House 2
So, we're going to put an offer in on House 2. House 1 wasn't a very serious consideration, mostly because there had been zero updating done, and they kept some of the original architecture - weirdly, there was a closet built in the middle of the living room right when you come in. Not needed structurally, but really broke up the flow of the house. That would be one thing that would have to go if we got it. The deck needs a ton of work, and of course, there's no room for the dogs.
The listing agent wants to have offers in by 5 pm tomorrow - only a week after listing and without an open house. I think what's driving this is that there's a relocation company involved (the sellers are moving for work), and when you move through a relocation company, while they handle all the transactions for you, their motivation is not to get the sellers the most money for their house; it's to get the transaction done as soon as possible. So if there's only a couple bids and they're at asking price, the relocation company will likely pressure the sellers to accept right away as opposed to waiting to see if a better offer comes in a week or two.
We're meeting our realtor later this evening to sign the paperwork on the offer. The only question will be the amount. I was thinking about coming in at asking or perhaps a little below (taking a risk that nobody else will offer), but Rick is thinking about offering a tiny bit more than asking to sweeten the pot a bit and make the decision easier. His logic is that based on the inspection we can probably negotiate some of that back. There will be some items found on the inspection (screen door on the master bedroom and the carpet in the master bedroom near the walkout door have been shredded beyond recognition by their cat, and there will likely be others).
Obviously, the power lines aren't that big a deal to us. You can read all kinds of awful things about people claiming high tension wires are killing them, but there haven't been the studies to back it up.
Oh, the other interesting thing is that in California, part of the mandatory disclosure is whether any person living at the house died in the house within the last three years. The sellers marked that yes, someone did die in the house in the last three years - the woman is a nurse, and her mother was in hospice and being treated at home. That doesn't bother us either, but (and Rick will probably laugh when I tell him) I wonder if it might be worth having some kind of blessing placed on the home. Not that I would worry it was haunted, but to make sure all souls were at rest, as it were.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. We've haven't even put the offer in yet, never mind have it accepted. I have to admit I am excited about the idea of finally owning a home with Rick.
On another note, haven't tried the new Xanga yet. I'll do that next.
And in other news: Vacation in three days!
The listing agent wants to have offers in by 5 pm tomorrow - only a week after listing and without an open house. I think what's driving this is that there's a relocation company involved (the sellers are moving for work), and when you move through a relocation company, while they handle all the transactions for you, their motivation is not to get the sellers the most money for their house; it's to get the transaction done as soon as possible. So if there's only a couple bids and they're at asking price, the relocation company will likely pressure the sellers to accept right away as opposed to waiting to see if a better offer comes in a week or two.
We're meeting our realtor later this evening to sign the paperwork on the offer. The only question will be the amount. I was thinking about coming in at asking or perhaps a little below (taking a risk that nobody else will offer), but Rick is thinking about offering a tiny bit more than asking to sweeten the pot a bit and make the decision easier. His logic is that based on the inspection we can probably negotiate some of that back. There will be some items found on the inspection (screen door on the master bedroom and the carpet in the master bedroom near the walkout door have been shredded beyond recognition by their cat, and there will likely be others).
Obviously, the power lines aren't that big a deal to us. You can read all kinds of awful things about people claiming high tension wires are killing them, but there haven't been the studies to back it up.
Oh, the other interesting thing is that in California, part of the mandatory disclosure is whether any person living at the house died in the house within the last three years. The sellers marked that yes, someone did die in the house in the last three years - the woman is a nurse, and her mother was in hospice and being treated at home. That doesn't bother us either, but (and Rick will probably laugh when I tell him) I wonder if it might be worth having some kind of blessing placed on the home. Not that I would worry it was haunted, but to make sure all souls were at rest, as it were.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. We've haven't even put the offer in yet, never mind have it accepted. I have to admit I am excited about the idea of finally owning a home with Rick.
On another note, haven't tried the new Xanga yet. I'll do that next.
And in other news: Vacation in three days!