Friday, September 28, 2012
tra-la-la
We closed the loan today!
I forgot to mention, we were approved for the tax credits.
Now...we just have to do the work!
WOOTS.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Maybe this time...
oh.em.gee. We might actually have movement.
Since Harris was unemployed none of his income counted for loan applications. Nor did our rental income since we didn't have a two year rental history or something. Well. That's nice isn't it. You've got ideas and a plan just no means to accomplish it. Thanks for playing.
Harris started back to work full time in January.
We've hit the post two year magical mark for rental income.
Our house appraised for more than we paid for it and the subsequent rennovation.
You see where this is going right? Barring last minute break downs in raleigh, we should have cash in hand to do the project Oct 1, 2012. We have no idea how long that will take, but here's hoping it's not another two years.
Once we sign the construction documents and get permits I'll update the numbers spreadsheet. I've been not so secretely pissed about the $337 quarterly payments for vacant housing insurance that we've been making. Nor about walking over to the house and seeing it...same as it ever was. Nor about the continuing boarding of the house (What in the hell are you breaking in for???? The roof leaks, there's nothing of value inside, and it's structurally unsound)
That is so about to change.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Next Step
Tax Credits
We heard from the State Preservation office today that they are recomending approval (contingent on two things) to the National Park Service. We said in the application that we will restore existing original windows and keep trim. They asked us to restore existing original windows and keep trim.
Ok. We're down.
Now on to the National Park Service for their review and, hopefully, their approval.
Assholes
Someone kicked in the back door again. No new needles and nothing was really there to steal. However, they did remove and take all of the knobs off of the cabinent doors in the hallway kitchen. A contractor we had out checking the place out said, hey, free deomlition.
No trespassing signs and trip wires installed. We do have a bamboo jungle afterall. Might as well use our survival skills to keep/make things interesting.
Pretty!
And so we know where it is and can easily access it... Lizzy Proposed!
We heard from the State Preservation office today that they are recomending approval (contingent on two things) to the National Park Service. We said in the application that we will restore existing original windows and keep trim. They asked us to restore existing original windows and keep trim.
Ok. We're down.
Now on to the National Park Service for their review and, hopefully, their approval.
Assholes
Someone kicked in the back door again. No new needles and nothing was really there to steal. However, they did remove and take all of the knobs off of the cabinent doors in the hallway kitchen. A contractor we had out checking the place out said, hey, free deomlition.
No trespassing signs and trip wires installed. We do have a bamboo jungle afterall. Might as well use our survival skills to keep/make things interesting.
Pretty!
And so we know where it is and can easily access it... Lizzy Proposed!
Friday, September 9, 2011
ohai!
Tax credit application submitted thanks to Heather Wagner once again saving our ass and taking an incomplete pile of weird and turning into a lovely application.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
End of the month
We've owned the house about six months now and what do we have to show for it
1. Amazing ideas from Sara at 4 Over 1 Design. She helped us figure out the nooks we couldn't wrap our heads around. We worked with Heather Wagner on the tax credits for Oakwood (fantastic by the way) and were happy to have the opportunity to work with Durham's other Preservation Leading Lady.
2. Tax Credit application is very close to finished. We need to give it another once over (Harris), finalize descriptions (Natalie), fit the pictures to the rooms (Natalie), complete drawings of the proposed exterior (Harris), complete the existing cad (Natalie), complete interior proposed cad (Natalie), and then copy everything from the federal application and paste it into the state (Natalie)
3. Lot of Lizzy, Lizzy 2, yard etc is coming right along. We hope to finish the trash pick up at Lizzy 2 this weekend. We will then go to the scrap yard and use the money we make to create the Bottle Count Prize! We've also gotten great estimates for tree care from Cormac and Erica at Aerial Innovations. This is the same company that takes care of our trees at Oakwood and we've got a lot of faith in their honesty and ability. They also don't use spikes or take other short cuts that damage the trees and just love climbing and playing in the trees. It's their playful professionalism that is just so cool. We've got to work out with the property owner next door about the tree situation as the ones that need to come down stradle the property lines.
4. Estimates- We're still waiting for estimates...
This is sort of frustrating but not really frustrating. Since Harris is on the Dole it's not like we'd qualify for any loan (short version, I'm at 50% debt/income ratio because I am responsible for all of our mortgages and student loans, none of Harris's income counts, and the income from Q St rental doesn't count. I look very bad on paper right now even with my high credit score and money in the bank.) We are also being very cautious so that we can claim the federal tax credits. I can totally understand why estimates would be slow coming when the contractors know we won't start work until the tax credit plan is approved and we have the cash to pay them.
Lucky for us it's light at night again and we can start spending dates playing in our little non-electrified shell.
1. Amazing ideas from Sara at 4 Over 1 Design. She helped us figure out the nooks we couldn't wrap our heads around. We worked with Heather Wagner on the tax credits for Oakwood (fantastic by the way) and were happy to have the opportunity to work with Durham's other Preservation Leading Lady.
2. Tax Credit application is very close to finished. We need to give it another once over (Harris), finalize descriptions (Natalie), fit the pictures to the rooms (Natalie), complete drawings of the proposed exterior (Harris), complete the existing cad (Natalie), complete interior proposed cad (Natalie), and then copy everything from the federal application and paste it into the state (Natalie)
3. Lot of Lizzy, Lizzy 2, yard etc is coming right along. We hope to finish the trash pick up at Lizzy 2 this weekend. We will then go to the scrap yard and use the money we make to create the Bottle Count Prize! We've also gotten great estimates for tree care from Cormac and Erica at Aerial Innovations. This is the same company that takes care of our trees at Oakwood and we've got a lot of faith in their honesty and ability. They also don't use spikes or take other short cuts that damage the trees and just love climbing and playing in the trees. It's their playful professionalism that is just so cool. We've got to work out with the property owner next door about the tree situation as the ones that need to come down stradle the property lines.
4. Estimates- We're still waiting for estimates...
This is sort of frustrating but not really frustrating. Since Harris is on the Dole it's not like we'd qualify for any loan (short version, I'm at 50% debt/income ratio because I am responsible for all of our mortgages and student loans, none of Harris's income counts, and the income from Q St rental doesn't count. I look very bad on paper right now even with my high credit score and money in the bank.) We are also being very cautious so that we can claim the federal tax credits. I can totally understand why estimates would be slow coming when the contractors know we won't start work until the tax credit plan is approved and we have the cash to pay them.
Lucky for us it's light at night again and we can start spending dates playing in our little non-electrified shell.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Gone
Bamboo is gone for $19.50 thanks to either the carelessness of the solid waste dept. or the indignant responses from council members.
While Harris was talking to Solid Waste about the problem on Friday, the caller suggested that Harris take it up with City Council if he had a problem with it. After I got back from lunch on Friday, that's exactly what I did and it seems city council was not amused.
By 3:30 Friday afternoon Harris had an apology from the director of solid waste who had pulled the tape of the call and listened to it and confirmation that they would pick up all of the bamboo for no additional charge by the end of the day.
It's all gone.
We also anticipate having our first estimate for the shell rennovation delivered to us this week. This would entail a licensed general contractor fixing the foundation and rebuilding the roofline. Additioanlly, they would put in the new replacement windows where the current broken replacement windows are, rebuild the porch, and replace rotten exterior wood.
We're thinking colors along the lines of ... HEX: #F70586RGB:
While Harris was talking to Solid Waste about the problem on Friday, the caller suggested that Harris take it up with City Council if he had a problem with it. After I got back from lunch on Friday, that's exactly what I did and it seems city council was not amused.
By 3:30 Friday afternoon Harris had an apology from the director of solid waste who had pulled the tape of the call and listened to it and confirmation that they would pick up all of the bamboo for no additional charge by the end of the day.
It's all gone.
We also anticipate having our first estimate for the shell rennovation delivered to us this week. This would entail a licensed general contractor fixing the foundation and rebuilding the roofline. Additioanlly, they would put in the new replacement windows where the current broken replacement windows are, rebuild the porch, and replace rotten exterior wood.
We're thinking colors along the lines of ... HEX: #F70586RGB:
Friday, April 8, 2011
This is going to be fun
Harris was told today, while on the phone with Solid Waste, "if you've got a problem with it* call City Council".
Email sent to council and city manager at 1:10pm
Two responses from council members by 1:27.
This should be fun.
*the definition of a bulky brush pick up being two grabs with the automated arm on the truck not two visits to a site.
Email sent to council and city manager at 1:10pm
Two responses from council members by 1:27.
This should be fun.
*the definition of a bulky brush pick up being two grabs with the automated arm on the truck not two visits to a site.
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