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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2007 » Archive through May 29, 2007 » We bought our first house today!!! « Previous Next »

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the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 567
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 2:55 pm:   Edit Post

Yep. My and my gal bought our first house today! Pretty intense... the whole process...

We got a great interest rate. We had plenty of headaches along the way, primarily due to the incompetence of the lender -whom we ended up having to get kind of nasty with (going to his supervisors, calling him and them constantly until he returned our calls, lived up to his word on things, etc).

But now it's a done deal... pretty much. We're just waiting for confirmation of the very last step from the escrow/title company. Barring some highly unlikely issue popping up, it'll be recorded tomorrow, and we'll get the title and keys... pretty exciting... and scarey!

We're still trying to get a couple minor but significant things done. We don't want to move until the alarm is activated, for example. But we should begin moving in soon.

It's a relatively small "starter home"... but we really like it. It's cozy, with a decent sized yard, a minimal front yard, and two levels -so our bedroom, office, and music room will be all upstairs, and separate from the downstairs... which we like. I haven't made any music there yet... but my intuition is that the home will have good acoustics -particularily for my flute and classical guitar.

Tom Z, once we get settled in, I'll be inviting you over for a coffee and/or beer and/or jam!

Hey... isn't there another club member who lives in Vegas? I sorta have the feeling I've forgot about another member who lives here. (And if so, I apologize!)
tbrannon
Advanced Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 392
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 3:50 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations~

Buying the first one is a scary proposition, but it's well worth it. Plus getting to write off all that interest for next year's taxes will make you a happy camper.
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 835
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 4:05 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats from me too. It's a bit unsettling but feels good to make the leap into owning.
Rich
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 1288
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 7:09 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats Mark. Buying/owning a home is not for everyone but IMHO it's one of the best investments you'll ever make.

(I don't live in Vegas but do visit from time to time).

Peace, Olie

(Message edited by olieoliver on May 03, 2007)
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 790
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 8:12 pm:   Edit Post

From what you are describing, it does not sound like a starter house to me! Come on, 2 stories?!?

I don't live in Vegas either, but I think Keavin does.

Congrats! It will get better all the time. Once you are in you won't be scared anymore.

Michael
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 626
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 9:34 pm:   Edit Post

My mom lives in Vegas.

I don't get down there as much as I'd like-- only about once a year.
glocke
Intermediate Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 186
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 3:01 am:   Edit Post

Congrats! I bought my first home 4 years ago, an end unit townhouse...the tax write off is indeed great, and it has seen a modest increase in value over 4 years. Im getting ready to sell it now so I can by my parents place (5 rural acres)...
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1433
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 3:35 am:   Edit Post

Mark - T8SK,

Congrats on the house!

Meanwhile, could you give these eyes of mine a little rest - I get dizzy from all those colours!
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1149
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 4:11 am:   Edit Post

I used to live in Vegas But My Dad still does,im from San francisco's Haight/ashbury Dist.(birthplace of the greatfulDead)......Now I live in the chicago suburbs........congrats on the purchace of your house & since you have musical instruments get some home security i have Brinks.http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=brinks+home+security&ei=utf-8&fr=b1ie7
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 1475
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post

hey congrats
i hate hearing this stuff about bad lenders

i am in the banking business- next time you or anybody needs assistance please email me.
i am a bank rep. you'll only be directed to the best brokers
tom_z
Senior Member
Username: tom_z

Post Number: 524
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 1:16 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations Mark!

I'm looking forward to meeting you in person. Since you'll be on the west side now, whenever you get a chance we can grab a coffee somewhere. I know it can be a bit of a process getting settled and set up.

I'll have you over too. Check your email for my phone number.

Peace
Tom
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 2347
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 1:29 pm:   Edit Post

Some of my money lives in Vegas! LOL

Bill, tgo
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 571
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 4:27 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, guys! I appreciate all the positive comments, support, and good vibes!
keurosix
Intermediate Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 173
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 8:03 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats Mark!
My 2 pennies:
Get comfortable paying the mortgage for a few months before you run out and charge up a whole lot of purchases to fill all those rooms. Some first time home buyers can get into real trouble that way.
Enjoy!
Kris
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 581
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:42 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the advice, Kris! Don't worry, that won't be a problem for us 'cause (1) we're not stupid (the most important thing), (2) we've already got it filled up (it's 1&1/2 times as big as our small apartment -plus garage space), and (3) paying the mortgage will eat up all of our available money! If we have any "extra" money, we'll use it to make an extra annual house payment or two -and shave years off the payment schedule!

Between the mortgage, and my custom-in-progress, I won't have $ for anything else. I wanted to get a Big Ben -but with the house 'n all, it's gonna have to wait for a while!
jags
Intermediate Member
Username: jags

Post Number: 132
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 6:16 am:   Edit Post

hahaha. yes you will have a lot on you plate Mark but congrats. its kinda like rent to own for the first couple of years so it will be tough. extra mortgagae payments are the best. i wish ihad done that. when 2/3 of the payments are interest it sucks. but its all good in the end.

way to go!!
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 598
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 7:12 pm:   Edit Post

Hey gang, how's it hangin?

We are now completely moved out of our apartment, and completely moved in!

We've got boxes all over the place and will be no doubt organized for several weeks... but we're in, and we love our house!!!

Our net connection was out for several days, but we're up and running again.

Yeah, it's pretty freakin' cool! I still haven't played anything in here yet due to numerous things we had to deal with... but I will soon... I've got a feeling this house has good acoustics... I'll know soon!

Anyway, thanks again for the positive vibes, gang! I'll be in touch!
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 599
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 7:13 pm:   Edit Post

And the computer's set up in a spot that does not make proofreading easy, hence the typos!
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 778
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 5:34 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations Mark,
and many happy years in your new home!

Mike
extraterrestrial
New
Username: extraterrestrial

Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2007
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 5:49 am:   Edit Post

Get the alarm!!!
keurosix
Intermediate Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 180
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 9:19 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats again Mark!
Take a look at your mortgage payment coupon (or bill). There is a place where you can put extra money toward "Principle". You can actually pay a little here each month rather than paying an additional payment once or twice a year. It seems to be easier doing it that way, and the bank won't make a mistake with the funds - like applying it to "interest". The biggest fun I have at home is playing so loud that I rattle the walls and tilt all the pictures! Something you seldom can do in an apartment! Enjoy!
Kris
glocke
Intermediate Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 196
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 3:06 am:   Edit Post

way to go man....you'll love it...When I moved from an apt. to my end unit townhouse (which had a rental unit next to it that remained vacant for the first year), the best part about it is that I could come home and get pretty loud without the neighbors complaining...
Home ownership is great....have fun!
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 611
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 5:16 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks again all! We love our house!

And we have already got a security system. In addition, we have something special that protects instruments from theft. I won't publicly say what it is -out of principle, since there is no possible advantage, and possible disadvantage(s)- but I can say that I have very little concern over theft of my instruments... they are especially well-protected -which is good.

Austin's recent loss of "Darkstar" -which I fervently hope is recovered- really was a bummer... and I've taken steps to protect my instruments.

If someone were to try and steal one of my instruments... well, I'll just say it likely wouldn't work out well for them.

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