Strap On Your Big Boy Pants

We're taking care of more adult matter today like home owners insurance and car insurance.   Yes- we know we're adults, but when your mommy and daddy still pay for your car insurance at 27 you're still a reliant kid.  So, we're adding another notch to our belt and adding insurance to our lives.  We got our commitment letter from our mortgage people- that's exciting because it means we're getting closer to the actual closing date for our house!!   31 days people!  31 days!

We'll be staining/water proofing fence panels all weekend- it really doesn't feel like work when we're keeping busy. 

Have a great weekend!  

Chicken coop

I am getting really serious about building a chicken coop.  I spent the afternoon watching YouTube videos regarding  "how to build a chicken coop," and the inspirational juices have really started flowing.  Check out my crazy/pretend engineer/architect drawings.

Building it before we move is its only chance of actually being completed this year.  Once we move in, I think we will have about one million "to-do" list items and this might end up being item number 890,853.  Wanna be a crazy person with me and watch YouTube videos devoted to "urban chicken coops?"   Well check out the videos that have helped me procrastinate working on my grad school stuff inspired me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFi7W7oFGzE&feature=related
http://youtu.be/913219qCdDM
http://youtu.be/842wA0mZY-M

Tata for now.

Spring Break

We've got a pretty slow week ahead of us this week.  We had our appraisal today (which I was incorrectly calling an assessment over and over again- woops- teacher jargon- not real estate jargon)   Our mortgage person said that we will get the results of the appraisal on Thursday.  In the mean time, our mortgage has gone from the person who organizes the paperwork to the mortgage underwriter.  Progress!

I think the progress may be a little slow this week.  Which is okay- we have our fence panels to keep us busy and I have plenty of grad school work to tackle.  34 days!  Nick and I are going to create a countdown- much like the countdown that my bf, Kelly, and I created during our freshman year in the dorms when we were beginning to feel homesick and couldn't wait for thanksgiving & Christmas breaks. In the mean time, let's distract ourselves with pictures of Kona when she was a puppy.  Sound good? 

So little. 

Now that's a sleepy puppy.

Pretty Girl

Water Sealing/Staining the Fence

We water sealed a few fence panels this weekend.  We still have 35 days until we close on the house, so we have to keep busy.  We chose Thompson's Water Seal with a Cedar Tone Stain, we'll also use it on our deck when we move in.  This week is my spring break-- holla! -- so I'll keep busy with our fence panels on the sunny days and read up on gardening on the rainy days.

Nick and his cousin, Kyle, loaded our cart with 10 gallons of Thompson's Water Seal.

Ready to begin

Work in progress

Check out the difference! 

Hurry Up and Wait

Next step for the house will be the assessment.  We are getting an FHA mortgage, so it must meet the criteria of an FHA loan.  I really have no idea what that criteria is, but I think it means that house must be livable and in good repair.  So yea, you know that recalled electrical box?  I think that won't meet the FHA guidelines.  Oh well.  Whatever isn't up to standard will be repaired before we move in.  Our realtor assured us that this is standard protocol and will not effect our closing date. 

Until the assessment (which hasn't been scheduled yet), we have some waiting time.  Once the assessment is complete, the bank will hire a contractor to fix things, and then we can progress forward.  Until then, I am going to focus on grad school, regular school, and my fence panels.  Spring Break is next week!!!  Yaya!

Inspection

We had the inspection today!  It went really well!  Now please remember- we didn't buy a brand new house- we brought a fixer-upper built in 1975.  We know this and it doesn't scare us.  If it scares you- you might want to close your internet browser and take a few deep breaths.  :)

The inspector found the following must fix before our closing date items:
 --A recalled electrical box in the utility room- woops- I guess the bank will have to replace that.

--A window that had a broken frame thing- I really have no idea what you'd call it.  If you turn the knobs to open the window the top part of the window falls down and if you were unaware of this little defect you might crush a finger.  Well, not so much crush as bruise... badly.

--Another window just needs to be replaced (it's old)

--The master bathroom needs to be completed- the prior owners must have planning to update it and stopped midway through the construction process.  Our lenders will require that to be finished before we can move in.


Everything else can be/will be address/fixed by us.  Our inspector and realtor believe that the above concerns will have to be taken care of in order for our lender to approve our loan.  Isn't this a crazy process!?!

Everything else will be addressed by us- fix garage door, replace poorly planned egress "window" covered with plywood with glass blocks or cement blocks or an actual window.  Purchase egress window covers.  Install GFCI outlets throughout the house.  Paint trim in the outside of the house.  Trim a few trees that hang over the house.  Little things that can easily be addressed during my summer vacation.  Yay busy summer projects!  

Next step?  Our realtor goes to the bank people who own our house and provides them with our list of demands.  (Is this beginning to sound like a hijack situation?)  So, I guess things might slow down for a little bit.  As for us- we plan to stain/water seal our fence panels this weekend.  I think we will select the Russett color from yesterday.  We should begin to pack and I need to continue to work on grad school work.  Boo- not fun.  House planning = fun! 

Wait... What did we just sign?

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Ahhhh. It was time to sign more paperwork today.   Needless to say,  it was a little intense.   Where did this deposit in your checking come from?   Who was your landlord three years ago?  Any ways we are making great progress toward April 30th.   Inspection tomorrow.   I wonder if we will find any surprises...

In the mean time check out these stain colors....which is your favorite for the fence panels?

Full Schedule

We've got a full schedule this week. 
Tuesday- We have a meeting with our mortgage person to provide them with important paperwork and sign a bunch of additional paperwork.
Wednesday- After school homework club (I have this every Wednesday) and our home inspection. We're getting closer my friends. 

We're searching for fence posts, discussing stain colors for the fence panels, and excitedly counting the days until April 30th.    Would you like to see pictures of the kitchen? 

 Okay- so this is the kitchen's fake wall (well it's actually a hallow, real wall).  We plan to knock that sucker down on Day 1 and create an open kitchen/living room/dining room floor plan.  We will replace it with an island with cupboards underneath.   It's going to be a big task but it really seems like the fake wall takes away from the awesome ceilings.  

The kitchen has a lot of positive potential, however, it doesn't have a stove.... part of our offer includes a stove.  :) 

We plan to remove the wallpaper and paint the walls a similar color to the living room.  

I've been really wracking my brain about what to put above the sink. 

What do you think about this book shelf idea for cookbooks?

Or what do you think about a wine rack? 

Which is your favorite?
Back to dreaming and grading papers and spring cleaning. 


The links to the pictures above can be found here, and here.

Lots of love. 

Fence Panels

Yesterday, my mom and I embarked on the adventure of purchasing fence panels for our future house. It was such a great deal, we just couldn't wait until we moved to buy these babies.

They are about 6 ft tall and will provide us with some nice privacy in the backyard. More importantly, they will allow our Kona girl to run all around the yard. We love her and she is spoiled. We plan to stain the panels- we're not sure what color will look best in the yard. Got any ideas?? Now we must keep our eyes out for a good deal on fence posts. I think putting up the fence will be task #1 once we move in!

My mom was a trooper and drove the trailer with the fence panels stacked high. It was a little scary with the small trailer, we drove 45 mph the entire way back.

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This is Kona's excited face.

We're really excited too! This week we have more paperwork to sign for the house and a meeting with our lender. We have to provide her with all sorts of paperwork (old pay stubs, tax forms, contact info for prior landlords, DNA fingerprint). Well, not the last one, but it seems like we have had to really search to find everything they need. 43 days until we close!!

Project Day

My mom and I are off to look at fence panels today!  I found a great deal and now we must check it out! Nick is fishing with his grandpa, dad, uncles, and cousins.  I am so happy that we live close and we can spend such quality time with our families. 

We are also investigating chicken coops.  In town you can have up to four chickens- maybe we'll have three. 
Here are a few pictures that inspire my endeavor.  

Aren't those kinda cool?  Who wants eggs?

Links for the pictures above can be found here, here, and here.

The list....

Well- Things are going well but progressing slowing on the home front.  Today, Nick, my dad, and I took a walk around the house (yes- still stalking the house, I mean planning for the future)

We measured the property lines to get an idea of how many fence panels we would need to purchase.  I found an awesome deal on fence panels for $19 per 8' panel!  When I find a good deal I've got to strike fast!!  We also got more serious about a To-Do list while eating dinner with my dad.  Are you ready for the list?  I mean really?  Are you ready?  It's long- and chances are if you're reading this blog- you MAY be roped into helping with these projects.  

I will give you a taste of To-Do item number one:

1. clean gutters


I think I will keep you in suspense for one more day.  List coming tomorrow.  :)

Actually 46 days

I grabbed my phone after my last post- only to see that it is actually 46 days until our closing date. 

bummer.

I feel like I am sleeping so lightly lately- and if I wake up I am wide awake.  This is such a nerve wracking time!  We still have a lot to do until we're officially home owners.

Don't get me wrong though- life is great! 

We're so lucky! 

Waiting Game

Ahh the next 41 days is going to be torture!  We are so excited to get moved in and settled! 

Things we're researching right now-

1. Prices for a fence for our Kona pup
                            and
2. Washer and dryer reviews and prices

We are nervous but super excited for this next big step!  Until we get the keys, however, it just feels surreal! 

Let the count down begin!!! 

41 days!

Notes To Self

Find two trees in the backyard that can hold a solid hammock.  

Buy awesome hammock.  

Link to picture found here

Scheming

You might be a stalker if you drive by a house several times a week, only to stare at it.

You might be a stalker if you decide that it is okay to walk around said house surveying every tree, bush, and swimming pool.

Did I mention this house has a swimming pool?  We'll see how much it will cost to get running and maintained all summer....(we really have no idea how pools work). 

Your family members might be stalkers if you call them (after completing your drive by stalk session) only to find out that they are on their way to also drive by your future home.

You might be a stalker if you perform a U-Turn on the spot and go back to the house to stare look at it with your family. 

Your family may be encouraging your stalker habits if you all walk around the .44 acre yard like you already own the place.

We can't help it.  We're scheming planning for the future!  It's such an exciting time!!

In the mean time- Nick and I are researching washers and dryers because the house doesn't have any.  Contact us if you have any advice, ideas, inside deals, or information about upcoming sales.

Lots of love!!

Blue Garage Door too?

Call me crazy but I'm thinking about painting the garage too. 
This blog has inspired me to consider this crazy idea:
http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/03/how-to-paint-a-garage-door/

What do you think?  Am I crazy for already planning projects? 




Find the picture above here.

Counter Offer Accepted

Well- the bank replied to our (lower than listed) offer with a counter offer!  And we accepted it!  We're very excited!  Now let the paperwork and inspections begin!  Our closing date will be April 30th!

I guess I can't jinx anything now so here is a picture of the house from the outside!

Did I mention that it is yellow?  I grew up in a yellow house- I guess I am meant to live in a yellow house!  It reflects my sunny disposition right??

One of the many projects I would like to tackle will be to remove the white storm doors and paint the exterior doors and shutters blue.  Here are a few pictures that have inspired this plan:

 Like it!

 Love it!

Loving the color.

Can you imagine the inverse of this house?

Let the planning begin!  Get excited!




Links to creative inspiration pictures can be found here, here,  here, here.

Waiting

We revisited the house we put an offer on today. We brought our parents, Kate (nick's sister), Kyle (nick's cousin), and Nick's grandma. Someone else came to look at the house while we were waiting for our realtor (Mary) to get there. It was a bit of a nerve wracking reminder that this house IS still on the market and someone else could place an offer on it before we hearing back from the bank's realtor. Luckily- when Mary got there, she talked with the other realtor and found out that the other couple wasn't interested. {wipe sweat off forehead and breath}

Our family was equally excited for the potential of the house. I am really hoping this photo won't jinx us- but here is your first look at the living room from the entryway area.


I love the ceiling. The railing is one of the many things that we'd like to eventually update. Check out the wood burning fireplace and wood paneling! Nick and I are already discussing the possibility of removing the wood paneling or painting over it. Ahh- the fun we could have with the projects associated with this house! Mary thinks we should hear back from the realtor tomorrow, however, they have until Friday to reply. So, now we wait and go on to business as usual.

259

Well- Nick and I have been married for 259 day and we are attempting to take another big leap in our lives! We've put an offer on a house!! Yes- an actual house that would be ours! We are very excited and hopeful during this exciting time in our lives! More details and pictures to come!

If we are lucky enough to have our offer accepted we will have lots of projects and renovations to share with family and friends! This house has tons of potential- it just needs a little elbow geese.

We will find out if the bank (it's a foreclosed/bank owned house) accepts our offer by next Friday! Exciting!!