A contractor finally called back regarding the dark underbelly of the house. I must be insane, because I actually did the happy dance when he said $2500 to take care of all the rot from the bug infestation. Did I mention the house has bugs? Powder post beetles to be exact. I was a little freaked at first, but then I realized they were like roaches in NYC. They lurk every where and almost everyone has found at least one in their home at one point or another.
BTW, who ever said house hunting was fun was whacked. So far it's been an experience in how truly tasteless most of the earth's population is, and, the discovery that I can actually see the positive in almost anything. For example,
- Replace the roof? Hey, at least I'll know it was done right and won't have to worry about it for another 30 years!
- Lumps in the front lawn vaguely resembling graves? No poltergist here! It's a man-made berm to protect the dark underbelly from being washed away in the near constant rain experience by western Washington.
- Vinyl peel-n-stick tiles in the bathroom? I was going to replace/restore that floor anyways. That's what credit cards are for right? (it's a joke Dad)
- Backyard pond during extended rainstorms? What a great place to plant a willow tree... or six.
I saw a house for sale the other day, similar style and everything already done. The neighborhood is even ok (not as great) and it had almost yard... my first thought was "what could I do to that? Everything is already done." Oh, yeah.. I'm insane.
Comments
And my district calls it "winter break" - only it's 75 and the windows are open so there isn't much winter to be seen or felt
1. You have enough cash so that you don't worry about points, fees, and other mortgage-related items.
2. You can seriously consider buying a house in a "good" neighborhood.
3. You're looking at new houses, so that concerns such as the one you expressed in the post are non-factors.
4. Your budget is sufficient to afford a house that actually looks like those that are featured as "typical" homes in those *!#$!! Coldwell Banker commmercials.