Trailer Sweet Trailer

Yesterday was Briar and Gus' 10th anniversary (Happy anniversary guys!). It was also the last full day of their 1 week cruise to Bermuda. Kristen and I were recruited to watch Niko and Maya so we've been sleeping away from the trailer for the last 8 nights.

We did manage to get back daily to check up on things and we brought the kids out a couple of times to take advantage of the parks many attractions.

At the house, I spent a lot of time hitting pop ups to the kids. We were using the hardball at first but Maya kept winding up on the ground with her glove over her head. Once we switched to a wiffle ball, she was much bolder and caught quite a few.

At our RV Resort, the kids enjoyed the arcade, miniature golf course, playground and, of course, the pool.

We'll be here just a few more nights. On July 1, we'll be moving the trailer into Briar and Gus' driveway and then, after the close on July 23, we'll be moving it into our own driveway (and living in it until our furniture arrives). Briar, Gus, Niko and Maya will be at Gus' sister's wedding in California in early July so we won't all be living on top of each other for all of that time. We also may take some side trips (without the trailer) during that time.

-JC-

Finally, some resolution

To read our last post, you'd think that we'd gone through some tough times but that it was now smooth sailing. Not quite the case.

The last post ended with our finding out what the basement inspector had to say. You'd think that the next step from there would be for the seller to tell us what they plan to do about it and for us to agree or disagree. That's not what happened. Instead, our queries were met with what Kristen likes to call radio silence.

It finally reached the point where we sent them word last night that, if we didn't have a full resolution today, we were going to withdraw our offer tonight. We were looking at new listings. Our realtor was looking at new listings. We were going to restart our search tomorrow afternoon.

At about noon, we received a copy of the bid for the work that needs to be done The cost is just under $2,000  and the seller has agreed to reduce the sale price by that amount. We'll get the work done once we're in the house.

The only remaining contingency  is the Title 5 septic system certification (which, supposedly, is being done today). We don't expect problems with a system as new as this one but, Massachusetts law requires the seller to fix any issues that might turn up.

So this time, We think that we really might have smooth sailing ahead.

-JC-

Tense times

The last week has been pretty tense.

One of the things that turned up in the inspection was that there was some standing water under the stairs beneath the bulkhead doors (we didn't know so Iet me explain that bulkhead doors are the slanting doors outside of a house that provide access to a stairway to the basement). From what I've read, leaking bulkhead doors are pretty normal so, maybe it's nothing more than a case of a couple of Californians who are unfamiliar with basements, but we wanted it fixed.

Maybe we're lucky that the seller is also a former Californian. It took a while but she was finally able to get someone  out on Friday. Then it took until today for anyone to tell us the results.

Apparently, they've recommended some steps that should make the doors watertight. The seller has also asked for an estimate to put a sump pump under the stairs.

Our trailer is still in the same place but we've been sitting Niko and Maya since Thursday while Briar and Gus celebrate their 10th anniversary with a cruise to Bermuda. I took them to the boat in Boston on Friday morning and will pick them up again next Friday morning.

-JC-

Home Inspection

This afternoon, we got back into the house for the home inspection. We were a few minutes early so we parked at the town square (3 doors away) and took some pictures.

The band stand.

The program for the summer.

The Communitarian Church

The old cemetery next to the church. There are several of these around town. Not unusual I guess in a town that was settled in 1749 and incorporated in 1762.

Oakham is very proud of it's library.

Town Hall. Briar was talking to the seller today and she says that she pours herself a cup of coffee and walks down to vote.

 We delayed because we were early. So was everyone else apparently and we were the last to arrive at the house (still early). The inspector started by showing us around the outside. It was kind of funny because he apparently thought that he was looking at an 1850's colonial that was in remarkable condition. His eyebrows went up when he got inside but it wasn't until he got to see the equipment in the basement that he decided that he was looking at new construction that was disguised as an 1850's colonial.

He was stunned to see that the heating system has repeatedly tested out at 90% efficient (apparently so unheard of that he was skeptical). The electric panel is state of the art and has some features that he doesn't see very often (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters in addition to the Ground Fault Interrupters).

I mentioned earlier that we thought that the house had been torn down and rebuilt from the basement up. From what we saw today, that obviously wasn't the case. It was taken down to the studs but it was obviously built back around the old frame. The attic in the front part of the house obviously has the original, hand cut chestnut beams and roof sheathing (plywood has been put on top of the roof sheathing). A small room at the end of the attic has some crumbling lathe and plaster.

This ones for you Kerry. This is the generator that we're purchasing with the house.

Some of that fancy equipment in the basement. That crawl area (actually more of a stoop area) is pretty large. It's under the entire original area of the house and big enough that there are actually a couple of full sized canoes around the corner to the left.

-JC-

Plot Lines

Not much to report today but I've been looking at the plot lines. Having never owned 2.61 acres before, I've been trying to figure out how much into the woods the property might extend. Looks like we'll be owning a large part of the block.

First, the plotline from the assessor's site. That spot on the corner of Coldbrook Rd. and Maple St. (the one with no buildings) is the town square and bandstand where the summer concerts are held. Just across Maple St. from that is the library (the ball field is beyond the library). The Town Hall is labeled. Across Town Hall Dr. is a beautiful Congregational Church (which seems to be straddling property lines.

Next, the Google Maps Satellite view of the same area. The house is up and to the left of the red marker for some reason.

Briar overlayed the plotline picture onto the satellite photo.

Got an interesting call from our movers today. They were planning on packing everything up next Monday and wanted to know where to deliver it on June 15. As things stand right now, our close date will be on July 21. The guy who estimated the move, had to put some sort of end date into the computer. He gave us a quote that included a month of free storage (which must end on Monday) and then another quote for each month of additional storage. We've got them straightened around but it was a little bit startling.

-JC-

House pictures (from listings)

I went fishing with Gus, Niko and Maya this morning while Kristen got some laundry done over at their house. The kids caught a few small fish each. Gus caught a largish branch and I almost landed a decent sized rainbow trout (the one that got away). Afterwards, we all got together at Four Corners for lunch. A pretty easy day overall.

It'd be a bit awkward taking pictures of the new house while the seller is still living there but here are the pictures that were posted on the various online real estate ads (the seller's furniture, obviously):

The front of the house. As is typical with many New England homes, the front door is largely for show and not expected to be used. The side door, not visible in this picture is extremely welcoming.

Here's that side door on a very nice, covered, farmers porch

The entry and open front door. The master bedroom is just beyond the open door. The winding staircase is the original 1850's configuration, quaint but useless for moving furniture in (fortunately, there's another staircase). The picture is being taken from the door to the living room. 

The living room. We'll probably be adding a pellet stove insert.

That fireplace again.

Another view of the living room (looking toward the front of the house).

The kitchen: cherry cabinets, dark grey silestone counters, stainless appliances.

The eating area. We're hoping that, without the leaves, our dining room table will fit here (there is no dining room). There's room for the china cabinet and room to expand the table out when needed.

More kitchen.

More kitchen.

The downstairs master bedroom. This is the only carpeted room in the house.

Master.

One of the two upstairs bedrooms. First look at the gorgeous, wide chestnut floorboards that were salvaged from the original house.

The other upstairs bedroom. Door at the left is to the hallway to the other bedroom (stairway comes up to that hallway). Door on the right is to the Jack and Jill bath that also connects the two bedrooms.

Same bedroom.

Hallway between the upstairs bedrooms. Far steps are to the walk-up attic.

Master bath?

Master bath?

Jack and Jill bath.

Jack and Jill bath.

Downstairs half bath? Washer/dryer behind doors?

Close look at those beautiful chestnut floors.

They saved one of the original doors (with original hardware) for the door to the walk-up attic. In the attic, they've kept some of the original chestnut timbers.

Part of the yard. There's enough lawn that I'll need to get a riding mower. Most of the property is wooded.

More of the yard. That wishing well is hiding the well head. The house is on well water and has a septic system.

Wishing well again. I'll probably look at other alternatives to hide that well head.

Another look at that farmers porch / entry.

Farmers porch again.

Looking at the back of the house. Note the Bulkhead doors to the full basement and the 2 air conditioner units. There's a third, smaller unit near the master bedroom. The heating in this house is oil heated hot water which somehow heats and humidifies the forced air system (which is also used by the air conditioning. In the place where you currently see the steps down from the kitchen door, we will probably add a reasonably large deck.

I haven't mentioned the large framed, wired but, otherwise, unfinished space upstairs. The only finished space upstairs is on the far side of the chimney (above). Over time, we expect to convert the unfinished space into a family room.

Another view of the front door.

Here's the description of the house that appeared in most of the online ads:

3 beds 2.5 baths 1,776 sqft
Simply beautiful, young, turn-key move-in ready 3BR/2.5Bth Colonial with central air - 2 units - set in the heart of Oakham! Gracious Living Room with double-arched brick fireplace is the focal point of this room! Spacious Eat-in-Kitchen with cherry cabinets and center island offers casual seating and access to side Farmer's Porch overlooking the landscaped grounds. Convenient first floor Master Suite offers double closets and full-bath. Restored, original chestnut flooring found in the home, leads to the upper level with 2 large bedrooms, full bath. Walk up attic showcases the original door w/hardware and chestnut timbers, offers additional storage. Bonus framed area on 2nd level offers potential for future expansion accessible by 2nd staircase and hard-wired for generator back up, Attached 2-car garage and lush established plantings complete the home. We lcome Home!

-JC-