Layout:
Home > Archive: September, 2006

Archive for September, 2006

Home Inspection, Homeowners Insurance

September 28th, 2006 at 02:27 am

Its stressful and exhausting getting all the information requested to all the different parties. Mortgage company, realtor, first time homebuyers program, attorney, ect.

Today I had a home inspection, just a few things for the seller to fix before we settle. I was able to get quotes for homeowners insurance & I'm just waiting for the paperwork to sign.

The girl in the realtor's office recently moved & she offered to give me some moving boxes and supplies---NICE! Free!

I'm heading to Ikea this weekend to get a tv stand and a coffee table. I've already researched them and they're exactly what I'm looking for at the right price.

The major thing I have to get is a sofa. My mom offered to buy me one as a gift & I'm thinking of letting her buy it. It would be really helpful & I could get one that I can keep for a lot of years.

So far spent this week: $465.00 home inspection

Fabulous news & an apology-- long

September 23rd, 2006 at 01:53 am

First of all, sorry I've been MIA again. Lots of stuff going on...now for the good news!!!

I've been going out with realtor, getting discouraged at the houses in my price range, feeling stressed over the fact that I need to move soon from my current living situation, when all of a sudden (also know as just this Monday) I FOUND A HOUSE!!!!!!

Its in my price range, 2 bedroom, 1.5 baths, in a good, safe neighborhood. It has had a lot of recent updates in the last 2-3 years: new roof, new heating, new kitchen, new master bath.

I saw it on Monday, went back on Tuesday morning with my mom to get a second opinion. I made the offer for a few thousand less than the asking price and I found out Wednesday that they accepted the offer.

Now I'm running around getting info for my realtor, my mortgage company, and the first time homebuyers program that I'm going through. I have an inspection on Wednesday.

I'm making a million lists: cleaning supplies, personal items, groceries, toilet paper, hand soap & other necessities, furniture, ect. I already have a budget set up for all of it, but now I have a better idea of what I'll need.

Closing is scheduled for October 20th, so it's going to come fast. I have already scheduled days off work around that time. I plan on packing up most of my stuff in the next few weeks.

I'm doing my best to plan expenses, but I made sure that I have an 'Ooops' fund for things that I forgot, but I shouldn't have.

So far I have paid a $2000.00 deposit, $425.00 towards the appraisal and $64.00 at the dollar store--cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, small kitchen stuff, and bathroom supplies. (Every single item off my list).

I will keep everyone updated as this progresses. Also, to help curb my spending, I cunningly lost my debit card & had it cancelled yesterday, and since I don't want to use my credit cards, it has to be check or cash. So I am DEFINATLELY not buying a lot until I get my replacement card in 2-3 weeks.

I'd like to thank everyone for their support in my quest for a house & although nothings final yet, I just wanted to thank you all.

update on the eating out/meal planning

September 14th, 2006 at 02:36 am

I've been packing all my food and snacks all week, but I was feeling ill today & splurged on a soft pretzel & soda to settle my stomach. I think I'm going to keep pretzels at my desk for occassions like this.

I'm working on losing weight, so mealplanning is necessary, I just need to keep healthy & frugal snacks for when I'm not feeling well.

Today I had oatmeal for breakfast. Soft pretzel & banana for lunch. Then for dinner I had shake n bake chicken, baked fries and a salad. For snack I had 2 mini pepperment patties (free from a celebration at work) and popcorn.

Tomorrow:
light bagel & promise light for breakfast
oatmeal & green apple for lunch (have to eat at my desk)
sloppy joe on toast & salad for dinner

homebuying process update

September 14th, 2006 at 02:12 am

Saturday, I had my homebuyers education seminar, which was informative. Today I had my one on one appointment with my 'counselor'. We went over a few things about the state 1st time homebuyers program that I'm working with and we went over a budget with the mortgage & house related expenses. It was really great to see that my numbers are right in line with hers.

Now here's the great news...I was considering a bond/grant from the state that gives settlement help. That way I could leave myself with a bigger emergency fund. I REALLY feel more comfortable with significant savings since I'm doing this alone. The original bond that comes with this program gives $6k settlement help, with no payments due until the mortgage is paid and comes with a very good rate.

If I did this, I would definately pay it off within the first few years, just so that I don't have interest acruing for a long period of time.

HOWEVER!!! my counselor recommended a county program that gives $5,000.00 settlment help at 0% for 3 years, then half the rate of the other for the rest of the time... PERFECT! so she started my application for that process.

Now I just need to find a house. I"m going out with the realtor tomorrow, but theres not a lot in my price range & I'm sure we'll only get to see a few houses. Still, theres HOPE Smile

busy week

September 9th, 2006 at 05:15 am

Tomorrow I have a first time homebuyers seminar 10-4:30. Its held at the local library, so when its over, I'm going to try to pick up a movie.

I gave in to buying Lost Season Two on dvd. $34.00. But I REALLY love the show & I stopped watching after the first season due to working nights. So now I get to catch up. I really can't wait.
I'm helping my mom prepare for an interview on Sunday. She worked for the same company for 30 years, so she's feeling a little overwhelmed.

Monday, I have off work, so I'm meeting the realtor to look at some houses in the morning. In the afternoon, I"m participating in a survey. $50.00 for 1 hour work plus 10 minutes drive time. My mom hooked me up with the research company...thanks Mom!!

Watching & waiting as houses come up for sale. It's just taking a while, but I'll find something soon, I hope. In the meantime, I'll keep searching & keep on my realtor. I'll keep everyone updated.

On a side note, I went to Walmart yesterday...I was able to get the oatmeal I eat daily for 1.97/box (normally $3 to $4), granola bars 2.00 (normally 2.50 on sale), and generic crystal light for 1.76/pack. Great prices & tastes just as good as the name brand. I also found the packs of McCormick Sloppy Joe mix that I use all the time for .98...normally 1.48 at my local store...and it NEVER goes on sale. I will never buy any of these items at my regular grocery store prices again.

not so quick update

September 2nd, 2006 at 07:03 pm

Still looking for a house--slow going. Working on the mortgage. Been preapproved, but the underwriter keeps asking for all this extra paperwork. I'm learning patience. I have a first time homebuyers seminar to attend next Saturday & a one-on-one meeting for first time homebuyers next week. Very exciting!

I haven't rented a movie from anywhere but the library in over 7 months, but I got a coupon in the mail for any movie for 99 cents. There was a cheesy movie I wanted to see that my library didn't have, so I rented it on Tuesday. Then I went back again today & got 2 more movies---one the library had, but the wait would have been over a month & the other was an old movie that my library didn't have.

I also stopped at the library to pick up a few movies for this week. Its raining and I'm not feeling so hot, so I plan to laze around all weekend.

I knew this was coming, but my roommates announced this week that they are moving into another house & renting this one out. They haven't given a clear date for moving out, but it's looking like end of October/November. If I don't find a house by then, I may move in with my parents. UGH.

So I've started packing up some clothes & books & will put them into my storage unit. If I do a little at a time, when the move comes, it won't be so much.

On the homebuying front: Decent houses in my price range are few & far between. I'm getting a little discouraged. There are two neighborhoods in particular that are decent & I'm hoping a house in one will open up soon. In the meantime, I'm thinking that if I don't find a house by November/December, then I might take a short term lease in an aparmtent & take more time to look for the right house. I dont want to end up buying the wrong house just because I'm desperate. The only problem with that is short term leases are not popular in my area & I'm afraid to commit to renting & then have to break the lease or pay for both rent an mortgage for a month or two.

I have a lot of things to think about & I'm getting myself worked up with all this uncertainty. So I'm taking the weekend to wind down & I'm going to make some lists. Weigh my options & keep an eye out for houses...wait & see, just wait & see...