Papers signed

I think I signed the final papers last night (until they bring me some more to sign). I am getting nickel and dimed to death. I think before I leave that I shall turn my furnace up to 90 to burn up all of the oil in the tank that they insisted I leave, and there won't be a curtain left in the place since they want me to leave all of the appliances. The cupboards will be bare.

Getting closer to closure

The inspection is complete - no suprises and they still want the house. They do however want the furnace serviced - that sounds reasonable. Since I'm in Yreka, CA on my way to San Diego for a wedding, I'll have to trust my realtor to handle this. The last hurdle is the appraisal.

By the way, it's nice to see sunshine in February.

A big maybe

Maybe the house will sell this time. I negotiated a selling price, they negotiated help with closing costs, I negotiated a lower percentage for the bottom suckers (realtors) and I'll give them the oil in the tank. Nice young couple, getting married next month, both welders in the yard. I think I know his Dad. They want an inspection of the house before the sale is consumated. They are paying for the inspection and I'm not fixing anything. The house is 56 years old - it's bound to be found lacking in some areas and will not meet today's building codes. I hope they keep that in mind.

Should have done this earlier

I took the house off the market on Saturday. An agent called to see if he could show it last night. My agent says they are writing up an offer today. I won't build my hopes up too high or hold my breath, but will dream just a bit of getting out of this cold rain.

I give up - for now.

I'm taking the house off of the market, refinancing and staying put until this summer at least.

The R word

Don't let 'em fool ya. They'll only screw ya.

The current administration says it isn't so, but it's here - recession.

Mortgage loans are at an all time low - some as low as 4.6%! Sales are as slow as molasses. Countrywide got bailed out by Bank of America. The feds are considering eliminating capitol gains taxes.

I'll keep the house on the market for a few more months, but that's it.

Movie review?

Well, not really, but I so rarely go see movies in the theatre that I had to report on this one. My friend Ken came over to visit. We talked and ate and walked and laughed and drank coffee and then went to see "The Bucket List".

Rob Reiner knew at whom he was aiming this movie. Morgan Freeman (Red in Shawshank Redemption) and Jack Nicholson (Five Easy Pieces) share a room in a hospital. Both are dying of cancer. The premise is easy - what do you want to do before you die? Most items are predictable (given that cost is no object), but the movie is sad and sweet and at moments very funny.

The most memorable line was made by Jack's character to a younger man: (paraphrased here)

Three things to remember as you get older:
1. Never pass up a bathroom.
2. Never waste a hard on.
3. Never trust a fart.