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By webwench (Wed May 10, 2006 at 05:37:15 PM EST) (all tags)

I put my house on the market again a week ago today.

And I got an offer on the house last night, and I made the counteroffer today. I sure hope this works this time. If it does I have a little over a month to find and buy the next house and then move the hell into it.

So yeah, my attention span is a bit scattered this we- oh! Shiny!

Leading candidates:

I've had my eye on this one for about a month now. It's small (perhaps the size of my house now, maybe even a bit smaller), but it has a drive-under garage with room for three cars and then some, plus the two-car garage up top. Plus, it's very close by, within walking distance of the kidlet's school, in a very nice neighborhood, and it's cheap. I have visions of putting the money I 'save' on this one into improvements, like all hardwood floors, new cabinetry, improvements to the master bathroom, landscaping, and some sort of huge porch out front, and thereby getting my own little dream house. It really does need some work, though, and it has that crappy siding that my current house has. Blech.

My agent sent me this one last night, and I just about wet my panties. A brick ranch on a large yet low-maintenance yard, with a very nicely updated kitchen and hardwoods... I sort of have a thing for a nice brick ranch. A bit larger than what I'm in now, plus word has it you could park four cars down below, because the garage joins up with the basement. This one's also pretty cheap, at about $10k more than Candidate #1, but would entail me moving a little south, closer to the city (could be a good thing) in a less-known neighborhood (possibly a bad thing) a couple of miles outside the boy's school district (entails a morning and evening drive for me on 'my' weeks). Plus I haven't seen it yet and am going solely off the pictures, so who knows.

There are a few other candidates, but these are the ones I'm excited about. But not *too* excited about, lest these buyers flake out like the last one did.

In other news, stepdad and I took our motorcycles to Barber Motorsports Museum last weekend. Click on this picture to see many more:

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My brain is full. | 49 comments (49 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

You Yanks are lucky to have all that space by Rogerborg (4.00 / 4) #1 Wed May 10, 2006 at 06:28:35 PM EST

in which to build fucking enormous "ranches". Say, wouldn't it be dreadful if you bought a house on top of an Injun burial ground! Not a haunted one, just a regular one where you get sued by uppity Natives.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.

s/Uppity Natives/Uppity First Nations Persons by CheeseburgerBrown (4.00 / 3) #4 Wed May 10, 2006 at 06:50:44 PM EST

Remember, if you piss them off they hang around and sing.

I am from a small, unknown country in the north called Ca-na-da. We are a simple, grease-loving people who enjoy le weekend de ski.
[ Parent ]

I try not to follow the moniker de jour by Rogerborg (4.00 / 2) #16 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:28:32 AM EST

If they want to earn respect, they can do it the same way as everyone else had to, by invading and preferably devouring some other bunch of Natives.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

: Let's Give Them Iran. by CheeseburgerBrown (4.00 / 1) #20 Thu May 11, 2006 at 06:36:14 AM EST

"The New Aboriginal Homeland"

I am from a small, unknown country in the north called Ca-na-da. We are a simple, grease-loving people who enjoy le weekend de ski.
[ Parent ]

Yanks? by ucblockhead (4.00 / 1) #5 Wed May 10, 2006 at 07:11:51 PM EST

My house could fit in the garage of that second one...and yet I suspect it costs double.
----
_{ウセーバラケダ}
[ Parent ]

Heh by Dr Thrustgood (4.00 / 2) #8 Wed May 10, 2006 at 07:50:21 PM EST

I bet my flat could fit in the living room of your flat that could fit in the...

: dude by MillMan (4.00 / 1) #14 Wed May 10, 2006 at 10:50:05 PM EST

get a job, or something.
Everybody still hates me in this city and I hate everybody.
[ Parent ]

You Yerpians will have the last laugh by georgeha (4.00 / 1) #10 Wed May 10, 2006 at 08:43:03 PM EST

I'm sure your wise politicians have invested all those petrol taxes in a good public transportation network.

[ Parent ]

: Best in the world by Rogerborg (4.00 / 1) #15 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:26:17 AM EST

If by public transportation network you mean "people trafficking".

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]
: Nah by jump the ladder (4.00 / 1) #19 Thu May 11, 2006 at 05:37:00 AM EST

Our victorian forefathers built a decent public transport systemn which our petrol taxes are just about preventing from falling into total disrepair...

[ Parent ]

suit by aborigines by jimgon (4.00 / 1) #22 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:13:30 AM EST

That's why we packaged them all up and moved them to places where we test a-bombs.

[ Parent ]

I think it would be awesome by webwench (4.00 / 2) #32 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:19:58 AM EST

Target practice!

The first house is pretty small inside, actually. The second house, I drove by last night, and it's freaking huge, and in a beautiful neighborhood which is almost certainly filled with old people, judging by the number of Buicks and Cadillacs. I also discovered why it is priced so reasonably; there is road noise from a nearby four-lane secondary road. It wouldn't bother me because it is a low, steady swishing noise, not something that varies radically like being next to a railroad or an airport, but I know it would affect resale value.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

Or a jet engine test facilty? by Rogerborg (2.00 / 0) #36 Thu May 11, 2006 at 11:32:27 AM EST

You really know how to stamp on a chap's sporran while he's down, don't you?

Best of luck with it anyway. I don't know why. It's a sunny day, I guess. Damn serotonin.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

What is small? by ucblockhead (4.00 / 2) #37 Thu May 11, 2006 at 11:49:07 AM EST

I hesitate to ask but...what do you consider "small"?
----
_{ウセーバラケダ}
[ Parent ]

: Square footage? no idea by webwench (4.00 / 1) #41 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:13:03 PM EST

I think the living space in #1 is smaller than in my current house, but I don't have a problem with that, as I don't use all the interior space I have now. I'm really in it for the basement/vehicle/hobby storage, and would just as well not have extra rooms to vacuum. Anyway, house #1 is a 3-bed, 2-bath, with one common 'family room', and a large eat-in kitchen. No separate 'living room', no separate dining room, and no frills to speak of other than the drive-under basement.
House #2 appears to be pretty big, with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, separate living room, dining room, den, and some kind of bonus room whose location I can't figure out from the pictures. More room than I need (house to grow into?) and probably a room or two would go unfurnished for a while. It's bigger than I would have expected in my price range, which is pretty modest.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

Those are fucking mansions by komet (4.00 / 3) #2 Wed May 10, 2006 at 06:44:43 PM EST

though the first looks a bit flimsy. I think having no fence around the lawn is just strange. Anyone can just send their dog crapping at your door or walk off with your garden furniture, though I accept that you have a clear line of fire from the front porch over the entire area.

Also, when was the photo taken? Look at those shadows. Does the sun ever shine through those windows?

The second one looks great, though aren't the windows rather high up, and doesn't that roof leak? How much of the forest (you can't really call it a garden) comes with the house?

--
<ni> komet: You are functionally illiterate as regards trashy erotica.

heh by webwench (2.00 / 0) #12 Wed May 10, 2006 at 10:19:52 PM EST

It would be unusual in the US suburbs to fence one's front lawn, although a lot of people fence the rear. House #2 actually has a fully-fenced rear. And the photo of #1 was taken pretty late in the afternoon, probably 7 PM. It needs a fair amount of updating inside, though, and the exterior rear siding is torn up, they're doing their own siding repairs :P

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

hey! by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #13 Wed May 10, 2006 at 10:43:01 PM EST

Lots of people have white picket fences!
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_{ウセーバラケダ}
[ Parent ]

: True by webwench (2.00 / 0) #33 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:22:32 AM EST

I think it varies by area. In this area, fenced backyards are uqiquitous, and fenced front yards are unusual. In my mom's neighborhood, which is rural, everything is fenced for horses, but it ain't white picket :)

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

Park four cars down below? by ambrosen (4.00 / 2) #3 Wed May 10, 2006 at 06:46:05 PM EST

I'm sure it means something.

I know! Is it anything to do with your small pecker, large hole problem?

: you reminded me by webwench (2.00 / 0) #34 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:25:34 AM EST

I need to call the siding repair guy :(

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]
: that and/or by sasquatchan (4.00 / 1) #35 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:34:23 AM EST

a front and rear entry joke just waiting to be made..

[ Parent ]

Nice by The Fool (4.00 / 1) #6 Wed May 10, 2006 at 07:44:33 PM EST

I like the second house, but it looks like it might be pretty dark inside--not much in the way of windows.

Also, your fly's open.

:-)

: I noticed that in the photo by webwench (2.00 / 0) #11 Wed May 10, 2006 at 10:15:12 PM EST

but it's a trick of the shadows... fly was not open :)
I'll have to see inside the second one this weekend. It's older, and it's under some trees, so it could be dark inside.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

OT: by yankeehack (4.00 / 2) #7 Wed May 10, 2006 at 07:50:16 PM EST

LO think's that your kidlet is "cute" and likes his blue eyes as long as he is not a "jock"
****
You know what is funny? I voted for McCain in 2000 and Obama in 2008. (And let's not forget Edwards in 1998.)

That's wonderful by webwench (4.00 / 1) #31 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:16:02 AM EST

However, kidlet already has a girlfriend, although it is something of a secret he's keeping from his schoolmates. He's asked me a few times about date ideas... it's a bit disconcerting because he's so little, but then again I remember getting my first crush on a boy, and I was in third grade. His name was Shane Swanson and he was just the cutest thing on two legs, according to my third-grade self. Does LO express interest in boys yet?

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

Nice double standard by Rogerborg (4.00 / 2) #39 Thu May 11, 2006 at 12:14:12 PM EST

When I post about how cute 8 year old girls are, the tag on my leg starts bleeping.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

"according to my third-grade self" by webwench (4.00 / 1) #40 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:05:22 PM EST

you pseudo-pedo. Ha ha, I like that term. Pseudo-pedo. (No, I don't think you're a pedo.)

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

Just how drunk ARE you right now? by Rogerborg (4.00 / 1) #45 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:45:39 PM EST

Drunk enough to start taking things off?

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

not drunk enough, that's for sure by webwench (4.00 / 1) #46 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:47:36 PM EST

It's 2:45 in the afternoon here, I'm as sober as a churchmouse!

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

: See, now you've done it by Rogerborg (4.00 / 1) #48 Thu May 11, 2006 at 05:12:43 PM EST

Now I'm picturing you wearing your telecommuting outfit.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

RACIST by Rogerborg (2.00 / 0) #38 Thu May 11, 2006 at 12:12:57 PM EST

You are a racist, madam.

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Metus amatores matrum compescit, non clementia.
[ Parent ]

Dude by Dr Thrustgood (4.00 / 2) #9 Wed May 10, 2006 at 07:51:47 PM EST

I totally read that as: I put my horse on the market again a week ago today.

I found this added extra - albeit unintended - value to the=is diary.

Heh by vorheesleatherface (4.00 / 2) #17 Thu May 11, 2006 at 03:00:44 AM EST

You look pretty cute leaning up against that bike.

Someone had to say it.

Both houses look pretty nice from the outside. Does the first one have a stone foundation or is that just a faux facade..or perhaps even my eyes suck and I can't tell WTH it is?

"Stabbing someone in the head with a pitchfork is rarely beneficial to the relationship." - MereKat

Agreed by ReverendDoctorGraves (4.00 / 1) #18 Thu May 11, 2006 at 04:21:03 AM EST

would do.

[ Parent ]

actually, no one had to say it (nt) by tps12 (4.00 / 2) #25 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:44:26 AM EST

[ Parent ]

I acknowledge being strictly average by webwench (4.00 / 1) #28 Thu May 11, 2006 at 09:41:31 AM EST

The first house has a concrete foundation, with a stone facade on the front. If you go around to the side of the house, the foundation gets a brick facing, as well as the second garage entry.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

: Modesty is a good trait by vorheesleatherface (2.00 / 0) #49 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:53:27 PM EST

And you are most definitely being modest.

House looks nice but that yard looks like a big project.

"Stabbing someone in the head with a pitchfork is rarely beneficial to the relationship." - MereKat
[ Parent ]

Just this morning by blixco (4.00 / 1) #21 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:04:54 AM EST

as I was putting my dog out and booting my system, I said to myself "self, webwench is MIA!"

That second house with the drive under garage? Very nice.

I'm trying...trying really hard...to get Laurea convinced that we need to sell sell sell. She wants to wait until after her postdoc, 3 years or so. I'm thinking: in 3 years, we won't build any more equity and the market may be gone. As it is the property taxes for my house went down, the only house that I know of that has done this, because the neighborhood is sliding. The house was appraised less than what we paid for it. So it's already starting!

Laurea won't bend. Maybe I should sell it without her knowing?
---------------------------------
Taken out of context I must seem so strange - Ani DiFranco

Heh by hulver (4.00 / 2) #23 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:19:16 AM EST

You got into trouble for buying a car without telling her. Imagine the trouble you'll get into buying a house.
--
smart, pretty, sane. pick two - georgeha
[ Parent ]

Oh no, by blixco (4.00 / 1) #24 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:22:24 AM EST

I'd not buy another. In this fantasyland that exists solely in my head, we would sell now and rent a decent pets-allowed condo thingy, or a small house.

That way when we have to move in 3 years or so, we can just...move.
---------------------------------
Taken out of context I must seem so strange - Ani DiFranco
[ Parent ]

That's not a bad idea by webwench (4.00 / 1) #27 Thu May 11, 2006 at 09:39:10 AM EST

if your house/neighborhood value is starting to slide. Why is it starting to slide?

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

A couple of factors: by blixco (4.00 / 1) #29 Thu May 11, 2006 at 09:42:53 AM EST

our zipcode has the highest violent crime in Austin. We have nothing but shopping / industrial development around us, so I think it's a conspiracy to get these lower-middle-class homeowners to sell out cheap to developers. The neighborhood isn't aging well, either.

In all, I think in 3 years we'll be lucky to sell it for a loss.
---------------------------------
Taken out of context I must seem so strange - Ani DiFranco
[ Parent ]

: Plus, Dell is sliding by georgeha (4.00 / 2) #30 Thu May 11, 2006 at 10:02:47 AM EST

sell, sell, sell, home maintenance is hard when you're bedridden

[ Parent ]

how's the new bike compared to the old one? by garlic (2.00 / 0) #26 Thu May 11, 2006 at 08:55:26 AM EST

fanTAStic by webwench (2.00 / 0) #42 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:17:52 PM EST

Way comfier on longer trips, very light and maneuverable, very comfortable at low speed, and it's unique enough to get looks on the street, which I am shallow enough to admit I enjoy. With a tank bag on, I even have a comfy place to lean on the highway, so my back doesn't get sore. It is a little buzzy at high RPM, but my first bike, which was a v-twin, had more vibration. It's just a different vibration. I love this bike.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

good. by garlic (2.00 / 0) #43 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:22:16 PM EST

I'm surprised to hear comfier on longer trips -- how long are you talking? More comfortable because of different/less vibration, or posture?

[ Parent ]

mostly posture by webwench (2.00 / 0) #44 Thu May 11, 2006 at 02:41:54 PM EST

The cruiser had a very upright seating style, and no windscreen, so at highway speed you get buffeted around a lot. It put strain on my shoulders and, for a ride over 60-90 minutes, my lower back would get sore. The seat is also designed in such a way that there's really only one place for your butt, and nowhere to scoot around to change position. This could have been remedied with a windscreen and a better seat, probably. Also, it had a very low seat height and forward footboards, and my legs would feel cramped. I may actually have been a bit too long-legged for that bike. The cruiser was also about 50 lbs heavier as well as shorter, so while it is more stable, it also takes more force to maneuver. It felt like a short, fat pig of a bike after awhile.

The Triumph has a token little windscreen thing that buffers the wind somewhat, and seating position is a little forward of standard, and well forward of cruiser, so less wind buffeting on the highway. Pegs are a bit back, and I felt like I had more legroom. The seat is well-padded and longer, so I could scoot forward/sit up a bit, or scoot back/lean forward a bit, and vary the pressure points on my rear. It's very maneuverable and doesn't seem to take much effort to maneuver around -- 'flickable' is what my stepdad called it.

One nice thing about the V-Star (cruiser) was the tankbags -- I could carry around a lot of stuff for a weekend.

Last weekend was a 400-mile weekend split evenly over two days, or about three hours each way, a little more when you include gas stops, etc. Not a marathon ride, by any means, but I expected to be exhausted at the end of it, considering I haven't done more than an occasional work commute or a few turns around the block since last spring.

^{Getting more attention than you since 1998.}
[ Parent ]

: thanks for the info. by garlic (2.00 / 0) #47 Thu May 11, 2006 at 04:19:28 PM EST

I'm saving up for an upgrade and while I'm focussing on honda magna's, I wanted to hear what a convert from cruiser to sport had to say.

[ Parent ]

My brain is full. | 49 comments (49 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback