How are things coming with the house?

We have been asked this hundreds of times - at least it feels like it. We're glad so many of you are interested in what's going on. Or...maybe you're just making conversation - I don't know.:}  

We did the closing items yesterday - a couple of things happened where I really felt like we had 'people' that know what they're doing and want to make sure we actually do what's best for us.  I've felt that way all along.  It's good to know we have good people on our side. We've asked lots of questions - the more you know, the better...and we started out knowing nothing so they really have put up with lots of questions.  It would make me too nervous just to say 'ok' without really knowing what was going on.  Yikes.

So...like I said, we did our closing stuff yesterday (still have the hand cramp) - the escrow document was 70 pages.  The seller had an appointment in the afternoon and our realtor was going to call us about how things went.  We were all assuming they would go just fine - that is until it was close to 6:pm and we hadn't heard from said realtor yet.  The afternoon had been busy and I hadn't given any of it a second thought until the kids and I got back from school Something happened (maybe walking into our front room where we have an extra 8 dining room chairs waiting for a new home reminded me that we hadn't heard about said home yet) - anyway...called Layne to see if he'd heard anything (left message).  At this point I started to wonder...did something dramatic happen with the seller and we have no home?  Our realtor is usually pretty timely.  I thought he would have called already.  I rarely get nervous...this was a time when I started to worry a little - not panic - just concern.  An hour or two went by - still no call and I figured that we wouldn't hear anything until the next day because the work day was over - well, I forgot that realtors put in quite a few evening hours.  I was downstairs eating my dinner - when the phone rang.  I thought maybe it was the realtor - but, didn't really assume.  Layne was upstairs and answered the phone (after one ring).  I eventually finished my dinner and headed upstairs to finish getting ready for my class.  After a couple of minutes Layne casually mentioned that it was the realtor that had called.  There wasn't much emotion so I wasn't sure what to think (he was busy online - something about internet and phone services).  So I had to wait a little longer for him to say everything went through.  I was ready to do a little dance while he was just sitting there.  Boring!  Anyway...

WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!

Ducks in a Row

One thing we've noticed with the whole housing thing (buying one) is that you really have to have all your 'ducks in a row'.  So much depends on being able to pay all the extra fees/charges that go along with obtaining a house and you have to have a good chunk for earnest money.  It's great if you can make the process go as quickly as possible.  It's vital to have high credit scores and money for a down payment - at least 20% is ideal.  Banks have really tightened up what they will and will not do.  No loan, no house, no exceptions.

There are too many people that just can't do what it takes.  I think that's why there are so many people that find renting is the option they need to go with for the time being.  We have heard so many times that it's a buyers market - well, not really - at least for the average American who is being hit hard by the current economy and is just starting out (and/or has lots of debt).  It's not a sellers market either.  Obviously...no buyers, no sellers.  There are too many homes that just aren't selling and sellers have to lower their prices, etc...

Ute Tribe

Trivia for the day... The Ute tribe has 'no tradition or evidence of migration' (phrase I've seen in several resources) that put the tribe here (CO/UT/WY/NM) at a specific date.  The documents say that it must mean the tribe has been here for at least a thousand years (probably more).  Hmm...I wonder if I would get linched tomorrow if I told the 3rd/4th graders my theory.  It might just be mixing church and state considering I would have to bring the Book of Mormon into the explanation.  (We're learning about Indigenous Peoples in Jonny's class.)

Jacob's class?  Today we reviewed a bit about Newton and one of his theories before doing 'rockets' outside - wish I had brought my camera!  The rockets were made with water and 'Alka Seltzer' in a film canister for 'ancient cameras' (according to one of the students).  The kids had a great time with it.  (We also edited their 'space' research and they wrote a 'newspaper review' after watching a DVD of the show they put on.)

Sunday Drive

We went for a drive about a week and a half ago.  We drove over to the neighborhood where we're looking at a house.  I'm saying 'looking' at a house because it's all such an unsure process that we aren't even close to considering it being ours at this point - too many factors.  Although, we're hoping something tangible works out soon - we only have about a month.

Our drive consisted of showing the kids which house it was - the real owners were home, so we really just did a 'drive by'.  We looked around and found the closest park (about a block away), a couple of LDS chapels, the grocery store, gas station, library - there was even a skate park and golf course not too far away.  We also saw a couple of elementary schools and a junior high school - we're still going to have our children go to the same school they are attending now - but, it is good to have signs that we will have other children living nearby. (There are actually several classmates that live there already - so, we're happy about that.)

The house comes with a yard, a spot for a garden and a 2 car garage (unattached).  It also has the potential for hardwood floors and has a bathroom in the 'master' bedroom.  (No more surprises of children walking in while I'm getting out of the shower - maybe.)

We'll see what happens.  Cross your fingers for us.

Visual Check

This is why you MUST do a visual check

AFTER Daddy changes the diaper and

BEFORE you send the child out into the cold, cruel world.