T-Minus 3 Days

It's a start to a big week!  On Tuesday morning, we have our final walk through of the house to ensure it is in the same state it was presented when I first made my offer on the place.    There have been repair people in the house so I'm hoping the floors still look decent.    Last Tuesday, the sewer was officially fixed so when we walk through in a couple days I plan on flushing toilets and having faucets run while we are there.    I know the sewer is fine now but it will still give me piece of mind.   It ended up costing the seller closer to 16K to fix the sewer.

The roof on the garage was completed on Thursday.    It too ended up being a bit more expensive for the seller but oh well.    The next part with the garage would be to add a garage door opener.    That will be Dan's task and Dan's bill though.  

On Wednesday at 3:30pm, I have my closing meeting with the bank to get possession of the house.    I also get to write them a large check for my down payment.  The meeting ends with me getting the abstract for the house and the keys.     I'll be getting a safety deposit box at the bank for the abstract.   If you lose it or it is destroyed it costs thousands to get it replaced.     We are also planning to get house re-keyed, new locks.    I'll probably do that during Spring Break.    I'm not super worried since the seller moved out a long time ago. 

Speaking of the seller....I got more of the story of why the house was vacant for so long.    Apparently the seller (in Australia) bought the house for their child that was supposed to attend ISU.    They tried attending but didn't even make it a full semester.    They left and went back to Australia.    So the house is in great shape because it was barely lived in even with this seller.    I'm still confused as to why such a big house was purchased for one person.  

On Saturday we'll start the move of Dan from Newton to Ames.    We are handling it with our own vehicles on Saturday and we'll have a box truck on Sunday.   Thankfully we have the box truck Sunday as it will likely rain all day.    He may be fully out of the apartment by Sunday and he'll have a couple weeks to clean well.    He is away behind in packing.   I told him that we are not coming on Saturday to pack for him.    He needs to be ready for us to put things on trucks.   

On March 9th, Dan has the day off from work so he'll be at the house all day.   He is having his Mediacom cable set-up that day and we are having our deep freeze delivered that day from Lowes.   Depending on cost and time, we may have a locksmith come that day too for changing the locks on the house.    I bought a deep freeze the other day as it was one of the "big" things I wanted to get for the house and get into our basement soon.    

I may move some things this weekend too but it won't be anything major since Gavin and I will still live here into May.    I may have some bookcases get loaded and things like that.    

Next "big" thing to do is get some quotes for tree trimming.    

That's the update!

Moving Closer to a Closing Date

Greetings:

I received confirmation that my mortgage has moved to the closing process.    I have officially done all the "homework" I needed to make the bank and underwriter happy.    Closing date is still set for February 28th. 

I found out that Roto Rooter is starting work tomorrow (Feb 13) on redoing the sewer line.     The garage roof will be done this week too but likely later in the week as it should be in the upper 30s or lower 40s so the snow should melt off said roof.    Either way, both processes need to be done by Feb 21. 

I'm not quite sure when I need to officially pay the down payment.   The money is sitting in my new Wells Fargo account.   State Farm still needs to come in and look at my fire place too.   Dan hasn't given his landlord notice yet either but can at any time.    I set the date for the electric, water, sewer to be put in my name for the residence.    We will put the gas in Dan's name because he's using the same company in Newton and just needs to change the addresses.    He's looking into options with his cable and Internet.    If there isn't a fee to just cancel the cable, we are going to do that.   But if there is a fee to cancel the cable early, we'll keep it for a bit.    Have to have Internet though.   

We have also picked a local garbage company too.    I feel like such an adult organizing all these utility services.    I'm used to them all being included with rent.   

Work is going quite well for both institutions.   I have 90 students turning in an assignment this Friday though so I'll start having digital piles of grading to deal with.   I'm also working extra hours for DMACC this month because our coaching classes weren't properly staffed.    I'm not thrilled to be working almost every weekend but hey, it's money. 

I have been working out almost every M, W, and F with the Exercise Clinic at work (ISU).    I am very pleased with my progress with weight lifting.    I'm making great gains with my upper body but do need to do more cardio.   I do end up working out on some Tuesdays and Thursdays too because of the class I teach for future PE teachers.    I've been making them try different group fitness classes.    I see the upcoming move as a workout too as there will be lots of loading/unloading vehicles and using stairs at the new house.    Functional fitness!   I'm more excited about it than Dan. 

Very excited to see some family this weekend and have some fun!

The Sewer on Grand Avenue....Not so Grand

Ah yes, much has transpired since my last blog entry about becoming a homeowner.     Had I written this a couple days ago, I would have been in more of a panic.   Alas, things are going in my favor so I'm feeling pretty good about the house.  

So on Friday last week, my agent sent a document to the seller's agent specifying we wanted the garage roof inspected as well as the sewer line scoped.     They had three days to say yes, no, or negotiate.   By day 4, my agent had to pester them a bit for an answer.   They agreed to have a construction company come to look at the roof and have Roto Rooter scope the sewer line.     The construction company checked and did a quote for the garage roof.    I was expecting to just do a quote for patching the hole but turns out the whole roof should be redone.    They will do so by the end of February.    $1600 covered by the seller.    

Onto the sewer....we didn't get an immediate answer about it.     My agent decided to contact Roto Rooter and thankfully the secretary was forthcoming about the news.    Sewer line = yikes.   We new about this for a period of time and the seller did not know we were aware of the news.    Finally on Wednesday night, the seller's agent communicated the news and told my agent they would be covering the full cost of replacement which is at least $14,200.  We are still rather shocked they didn't do something different but grateful for their decision.    We thought one of the following was going to happen:

1)  they try to negotiate and get me to pay part of the bill "if you want the house so bad, pay for half of the new sewer"

2) they could have pulled the house off the market, fixed the sewer, and put it back on the market for a higher price.    They may have offered to me first but it would have likely been out of my price range by that point.   

The bank ordered the appraisal of the house/property today.   I guess that happens in a two week time frame.  The new garage roof and sewer line are to be completed by February 21, a week before my closing date.   It's supposed to give me time to go and inspect the work to be sure I'm happy with it.    

My agent informs me that it is now the lull in the process because everything that needs to be done is not in my power.  I really won't be busy with things and meetings again until the end of February.  

Regardless of the recent drama, we are still on track for a February 28 closing date.    Dan hasn't informed his landlord yet about moving by the end of March but can likely do so soon.   

I am more than ready for my excursion to Osceola to take in The Thunder from Down Under.    Bronzed men dancing and alcohol.    Yes please.    

That's all with my update for now!

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!

Week One Done

The first week of the semester is in the books.    It went really well.    I met with my DMACC class Monday night and most seem eager to learn about health and wellness.    The online DMACC classes are going OK too.    They have to turn in an assignment by January 17 to not get kicked out of class.     We'll see how many get the boot.

ISU is going well too.    Things went as planned with my health class.    I did cancel class on Thursday so I only saw my PE class once this week for syllabus day.     Thankfully I can put some work online for them to do so we'll have a jam-packed Tuesday next week.    For the first time in awhile, I don't know the majority of the students in the PE class.   Out of the 29 students, I have only had four before.   

I have the day off for both DMACC and ISU on Monday due to Martin Luther King Day.    I am signed up for two yoga classes that day.    I am also proud to say I worked out at the Exercise Clinic at ISU twice this week.    I had to skip on Wednesday as I had a noon meeting.    One of the administrative assistants is supposed to be working out too but she hasn't come yet.    I am hoping she comes next week but she's openly admitted she doesn't feel motivated to work out. 

I don't have a whole lot of free time at ISU because I'm hiring life guards/swimming instructors for Swim & Gym.   Most days are peppered with interviews and showing people our ancient pool.    I am teaching a CPR/AED class next week too.   Not my favorite task but I try to do it at least 1-2 times a semester to keep my certification valid. 

We went to view another house tonight.   I was a bit excited until we started walking around it.   Sweet Lord it was bad.   It was built in 1894 so it has potential to be a really cool house.   We don't know if it's the current owners or past owners but the attempted updates in the house are horrible.   And we saw many things not up to code.   It sucks because the price is fantastic but we don't want a house that needs that much work.    We took a look at our house-hunting app tonight and found two in Ames that are appealing.    Hopefully we can see those next week to get an idea.   

On Thursday, when I didn't venture to ISU due to the weather, I got a lot of cleaning down around here.    The Internet wasn't working so I couldn't get much done for work.   I swept and mopped all of the apartment.   The greatest success was cleaning Gavin's shower.    It was horrible.   I'm also starting to strategize how to start packing.    I have items that I barely touch or use so I figure I can start doing some packing.   I've asked the front office staff at work to start keeping boxes for me.    We get so many deliveries in the department that collecting boxes should come easy in the next months.   I know a lot of the breakable stuff I've gotten from Grandma could be packed away securely so I can display it in the future.   

I'm trying to be social in the next weeks too so I don't just bury myself in work.    We have our Christmas/Gavin's birthday celebration on January 20 in Boone.    I am going to visit a friend from grad school next week as she lives in Ames.    I organized a meal with family in Ames and Ankeny for Thursday too.   It looks like Rachael, Jessy, Mary, and Shirley (maybe Stewart) can all gather for supper.    I am going to try and meet up with my past neighbor too since she's still in Ames too.   

I guess that's all for now.    It's 2am and I cannot sleep so I thought being productive with a blog entry would be a good way to make me tired.    No luck!


And no, I'm not angry about anything.   Just thought it was funny!

Crisis Averted

It's my weekend off before both ISU and DMACC start on Monday.    The day has been mixed with doing things at home, running errands, and going to a movie.    Early this morning I finally admitted the fitted sheet on my bed needed to be retired so I pulled it off and threw it in the garbage.    It's torn and worn out (some of the sheets that came with the bed when it was given to me).    Well later in the day I realized I couldn't find my Blankie.    Searched all over my room and then the light bulb turned on.   Thankfully I hadn't taken the garbage out yet.   When I unballed the sheet, there it was.   Scary thing is that I almost took the trash out about three times today.   Sigh. 

The holidays were great.    I feel my time up in Waukon was the longest I've spent in years.   There was a lot of driving but it was worth it.   I feel Christmas was more simplistic which I think everyone enjoyed.    The joy of us all getting older and the fact we want/need less.   Nevertheless, I'm appreciative of all I received.   It was nice to attend the Christmas goodie party down the street at Larson's and see Grandma too. 

Yes, the visit home included a spill down the stairs.   I can say today that I'm 100% better from it.    The tip of my elbow still hurts if I touch it but that's it.   I took Wednesday off because I was feeling too off.   It was taking way too much thought and energy to pick out clothes, breakfast, etc.   I did work on Tuesday but only a half day.   Thursday went better and the major meeting I needed to lead went OK.   ISU is switching from the system that allows online content for classes.   We've used Blackboard for years.   We are now using CANVAS and the meeting was to help prep our TAs for the change.   Friday was a day full of meetings. 

Today Gavin and I went to see the movie "Wonder".   It's a very good movie.   We were surprised by how full the theater was as it's not a brand new movie.   Of course with my career, I wasn't pleased to see how PE was portrayed in the movie (always dodgeball).    I wish they had explained the boy's physical appearance a bit better too.   

I'm still working on the book "The Girl that Kicked the Hornet's Nest".   It's a very good book.    I've only read 44% of the book on my Kindle so I have a long way to go still.   

We still have one more Christmas and we are going to celebrate it on January 20.    We'll merge it with Gavin's birthday.   Still need to exchange gifts with Dan's Mom and her husband Ray. 

I'm sure I'll have another entry soon to report on the start to the semester.    I feel very prepared so Week 1 should go well.

Happy Holidays!

It's a nice lowkey night at home so why not do a blog right before departing for the holidays?    It's actually been a lowkey week and I appreciate it.    I did go into work on Tuesday and finished my grades for ISU.    I planned on going in on Wednesday and yea...that didn't happen.    It was more appealing to stay at home so I did.    Either way my grades were turned in a day early.    I had my grades done for DMACC early too (Saturday).    I never felt like I was scrambling to get the grades done which was a nice change. 

I had my first Christmas last night with Dan and Jude.    Jude received the Nintendo Switch he's wanted since last Christmas.   Dan got him that and I got him a game for it.    I also got him some clothes (he wasn't too excited) and we got him some science experiment type of kits to do at some point.    I don't know how excited he was about those either but I wanted to get something that wasn't technology-based.    One kit has you make sour candy in various forms and the other is a kit for making fake snow.   I at least want to play with the fake snow kit.

I was finally able to sit back and watch the movie "White Christmas" last night at Dan's place.    You know, the old movie with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, etc.    I've seen pieces of it here and there but never make it through the whole movie.    It was on Netflix believe it or not.    Usually when I really want to see a movie it's not available to be streamed on Netflix.   I also started reading a book for pleasure too.   I'm hoping to read this book and one more before school starts up again.    It's "The Girl that Kicked the Hornet's Nest".    It's the third book in the series that I've been meaning to read for a long time.    I got a really good coupon for $5 off any book for my Kindle so I bought it.    I have a stack to read from LeAnn too.    Need to get back into Harry Potter.

I did less Christmas cards this year and was done with those earlier than usual too.   It connects to my grades being done early.    I usually don't do my Christmas cards until my grades are done.  People keep getting chopped from my list each year so even though I added some of Dan's family, the list gets shorter.   I'm a dying breed because I really do like sending them out.

Christmas shopping was a little tricky but seemed easier this year.    Gifts seemed easier to figure out and the budget was lower.    (Yes Mom, it's nothing extravagant.)   Gavin was actually the most difficult to shop for.   He's gotten most of his gifts already because he needed them earlier in the month (e.g. new winter coat).   Plus he's aware I'm saving up for a nice graduation gift for him. 

I basically have time off until January 3rd.   I do have some syllabi to work on and pre-semester work.   I need to plan for a meeting I'm holding with grad students on January 4th.    Some of them are getting lazy with teaching and treating it like a low priority.    It's difficult for me because I need to crack down on them but I really don't have any ammo.    I can't fire them unless they do something horrible.    And we can't really afford to remove any grad students from teaching because we'd be short instructors then.   It's something I complain about annually in my evaluation materials as I'm their "boss" but I don't feel like I have any "teeth" when it comes to being a disciplinarian.  We've had a couple issues pop up recently and these students are simply not reading emails well and paying attention to details.   Pretty sad when they are trying to get their masters degrees or Phds. 

As of now I have a pretty full schedule for the spring.    I am teaching three classes for ISU.    One class has two sections so I'll have 90 students.    The second has 30 students and the third is the class associated with Swim & Gym and has like 5 students.    I'm also supervising two student teachers this semester too.    One for the first eight weeks and one for the second eight weeks.    I am down for three classes at DMACC too.    One is my usual health class online for high school students, the second is the usual sport diversity class online too.    The third is in-person on Monday nights.   It's the same as the online health class but we meet once a week and everything else is placed on Blackboard.    It had about 10 students last time so unless that drops greatly, they'll likely let me teach it.    Wahoo $$$

I am excited to pack up tomorrow and head up to Waukon.    We don't know what time we'll leave yet as Gavin is scheduled to work until 4pm but thinks he'll be off between 12-2pm.   I could leave sooner but I get the impression Dan would like to follow me up.    Dan and Gavin need to leave Christmas afternoon already but I plan to stay up in NE Iowa until December 30.    I let a few people know but not many.    It would be nice to see Jamie and Marie but I'm not holding my breath. 

Speaking of which, I have more things to clean before tomorrow as well as some packing to start.    I predict the next blog entry will be in 2018.