The day finally came. We closed on our house yesterday. It is a little unbelievable that we are homeowners now.
I could hardly sleep on Sunday from the nerves and excitement. What if I forgot the checks? What if I didn't have my ID? What if the sellers trashed the house? All fears were unfounded. Of course.
We arrived at our house for the walk-through and did a quick scan of the house. Everything was in order and looked fine. We noticed how big the basement is, how old the kitchen is, and how nice the fireplace looks. We also noticed how dirty the house was left, how many things were not fixed to our standards, and how stained the caulk in the new bathroom was. It was wonderful to be in our house, but anxiety crept in as the list of fixes and projects grew exponentially.
We locked the house with our new keys and headed to the closing. A quick 30-minutes of signing, verifying names, numbers and addresses, and we were ready to roll. It was scary how easy the process to become official homeowners was. And how our mortgage will be paid off in 2040!!!
We then headed back to the house to make sure everything was locked up. And we baptized the house. By peeing in the toilet for the first time. Mazeltov!
No worries, we flushed.
Next up: home renovations!
March 30, 2010
March 26, 2010
Things you don't think about until you are at the bank...
E: (Calling from the bank) Who do we get the cashier's check made out to?
N: No clue. Call you back.
After three calls, one to the loan company, one to our REA and one to the closing company, I had the answer. The check draining most, if not all, of your savings goes to the closing company.
Also, you don't know the total until the day before, if you are lucky, or the day of closing.
We were lucky and heard our total funds for closing today, with 3 hours to spare in the business day. Even luckier, our total came in lower by a lot. Almost 15% lower.
As of COB today, we will be ready to close on Monday, followed closely by shopping for paint and buying a new stove.
N: No clue. Call you back.
After three calls, one to the loan company, one to our REA and one to the closing company, I had the answer. The check draining most, if not all, of your savings goes to the closing company.
Also, you don't know the total until the day before, if you are lucky, or the day of closing.
We were lucky and heard our total funds for closing today, with 3 hours to spare in the business day. Even luckier, our total came in lower by a lot. Almost 15% lower.
As of COB today, we will be ready to close on Monday, followed closely by shopping for paint and buying a new stove.
March 18, 2010
So close...
Our closing got delayed. Sigh.
We had signed to close on March 31st originally. Then, the sellers asked to close on March 26 to allow them to use the funds to close on their new house. We accepted, but didn't sign anything new. We went ahead as if closing was the 26 and set up our insurance this way.
A few days ago I get a call from our REA. He says the sellers thought we were still closing on the 31st. Huh?
Turns out the seller's REA never informed them that we had agreed to this. So they planned their move for the 27 and couldn't close without having vacated first.
We are now closing on the 29. It is just three days, but we lose a weekend in between. Still... we are so close.
We had signed to close on March 31st originally. Then, the sellers asked to close on March 26 to allow them to use the funds to close on their new house. We accepted, but didn't sign anything new. We went ahead as if closing was the 26 and set up our insurance this way.
A few days ago I get a call from our REA. He says the sellers thought we were still closing on the 31st. Huh?
Turns out the seller's REA never informed them that we had agreed to this. So they planned their move for the 27 and couldn't close without having vacated first.
We are now closing on the 29. It is just three days, but we lose a weekend in between. Still... we are so close.
March 17, 2010
Delays... and Cancellations
The past few weeks have been crazy! E was out in the West Coast for business, and I flew to Puerto Rico for my niece's baptism. We were apart for a long two weeks. The longest we had been apart in four years.
After four days in PR, I was ready to come back and see E. Unfortunately, my connection flight home was canceled. The very-rude Continental check-in agent didn't originally tell me the flight had been canceled. I had to run back after I realized I was missing a Boarding Pass. She, reluctantly, put me on stand-by for the next flight (it was sold-out) and muttered that it was not the airline's responsibility since the cancellation had been due to weather conditions. I was appalled that she had been so mean, and that she had not even bothered to tell me my flight was canceled.
I arrived in my connecting city to see the flight had been delayed. I ran to the customer service desk where a nice agent, for a change, told me that all flights that day were sold out and that my chances of getting home were slim. And I broke down in tears. I was in a strange city, all alone and could not get home. I wanted to be home and see E, and I needed to get to work for a very important meeting the next day.
Thankfully, the cancellations and delays had cause some people to miss this flight and, five minutes before the plane was scheduled to depart, I was able to board and head home. I arrived over four hours later than expected. Drained. And sleepy. But I was home.
After four days in PR, I was ready to come back and see E. Unfortunately, my connection flight home was canceled. The very-rude Continental check-in agent didn't originally tell me the flight had been canceled. I had to run back after I realized I was missing a Boarding Pass. She, reluctantly, put me on stand-by for the next flight (it was sold-out) and muttered that it was not the airline's responsibility since the cancellation had been due to weather conditions. I was appalled that she had been so mean, and that she had not even bothered to tell me my flight was canceled.
I arrived in my connecting city to see the flight had been delayed. I ran to the customer service desk where a nice agent, for a change, told me that all flights that day were sold out and that my chances of getting home were slim. And I broke down in tears. I was in a strange city, all alone and could not get home. I wanted to be home and see E, and I needed to get to work for a very important meeting the next day.
Thankfully, the cancellations and delays had cause some people to miss this flight and, five minutes before the plane was scheduled to depart, I was able to board and head home. I arrived over four hours later than expected. Drained. And sleepy. But I was home.
March 7, 2010
A Post for my Husband.
I love my husband. I've loved him for five years now. From the time he made me watch a scary movie in his college apartment and didn't laugh every time I covered my eyes. I've loved him ever since he held me upright as I slipped in ice.
It all started with a kiss. A single perfect kiss. The kiss of your dreams. Fully in-sync, matched in rhythm, perfectly together. It was amazing, and I couldn't wait to keep kissing him. For the rest of my life.
I love his kiss.
I love his eyes, because they twinkle bright green when he is happy. I love his smile because it is guarded, and unleashed only when he is truly happy. I love his laugh. His eyes twinkle when he laughs.
I love his arms. They are strong and defined and tanned. And his shoulders. And his back. And his newly-chiseled stomach. His hugs make me swoon. And I love his wispy beard.
I love how guarded and meticulous he is. Every decision made after much thought and deliberation. Never flying by the seat of his pants. I love how sure he is of everything he does. Of our future.
I love his sense of humor. There is laughter in our house every single day. Multiple times a day.
I love his drive and his loyalty. How hard he works and how passionate he is about his work. True devotion for everything he does.
I love that he likes all my Puerto Rican food and eats enough for two of him. I love that he loves to cook, and is not shy to experiment in the kitchen. Most of the time he is a good cook.
I love that he is traditional. And sentimental. And caring. I love that he indulges my need for compulsive planning. And embraces my "life plan". Even holds me to it.
I love how he goes out of his way to make others happy. To make them laugh. To make them comfortable.
I love that he loves me too.
Happy Birthday Husband. I am so lucky to have you.
It all started with a kiss. A single perfect kiss. The kiss of your dreams. Fully in-sync, matched in rhythm, perfectly together. It was amazing, and I couldn't wait to keep kissing him. For the rest of my life.
I love his kiss.
I love his eyes, because they twinkle bright green when he is happy. I love his smile because it is guarded, and unleashed only when he is truly happy. I love his laugh. His eyes twinkle when he laughs.
I love his arms. They are strong and defined and tanned. And his shoulders. And his back. And his newly-chiseled stomach. His hugs make me swoon. And I love his wispy beard.
I love how guarded and meticulous he is. Every decision made after much thought and deliberation. Never flying by the seat of his pants. I love how sure he is of everything he does. Of our future.
I love his sense of humor. There is laughter in our house every single day. Multiple times a day.
I love his drive and his loyalty. How hard he works and how passionate he is about his work. True devotion for everything he does.
I love that he likes all my Puerto Rican food and eats enough for two of him. I love that he loves to cook, and is not shy to experiment in the kitchen. Most of the time he is a good cook.
I love that he is traditional. And sentimental. And caring. I love that he indulges my need for compulsive planning. And embraces my "life plan". Even holds me to it.
I love how he goes out of his way to make others happy. To make them laugh. To make them comfortable.
I love that he loves me too.
Happy Birthday Husband. I am so lucky to have you.
March 3, 2010
Done and Done.
The appraisal came in...
...at $500 more than we are paying. And, there were no repairs needed for the FHA loan.
And... five minutes later we received our Loan Confirmation Letter. Which means...
...we are definitely officially buying a house!
Off to design change of address postcards!
...at $500 more than we are paying. And, there were no repairs needed for the FHA loan.
And... five minutes later we received our Loan Confirmation Letter. Which means...
...we are definitely officially buying a house!
Off to design change of address postcards!
Waiting for the appraisal...
... and waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
The appraisal is also the FHA Inspection, where they can bring up any other safety concerns they may have like hand rails, uneven pavement, chipping paint, etc. This is the last big hurdle for our purchase and, although we don't envision any issues, we are anxious to see the report.
Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly!
The appraisal is also the FHA Inspection, where they can bring up any other safety concerns they may have like hand rails, uneven pavement, chipping paint, etc. This is the last big hurdle for our purchase and, although we don't envision any issues, we are anxious to see the report.
Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly!
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