O Happy Night

Last night, CatMatt met the sellers (and soon-to-be neighbors) at the house, where two very pleasant bits of information were revealed:

1. They are nice people! Especially Mr. Seller. In fact, to CatMatt, he seemed to be one of the kindest individuals they've ever met. Thank God. Literally, people. This was huge.

2. The floors are beautiful. Recall, every time before last night that CatMatt have stepped into their future home, the entire first floor was covered in heavy and frightening dark blue carpet. Last night, however, all aforementioned carpet was gone, and lovely oak floors remained. This transformation completely changed the first floor of our house. And in a good way. A very good way.

Since the sellers have essentially refrained from completing any aesthetic updates in the home since at least the 1980s, refinishing the gorgeous, original hardwood floors enabled CatMatt's first actual glimpse into their dream home. (Or at least a home without a sea of dark blue carpet, tacky light fixtures, drab appliances, and textured wallpaper).

One down!

Worth the Wait.

CatMatt's House (almost for real this time!)

CatMatt were pleasantly surprised (and relieved) when sellers' response to inspection addendum revealed ... they will do almost* everything CatMatt requested!

CatMatt's realtor noted their surprise, and told them the sellers' agent had said, "They want to be good neighbors." Aha! Perhaps a situation that seemed awkward last week has worked to CatMatt's advantage!

Was it meant to be? Is this emotional roller coaster coming to an end ... or just beginning?

Love,
CatMatt

* The one request sellers declined has to do with electrical outlets. As in most older homes, there are some ungrounded electrical outlets in CatMatt's house. As their 'wish list' item, CatMatt requested sellers ground all ungrounded outlets. While sellers did not agree to ground said outlets, they did agree to install GFCIs in the garage, bathroom, and kitchen, which is good enough for CatMatt...at least for now!

Waiting, cntd.

Today was the deadline for the sellers' response to CatMatt's inspection addendum (a.k.a repair requests). After waiting (impatiently) for 6 DAYS, finally - a call from the realtor ... and ...

Sellers request an extension!!

So, now CatMatt must wait until this Friday, the 18th.

A glimmer?
Supposedly the sellers requested an extension, because they are still gathering estimates. So CatMatt's glad to hear they're at least considering some repairs.

(An attempt at optimism). :)

Has it really been there that long?

To Be Cntd...

CatMatt just submitted the inspection addendum listing all repair/update requests of sellers. (CatMatt offered to split the cost of the roof repair after receiving an estimate that was much lower than expected; but they request a chimney repair, a fireplace fix-it, the grounding of some currently ungrounded outlets, and a few other relatively minor things). Sellers have 6 days to respond and indicate what they will do/pay for and what they will not.

Cat (in a mostly futile attempt to make this process more "fun") has attempted to coerce Matt into placing bets on how long these various stages will take and what the responses will be. (e.g. "Bet we'll hear back in 4 days; they'll split the roof, fix the fireplace and chimney, and do the smaller things, but they won't ground the outlets.")

Matt, who lost a bet earlier this week involving the timing of an inspection report delivery, has indicated he'll be withholding his bet this round.

Anyone else? :)

Friends, it's getting even weirder...

This afternoon, CatMatt learned something strange about the current owners of "their house." It's this: AFOREMENTIONED OWNERS CURRENTLY LIVE NEXT DOOR.

CatMatt have wondered if the sellers were near (as in, IN TOWN), since they so graciously offered to pull up a wealth of royal blue carpet and refinish hardwood floors underneath. However, it never occurred to CatMatt that they may reside in the house NEXT DOOR.

CatMatt's realtor recently reported that the owners wanted more space, so they bought the larger house next door to CatMatt's, fixed it up (admittedly, it *is* quite lovely), and moved in. Meanwhile, they put "our house" up on the market and have been working on it ever since.

This week's excruciating home inspection and the commencement of "Negotations: Part II" begs the question, "Will it be awkward for buyer and seller to be next-door neighbors?"

Cat wonders, for instance, if they'll still park in the space in front of our garage; or if they'll be offended when CatMatt rips out all their dated appliances and their not-so-pretty landscaping. Matt commented, "Now we'll definitely have to change our locks." Should CatMatt be concerned?

P.S. - A Google search revealed afore-afore-mentioned owner is or was a professional bowler.

Inspection results are in.

CatMatt wanted an old house. And not at all surprisingly, their cute 'lil old house has a few "old house issues."

Let the negotiations begin. (Again).

On our way...

Offer/counteroffer accepted! Once paperwork was signed, the realtor told Cat, "Yes, it's for real." (Cat's been giggling nervously almost non-stop for the past three days...and can't help it).

The inspection is scheduled for Friday. Loan and insurance paperwork to follow if all goes well. (fingers crossed).

Here she is: