THE BIG MOVE (Part II)

We woke up in the new house. Despite the lack of heat, it wasn't unbearably cold, but definitely not something I could deal with during the work week. I had agreed to house sit for my mother (hence not prioritizing radiator hook ups), so it was all good.

The agenda: finish cleaning out apartment, head to storage, take it all back to the house, and meet Andrew at my Mom's house around 3 to load up the stuff I have there, and unload for the final time.

It was raining, but I figured if I can close in a snow storm, I can finish moving in a rain storm.

We came to realize that in order to pack the truck in a way to keep the stuff from the apartment from sliding around, we would not be able to make the apartment/storage space one load. While we were in the apartment, taking the packing process very seriously...




...my friend Pat called. Brendan was very optimistic thinking we would be back at the house in an hour and a half. I thought two hours would mean we really rushed. Three hours later, we were still at the apartment, a little dumbfounded...




We bid a final farewell to the apartment grounds. The rain, thankfully, had begun to abate.






Weary and a little wet (more me than Brendan, he was mainly packing the kitchen up while I was running back and forth to pack the truck), our apartment lives were OFFICIALLY over.




Brendan would get his due (as if he hadn't lifted enough yesterday). We got to the house around 3:00 pm, where Andrew and Pat met us. This meant it was unlikely we would get everything we wanted done, but with the three guys there, we managed to unload the truck, drive to Mahwah, reload the truck, drive back, and unload it again all within 3 hours.


Brendan, Pat, and my brother Andrew got my long dresser (kind with the vanity mirror) up the stairs and made it look easy! Andrew pulled from the top of the stairs, Pat took the middle platform, and Brendan lifted from the stairs base.




It was very cool to watch. Sadly- Andrew had to go home and do homework, but Pat, Brendan, and I went to Heritage Grill for some burgers and appetizers.


Lastly we said goodbye and Happy Birthday Eve to Pat!




And off we went to spend the week at my Mom's with my brother.

Two Months

This past weekend marks two months since the blizzardy day I closed on the house (according to my documents). Technically I signed over power of attorney that day so my lawyer could close for me (the sellers didn't want to come out in the blizzard) and we dated the documents Feb 10 so my rate lock wouldn't expire.

So here I am 2 months later. Sunday, lugging a few boxes in, kinda mystified that move-in is around the corner. It doesn't look move-inable yet but it's gobs better than it began.

So far brought in my Christmas decorations, and about 10 boxes of books, cds, and dvds. Also brought the spare towels and some other odds and ends...
...One small step for moving, one giant leap for making my house a home.

Wed 02/10/10

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these closers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

Walk through, Bank, Law Office. Completion.

Closing!

So I will post pics later but it's official and I am strangely less terrified than expected.

Day 1: Tore up carpeting in living room a little and it is looking like hardwood in the living room. That would be pretty sweet. Also, wall paper comes down fairly easy. Not sure if walls are plaster or sheet rock, not sure what it means for me either way.

Cleared to Close

It's been announced I am cleared to close on my first house. I'm 25, and been dating the same guy for over 7 years. Given that I am in no position to ask either of my dad's for a wedding,we are waiting to afford it ourselves. Sure we could go to town hall, or have a small gathering, but having a large family of my own, I grew up the flower girl rolling on the dance floor in a pretty dress and I fully intend to invite my whole family, not the 18 or older immediate crowd.

That being said, I watched this house for two years on the market. It was on and off, dropping over 30% over time, and so finally I decided 'what am I waiting for?' Sure it was a couple years earlier than I wanted, but a house in my town for under 300K was something to look at. It was listed at 259, and my real estate agent started out telling me it was best not to go too low ball but to pick a number and stick to it. The plan was 240K, until he went to look at it. He was honest and said it needed a LOT of work and that I should go in at 225K. After a minimal amount of haggling, and some level of doubt, I raised it to 231,500 and much to my surprise was accepted the next day. By then I had already started thinking- well... it doesn't have a fireplace and I really want a fireplace, and it doesn't have an attached garage, and the stairwell is very tiny.... but it was to be mine.

Months went by, turned out according to FHA- all necessary work needed to be done prior to close that included repainting the outside and putting in a new septic and a few other projects. Mortgage commitments expired and renewed, my rate lock fell by the wayside and the loan officer made me a promise not to give me a worse rate- which I am not entirely sure was normal but well appreciated. It took two months to find out that the septic-well distance was approved by FHA. Throughout all of this time I panicked about the size of the stairwell thinking I would never get furniture up the stairs. I began channeling my grandfather (who designed his addition) and trying to figure out how I would change the stairs, and how to add the fireplace. Meanwhile family and friends have held fast to 'just carpet and paint', 'don't do too much- live in it first and figure out what you want to do', and my favorite 'puddy and paint make it what it ain't'.

I nodded appreciatively but continued to fantasize about the massive amounts of construction I would engage in to make this my dream home and live in until the end of my days. Tile back splashes, a laundry room/bathroom, expanded bedrooms and walk-in closets. A hot tub for the back yard with a surrounding patio and steps up to a deck off the master bedroom.

Since then some level of more rational thinking has come into play. I was cleared to close yesterday and the plan is one step at a time. *wink*