do not think they were, then this has been a huge waste of everybody's time. Perhaps they have just hit the wall. It is a rather harsh time to do that though, two feet from the finish line. I suppose it happens. That they love the house and do not really want to move does not help things.
I guess I simply have to wait for what I am expecting to be bad news. There goes $1,500, a bunch of paperwork, some actual work time, lost sleep, and such. I probably will just skip even looking until next year. Thank God I do not need the V.A.'s approval for rentals. I may look around a bit further afield when I go to rent though. I like Logan, but it is still city. I might find an affordable place a little more rural with access to more of the things I like. I guess time will tell.
The stupid alarm clock is not working.
.
.
I am up in time to do a few tasks and make some decisions, but it is quite annoying to have an alarm fail. No, I am quite sure it failed. It has been doing that a lot lately and inexplicably. So, a replacement is on the list. Maybe two. I need to throw the failures away while I am at it. Some of them, even when you pay a little more money for them, are really cheesy these days. This one was a Timex, as if that matters or seems to anymore. Stupid cheap labor, design, and manufacture offers what we pay for. And no, the wit, logic, and wisdom of Confucius (by the way, he and the study of him is outlawed in China, along with Christianity and others) does not translate into manufacturing. A society whose language is based on poetry is not going to fair well in a modern age.
I will have to talk to the people who did the inspections. They keep forgetting to add in a prospective efficiency rating on the new equipment. I was not there, however, so that is partly my problem. Hitting the 9:00 one would not have worked with my stupid alarm, but the 13:00 one I missed was my fault. Could not get in gear for that one. I was not as motivated since I had already missed one.
Time to make a few calls, collect some quotes, and make a decision. Sardines and crackers for breakfast, but that should do nicely.
Have a great day.
.
I am up in time to do a few tasks and make some decisions, but it is quite annoying to have an alarm fail. No, I am quite sure it failed. It has been doing that a lot lately and inexplicably. So, a replacement is on the list. Maybe two. I need to throw the failures away while I am at it. Some of them, even when you pay a little more money for them, are really cheesy these days. This one was a Timex, as if that matters or seems to anymore. Stupid cheap labor, design, and manufacture offers what we pay for. And no, the wit, logic, and wisdom of Confucius (by the way, he and the study of him is outlawed in China, along with Christianity and others) does not translate into manufacturing. A society whose language is based on poetry is not going to fair well in a modern age.
I will have to talk to the people who did the inspections. They keep forgetting to add in a prospective efficiency rating on the new equipment. I was not there, however, so that is partly my problem. Hitting the 9:00 one would not have worked with my stupid alarm, but the 13:00 one I missed was my fault. Could not get in gear for that one. I was not as motivated since I had already missed one.
Time to make a few calls, collect some quotes, and make a decision. Sardines and crackers for breakfast, but that should do nicely.
Have a great day.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Painting.
.
.
It is more of a chore than I remember. Climbing the ladder, chipping, brushing, sanding, and then schlacking it on thick. I did what I can, if I have only done two windows. I will be seeing about renting scaffolding tomorrow. Barring that I will have to pay someone to do the eaves. I simply cannot do those with what tools I have. The scaffolding has to be light enough for one man to move and set up, cheap enough to be worth it, strong enough to hold 300 pounds (my weight and any tools), and yet fold down so as to fit in the back of my Xterra. Quite a bill, but it's either that or pay someone a fortune to do it, most likely.
I can tell the broker is running out of patience. Which is fine, he can join the rest of us. It feels more like trying to reel in a whale than to merely catch the trout it is. This should be easier and smoother. I think part of it is pure bureaucracy and part of it is a test of will... to ensure I really want to buy this home.
I spoke with the "better half" about the house today. It sounds like she regrets having to move. They really do like their place, but life is pulling them other places. I asked if there was anything that I should know about, privately. Anything I should be prepared to handle. She did not know of anything, she just merely wished that they could stay. I told her it is better to be moving into a loved house that will continue to be loved than to be moving into a house that was hated.
Her husband can and does talk, but it is very much not his strong suit. He is always thinking, though I do not think it is about what is in front of him. His mind is on work, projects, and such. People are sort of there, but not. Yep, I have to think he and D.C. could have a fine not chat. lols I am not sure if these types get along well, though I would guess so. And they probably communicate with far fewer words, once they have laid some basic ground works regarding meanings, depths of understanding, and rules of communication. Just a speculation, and assuming they do personally like each other and have some respect for one another. Otherwise they merely butt heads and disagree and digress?
I will be over to paint again tomorrow. I will find out about a rental then go over and do what I can do, either way. I would like to have it finished by Wednesday afternoon, for the sanity of all. We are due to get snow toward the end of this week, so time is critical. Well, that and the hope to have this close by Friday. What a load of work and hassle, but well worth it if it works. So goes any worthy effort? No risk, no pain, no cost, no value... Yeah, I think so.
Good night. Sleep well, I know I will.
.
It is more of a chore than I remember. Climbing the ladder, chipping, brushing, sanding, and then schlacking it on thick. I did what I can, if I have only done two windows. I will be seeing about renting scaffolding tomorrow. Barring that I will have to pay someone to do the eaves. I simply cannot do those with what tools I have. The scaffolding has to be light enough for one man to move and set up, cheap enough to be worth it, strong enough to hold 300 pounds (my weight and any tools), and yet fold down so as to fit in the back of my Xterra. Quite a bill, but it's either that or pay someone a fortune to do it, most likely.
I can tell the broker is running out of patience. Which is fine, he can join the rest of us. It feels more like trying to reel in a whale than to merely catch the trout it is. This should be easier and smoother. I think part of it is pure bureaucracy and part of it is a test of will... to ensure I really want to buy this home.
I spoke with the "better half" about the house today. It sounds like she regrets having to move. They really do like their place, but life is pulling them other places. I asked if there was anything that I should know about, privately. Anything I should be prepared to handle. She did not know of anything, she just merely wished that they could stay. I told her it is better to be moving into a loved house that will continue to be loved than to be moving into a house that was hated.
Her husband can and does talk, but it is very much not his strong suit. He is always thinking, though I do not think it is about what is in front of him. His mind is on work, projects, and such. People are sort of there, but not. Yep, I have to think he and D.C. could have a fine not chat. lols I am not sure if these types get along well, though I would guess so. And they probably communicate with far fewer words, once they have laid some basic ground works regarding meanings, depths of understanding, and rules of communication. Just a speculation, and assuming they do personally like each other and have some respect for one another. Otherwise they merely butt heads and disagree and digress?
I will be over to paint again tomorrow. I will find out about a rental then go over and do what I can do, either way. I would like to have it finished by Wednesday afternoon, for the sanity of all. We are due to get snow toward the end of this week, so time is critical. Well, that and the hope to have this close by Friday. What a load of work and hassle, but well worth it if it works. So goes any worthy effort? No risk, no pain, no cost, no value... Yeah, I think so.
Good night. Sleep well, I know I will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)