Homeownerwhat?

People that read my other blog will know that Bill and I finally bought a house, after looking for quite some time.  We are so excited to finally find a house we love, and so far the past 2 months have been great!

We knew going in that there would be some problems with the house since it was built in the 1880's.  They had to bring plumbing into the house, and the basement is built on wood timbers and the concrete was poured around it.

Our house inspector was great, and he gave us several warnings, but honestly he is so meticulous that there is a point where its like "is there anything good about it?"  We had faith, we both fell in love with the house but there is no such thing as perfection!  Even brand new homes have their problems.

We have done lots and lots of painting, and because we were in deep in the bathroom I would have noticed bubbles in the ceiling.  But I didn't. I noticed it about three weeks ago.  I mentioned it to Bill and the response was more of a "oh yeah, huh." Type of thing.  Well, yesterday morning after having a windy rain the night before, I wake up to "Julie.  The bathroom ceiling is leaking and I don't know what to do so I came back to bed."  I said "I don't know what the hell to do either!"  Why isn't there a New Homeowner Manual?

There is no landlord to call (we have had this situation in previous apartments) and we don't have an association, obviously.  So I Yelp'ed it.  I didn't know what to do.  I don't belong to Angie's List (yet).  I typed in "ceiling leaking" and I found a nice man - Greg that were able to come out that morning, and gave us an estimate.    Something that tells you what to do, who to call, resources, etc?  I even texted my realtor who now lives in Indianapolis because we were so clueless.

Ironically, it was exactly a problem that I wish we were cognizant about earlier on.  As Greg was telling us, it was the flashing off the bedroom door to the deck that was all wrong, along with the door itself and window placement. Greg said there is no way they weren't getting leaks.

Just as our inspector said!

So, lots of money later, I'm sitting awkwardly in my living room as four guys go back and forth, one working on the bathroom ceiling, 3 upstairs in our bedroom doing god knows what.  My poor dogs locked in the basement.  Its rough, but its homeownership!  And honestly, if we didn't think something would happen we would be fools.  This is part of the excitment of having our dream, of having our house!

Am I really an adult?

Sometimes I feel like that I may not "really" be an adult.  My perception of an adult as a child was many things involving suits, knowing how to go to places, making home improvements, married with kids.

Well, I have one of those things.  We have a higher majority of friend that rent vs friends that own.

Home ownership is terrifying.  So scary.  But in the same way, its always been something I have wanted.  I hate paying rent.  Our landlords pop by whenever, we always have to worry if they come by and the gates are open and the dogs can escape; or worse - dare they just walk in.
Our deck is in total code violation - I guarantee more then 10 people would collapse that thing.

I have an obsessive addiction of looking at houses - online, I probably get emails from at least 4 different companies a day - Truilia, Redfin, etc.  Because I really want to own.  Come April 2012, we will have paid over 40K in rent where we currently are.

But there is the freedom in renting - being able to move to a different hood, not being responsible, etc.  But with the responsibility of 2 dogs  - its not that easy.  Only one is "medium size".

Anyway, on our homeowner ship quest, we found the house in the post previous to this.  Is it perfect?  HELL NO.  Is the yard the size of a shoebox?  HELL YES.  But is there potential?  Can we move in and be comfy until the kitchen makes me crazy (minimum of 2 weeks), but can we?  Yes we can.  I think.

These big decisions in life terrify me.  As they would with normal people.  After renting for 13 years, owning is totally different.  But a lot of people do it.  Its how I look at having children - lots of people do it.  So there has to be a learning curve I have to learn, right?

The dude accepted our offer - 50K less then what he was asking + a 13 month home warranty, meaning if the furnace blows or the roof implodes, we're ok...at least I think?

My biggest fear is leaving my neighborhood.  I was thinking Forest Park because there is so much more bang for your buck, and talk about YARDS!  But then, I think that maybe I'm not ready.  When kids come, it will definitely be my #1.  But for now - lets see?

I have lived in Ukrainian Village for 13 years!  Well, my first place was Goose Island, but I don't count that, really  My living, growing, turning into the person I am, meeting Bill was in UV.  It's a lot.  UV is so freaking pretty, and nice, and safe, and convenient,  and what I'm used to.  Logan Square is all diagonal streets and I'm easily confused.  I can figure it out, right?  Its so much more populated over there it seems, right next to the blue line.... as I ramble on and on.

Here it is on the map! 2711 Julia Ct.  I do kind of love I would be Julie on Julia...not going to lie.
Stay tuned.....

Negativity Reflects.

As in my previous post, I was pretty crabby about the whole Thanksgiving thing, and I'm not too sure why.  Still.  But this weekend has been pretty saddening, and I think its all based on my attitude.  My stupid infection came back, my dad fell backwards into the bathtub after his blood sugar plummeted, and my sister is stuck in Champaign with her loveless husband.  Oh boy.  How I wish this all could have been prevented.