A Room of Her Own (with a view) (mostly)

 Room of my own... except when there are guests. 

We are making progress getting the house unpacked and put together.  I now understand why people with basements (or attics) find boxes years later that they NEVER opened or unpacked.  I have, however, found lots of favorite items that will go into my "home office" -- not to be confused with future art studio.  Someplace to lie down and/or read, huge desk, and at least one 2 drawer file.

And the other day when I actually got up at a "normal" hour, look at the view!!  Sun streaming in like butterscotch... over the vincas, coneflowers and bird feeder straight into my heart.

And if I look out my window to the Northwest, I can even see the hummingbird feeder and the other vinca.














This view (wider) shows the Hansel and Gretel like shed that may or may not become my art studio.  The previous residents used it for their lawn mower and snow blower.  I would sort of like something bigger... but that remains to be determined.

And here are two cupboards that are neat AND full.  For the moment.  And if anyone asks you, you CAN have way too many mugs! 

House buying hassle: Learning the hard way....

Our expectations of halcyon calmness are going to have to be postponed.

 

We were supposed to close the deal tomorrow morning.  But today, a little before noon, our moneylender called to say that he did NOT have the exact amount that our cashiers check should be made out for.  (Making it a challenge to get to the bank to get the check!) Furthermore, "Mr. Money" said it was our fault for not getting our funds transferred from our Texas accounts to a local bank "soon enough."

However, it also turns out that neither of the "underwriters" who were authorized to sign off on the deal were available in the office.  One was apparently very much on vacation, and the other "could not be located."

Couldn't they have foreseen a problem when we CONFIRMED last week when the funds would transfer (and to where) in order that we could provide our cashier's check for the sellers and Mr Money's firm could provide the balance..

Nothing like being blamed for something nobody tells you about. That pushed our buttons, big time.

I know that mortgage companies' regulations have been tightened somewhat since 2008, but I don't see why the timing is so tight when we were already told the loan was approved.  It reminds me of when I worked for a bunch of patent attorneys.  They KNEW when the applications and revisions were "due" in Washington, D.C.  But every time (without exception in my memory), there was a big emergency rush.  Apparently if you make enough money, you don't have to plan ahead. 

I wonder if every homebuyer is made to feel suspect these days.  

So after a lot of gnashing of teeth, calling our Realtor and her talking with her office's owner/manager ALSO talking to Mr. Money, we think (maybe) we'll have an accurate number Monday so we can close then.

 I just did my own web search(es) and found pretty awful reports on Better Business Bureau sites.

   

 

Today we did a "final walk through."  The sellers are really nice and thoughtful.  I feel horrible that their smooth sailing has also been roiled up.  They left post-it notes on lots of the light switches so we know what works what.  They left the rocking chairs on the front porch and deck furniture (but not the grill!!) on the back porch. They also left toilet paper, some hand soap and a roll of paper towels.  There were a few picture hangers and light fixtures that I had hoped would "go with them,"  but it is occupant ready.

So the biggest problem remaining will be fitting 100% of our "stuff" into 66% of the space.
Unless we have to find a new lender....

Inspection Dejection

It apparently takes a village to do a house inspection.

When we arrived at the house, the sellers' realtor was already there, along with the inspector, and his assistant/son .  Shortly thereafter our Realtor arrived along with the Septic Expert from Pete's.  (Note his personalized license plate.)

It was an almost 3 hour process.  The inside items had already been fairly thoroughly checked:  electrical outlets, toilets, faucets, drains, heating vents and the like.  The inspector and DH then began their outside walk around.  The first thing the inspector found was unexpected wear on the roof.  The buyers said they had a 30 year roof, but most of the "stuff" on the shingles had already disappeared.  Apparently we'd be lucky if there were 10 MORE years left on the roof even though the house is only 9 years old

. 

DH thought there were problems with the vinyl siding junctions around some of the doors and where angled pieces joined together.  The inspector said it was sloppy workmanship, but not really a problem

. 

I didn't join them on their trek to the basement.  They found some dampness, but nothing especially worrisome.

Amazingly, though, there is a crawlspace under the "three-season room."  Who could get through the vent into the crawlspace seemed a pertinent question.  But the inspector managed to get at least part way in and he found some dead ants and some "black stuff" that he thought was probably mold.  Not good. 

  

It was agreed that the exit (bulkhead) from the basement needed to be painted.

I took a lot more photos of the interior, hoping that the structural issues were resolvable and challenging myself with the puzzle of where all our stuff would go... or more accurately, whether it would fit.

The realtor thought the 3 season room would make a nice studio.  The good news is that it does have vinyl tile.  The bad news (at least for a studio) is that it is the main way from the garage into the house.  If there's one thing that was important to me about my studio is was that I controlled who got to see my work in progress, or that the people who did knew better than to comment.  I'm not sure that would happen here!  (The owners offered to leave the wreath.. but I'm thinking "no.")

 

There is a waist high wall that separates the  entry way from the living room.  We like the view out front, even if it IS the septic field!  (The grass was very green.

DH thinks this space was originally intended as a dining area (there is a significant ceiling fixture).  With the little hall table, lamp, sconces and painting it seems like a big walkway.  I'm wondering if the baby grand piano will fit here.  Pianos are safest away from direct light, windows, and heat sources.  It would be sort of an obstacle here, but I don't see it fitting anyplace else, either.

 

The inspector's son entered all the findings into their laptop.  He is a sophomore at U Mass.  

I think the layout of the kitchen makes this look like the "command center" of the home. If we can find out how to fit in our plates, pots and pans, I think It will be fun to cook here.  Pot roast simmering on the stove?  Cornbread baking?

 

I wonder if I should hold a contest about what to do with the "Green Wall. There isn't anything else that is this deep green.  Even a shiny black would "go" better with the refrigerator and other appliances.  Or paneling the same color as the floor might help the command center be less commanding.  Suggestions welcome!

This is the first bedroom.  Definitely a good candidate for DH's "cave.

This is the second bedroom.  A likely location for  my "cave," but probably not large enough to be office AND art studio.  Do I want to paint in the basement with all artificial light?  Or in the "mud room"?  Or try to twist hubby's arm to add art space in his workshop?  

 Or convert the lawnmower shed to a studio?  WITH heat?

 

I had forgotten that the residents had even this much furniture in their bedroom. Naturally, ours are a different configuration, and I don't know how that will work.

 I don't see room for two 6 foot bookcases full of yarn like there was in the old master bedroom, do you?

  The master bath's "red" counter tops weren't quite so upsetting on second look, but I' thinking "vanilla custard" would be lighter, brighter and cleaner looking... although matching the tub color might be more unifying.  I like that there's a seat in the tub... but might need a grab bar.

 I'm not sure whether we're in hot water or not.