Ye Olde Red Brick House

As you know, I got my keys at lunch time. I ran over to the house real quick and found that the smoke alarms had not been installed. According to my inspector, the seller has to install smoke alarms in each room before closing. The seller had agreed to install them. Now they are saying that it's not required by law if the house was built before 1992. So, my realtor is going to call the fire department tomorrow and ask. On my paperwork for the request for repairs, the seller had agreed to get it up to code; so I really hope they follow through on this. There is one smoke alarm in a house that is 2050 square feet. My daughter and I spent the last 3 hours cleaning windows, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, etc. There are about 6 windows that are painted shut, so I'll try and tackle those tomorrow. Also, I want to get the windows spray washed from the outside. I am tired, but very very happy that this day finally came. I hope my dad knows how grateful I am. If it weren't for him...

Aww , look what my realtor got me as a closing gift! She and her husband made the little snowflake ornament, and I love it. And...... she gave me $150 worth of Orchard Supply gift cards! Woohooo ! That's a lot of home supplies! Or maybe a porch swing... or porch chairs... decisions, decisions!

I got my keys!  The paperwork still hasn't been filed, but my realtor brought them to me anyway!  Can't wait until I get off work so I can go start cleaning it!

Is it no surprise that I still don't have keys to my house? The paperwork is still at the recorders office. Will this Escrow ever end? lol

7/3/09 I did a walk through for the first time on my dad's birthday. 7/8/09 2nd walk through with friends. Submitted my bid for $2000 over the asking price. 7/13/09 counterbids between both of us and an additional bidder 7/21/09 My bid was accepted for $7250 over the listing price 7/24/09 Signed documents & went into Escrow. Estimated closing date is September 14th. 8/6/09 Sent in the request for repairs • damage on the rear roof (covered under the Section 1 and for which the seller agreed to pay up to $2000 if any damages were found) • The broken window glass • A new hot water heater, the installation and strapping of said heater • The capping of gas The moisture line for the water heater • The installation of additional smoke alarms 8/18/09 Found out there are termites! 8/14/09 Estimate for termite repairs ~ $3400 8/24/09 Signed my loan paperwork at the Mortgage Co. I got a USDA loan. I didn't have to put any money down, but I agreed to put down $10,000 to keep my mo...

Gotta share this! As soon as my grand-daughter Jewell comes through my door, she automatically starts saying "Britney" and runs straight to the cd player. (The cd belongs to my daughter Brittany, I swear) lol The only thing she loves more then Britney Spears music is Barney, so I play a lot of that too. You can tell I'm moving... there are boxes everywhere!

Everything is done except the walk through tomorrow evening, and then I'll get my keys! I bought my real estate agent a closing gift, but am wondering if any of you gave a monetary gift as well? I'm a property virgin and need help in the gratuity department. :) I was thinking about a $50 gift card to Sizzler or Applebees . Is that too little, too much? Help!

what $320.00 worth of paint and primer looks like? Here ya go... This is: 5 gallons of Valspar La Fonda Deep Clay Red for the dining room walls. 5 gallons of Valspar Caraway Shield for the living room walls. 2 gallons of Valspar Homestead Resort Pumpkin for the ceilings. (I think I underestimated now that I look at the photos of the house) 2 gallons of Valspar Primer I also bought 2 cans of OOPS paint for $3.00 each. Both of them are in a browns. The La Fonda Deep Clay Red, Caraway Shield & Homestead Resort Pumpkin colors are shown below. I decided to get a little brave with the reddish color... Here are photos of my living room, dining room and ceilings that I posted a few months ago. I can't wait to see the house again this week; seems like it's been ages since I've been there!

Jewell stayed the night with grandma last night. She is getting so big and so very smart. She will be 16 months on the 16th, but has already entered the first stages of the terrible two's. uh oh I can't imagine life without this little girl. She is a constant reminder of the precious things in life. She has mastered climbing up and down the steps and was proud of herself each and every time... (about 20 times in an hour yesterday, no kidding)

Wow, I think quite possibly, this may be the highest credit score I've had. I wonder if it will go down after I receive my loan for the house. Hopefully not, as I am very proud of this number! It definitely makes me feel better about things. If I need a loan for house improvements or emergencies; I will qualify for sure! Your FICO ® Score: 816 Your score is well above the average score of U.S. consumers and clearly demonstrates to lenders that you are an exceptional borrower. Risk Rate 1% ( wooohooo !) Most lenders would consider consumers in this score range as exceptionally low risk.