<p>I am interested in this talk about things left behind in the house. Our sellers left their (very expensive) lawnmower in our shed when they moved out to Arizona. They had told us at closing they were going to sell it to the next door neighbor, but when we found it in the shed we assumed they changed their mind for some reason-- they left a couple other things we weren’t expecting, too. Said neighbor mentioned to us that the previous owners had owned the lawnmower, but they used to share it, and trying to be neighborly we agreed to a similar arrangement and left the shed unlocked for the rare occasion she wanted to use the mower-- she had a service most of the time.</p>
<p>Fastforward eight months, evidently previous owners got to chatting with next door neighbor, found out she wasn’t really using the mower, and they hate us because of an $80 gas bill that they got charged (and that we reimbursed them for) after they moved because they forgot to cancel their gas and the gas company wouldnt let us take control of the account until they did. I guess the thought of us getting a free mower made them angry, so they found someone on Craigslist, gave them our address, and gave them permission to go into our shed and take the mower. We found out about it via a note from the neighbor in our mailbox the day after the mower was taken. I was home alone for the first time for a few days while fiance was out of town on business.</p>
<p>It’s been two months and I am still IRATE. Our realtor told us that once they left the lawnmower it was our property, and we have something in writing from the neighbor saying the mower was never hers, but when we called the police they wouldn’t file a report and told us we’d have to go through the court and we were too frustrated to bother. I am still annoyed. Our relationship with that neighbor could not be more awkward.</p>
<p>Ema, I know it’s hard, but you have to let it go. I have something I’m still upset about from the closing on our co-op 31 years ago, which I haven’t let go, so I know whereof I speak!</p>
<p>Life is too short. I would let the lawn motor story go…</p>
<p>You are irate and the other parties dont care so you are only hurting yourself by being mad. Being irate doesnt change things. So stop. Concentrate on the good things. Do you like your house?</p>
<p>I am bummed by our local market, which is rural midwest. I spent 3 weeks re-painting the entire interior and fixing all the little stuff that accumulates from rough-living renters. On the market 3 weeks and I don’t think any showings. It is not over priced and it’s in great shape for its age. It’s the cheapest house currently for sale. (pop 300). Asking $49,000. Payment would be ~$250; rents for $550.</p>
<p>On the flip side, S1 is currently buying a 1900 5 bedroom with a 50x96 pole barn, 4 acres, for $130,000. The house has a lot of original goods (woodwork, leaded glass) and has not been re-muddled. Has a way cool original brick summer kitchen.</p>
<p>S2 just made accepted offer for $105,000 for nicely remodeled, somewhat dated (lowered ceilings, wallpaper galore) older home with 2 acres, 3 outbuildings that are insulated, and have 220 and water.</p>
<p>So, it just depends which side of the fence–good for them acquiring; not so good for me shedding :)</p>
<p>I guess what I said wasn’t really clear. I don’t still sit and stew about it. We bought a new mower that we like better. But if for some reason I do think about it, it does still make me mad! I feel like that is reasonable, a stranger came onto our property without our permission and took something. We were becoming friends with that neighbor and now she doesn’t speak to us, even though there was never a confrontation about this-- she evidently just decided not to be friends with us anymore after a conversation with the sellers. We paid these people well over asking for their house and didn’t ask for a thing from them, it would be nice to not have them popping back up every three months to get more money from us for one reason or another.</p>
<p>We are finally under contract for an apartment in NYC. This is after we’ve lost out on 5 offers - no I am not a cash buyer. I submitted 2 monthly statements from every financial institution I had an account with to the coop board, 2 years of tax returns. I had to write a personal statement as to why we would be great members in their building. I had to show we have 4-5 years of monthly payments in liquid asset. I paid $350 to do background check on ourselves. Now we have to wait for our board interview, that is if our board package is in perfect order. Our broker is trying to coach us on what to say or not to say at the interview. The board could decline us without any reason.</p>
<p>Oh, I did manage to get the seller to give us his two very large mounted TVs. The apartment is beautiful with brand new kitchen and bathrooms. H should be happy with the kitchen.</p>
<p>House selling is very good in our area, but house buying is very challenging.</p>
<p>We would be happy to throw in any species of livestock you desire. We just flushed very good Boer goat does. You can have your pick of the kids (hey, my bloodlines may not be stellar, but those of my goats are…)</p>
<p>You’re welcome. We just got back from showing at the State Fair and I am still on sugar overload from the 6 lemon shake-ups and 2 elephant ears. I suppose I should be on the exercise and weight loss threads…</p>
<p>I see it is worse than college application, are you applying HYPS only? Cast a wider net!:)</p>
<p>BTW, there is a little bubble in SF Bay Area real estate, the price rose 28% in a short period and needs a rest… So, new listings are not moving as fast as it was in April-May.</p>
<p>Great news, paying3! I know you’ve been talking about this move for a while and how wonderful that you’ll be closer to your kids.</p>
<p>Best of luck, oldfort, with the co-op board. I know it’s not an easy process. We have friends who went through it, with more than one building in NY, and it was so frustrating. Two established lawyers with excellent financials and still rejections, twice. They did end up in a great building, though, so it all worked out. Hope you hear soon!</p>
<p>Yesterday my son officially became an apartment owner!! (And a landlord until 8/31). We had several misses and increasing frustration trying to buy in the very hot Boston market area. On this apartment his original offer lost out to a similar offer with no contingencies but that buyer backed out when his financing fell through. A second bidder was offering more than my son, but the seller finally recognized the value of an all cash buyer and stuck with us. (The realtor may have preferred my son’s offer since he came to the deal on his own without a realtor to split commission with, but of course selling agent would deny this affected her )</p>
<p>I realize few young people receive the help my son got from me, but it is beneficial for both of us. I now have an interest earning asset (my loan to him) and he owns a nice well located apartment with mostly tax deductible payments that are lower than rent for an equivalent apartment. A win - win !</p>
(hey, my bloodlines may not be stellar, but those of my goats are…)</p>
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