WHIAT in the garage!by Angie

Fri
18 Jun 2010
1:06 pm
1

image

image

My Kathy-Mom has been visiting this past week to help us with our big move – and what a help she has been! Thank you, thank you!

As we worked together one day, we discussed the all-too-familiar feeling at the end of a long day that prompts us to ask, “what have I accomplished today?” Well, this post answers that question in regards to today’s assignment: clear some space in the garage! Her are before and after photos… and, yes, I even fit two loads of laundry in, too!

Tagged as:

The $10,000 Mistakeby Jim

Wed
16 Jun 2010
12:06 pm
0

Every once in a while you do something really dumb. Like what I did a couple years ago when I left my cell phone in my car and ended up with a busted window and no cell phone or GPS. That was stupid, but after some insurance kicked in it was only a $250 mistake.

This last month I made a bigger mistake. This time, I failed to get my paperwork in to the state government to apply for the $10,000 they were giving to first-time home buyers like me. The window of time was very small, and it seemed a miracle that we would be eligible considering we didn’t even try to buy in the two months it was available, it just happened. And this was in addition to the $8,000 Uncle Sam is giving out (though, the state credit is over a three year period in the form of tax credit). We only had 2 weeks from closing of escrow to get the form in, but I didn’t get my Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Settlement statement (which is required to prove you bought a house) back until after the 2 week period. I could complain, but none of the parties involved (including myself) realized the window was so short. I naively thought I had at least 30 days. I sent it in anyway along with a letter explaining the situation, but I have no reason to believe they’ll give me anything.

Needless to say, I feel pretty rotten. It isn’t like I lost $10,000, but it is $10,000 I will be paying to the government that I wouldn’t have to pay if I had just done things correctly. Mathematically, $10,000 over the next 3 years is like having my cell phone and GPS stolen every month until 2013. I probably shouldn’t think about it that way.

I guess the moral of the story is read the fine print. The hard part is, we’ve been inundated with fine print over the last month or so with all the papers we’ve had to sign. I don’t know if I were placed in the situation again that I would do anything differently.  This one will hurt for a while, I’m afraid.

Tagged as:

Virtual Tourby Jim

Sun
23 May 2010
4:05 pm
6

We just stopped by our new place and took a video so everyone can see it. Sorry for the lame cinematography, folks. I was filming with my cellphone and we only had one take 😉

Tagged as:

It’s ours!by Jim

Fri
21 May 2010
4:05 pm
5

We closed on our house today! Here are our keys, as proof — keys to our very own house!

Tagged as:

The Money is GONE!by Jim

Tue
18 May 2010
12:05 pm
1

Well, I just finished wiring the most money I’ve ever spent in my life.  We signed papers for our new home last Friday and today I called up my bank and had the money wired.  I was a little surprised at how quickly it was gone.  I had spent years saving it up and within seconds of hanging up the phone, I hit refresh on my browser and it was gone from my account.  Scary.

Last night, Angie and I watched some DIY videos on laying laminate flooring and decided we ought to try doing it ourselves.  We went down to the hardward store to look at what they’ve got.  It was a fairly successful trip.  We’ll keep you posted as we do the renovations in our new home (and, of course, include lots of pictures).

Tagged as: ,

Approved!by Jim

Wed
7 Apr 2010
12:04 pm
8

We found out yesterday that the short-sale offer we signed back in January was approved by the bank! We’re going to sign papers this afternoon to get things rolling (inspections, appraisals, etc.). I can’t believe how much you have to sign to buy a house.

Here is a picture I took just a minute ago of the property:

image

Tagged as:

Another Offerby Angie

Wed
30 Sep 2009
12:09 pm
2

Several of you may know that a few weeks back we placed an offer on a home here in Springtown, but were out-bid.  Well, we’re trying again with another home here in our ward, and here it is:


View Larger Map

It’s 1110 sqare feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with a lovely updated kitchen, wood floors, and a nice backyard. It’s a “short sale,” so it may be several months before anything is final, but we hope to have a tentative answer tomorrow… We’ll keep you posted!

Tagged as: ,