Sunday, August 19, 2007

the simplicity of passive patience

After careful deliberation, we'd decided to go forth with the deal as originally planned.


On Thursday, we spoke to our agent who has been behind this deal from the beginning, and told her that we were willing to entertain it again. But our hopes were downgraded drastically with the previous fiasco, so no more sweat would be borne from our brows - the last let down was just too drastic. If they wanted us back, let them work for it. (Our egos are apparently at play here)




Back into attorney review we go. Here's how that works:




You see a house you like, you make an offer - whether you have the money or not - and an agent writes the contract based on that offer. But most agents who are showing (seller's agent) require you to be "PreApproved", or "PreQualified" (yes - theres a difference, and no- I dont know what that difference is). Usually, its the buyer's agent who writes the contract. The agent then sends it to your attorney if the seller agrees to your price offered with that contract. Thus, when that contract is agreed on by all parties PRIOR to attorneys and sent to them subsequently - you're officially in attorney review. Now while in attorney review, a LOT of things could go downhill, so theres no room for celebration just yet. Either or both parties could back out for no reason. However, as a professional courtesy, it's best to state reasons why the contract was voided.




Nonetheless, we tried to refrain from becoming too committed to the house being that we are now in attorney review and need to wait until it bursts, but as always - I become too enamored with the idea of change - of designing to suit our needs. So out comes the trace and mechanical pencils. And the practice of a lot of patience.


Wednesday, August 15, 2007

so....huh?

"the sellers realized that some shady practices were in place on your agreement...so they'd like to resurrect the contract"

at this point:
A) i didnt give a sh*t about their principles in terms of an honest word or their business ethics and
B) we decided to move on to plan b, which we weren't sure existed at that point

Nonetheless, we advised the agent that if they wanted to resurrect the contract, that it was fine with us. But we were no longer bending over backwards to make this deal work. This type of thing apparently happens all the time in real estate - or at least this is what we were told. But being Dominican and hard-headed, oh- and male to boot - I'm a bit proud and hard headed.

"We'll think about it.."

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

the loss and regain of principles

ok, so its august 7th, the contract was accepted on our offer, sent to the people who know more than I on big words meant to misconstrue the simple idea of borrowing 800,000 bucks (yeah - thats how much it really costs in the end), and we're in great anticipation of what happens when one gets out of attorney review. we pounce on every phone call. we bite nails, staring at gmail constantly looking for an email from either the attorney or our real estate agent.

so i think.."has it really come to this? american dream my a**, i've become a pawn of the system.."

then, the attorney phone call chimes in while I'm at the trailer.

"Hey Nancy!", sounding excited at first, then realizing I sound like a dweeb, try a more lackadaisical tone. Nancy is an attorney whose tone is very direct - and business direct at that. "I received the return fax from the seller's attorney", she says "they basically stated that the contract is cancelled, and that they want to entertain other offers."

I could have sworn there were loud crashing noises coming from my groin area - some of which I hadn't heard since my first girlfriend told me that infamous "it's not you, its me" line. I wound up muttering a sheepish "what...does that mean?", knowingly disregarding the simple english and grammar she used to get that point out.

"Well", she dryly stated, "its very odd, but they seem to have just voided the contract for no reason.."

Sunday, August 5, 2007

day one July 30, 2007


So, its July 30th, a Monday around say - 10:30. The girls are knocked out with the truck engine some call an air conditioner at full blast. Tania's on my machine fiddling around with the mls, (mult. listing services), and i'm (not so) patiently waiting for her to get off already.



"Check this one out", she says, and i figure - just another one to shoot down - "sure.."



So then began the love affair with the house with this description..




"this is a unique piece and a one of a kind. this is an extended family home with deatched one car garage and a detached 2050 sq ft warehouse, this is perfect for an electrician, plumber, or contracter. dont miss out an industrial area.home has 2 seperate deeds but must be sold as one. the price of this home is ridiculous compared to the value of what the buyer is getting. one family is layed out like a 2 family."



I immediately had to see it. I meant "immediate" as in the "I'm going to put on some clothes and slippers and after you google the location, I'm drivin by to see it at 11:00pm", immediate.