I love my central vac too! The new models are nothing like what my parents had in the 70s. We just built a new house and the vacuum is amazing. I got a couple hide-a-hose outlets where 40 feet of hose comes right out of the wall when needed and sucks right back out of sight in a matter of seconds. Wish I had been able to get more of those!
Those 40 foot hoses are what I remember from the 60’s
I wish I had a toe-kick (baseboard) vacuum in my kitchen.
I wish I had a full-time cleaning lady who made herself scarce whenever I’m around.
But I’m still in favor of the dumbwaiter. If the roof deck winds up being a wonderful entertainment space, it would save lots of up and down trips. Just put the stuff on it, send it up, and unload it to where you want it to be.
Dang it!!! I just got myself in a lot of trouble.
I was so enthusiastic about the gunite/shotcrete solution for the slope erosion that I called the local Shotcrete company. The guy said he would swing by and look at it to see if they could do it. I gave address and SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS not to go onto the property, I don’t own it yet. I told him to approach from the street below and look up at the slope from there. Told him I would meet him there and I was waiting down below for a long time.
I get a call from the guy… Gee, I just went to the front door and there was a really rude guy, where are you? OMG, he did exactly what I told him NOT to do!!!
I immediately texted agent and apologized profusely, since I had received specific instructions not to go on property until escrow closes because the brother is really upset. I warned the agent that he was probably going to start getting phone calls immediately. He had to call the Sellers and apologize and the sisters are really upset because they had said repeatedly ‘do not bother the brother’
Calm down and take a deep breath and BREATHE. This will work out.
Ooops!
Are they going to scream “breach of contract” and run to the other prospective flippers? The ca$$$$h carrot is already dangling in escrow… So highly unlikely. Deep breath. Soon the bro will be hiking the Kalalau Trail.
Just try to be sure everyone now gives that brother WIDE berth and errs on the side of waiting.
How annoying. I am sorry this happened. Was the guy able to join you on the street and check it out?
Yes, project is just going to be his ‘minimum’ cost of pulling all the equipment and laborers out there. $3,500 for steel mesh, anchors into slope and shotcrete with standard grey finish. Yes!!!
So you’re not going to build a giant stone monument like the house next door? 
Can’t wait till the brother is history. cb, what are your dates??
Hope they bought the brother a one way ticket.
Brother leaves on plane Friday Jan 29 and we close escrow Monday Feb 1st.
Seriously, it is just a minor misstep. Don’t give it a second thought. The brother dealt with the inconvenience in two seconds and there were no demands for access to the propert. It is a non-event.
Only one week left! Yay!!! Hang in there, this will pass.
You DONT own the house yet.
so.
back.
off.
and.
WAIT.
dont do any ONSITE visits, inspections, etc that are NOT stipulated in the contract you signed OR are approved by the sellers.
NO IF AND OR BUTS.
At this point- HASTE is not your friend . Patience is.
ok?
@coralbrook - Long time lurker here, coming out of the shadows to commend you on another excellent purchase. Your threads are my favorite on cc, I always feel like I learn so much. Point Loma is a lovely area of San Diego!
I wouldn’t worry to much about the brother, I’m sure his sisters are counting down the minutes until he is out of there…And his days are numbered, literally 
@menloparkmom - that was a pretty snarky response you wrote. Coralbrook is excellent at flipping houses but even highly experienced people have an “oops” along the way. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t mean to be rude but it sure comes across that way…perhaps you need to review your replies before hitting the “post comment” button…just sayin’…
On the dumb waiter and the roof deck. Our friend just sold a townhouse in DC that had a rooftop deck, built to code. It was accessible from a 2-story exterior circular staircase. He enjoyed it when he was single but found it much more difficult as the parent of a young child. As guests we found the circular staircase to be a scary challenge, especially when toting food to the deck.
The deck had nice outdoor furniture, storage (not built in), a grill, water via a hose bib, and electricity.
Better stairs, with a shorter staircase would have made a big difference. Just more food for thought.
That’s why I suggested a great room sort of configuration with a roof top patio arrangement…for the view…maybe with one bedroom and a full bath. Sort of like the configuration of the lower level on the last flip. Could be a fourth bedroom…could be a guest room. Really, I would have loved something like that when my kids were teens.
The borrows flat yard screams another beautiful patio with an outdoor kitchen arrangement if some sort.