Monday, May 30, 2011

New Home

Nah, we still haven't closed on the house, but we've got new virtual digs. Find us at www.reluctantrenovator.com.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

Rain, Rain Go Away

Mother Nature's initial housewarming was a cold, windy and rainy day for our house inspection. That made it difficult to get the best look around the outside areas including the roof, but we learned a few things from the inclement weather. Enough to give me bad dreams about the vacant house each time it rains.*

And it's been raining just about every other day


*For example, a neighbor's house is just a few feet away and has their gutter downspouts aimed directly at the foundation of "our" house. I wonder how they will react if we buy them a housewarming gift--rain barrels.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Spouse Vs. House: Would You Let Your Significant Other Decorate Without You?

When I first heard about TLC's new show, Spouse vs. House, I thought it was going to be like that show Me or the Dog. You know, either he finishes everything on his "honey-do" list or he gets booted. But no, it's even crazier.

Spouse vs. House is a home makeover show with a twist. In a nutshell:
  • Couple wants to update their house.
  • TLC give couple a chunk of money to remodel or redecorate.
  • The money comes with strings attached. One member of the couple must move out for three weeks, during which time they are not supposed to have contact with each other.
  • The person who stays home with the money gets to make all of the decorating choices.

Would you do this?

I would not.

Not ever.

Not even for $25,000, which seems to be the going rate on the show.

You?

Mortgage Approved!

The number of road bumps on what's been a long and winding road to home ownership is getting smaller. Last week we learned the house appraised for more than our purchase value (phew!) and our mortgage loan was approved! We've also secured homeowner's insurance

All that's left on the to-do list is the staked property survey and the final walk-through. Well, that and the actual closing, which is still a few weeks away.

Also, maybe a prescription for Xanax for me.

DH has been busy drawing up plans and we're checking out the house again this week with a contractor in tow. As with unmarried couples in days of yore, our visit will  supervised, natch.

Read more about our mortgage adventures at Hormone-colored Days.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Ikea!

Since I've yet to put together my own tribute to Ikea, The Source of all things pre-fab and inexpensive, I thought I'd post this.

Friday, May 13, 2011

In Praise of the Workshop: Shop-Vac Video

One of the fabulous elements of these 1950s houses is the workshop, the corner of the basement where a person can hammer, saw, paint and generally create in peace. My boys look forward to acting out there own little version of Build, Destroy, Build (uh, without the explosives, natch) and I even have a few projects brewing in my head.


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Should You Join Angie's List?

Should I join Angie's List, the site known for its frank, honest reviews of contractors, plumbers, kitchen designers and now even doctors? It seems to me that given the many opportunities to quickly and easily connect with friends via Twitter and Facebook, I could get all of the professional recommendations I need.

But I was assured by a third party, several of them, actually, that Angie's List is the way to go. We're living large these days, so I'm going for the full-year membership at nearly $40. I'll let you know what I think.

Are you a member?

Updated 5/10 to add. Before I joined, I searched around and found an online discount code, bringing my annual fee down to under $30. Me likey. However, I'm not thrilled with TOS that require me to join only after giving them authorization to automatically renew my membership next year. Back on the positive side, apparently some companies offer discounts to Angie's List members. Woot!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Home Values Drop

When we started looking for a new house in the summer of 2010 and failed to find one, concerned friends asked if we were worried about the market rising in 2011. They worried we would lose out on the best values and interest rates.

We were only slightly concerned. We felt that at best, the Spring Market would bring slightly higher (1-3%) housing prices and interest rates, but given the overall sluggish economic recovery and the vast inventory of foreclosed houses that had yet to come on the market, we wouldn't be hurt by waiting.

Plus, at least in our area, many sellers initially list their homes hoping for the best, which is a nice way of saying they think it's 2006. Ultimately, they get a reality slap, and 3-6 months later they lower their prices by 20% or so and then sell within weeks. So, the houses we saw last fall and felt were overpriced? Based on their closing times and prices--we were right.

We're feeling good that we waited, but now some forecasters think the we haven't hit bottom yet, and that the housing market's lowest dip will actually take place in 2012. Yikes.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

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