Done bought a house... OT

lol......... (& congrats)

really can't tell much from the pics,
but it does look like that chimney might need some work-
& "Southish facing eave:" left over antenna brackets?

Do you know how many layers are on it?
Do you know what the sheathing is? (probably see the underside from the attic.
Doesn't look like there's any-you might want to have some ridge vent installed-
& What's under the siding?

Funky little house, though-
I like the front (I think it's) stucco area-
Good luck with it...........

if you ever have any (exterior) trade-type questions feel free to ask~

Thanks. When we move in, y'all are invited over to help unpack! There may or may not be refreshments... [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

AWESOME!!! Congrats Nostromo!!

How close to the asking price did ya hafta get??

I went up less than half the difference, but they stipulated closing costs on top, putting it closer to halfway there. I won't know how happy I am about it until it's inspected, but we're on track as far as I can tell.

Thanks again!

Home sweet home [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

You need some grass for the front......A LOT

I think you saw some pics of my apartment. Most of them are "before" I moved...


Mine is the one with the flowers in the window

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000033.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000032.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000035.jpg

Still working on the TV/Music/Myplace room

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/IM000029.jpg

<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ September 19, 2006 05:15 PM: Message edited by: MM4 ]</font>

Nice! I like that wood trim at the ceiling.

Yeah, the front of the house is mostly parking, with some invisible pavers for a walk and an attempt at a small planter there to the right. Apparently, the former residents forgot that they live in Pennsylvania, and that there's this white stuff that falls from the sky periodically, and that big yellow trucks come by to plow that white stuff off of the road and onto the adjacent property along with the salt and cinders laid down by the last big yellow truck... In other words, roadside gardens don't do too well around here. So, probably in the Spring that garden will be dug up so that a nice bed of gravel can be planted there instead. My wife has already decided what she wants to plant in the back, though... [img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img]

Thanks. You are also welcome to visit.

<font size="5">...offer accepted</font>*<font size="5">...</font>


*<font size="1">pending inspection, appraisal, legal, fees, closing costs, possession of souls for all eternity, utilities, documentation, signing, title, license, permits, red tape, duct tape, masking tape, video tape, packaging tape, tape tape, eye of newt, more signing, first born, stress medication prescriptions, wing of bat, more fees, and all other appurtenances.</font>
[img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]eek.gif[/img] [img]confused.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/gulp.gif[/img]

...! [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

*buys plane ticket, planning to be the very first drunken sot to piss on Nostro's lawn*

Love those doors between the dining room and the other room! very cool!

nothing like having YOUR OWN place. Congrats and I say skip the lawn, its a pain in the ass to cut the grass all the time! [img]wink.gif[/img]

Congrats!!!! But you fuckers (in a good way [img]wink.gif[/img] ) are talking about a house for under $100k. I'd own four houses or one gigantic mansion. I'll post pics of what $459k will get you in So Cal. in the next few weeks. [img]mad.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img]

I wish I could afford a 400+k house. after losing my career I'll probably never get a new one again

Quote:

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Originally posted by Chaserfan:
I wish I could afford a 400+k house. after losing my career I'll probably never get a new one again

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Chase, never said I could afford it. [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

I hear ya. I'm one of those pathetic people that gets totally bummed out when seeing how rich people live. theres an area around here called Wild Woods. the houses are up in the millions and everyone there has huge amounts of land with bunches of horses. thats their big thing, masion, land, exotic cars, and horses. It so beautiful. most of it is in the woods and just rocks, but I feel like dirt driving through it. I always imagine that most of them got rich be being dishonest lawyers or crooks or sports people that dont deserve what they have. I worked my ass off trying to save lives and property and you never come close. It all just makes me sick

Don't be too upset. $459k in So Cal. gets you a 6500sq.ft lot, 1220 sq.ft of living space and 3br, 2 ba. I'm just saying that if I lived anywhere else but So Ca. I'd be set. I would love to be able to buy a 4/5br 2/3ba house on an acre for 250-350k. I'd barely be able to get a townhome or a condo here.

350k would buy you a huge house out here. its well away from the city of St Louis which is a bore anyway

Good show, Imb.

Did I mention already that I peed on McFarlane's toy design building back in '02? [img]wink.gif[/img]

We met with the mortgage lender this afternoon. I was on the verge of blacking out when we went in - lack of sleep, no breakfast, frayed nerves - but the appointment went really well. I had found in my research that although PA's overall cost of living and therefore home market is considerably less than the national average, the closing costs are higher here than most other states. He affirmed that, but was able to work some other things to our favor - FHA fixed rate loan @ 6.375, but it may go lower before we close about the middle of next month. Inspection and appraisal are scheduled for this week, then the paperwork gets heavy. I think we signed about a dozen forms today and initialed at least as many. We went over all the financial crap, our credit is great (found that out ahead of time), no big debts, credit cards are almost completely paid off, and so at last he says, "well, we know you can afford it, but will you be comfortable?" At that point, he might as well have asked, "does this dress make me look fat?" Comfortable? I haven't been comfortable since May, why should that change now? But during the semi-jovial discussion I mentioned that I would have to curb my hobby spending (again). Of course, he had to ask...
"I collect toys...", I said, waiting for the usual mixed expression of patronizing curiosity. "Oh, really? Like what - antique...something you started when you were a kid?", fishing for a reply that would offset the forthcoming geek response.
"Mostly action figures, diecast, a little bit of everything. I'm thinking I may have to part ways with a lot of it." ...just trying to sound economical...or something...
"Uh-huh. A lot of value, you think?"
"Thousands, probably, but I won't really know until I start packing it up."
"eBay, man, that's the way to go."
And with that this avenue of dialogue came to an end, though I suspected he may be a closet toy nerd. His office provided other clues in the diecast tractor-trailer with the company's logo, the Bullwinkle and that head elf (Hermes' boss from Rudolph) sharing a rooftop of some miniature western-y store front that also bore the logo, and a few other "things."

But anyway, he's shooting for a closing date of October 15th.

Sold.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Chaserfan:
350k would buy you a huge house out here. its well away from the city of St Louis which is a bore anyway

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yep, around here, you're getting a nice lot and a bigger, newer house as soon as you cross the six-figure threshold. Beyond that, it's mostly the virgin land that has the most value - there aren't very many enormous mansions, but there is a lot of farm land that developers rape at a quarter of a million and up. That, and yuppies will come in for the serenity, get bored with the lack of anything fast-paced or annoyed with the predominantly hick populace, and then either sub-lease their land or turn it around for something that only another dumb yuppie will be stupid enough to pay.

Anytime my folks talk about selling the farm I remind them that unless I'm the buyer, they're not allowed to accept anything less than $300k. There's 90-some acres with two ponds and an original, very well-maintained barn - circa 1850's. The log house isn't much, but there's plenty of room to build a new one and rent that out. I haven't gone so far as to have them put my name on the deed, but I would dump almost everything else I owned to be able to buy out my siblings' shares if it comes to inheritance (God forbid). So, yeah. BFE, PA has more affordability than say...pretty much anything on the West Coast. I'm not saying it's a better place to live, and I'll bet there's a lower pay ceiling to go along with much of this lower cost of living.

Then again, there's this digusting thing: LINK

DA, I'd be honored...I think... [img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img] Although, I may beat you to it. You can be second for sure, promise. Unless some of the blokes from work end up helping me move... Then you may be fourth or fifth... Maybe if you get there within the next week... [img]redface.gif[/img]

buying a house is such a pain in the ass. you sign your name at least a million times by the time its over (or so it seems)

that's great [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] you will have to show us pics when you get all settled! we are going to buy a house one day in the future but we want at least 1 vehicle paid for first. but my step-dad said he thinks after the first of the year interest rates and prices are going to fall so we might just look into it. i wish we could buy a house for under $150, that will get us a cozy 3/2 around here, maybe.

Are you anywhere near Adamstown? We're having Botstock IV (gathering of toy robot collectors) at the Toy Robot Museum in Stoudburg Village next May. Maybe I can drop by?

Adamstown is just off of the PA Turnpike down by Lancaster - you'll be passing within 30 miles of me at Somerset if that's the route you're taking. You'd be more than welcome to stop by!

<marquee>...The point of no return...</marquee>

Soooo....the inspection went really well. As it turned out, the guy that Amerispec sent was someone I kinda knew from back in the day. Just a funny coincidence, but it made the experience a lot less stressful seeing a familiar face. He was very professional, took quite a few pictures, and found no major problems. He was able to get a closer look at the roof than I had previously, and while there were a few shingles broken he couldn't find any leaks or even dampness in the wood other than around the chimney. I'm quite pleased to report that based on what he found we were able to negotiate some minor repairs and now there is brand new flashing around that chimney (thanks SW! BTW, the rafters are 24" centers, 5/8" planks, a layer of sheeting and then 1 layer of asphault shingles - attic is well-ventilated). Right now, everything is in the lawyer's hands and I believe we're still on schedule to sign sometime around the 16th.

Oh, the boxes we've collected...

Great news Imbalance!

Just make sure to get your signin' hand prepared!!

Quote:

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now there is brand new flashing around that chimney (thanks SW! BTW, the rafters are 24" centers, 5/8" planks, a layer of sheeting and then 1 layer of asphault shingles - attic is well-ventilated).

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So I'd guess that at one time it was a wood shingle roof-
those were stripped off sheathing put down & then shingled........
not bad-

hope they went with copper or lead for the flashing,
sounds like you're well on your way [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ October 17, 2006 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Street Worm ]</font>

So far, so good...

We're supposed to be getting an update tonight. The only last minute cost factors I'm concerned about would be if the laywer found something wrong with the deed and we would have to not only pay for a survey of the property but possibly push us back into November and another month's rent, or the potential that the appraiser increased the value substantially and we have to renegotiate the whole thing, or both...scary...

I'm going to need therapy when all of this is over... http://www.hostboard.com/forums/

Now all the sudden the fucking appraiser says we need flood insurance?! The insurance company didn't think we needed fucking flood insurance, where does this asshole come off? Maybe for a 500 year event or some shit...where's the fucking dynamite, I'll re-route that shit creek...

[img]mad.gif[/img]

So, they tell us they have to check with FEMA to find out for sure if the house will need to be covered. It's arguable that part of the property is within the floodplane, but the elevation that the house sits on should be high enough to be exempt. The rental unit is perhaps a different story, but since it shall remain unoccupied for the time being it should be a moot point. Let it burn, flood, float away, whatever, I'll put a garage in its place. But if they come back and want to triple our insurance I think we'll be backing out of the deal. Yeah, FEMA, I got a printout from their site that makes it look iffy, looks like it puts us within 200' of the flood zone. We'll see.

Good luck with that.

Because of the lake in my back yard I'm on a flood plane and it makes the insurance payment a real nut to bust....

...and things had been going so well...

Does this ever suck. FEMA says it's a flood zone. The insurance agent says they're nuts. The lender says that they've seen FEMA's findings successfully disputed before, so I guess we're going to try that. The closing specialist said we'd reschedule the signing for Monday, but I said, "hold that thought." We can't close until we get the flood insurance issue straightened out. And at that, the agent says that flood insurance will effectively triple the yearly bill. Nope, can't afford that. Although, the agent claims that because there's a dispute about it they can get us a rate that is closer to double for the sake of closing, but that's still not good enough. Things were comfortable when we first got a monthly payment quote. But little things kept cropping up, and we'd adjust our budget to see how we'd do, and so forth and so on... Now, a day before we were supposed to close I want to put the brakes on and tell them to shove it. This last straw adds at least $100 to what they originally quoted us. Can't do it. Won't do it. The wife is pissed and so am I, but I have to put my foot down somewhere. If they want us to buy at this point they might as well start by knocking 10 grand off and finishing off that list of minor repairs. And throw in a case of beer. I need it.
[img]graemlins/wilted.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/cry_smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/beer.gif[/img]

So, I goes down there at lunch today to take another look at this alleged flood zone. Took the plumber cam along and snapped a few shots. Oh, the things we discovered...

This is the mighty tributary that roars down the valley behind the house:

http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture005.jpg
There was this manhole, too...I'm not sure yet where the property line is, but I think this sewer runs through my yard:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture006.jpg
Here, I stood next to the fence in the above pic, and took a shot toward the back of the house:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture008.jpg
Opposite view, from the front corner of the rental unit:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture010.jpg

Basically, for water to enter the basment of the main house from that little ditch, it has to jump its banks and go up another 10' at least, and at that has to have enough volume to span a width of some 3000'-4000'. That's a 40,000 sq ft cross-section of water moving through there...only Johnstown has ever seen that kind of flooding. So, yeah, we're going to challenge FEMA.

While we were there, though, we looked at a few other things. Here's the newly installed flashing, but the pic still turned out blurry...:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture016.jpg

And then, we poked around the rental unit a bit...

So...um, we....got inside the rental house, and there's clearly some water damage in there:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture018.jpg
...but no standing water, just some damp areas and mildew and evidence of less than a foot in the past. There were some other interesting things that we hadn't seen before, though. This part of the deal is coming "as is" and so we only toured it once and didn't bother having it inspected. It needs a lot of work, though, but we're only going to use it for storage or maybe convert it into a garage...I dunno, that's all up in the air. But before then, we have to decide what to do with this piano:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture026.jpg

And then, there's this:
http://www.thepicplace.com/images/Im...picture029.jpg
Now, nothing is conclusive, but it certainly seems as though we have a squatter. The perpetrator wasn't at rent-free home while we were there (either that or the rat was hiding really well), but there was enough evidence to add up to the notion that the former tenants weren't the ones smoking and shaving down there in the dark. The way the dust was disturbed in places, the water in the toilet was fresher than the rust around the pipes where the water meter had been removed by the authority, the various health and beauty products lying about, oh, and the fresh lotto ticket scratchings on the vanity...hmmm...

I think somebody might owe me some rent...

That sucks.....wasn't the property locked ?

I hate water.....during hurrican season most houses and buildings do not suffer that much, only glass windows, because we use a lot of bricks,cement and concrete. But the water that comes afterwars is the pain.

Lucky on the new apartment I have, the patio ends in a small cliff so water will always run down.....

Quote:

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Originally posted by MM4:
...wasn't the property locked ?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The main house was locked, the rental house was...not...

So, we close today...hopefully... [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Also, we've concluded that our "guest" in the rental unit is either the most metro vagrant anyone has ever seen or is female. In another pic that I didn't post, most of the shampoo bottles and other "hygene" products are those favored by the fairer gender, and on closer inspection those really look like ladies' razors on the vanity. A friend stopped by this weekend and we laughed about it and showed him the pics, and he deduced some of the habits and nature of our intruder. He's really interested in meeting her... We cooked up a few pet names also, such as Vicki Vagrant, Sally Squatter, Betty the Bum, Homeless Holly, etc.

[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Happy...closed...moved mostly in Tuesday, appliances and beds...cold, low oil, ordered delivery for Wed. but they just showed up this morning...spent Tues and last night at the house...cold...sore...more junk to move out of the apt. soon...haven't checked the back house for Vicki Vagrant, haven't had time...sore - did most of the moving by myself - spent yesterday re-building furniture by hand because I forgot to charge the drill...hurts to type...more to come...happy!

congrats!

Quote:

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Originally posted by MM4:
Can I release the woodpeckers now ? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Go for it. But be advised that the neighbors would enjoy making a meal of them. [img]eek.gif[/img]

Thanks, Jor.

Will have pics once we're settled in...probably March-ish...