Everything's Coming Up BigTymer
As I mentioned recently, I've been working on the financing for my new house. I did a good bit of comparison shopping, and ended up going with Wells Fargo for my mortage. I ended up getting a 5.125% 30-year fixed mortgage with 10% down and no points.
My local bank came close, but did not beat Wells Fargo's rates and fees. Another lender was actually able to go a wee bit lower, but I was uncomfortable doing business with them because the lender didn't seem to have the best knowledge of new Freddie/Fannie guidelines for condos.
I'd rather pay a little bit more for someone who I am sure that I know what they are doing. The appraisal process is being done, and everything is on schedule to close in about 3 weeks.
As I mentioned last time, I am going to have to get my own fridge. A couple of weeks ago, I won a $250 Lowe's gift card in a radio contest, and I won a Lowe's gift card off of eBay at 15% below face value this week. Needless to say, I'll be able to get a stainless-steel, side-by-side, door-ice-dispensing fridge without spending a lot out of pocket.
I recently cancelled my cable service, and got my final bill from them, which says they'll be sending me a refund check. Not quite sure how that happened, but I'll take it.
Yesterday, I went to Burger King to use one of those free Whopper surveys. I ended up getting TWO free Whoppers. And no bodily fluids were found in either of them.
It looks like the new Moe's in Belle Meade is opening up soon. I hear that the first 100 visitors get free burritos for a year. Maybe I can pull that off... we'll see.
I'll be taking down TheBigTymer.Cam this weekend. I've got to start straightening up and cleaning up this apartment before I move out. I want as much of my deposit back as possible.
In 3 weeks, I should be in my new crib. After that, it'll be time to buy the fridge, and then a flat-screen or two. Things are good right now, and they can only get better.
Posted 3.21.2009 - 0 Comments
The BigTymer Is Buying A House
As I mentioned last time, I was looking to make an offer on a couple of places around Mardi Gras. Well, I did make an offer one on of them the day before I left. It was an interesting series of events.
The Thursday before Mardi Gras, I go to my agent's office to make a formal offer for a townhouse. I went $15,000 under list price. It was under the max I was willing to pay, and it was a good starting point.
The next day, while I'm driving down, I get a call from my agent. While I'm trying to talk and negotiate the famous "Laurel Curve" on I-59, I hear they're willing to go down $5,000 from list, and they'll give me the fridge, washer, and dryer. I go to $12,000 under list, and say they can keep them all.
I then get an e-mail from my agent which says they're not willing to go any lower than $5,000 under list. I put in a final offer of $10K under list. I figured, what the hell, it's not like they're going to accept it anyway, and there's a couple of other townhouses in the area I'd like to see.
When I'm traveling back on Wednesday, I get a call, and my offer is accepted. I guess those other townhouses being put up for sale pushed them to accept my offer.
Needless to say, I didn't pay any more than I wanted to, and I paid a lower price than RECENT comps in the area (now, they may or may not go lower). I'll need to get a new fridge, but I didn't like the one in there anyway; and I already have a washer and dryer.
The inspection was done this weekend, and the place is in great shape. All that's left to do is shore up the financing and close. I'm figuring on closing around Good Friday.
It's in a good location, as it's near the Nipper's Corner and Lenox Village areas. I've done a test commute, and it was reasonable. The crime maps show very little crime in the area, and I have a view of Wal-Mart from one of the bedroom windows (it's a 2-bedroom townhouse, and that room will likely be my office). I also have nice appliances, hardwood floors on the lower level, and granite countertops.
I've been saying I'm going to buy a house for months, and now I'm actually going to do it.
By the way, Mardi Gras was a fun time as usual.
Posted 3.1.2009 - 0 Comments
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