Maybe a Homeowner?

I believe this blog entry will only focus on my potential future home.    Lots has been happening lately so I figured I'd give an update.

My realtor sent a document to the seller's agent on Friday that lists things we want fixed before I would take possession.    We were asked to keep in mind the house is older so some of the things we aren't thrilled with can't necessary make the list.    An example is the windows.     A couple locks are broken and a couple panes of glass are broken.    The windows were likely that way for the current owner. 

We have two items on the "need to fix" list.    The first is a small hole in the garage roof.    They've been told to have a contractor come and look at the roof and apply the repair at their cost.     The second request is for a company to come and scope/video the sewer line from the house.    A) We want to see the tree root situation.   B) We want to see what kind of tile is associated with the sewer line.    Older homes sometimes use a tile made from Orange Burg (spelling?) and it turns into swiss cheese over time, especially with tree roots factored in.    It makes sewer lines collapse.   The good news is that with research, we are finding out that type of tile wasn't commonly used in older homes in Ames.   But there have been some occurrences in the community.    It seems to be more popular in older homes in Des Moines.    If we don't like what we see with the sewer line I would likely pull out of the deal unless the seller fixes the situation. 

We'll see how the seller and their agent react.   They can agree, negotiate, or say no.   My realtor thinks they'll agree because the list is so short and simple.    Plus the seller lives in Australia and likely wants this house sold and done with.    My realtor says he's used to having at least 10 items on the "fix it" list and sometimes up to 30. 

The inspection went very well.     He did put the concern in our head in terms of the sewer line but that's just a precaution type of check.    Radon testing gave an appropriate level.    My main concern was the attic and moisture in the ceilings upstairs.    Everything is dry--whew.   The inspector was pleased with the house.    He was very happy with the grading outside of the house that is causing water to move away from the house nicely, hence a dry basement.    In terms of his report and our own observations, here is our list of things that would need to be done with the house in no particular order:

1) gutters need to be cleaned on both the house and garage
2) add window wells to some basement windows to maintain the grade away from the house
3) trim tree limbs as many are hanging over the house
4) likely take down a tree east of the garage as it's too close to the structure and if it falls....good-bye garage
5) seal a couple of sets of windows upstairs as they are carriage windows and are very drafty

The main priority if I get the house would be the gutters and the trees.

In terms of things that need to be done and added as we move in would be:

1) buy a chest freezer for the basement
2) get shelving for a closet in our kitchen/dining room as it would need to be a pantry
3) figure out what we can move ourselves and what we'll actually need movers for (I'm not hurting my back)

It will feel weird to start making decisions about utilities too as I need to figure out what garbage company to use, Internet company, etc.    We are only going to use Netflix for awhile and not get cable or satellite.   And if Dan wants something more than Netflix he's going to handle it and pay for it.    I can't really switch over utilities but will have utilities on at both my apartment and the house for a couple months.    If we get the house, Dan would officially be living in it come April.   We'd use March to move him and move some of my stuff.    I'd continue to stay in Ankeny and slowly move more and more stuff to Ames in April.    Having Dan officially move in the house in April allows me to pay rent in Ankeny and pay a mortgage starting in April too. 

I had free time last night and took my "first time homeowner" course offered through Wells Fargo.    I paid $75 but it gives me $750 toward the homeowner process.    The money can go towards closing costs or my escrow fund.    Easy class and learned a lot from it.    Easily earned my A. 

After we get an answer on Monday about our requests for repairs, we can let the bank know we want the house to be appraised.    We've been holding off until we knew what we wanted the seller to fix and wanted to see their attitude toward fixing those items.   Tuesday is the deadline for ordering the appraisal for the timeline associated with my mortgage process.   Times a ticking.   We need to see if the house appraises for at least the amount I'm offering the seller. 

I decided to make it more public that I am trying to move to Ames so I shared a post from Facebook that my realtor posted on his business area on Facebook. 




Last but not least here are some of my pipe dreams if I do get this house and want to make changes to it in the distant future when the Money Fairy leaves me money to use for home improvement:

1) enlarge the 2nd floor bathroom and put in a modern shower/tub
2) put laundry in the area that is the 1st floor bathroom and not have a shower in that spot
3) connect the back of the house to the garage (breeze way idea)
4) before the breeze way addition, add a gate so the backyard can be completely closed off for a dog
5) the area in the back of the house has red brick for walkways...make the gravel driveway brick to match.   Add more brick to back yard for a flat area for a grill/patio


That's enough for now!   Fingers crossed for good news this week!