Saturday, January 26, 2002

Libby’s Dream House

Not so very long ago I read in someone’s journal or weblog about how disenchanted she was with the whole home buying experience.  At the time, I was sympathetic in a “gee, I’m glad I’m not in your shoes” kind of way.  I have never bought or sold a home so most of the terms she used and most of the stuff she talked about was pretty foreign to me, but the basic idea was, “This sucks.“  Now I have experienced my own similar frustrations.

A week ago we put in an offer for a house.  The house is huge and beautiful with views and yet close to shopping and schools.  While it was at the tippy top of our price range, we figured we could probably swing it provided we bought enough points to bring our interest rate down so that we could afford the monthly payments.  Our offer was only $5,000 less than the asking price and we offered to pay half of all escrow and inspection fees.  Sounds reasonable enough in my mind.  Sadly, the owners decided after we had put our offer in that they wanted to up the price of the house.  They never bothered to reject our offer, or even let us know that they had raised the price on the house, they merely ignored us.  Uh?  Not only was that discourteous, it was unprofessional and uncalled for.

Our agent badgered their agent’s broker so that we could at least get some kind of response.  The response was terse and bordering on rude.  “Your offer has been flatly rejected with no counter offer and the price of the house has been raised $10,000 above the original asking price.“  Why not just respond with a counter offer of the higher price with some kind of explanation of why they had waited until they had an offer on the table to raise the price of the house?  Regardless, I was ready to move on and look at other houses or wait until something became available in the area I liked so well.  Alas, the master of the house set his resolve and insisted we put in another bid.  After pleading with his father to talk some sense into him, we came to an agreement.

In order to establish that the sellers are serious and willing to work with us (and be at least slightly more professional, if not more courteous) we would passively ignore the fact that they raised the price of the house.  We’d offer $2500 more than our original offer, and still offer to pay half of all inspections and escrow.  Provided the sellers provide a counter off of some sort, we’ll go ahead with the buying process, possibly even going up to their asking price.  Possibly.  If they refuse to acknowledge our offer again, or flatly refuse our offer without any kind of counter offer, we will politely let them know to come to us should they find they change their mind down the road and we’ll gladly go on our way to look for a different house.

I have no idea, at this point, whether or not the sellers will be cooperative.  I’m hoping against all hope that we can come to a quick and easy agreement.  If nothing else, I hope they will be gracious and polite when and if they reject our offer, but that’s probably asking too much.  The whole situation has me very on edge and uncomfortable.  It’s difficult to know whether this was a fluke or if they really are as flaky and disrespectful as it seems.  Only time will tell.

There’s not much else for me to talk about at this point.  Every day I’m feeling more and more sapped and I can’t tell if it’s the time of the year, poor diet, lack of restful sleep, the passing “icky blue fuzzies”, or actual depression.  Part of me fears I’m just “lazy” and that being lethargic and apathetic is just part of “who I am.“  I hope not.  I miss my vibrant youth where I was a flittery pixie running wild through the mountains.  Was that all a dream?  I don’t feel like I could fly, anymore.  I’m pretty sure my wings have shed.  Do pixies replace their wings as snakes do their skin?

I hope so.

In Other Years:

Top Ten (No catchy theme) (2003)

Banes
10. Betryal.  #10 because you don’t matter that much to me, you stupid cunt.
9. Gloomy…[Read More]

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