GOPisEvil - Homeowner

[GOPisEvil]

Let that sink in for a bit. :D

Yep. Pending final mortgage paperwork and an inspection, (that's the biggie) it looks like I will be a homeowner on May 28. We agreed on a price and everything yesterday.

:scared::bounce:

[BlondieK143]

1. Congrats!!!

:toast:

[Direckshun]

2. Congrats!

Don't turn Republican on us, now. :)

[GOPisEvil]

3. Never!

Although, I am perfecting my yelling techniques:

Ahem.

"You kids get the hell offa my lawn!!!"

How's that?

[Direckshun]

6. Oh my god it's Chris Matthews, everybody!

You'll fit right in! :)

Congrats again!

[blondeatlast]

99. Kids are one thing (easily intimidated)--DOGS are the real enemy!

I'm sorry, but way too many people let their dogs ppop on my landscaping.

The owners are incorrigible, so I must be harsh to the dogs (hose, sticks, stones).

I'm sorry, I've gone through the owners and they couldn't care less.

[notadmblnd]

114. scoop the poop up wiht a shovel and place it on your neighbors porch

its always worked for me.

[NoPasaran]

4. Congrats!

Time to start buying power tools!

[GOPisEvil]

9. My friend told me about his compound-mitre radial arm saw...

...I am so jealous! :D

[Wickerman]

11. feast your eyes - and Congrats

Homeownership is great - and buying all the tools is a great consumer experience.

[MaineDem]

17. The kind with the laser???

Cool! Men with power tools...... ;)

Congrats to you! Enjoy it. Lot of work and a lot of pleasure. :)

[blondeatlast]

100. The first time...

you visit Home Depot/Expo.

You NEVER forget your first time!

[JohnLocke]

5. Congratulations, GOPisevil!

:yourock: Homeowner :yourock: :bounce: Homeowner :bounce: :toast: Homeowner :toast:

[Javamancer]

7. congrats!

I just bought my first house last month. It's a great feeling! :toast:

[freetobegay]

8. Congrats!

[matcom]

10. WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO

now, after work, go IMMEDIATELY to your video store and rent "The Money Pit"

:D

[GOPisEvil]

12. Before or after I visit the appliance store?

Refrigerator...washer...dryer...cha-ching!!!

At least the stove and dishwasher are brand new! :D

[matcom]

14. before

do not pass go, do not collect $200 (wich by the way is a FRACTION of what you will need) :D

take some pics for us!

[GOPisEvil]

16. You are NOT helping, you know!

Dammit! :D

Good thing I have a retired dad. He has plenty of time on his hands, and their house doesn't need much these days.

[blondeatlast]

101. I don't care what anyone says, I LOVE that movie.

When Tom Hanks is trapped in the hole in the floor--tears, absolute tears.

[ret5hd]

13. when was your (future) house built?

ours was built in '39...excellent structural condition, but still lots of fun work to do with those aforementioned power tools (i've probably acquired about $8k worth so far...some for fun some cause i needed them)

[GOPisEvil]

15. 1983.

Also known as the "un-golden years" of home construction. :D

[bearfan454]

56. Is it a Milburn home ?

I had one of those in Cedar Park.

[GOPisEvil]

61. No, I don't believe so.

It wasn't mentioned in the listing on MLS or on the official description. Most Milburn homes are listed as such.

[curse10]

18. Awesome!

Have fun with all the trials and tribulations of owning a home!

[GOPisEvil]

19. There will be NO tribulations! I won't allow them!

:P

[VelmaD]

20. WOOHOO!!!

Now I know where we'll be having the Austin DUer barbqs this summer. :) Hey everybody...kegger at David's house! :)

Seriously, congrats! :party:

[GOPisEvil]

32. Tentative moving day...May 29th!

Mark your calendars. Free Pizza for those that lend a hand, and back, and arms, and legs...

[bearfan454]

58. That is a Saturday.

I will be there with my pickup truck. PM me about what time. Early is better for me since I might have to work the Friday night before.

[GOPisEvil]

63. Will do!

Thanks again!

[foxy]

102. Congratulations

Have fun decorating now. Enjoy.

[bearfan454]

54. I'll bring deer meat !

Yes.

[prolesunited]

21. Way to go!!!

:toast:

Now I have a place to stay when I'm in Texas. ;-)

[GOPisEvil]

26. Definitely! Any DUer visiting Austin has a place to stay!

:bounce:

[Robb]

22. Obligatory housewarming plant!

I'm not sure what they make, but it's a good lookin' plant, eh? :D

[GOPisEvil]

27. That'll fit nicely in the backyard.

If I bulldoze the house behind me. :D

[Robb]

33. It's also handy

...if you find yourself running short on durable goods. :silly:

[GOPisEvil]

34. That parking lot will be handy for parties, too.

:silly:

[Pale Blue Dot]

23. Congratulations! You're movin' on up!

Is it a Dee-luxe apartment in the sky?

I guess this means you won't be moving to the Northeast. :-(

[Don_G]

24. Oh, The Red Tape

The maintenance, the neighbors, the taxes, moving, appliances....

:scared:

[GOPisEvil]

29. LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALA

I can't hear you!

[arwalden]

47. And Don't Forget The Silly Neighborhood Covenants.

No holiday decorations on display more than 7 days before Thanksgiving. All holiday decorations (including lights) must be removed by January 10th.

No lean-to sheds. No lawn-sheds without prior approval of color, style, size, and professional installation by one of the pre-approved contractors.

No overly excessive or overly bright security lights. No lawn gnomes. No blue chrome gazing balls (Barf!) No birdbaths. No walkway lights.

Grass may not exceed 3" in length. And you'll surely have a Nazi neighbor who goes around MEASURING (literally) everyone's grass.

-- Allen

Anyway... CONGRATS! It's great fun and very rewarding!!! I love it myself and I'm happy for you!!

[Richardo]

25. Congratulations...now you are a real boy.

:toast: Mazel Tov!

Which way to the nearest home improvement store...gotta get those impatiens in the ground!

[GOPisEvil]

28. Thank ya!

I feel so...adult...all of a sudden. It's scary! :D

[SarahB]

30. Congrats!

Home ownership is a never ending adventure, but it's nice to have a place and do what you want with it. :toast:

[GOPisEvil]

31. Yes, I will be annoying an announce that I am putting a nail in MY wall!

That might be the only part of the house I own outright, but it's MY wall, dammit!

[xultar]

35. Ahhh the American Dream, plumbing rip offs, leaky sneaky roof contractors

hot and cold Hvac rip-offs, shocking electricity bills, hot gas water heater burns, starving termites, plumber hairy ass cracks

Ahhhhhhh homeownership, How I love it, You'll love it des

[SiouxJ]

36. Wow! That's fantastic!

Congratulations!

Woo hoo! House warming party at David's!! :party: :bounce: :toast:

:loveya:

[GOPisEvil]

39. You're definitely invited!

:loveya:

[johnnie]

37. Congrats!

Purchased my first home at the age of 35 five years ago. I was so overwhelmed while signing all that paperwork and going thru all that stuff alone. I'm still spinning, but the house had a full recording studio in the basement...so I experienced one of my all time goals in life being realized.
Have a good time in the new place.

[radwriter0555]

38. you'll LOVE the tax break and USE THE HOMEBUYERS'S WARRANTY

every single time. You can re-plumb and re-electric your whole house on that thing.

RESEARCH your home-buyer's warranty, make SURE they're a good co, cause there are some bad ones, and take advantage of it.

You can repair ANYTHING in the house.... and keep renewing it every year. It can make a HUGE difference....

Congrats!!!

[GOPisEvil]

40. Heehee...I don't like that there are only 2 bedrooms! DEFECT!

Build me another, knaves! :D

Thanks for the advice.

[commander bunnypants]

41. congrats man

now comes the hard work.

grass cutting, weeding, painting, fixing that damn toilet,sink, light fixture, hole in the wall, fan, window, dooorknob, tile, vinyl, gas connection, airconditioner, bricks, wood, roof, termite damage, bee nests, screens, vents, and on and on and on, cut fingers, bumps on the noggin, dry wall dust, nails, screws and hammers

Brother, can you spare a life.

congrats again. I love my house cause I acn do what i want

[PDittie]

42. Welcome to the Forever-Indebted Club, Dawg

And I hope you're not out in the suburbs with all those nasty Republicans.

A big fat congratumalations. Now pay those homeowner's association dues, please. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

43. I made it a point to stay in Travis County!

Although...my state rep is now a Republican. :-( I still have Senator Barrientos (sigh, at least he's a Democrat). I'm still in Congressional District 10, too. I'm going to work like hell to get Sadun elected.

Oh, and no HOA! :thumbsup:

[Rabrrrrrr]

44. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Congratulations!!

[GOPisEvil]

45. Martinis for everyone!

:bounce:

[Rabrrrrrr]

50. If I were a glass-blower, I'd make you a commemorative martini glass!

And then I'd use it, because, dammit, it's bigger than all your other glasses and I want the biggest martini. Then I'd stupidly drop it on the patio later and hide the broken glass (which I swept up with one of your silk Ming-era wall hangings) in your washing machine and deny that the glass ever existed. Sorry, I'm just not a good house guest.

Can I come visit?

[GOPisEvil]

55. Let me child-proof the house first.

Then you're more than welcome to visit!

[ZenLefty]

46. Watch out

In a few short weeks, GOP could stand for "Goddamn Old Property"! :D

Congratulations, bro. Inspection is a biggie, for it will tell you just how much you want the house.

[GOPisEvil]

49. My realtor tells me he has a mean inspector that uses video!

He says that sometimes people cringe when they see the video, wondering if the walls are going to fall on top of them.

As long as there are no MAJOR structural issues, I'll be OK. There is evidence of a past leak, but if the repairs were done correctly, that's cool. What bothers me the most is potential foundation trouble.

[ZenLefty]

57. Foundation trouble is troubling

But it's not always the end of the world. Our neighbor just had theirs reinforced in one corner. Cost under $1000, and it should last a while. Just make sure water drains away from the foundation. In dry climates especially, too much watering near the house can cause a lot of swelling and expansion, and eventually split the foundation.

[GOPisEvil]

59. I didn't notice any pooling of water near the foundation...

...when I went to look at the house a 2nd time. Sometimes going on a rainy day is a good thing. You can spot flaws you ordinarily wouldn't see.

[kmla]

48. Two words of advice...

Mulching. Lawnmower.

Buy a good one to start out with. They last awhile. It stinks mowing with a crappy mower. (I am assuming you do have a lawn, and not a backyard of tumbleweeds and Texas scrub grass) :)

And become familiar with the layout of you local home improvement center. Try to get a 'frequent buyer' card if they have one....

Congratulations, home-boy! (Get it? I made a funny! Ha!)

[GOPisEvil]

51. I'm angling for dad's lawnmower!

He's got an old Honda mulcher. I think it's time dad treated himself to a new lawnmower, you think? Seriously though, he and mom will be on vacation when I move in, so I think I will borrow it at least.

I do have grass, actually. It's pretty lengthy, too. :-(

[Rabrrrrrr]

60. That's what neighborhood kids are for -

you provide them a job, give them some responsibility, teach them the value of a dollar, and they do all the sweating and getting dirty as well. have the same kid shovel your driveway in the winter, though probably in Austin you don't have to think about that, so never mind.

[bearfan454]

66. You can borrow any stuff of mine you need.

You can make a kick ass garden with the tiller.

[SammyWinstonJack]

137. Congrats!

It's an awesome feeling, isn't ? Perhaps you could convince your dad to give you his old mower as a house warming gift! If your lawn grows as fast as mine does, get ready to mow twice a week, which is real fun in the Texas heat and humidity of summer. :-(

[XNASA]

52. (In my best aristocratic English accent) "That's fantastic, old bean.".

"Positively first-class"

How big is the basement? ;-)

[GOPisEvil]

65. Ha!

I'd love to see a house with a basement here. I wonder how thick the walls would have to be! :D

[XNASA]

69. If ya think about, a basement would be nice and cool.

I always thought the problem with having a basement in Austin would be that it's difficult to dig a hole because it's rocky. But that would only seem to apply to the areas in the western part of Austin.

In and around Pflugerville, the soil just seems to be clay, with some rocks in it. I don't really understand why it's not practical to have a basement.

When I lived on the coast, the problem would have been the high water table. Seems like a basement would always be damp around there.

But in Austin? What's the problem?

[GOPisEvil]

71. That clay expands and contracts with the moisture.

It's part of the reason there are so many foundation problems here. The soil shifts a lot, so a basement would have to be pretty substantial, which would raise the cost of housing a lot. (It's expensive enough here, thank you very much!)

[XNASA]

80. Gotcha. And thanks for the explanation.

Down in Houston, our slab actually had 54 'piers' attached to the underside to help keep things from shifting around.

[GOPisEvil]

81. There are some pier and beam houses here, but they tend to be older.

I looked at one, but it was a bit beyond my abilities. The problem with them is that if you are on a fairly active bit of ground, your house can start walking away. The nice part is, they are easy to level out. A homeowner with a jack and some shims could do it himself.

[Bonhomme Richard]

53. That iron ball shackled to your ankle.......................

just got a little bit heavier.

[Kadie]

62. Congratulations!

I might not have time to get you a house warming gift, so I stole this picture of the web for you. You may print it out and hang it on the wall of your new home.

Congratulations!

[GOPisEvil]

64. Aw, thanks!

How nice!

[bearfan454]

67. Now all you need is a wife so you can

break in every room in the house.

[GOPisEvil]

68. Hehehehehehe!

At least a girlfriend, eh? :D

[WilliamPitt]

70. Just make sure you bring that leather couch

a.k.a. my bed.

:)

Way to go, dude.

[GOPisEvil]

72. Are you kidding? I'm never getting rid of that thing!

Oh, and next time you visit, there'll be an actual BED, in an actual bedroom with it's own bathroom.

[WilliamPitt]

73. Made of leather?

[GOPisEvil]

74. Maybe I can get leather sheets or something.

There are enough sex shops in this town that they should be easy enough to find.

[VelmaD]

82. *raises hand as reluctant expert witness*

Uh...I think I might be able to help you with that. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

83. I am SO not shocked!

:D

[VelmaD]

90. You could be...

if you'd just agree to let me do the thing with the jumper cables. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

92. *snarf*

Yeah, right after I vote for George Bush. :D

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

75. Party at GOPisEvil's house!!!

[GOPisEvil]

78. We'll have to party in shifts...

...it's a small house. :D

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

79. Oh don't worry

I've crammed over 50 people into my tiny 1 bedroom apartment. We'll make due.

[indigo32]

76. Congrats

that is very exciting
:toast:

[Aristus]

77. Congratulations, GOPisEvil, ole buddy!

I'm very happy for you.

Note to Direckshun: If buying your own home makes one a Republican, then what am I? I'm in the process of buying my SECOND home! Am I a......I don't know......a John Bircher? :D ;-)B-)

[SOteric]

84. Well, there goes what's left of your sanity

and your bank account. :7

Congratulations, SweetiePie. I'm sure your home will bring you many years of contentment.

[GOPisEvil]

85. Yikes! Have you priced washers, dryers and refrigerators lately?

I have a nice, brand new gas stove though. Never even been cooked on. :D

[SOteric]

104. Oooohhhh...

Gas stove.... *drool* -Next you'll be talking tenderly of convection ovens and a Subzero...

[GOPisEvil]

106. Ooooohhh....Subzero...

*checks budget* Oooooohhh Whirlpool. :D

[SOteric]

109. *s*

There's always Kenmore.

[GOPisEvil]

111. Kenmore washers and dryers are built by Whirlpool.

The range is a Frigidaire. Not a Viking, but it's new!

[SOteric]

113. Yes,

(and did you know that KitchenAid is the non-pro wing of the Hobart company?) I was implying that if the budget was for Whirlpool, - Kenmore (same difference) is often sold at a lower cost.

[GOPisEvil]

116. You are correct!

On both counts. Also, Roper appliances are made by Whirlpool. My parents swear by Whirlpool. They have a Whirlpool freezer older than me, still going strong. The Consumer Reports Buyer's Guide seems to bear them out.

[buddhamama]

86. cool !

it's stressful process but well worth it
when you find 'the place' you can call home.

Congratulations and Best Wishes!
May you have happiness and peace in your new home. :toast:

[Whitacre D_WI]

87. Hurrah!

:bounce:

[ProfessorGAC]

88. Good For You!!!

I love owning a home of my own. I have since the day we moved in and that was 18 years ago. Almost paid for, too! WOOOOOHOOOOO!
The Professor

[silverlib]

89. Congratulations!

Sorry you didn't move into my district. We could have voted in your garage!

What a great step! Just before the interest rates rise. You are a smart youngster! I hope you enjoy the house (as I know the process is not much fun.)

[blondeatlast]

91. Congratulations! There is something about it that makes you feel

like you've really grown-up and succeeded.

:bounce:

You'll love it--even when the plumbing breaks (our house flooded 9 months after we bought it due to a break in the pipe to the washer--yech.).

[supernova]

93. Way to go GOPisEvil!!

:party: :bounce: :party: :bounce:

So, where's the hot tub? :D

[GOPisEvil]

94. One of the planned upgrades.

For when I discover that hidden stash of money left behind by the previous owner in the back yard.

[flamingyouth]

95. Congrats! We just moved into our new house April 12

Look forward to LOTS of work and to having the folks at Home Depot know you by first name!:D

[LynneSin]

96. When is the housewarming party?

:bounce:

[GOPisEvil]

97. I'm thinking mid-June-ish...

...to coincide with my birthday on the 17th. I know the state convention is that weekend, so some DUers can't make it, so maybe the weekend after that. :shrug:

[MadHound]

98. Congratulations on the new house

And be prepared to feel like you're signing your life away when you do the closing. There are tons of papers you have to sign. If you wish to streamline the process, ask for copies of anything you wish to actually read before signing the day before you close.

And guess what, you get to pour a ton of money into the place, and I don't care what shape it is in, or how new it is, you still are going to pour in a bunch of money. But in the end it is worth it, you will get your money back when you sell it.

Little hint, make your monthly payments at least ten percent higher than the figure they shoot you. This little trick will take a thirty year mortage down to a twenty year mortage. See, most of your payments for the first ten years towards paying off the interest of the mortage(the bank always gets theirs first). By making a regular overpay of ten percent, that money will pay down the principle, thus shortening up the mortage time.

And I hope you have an escrow account for your property taxes and insurance. I've always found it easier to deal with making a monthly payment on that rather than scrambling to find the money at the end of the year.

But don't fret, you've done the right thing. This is one of the best investments you can make, and one that will bring you years of joy, congratulations again on your purchase.

[jtb33]

103. Congrats, but...

I think it would be better for most of us to wait until *after* the election in November to purchase a home. No use in "helping" the economy out since it only seems to add to Chimpy's "look at how well the economy is doing" mantra.

[GOPisEvil]

107. Right, and when Allen Greenspan raises interest rates soon...

...I'll end up paying that much more for a house.

[jtb33]

118. Good point...

...and I guess my postulation would really only work en masse. :/

[sus]

105. Congratulations!

:party:

[GOPisEvil]

108. I can't wait to show off!

If only I had nice furniture! :D

[sus]

110. nice furniture is overrated

people just end up peeing on it.

[GOPisEvil]

112. True...scotchguard only protects so well.

[LynneSin]

120. just because you have bladder control problems...

doesn't mean others must suffer

Get some depends girlfriend!

[SW FL Dem]

115. Congratulations

It feels good to have a place that is your own

[Kat45]

117. Congrats! I guess that means there's good news and bad news.

Good news that you're joining the ranks of homeowners.
Bad news that you're sentencing yourself to Texas for the forseeable future.
But I guess if you're going to be in Texas, Austin's the place to be. :-)

Congrats again!

[pmbryant]

119. Great news!

So when's the housewarming party! :D

:bounce:

Hope the closing process goes smoothly and the house turns out to be everything you expect it to be. We've owned our house for over 4 years now and absolutely love it.

--Peter

[redqueen]

121. Congrats!

:toast:

How exciting for you! Looking for a house is such a drag - glad you're done with it.

Hope your new neighbors are friendly and liberal! :)

[BritishHuman]

122. How are your neighbours?

I have wonderful neighbours on one side - I've never met them, that's what I like about them. On the other side, however, is an elderly woman who likes to phone me while I'm eating and tell me about her ovarian cysts. Mmmm!

[SOteric]

123. You do Thelma a disservice

to have left out her exemplary and perpetual abilities with a well-placed nag; - about your chimney and about the trees overhanging her yard, and about the garden in the back and...

[BritishHuman]

126. I guess you're right

My garden would be totally out of control without her nagging.

[GOPisEvil]

124. I haven't met them.

But, thanks for the tip. *note to self - keep phone number private*

[GoddessOfGuinness]

125. WooHOOOoooo!

Congrats! :toast:

[youngred]

127. CONGRATULATIONS

woohoo, this is a great step/news for you man.

I'm just happy to have my own apt :-)

[GOPisEvil]

128. I made that move 12 years ago.

It's about time to take the next step. Free room, if you ever visit!

[youngred]

136. woohoo

I'll have to try to find my way down to Tejas!

[Ramsey]

129. Is this the same house

That you thought a few days ago you weren't getting?

You didn't find a new house in the last week did you?


Congratulations! Too bad it's in Texas! :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

130. This is a different house.

It's one I had looked at before. I went back for a second look on Saturday. Same neighborhood, but different house.

Yeah...I harbored dreams of moving out, but for now, life is here for me. :shrug: Plus, dad is an hour away, he can come help me fix things for free! :-)

[TEXASYANKEE]

131. Yahoo!

It's initially terrifying, but once you get used to the routine, you will love it. Way to go! :-)

[Crewleader]

132. I'm so happy for you David!

Congratulations My Good Friend!:loveya: :hug: :hi:

[GOPisEvil]

133. Thanks!

:hug::hi:

[ChickMagic]

134. That is so great!

I wish Derby and I had the nerve to do that. Congraulations!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[TXlib]

135. Welcome to The Money Pit.

Just sign your paycheck over to Home Depot.