Today I received the beginning title paperwork for the townhouse as well as tax information and HOA information. Michael tells me that everything could easily be ready to go by the end of next week, which means I could close earlier if I wanted. However, I won't be ready to move sooner than the original July 15th date that we have been shooting for, so don't think I'll take advantage of that opportunity.
A few have asked where this property is. It is about 6 blocks from Water World (woohoo - cheap tickets@!!), just southwest of 88th and Huron in the Park North Condo Community. I'd say it's almost a stones throw, but I definitely don't have the arm of Randy Johnson, otherwise that would be accurate :) I haven't divulged much about this place yet, just in case something goes wrong and my poor heart gets wrenched from my chest. Neither John (my agent) nor Michael believes that will happen, but I won't really believe it until the loan is finally approved. So far, things have been going VERY smooth, I think more so than John has expected.
More later - Rockies play Clevelend starting tonight, so we can see our buddy Jamie Carroll out and about on the field again, even though he is with the opposing team, now. He's been doing well with the Indians. If he hit the field in tonight's game, I'm sure he recieved a standing ovation. I'll let you know tomorrow night if we do the same thing.
Now - back to the homework!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Good and the Sad. . .
I have started the process of home ownership. A week ago, went through the offer/acceptance part of the process. This past Thursday, we did the inspection of the property. With the exception of a few minor things that need to be done, everything looks good. My friend Shannon came with me while Troy (the inspector) worked on his report and we measured everything. She took pictures as well - she wants to help me get this new place of mine into shape, so I'm letting her have at it. I went to Home Depot today to start pricing out the things I will need for the immediate issues, as well as the items I want to do in the future. If I can do most of it myself, I'll be able to accomplish it in less money than I had thought initially. I'm just very blessed that I have so many friends and several have already said they will be there to help out with my first home.
The next step is the mortgage. I have to send the rest of the paperwork in tomorrow so they can get going on that. I don't know when Michael (my Mortgage Broker) will be getting the appraisal done, but I assume it will be soon so they can get the FHA loan going. We have a scheduled close date of 7/15, so hopefully it will all pan out for that day. I plan on closing late in the date, then taking for the remainder of that week off to do the moving, painting, etc. I do have to say that I got a killer deal on this place (for the semi-decent shape it is in, too) and will be setting this up as an investment property to create capital for me in the future.
In the midst of this, the saddest news came upon our country on Friday when Tim Russert passed away. The news really was a blow to people around the country - I was very upset upon hearing the news. In reading some blogs on 9news.com, some people were saying "he was so left," and "why all the attention on him?" Well, first of all - who cares where he leaned? His biggest thing was to educate the public, not tell them which way to vote. I don't care who you are, if you thought his line of questioning tried to guide the public in thinking one way or the other when he spoke with politicians, then YOU WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION! Mr. Russert went after everyone, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party, etc. He asked the tough but fair questions - holding those people accountable for the things they said they would do and didn't. The US has suffered the greatest loss of a gracious, caring person. Wow - I'm still very upset. I pray for his family and all those that were his friends. Just glad I had my 3 minutes of time with him in April at the Damon Runyon awards ceremony honoring him - wish it could have been a whole lot more. There were so many questions to ask, and I got nothing in due to just being nervous. I was just happy to say "Hi" and "thanks for coming to Denver!"
Well, continue to watch this blog as I work my way through the up and coming issues of "possible" home ownership as well as school - that's a whole other post!!
The next step is the mortgage. I have to send the rest of the paperwork in tomorrow so they can get going on that. I don't know when Michael (my Mortgage Broker) will be getting the appraisal done, but I assume it will be soon so they can get the FHA loan going. We have a scheduled close date of 7/15, so hopefully it will all pan out for that day. I plan on closing late in the date, then taking for the remainder of that week off to do the moving, painting, etc. I do have to say that I got a killer deal on this place (for the semi-decent shape it is in, too) and will be setting this up as an investment property to create capital for me in the future.
In the midst of this, the saddest news came upon our country on Friday when Tim Russert passed away. The news really was a blow to people around the country - I was very upset upon hearing the news. In reading some blogs on 9news.com, some people were saying "he was so left," and "why all the attention on him?" Well, first of all - who cares where he leaned? His biggest thing was to educate the public, not tell them which way to vote. I don't care who you are, if you thought his line of questioning tried to guide the public in thinking one way or the other when he spoke with politicians, then YOU WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION! Mr. Russert went after everyone, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party, etc. He asked the tough but fair questions - holding those people accountable for the things they said they would do and didn't. The US has suffered the greatest loss of a gracious, caring person. Wow - I'm still very upset. I pray for his family and all those that were his friends. Just glad I had my 3 minutes of time with him in April at the Damon Runyon awards ceremony honoring him - wish it could have been a whole lot more. There were so many questions to ask, and I got nothing in due to just being nervous. I was just happy to say "Hi" and "thanks for coming to Denver!"Well, continue to watch this blog as I work my way through the up and coming issues of "possible" home ownership as well as school - that's a whole other post!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
It has started. . .
John and I looked at 3 places during my lunch hour this past Thursday - 1 was completely unacceptable, one had an awesome wood floor in the kitchen (but the overall design sucked) and the third needs work, but is just about right. The exact opposite of what I wanted, which was a ranch level with garage - I am now in the beginning swings of the purchase of my first home. Bank accepted my offer yesterday on a 2 story townhome - 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath at a little more than 1400 sf. with a 2 space carport. They came back with a contract right away, so after much discussion (and many questions) with John, I signed on the dotted line, gave them a check for "earnest money" and am on my way! I'm meeting with my mortgage guy tomorrow to work on the paperwork for the FHA loan. Next week, after the bank starts their paperwork, I have to schedule the inspector.
At the inspection, I'm going to take my friend Shannon with me and we'll look at the place so she can get to work on some decorating ideas. I'll need to take measurements to start getting costs on the carpet, appliances, a new kitchen sink and counter top; then figure out paint and curtains. We are looking at a closing date of July 15th, so I'll probably try to schedule that later in the day then take the rest of that week off to get things moved and prettied up. So much to do and so little money to do it with!! Dang. . . .
At the inspection, I'm going to take my friend Shannon with me and we'll look at the place so she can get to work on some decorating ideas. I'll need to take measurements to start getting costs on the carpet, appliances, a new kitchen sink and counter top; then figure out paint and curtains. We are looking at a closing date of July 15th, so I'll probably try to schedule that later in the day then take the rest of that week off to get things moved and prettied up. So much to do and so little money to do it with!! Dang. . . .
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Memorial Weekend
I decided to take a lengthy weekend - 1/2 day on Wednesday to go to a Rockies game (Fuentes lost it for us in the last couple of innings, that sucked), then took Thursday to go look at potential places to buy with John. We looked at 4, I liked 3 of them and 2 once again had offers made on them - one had 4 by Monday. Why do agents do that to you?? I finally decided that my best bet is the townhome we saw, it has a lot of potential to be an excellent investment property. Fix it up, live in it for a couple of years then sell it. Really a good location in the area. However, with the way my luck has been, I'm not holding my breath that I'll be in the running to get it. I'm telling you, house hunting has not been fun for me one iota.
Thurdsay evening, I went to the zoo with Karen for a members only night. They apparently had some special events going on, but the kids got out of school on Wednesday for the summer, so there were several around - didn't get to see what we would have liked as a result. In addition, it was a little too cool for the monkeys and such to be out so didn't see any of them at all. Karen took some photos - I haven't seen those yet, but I'm sure she got some good ones. Again, please check out her link on the left - she's showing some really good stuff on there!
Friday was an easy day at home, doing some further cleaning and such. Friday night Boots, Karen and I saw a play called "Almost Denver - The Songs & Failures of Jim Aurora," a spoof on John Denver. It was absolutely hilarious - we all highly recommend it, especially for those that have lived in Denver a long time. A married couple in the show wrote it - its a 5 person ensemble that takes turns playing parts (particularly the part of Jim Aurora - they all play him once at different stages of his life) and have made up alternate words to most of John Denver's most popular songs. Again, just a hoot of a play. It's at The Avenue Theatre, corner of Logan and 17th through mid July.
Saturday and today I pretty much stayed home and worked on some little projects. Didn't get as much done as I had hoped, but they are all projects so it'll be a little while before they are complete - but need to finish them before I move as it could affect how much stuff I take with me to the new place - whenever that is.
This last month has been a little grinding. Been somewhat busy. Finished classwork, of which I begin summer classes this coming Tuesday. Doing well there. Moved my office at work - although its not the desired set up I'd like to have, its better than what I had. I'm good with that. Boots and I decided kind of last minute (end of April, actually) to get season tickets to the Outlaws pro-outdoor lacrosse league games for the summer, so went to our first game of the season last week. That'll keep us occupied for a little while.
Learned that my nephew is moving the end of June, a little sooner than I had hoped. He's going to Morgan City, LA to take classes in underwater welding. Says there is good money in it, but I know he hasn't been doing any swimming lately or practicing for whats to come. His mother is moving with him, going to pay for the place for them to live. Kiel isn't learning how to take care of himself and at the ripe age of 19, isn't learning all that he needs to become independent. I'm really worried about that and not sure that there is anything I can do to help him get through that portion of his life. He needs to learn more about paying bills and budgeting. Don't know if I should give him a book to learn about that or if he has a computer, give him some Quicken software he can use to help him budget as well. I know he doesn't like to owe anyone but that doesn't mean he knows how to save for the long term. Guess all I can do is hang out and be there for him when he has the questions.
That's all for now, hopefully I'll have some good news in the near future. . .
Thurdsay evening, I went to the zoo with Karen for a members only night. They apparently had some special events going on, but the kids got out of school on Wednesday for the summer, so there were several around - didn't get to see what we would have liked as a result. In addition, it was a little too cool for the monkeys and such to be out so didn't see any of them at all. Karen took some photos - I haven't seen those yet, but I'm sure she got some good ones. Again, please check out her link on the left - she's showing some really good stuff on there!
Friday was an easy day at home, doing some further cleaning and such. Friday night Boots, Karen and I saw a play called "Almost Denver - The Songs & Failures of Jim Aurora," a spoof on John Denver. It was absolutely hilarious - we all highly recommend it, especially for those that have lived in Denver a long time. A married couple in the show wrote it - its a 5 person ensemble that takes turns playing parts (particularly the part of Jim Aurora - they all play him once at different stages of his life) and have made up alternate words to most of John Denver's most popular songs. Again, just a hoot of a play. It's at The Avenue Theatre, corner of Logan and 17th through mid July.
Saturday and today I pretty much stayed home and worked on some little projects. Didn't get as much done as I had hoped, but they are all projects so it'll be a little while before they are complete - but need to finish them before I move as it could affect how much stuff I take with me to the new place - whenever that is.
This last month has been a little grinding. Been somewhat busy. Finished classwork, of which I begin summer classes this coming Tuesday. Doing well there. Moved my office at work - although its not the desired set up I'd like to have, its better than what I had. I'm good with that. Boots and I decided kind of last minute (end of April, actually) to get season tickets to the Outlaws pro-outdoor lacrosse league games for the summer, so went to our first game of the season last week. That'll keep us occupied for a little while.
Learned that my nephew is moving the end of June, a little sooner than I had hoped. He's going to Morgan City, LA to take classes in underwater welding. Says there is good money in it, but I know he hasn't been doing any swimming lately or practicing for whats to come. His mother is moving with him, going to pay for the place for them to live. Kiel isn't learning how to take care of himself and at the ripe age of 19, isn't learning all that he needs to become independent. I'm really worried about that and not sure that there is anything I can do to help him get through that portion of his life. He needs to learn more about paying bills and budgeting. Don't know if I should give him a book to learn about that or if he has a computer, give him some Quicken software he can use to help him budget as well. I know he doesn't like to owe anyone but that doesn't mean he knows how to save for the long term. Guess all I can do is hang out and be there for him when he has the questions.
That's all for now, hopefully I'll have some good news in the near future. . .
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Adminstrative Assistants Day
Yesterday, I had a pleasant surprise. 1st, I received some really pretty flowers in this REALLY heavy square glass vase from my boss, Todd. In addtion, he brought back a gift from their trip to Mexico. That was a nice surprise (doesn't count that I said "bring something back for your favorite secretary!). Anyway, I am the one to usually handle things, so many times I would get left out of receiving much of anything. Todd has already taken me to lunch twice since he started in January, plus I've been to lunch with the team (TMs and him) twice so far. They all took me to lunch last week which was nice.
On Monday, we all get to go out and take the new SA to lunch so everyone can get to know her. Still a sore subject to me, but it's not her fault, so I don't blame her for being in the position I should have been in. Blame that on my boss. But we'll see if he follows through on all of the promises he has made me.
This has been a kind of busy week. Sunday, Boots and I went out looking through neighborhoods and at houses. All of the houses that John (my real estate guy) pulled up for me were really not all that great - although we found one really cute and small house off of the turnpike and Pecos up north. Not sure I'm sold on a dinky house, but it was cute and had a very well manicured yard - you can tell that these people took care of the house, but better yet really want to sell it. I haven't checked the price on it yet, fear it is out of my measly price range.
Monday I had class, taking written and practical final for the weightlifting class. I need to renew my membership (all of $30 for 4 months - length of summer semester). Not sure where I am going to end up living yet, but for $30, I can go workout there until I move at least. Just need to keep my butt going 2-3 times a week. It's hard to get myself motivated to go there, but once I do I'm always glad I did. Really need to get better at that.
Rest of the week has been somewhat uneventful, so going to Herman's Hideway tomorrow night w/Boots to see one of her co-workers in a band. Saturday day time will be work, prepping my new office. Saturday night is a jewlery party w/Stephenie. Need to give Sophia her B-day gifts I got for her Sunday, found the cutest little outdoor patio set for her plus a couple of cute outfits that she will grow into, then out of, pretty quickly. She's just the most precious little girl. . .
I'll write more as the days come and go. . . so much will start happening, hopefully I'll be better about writing about it all!
On Monday, we all get to go out and take the new SA to lunch so everyone can get to know her. Still a sore subject to me, but it's not her fault, so I don't blame her for being in the position I should have been in. Blame that on my boss. But we'll see if he follows through on all of the promises he has made me.
This has been a kind of busy week. Sunday, Boots and I went out looking through neighborhoods and at houses. All of the houses that John (my real estate guy) pulled up for me were really not all that great - although we found one really cute and small house off of the turnpike and Pecos up north. Not sure I'm sold on a dinky house, but it was cute and had a very well manicured yard - you can tell that these people took care of the house, but better yet really want to sell it. I haven't checked the price on it yet, fear it is out of my measly price range.
Monday I had class, taking written and practical final for the weightlifting class. I need to renew my membership (all of $30 for 4 months - length of summer semester). Not sure where I am going to end up living yet, but for $30, I can go workout there until I move at least. Just need to keep my butt going 2-3 times a week. It's hard to get myself motivated to go there, but once I do I'm always glad I did. Really need to get better at that.
Rest of the week has been somewhat uneventful, so going to Herman's Hideway tomorrow night w/Boots to see one of her co-workers in a band. Saturday day time will be work, prepping my new office. Saturday night is a jewlery party w/Stephenie. Need to give Sophia her B-day gifts I got for her Sunday, found the cutest little outdoor patio set for her plus a couple of cute outfits that she will grow into, then out of, pretty quickly. She's just the most precious little girl. . .
I'll write more as the days come and go. . . so much will start happening, hopefully I'll be better about writing about it all!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Meeting the Famous
Last night, I volunteered for the Denver Press Club once again - this time at their annual Runyon Award dinner. Boots and I helped with some set up then worked the registration tables. Boots has once again remembered why she doesn't like working the table - she can't hear well out of one ear and apparently it was really driving her nuts last night! But, we got through that within an hour and then sat at probably one of the best tables of the night.
The honoree this year was Tim Russert, host of "Meet the Press." Wow, what an impressive individual. Unlike most journalists, he really enjoys educating the public, helping them make their own political decisions instead of telling them how they should think or vote. If a politician puts forth a discrepancy in a statement that goes the opposite of something they said earlier, he will "catch" them in their own words. He told a couple of really good stories about those instances. What most impressed me is what a genuine person he is. I had the opportunity to chat with him for about a minute going up the escalator. In between my babbling, he mentioned what a great race we have coming up with bringing in a new US Senator. I told him that I really like Bob Schaffer, as he is a very honest (although sometimes TOO honest) guy that sticks to his morals. I'm sure he will take that with him to the table sometime soon. We are really the state to watch this year, especially with the DNC here in August. Boots wished he would have told more stories. . . she really likes hearing about how certain people are to work with.
Anyway, it was a great event and I'm very honored that I had the opporunity to help out. Now, I once again look forward to the Gridiron this fall - it'll be VERY fun due to the Presidential election year we are in.
Lots happening, yet nothing really has happened. I took the day off and went to the Rockies Home Opener game with Kirsten and the fam - and they lost - to Arizona - all 3 games. Then we had our first "Ladies Night" game last Wednesday. I took Karen with me for this first one. The Rockies won that one 13-7 so woohoo - 4 tacos for $1 at Taco Hell!! The Rockies have already played 6 games against Arizona and only won one of them. We figure it's payback for 1) beating them 3 out of 5 games during Training Camp and 2) for beating them for the NL Championship. Oh well, we'll see them a WHOLE LOT more this season!
The honoree this year was Tim Russert, host of "Meet the Press." Wow, what an impressive individual. Unlike most journalists, he really enjoys educating the public, helping them make their own political decisions instead of telling them how they should think or vote. If a politician puts forth a discrepancy in a statement that goes the opposite of something they said earlier, he will "catch" them in their own words. He told a couple of really good stories about those instances. What most impressed me is what a genuine person he is. I had the opportunity to chat with him for about a minute going up the escalator. In between my babbling, he mentioned what a great race we have coming up with bringing in a new US Senator. I told him that I really like Bob Schaffer, as he is a very honest (although sometimes TOO honest) guy that sticks to his morals. I'm sure he will take that with him to the table sometime soon. We are really the state to watch this year, especially with the DNC here in August. Boots wished he would have told more stories. . . she really likes hearing about how certain people are to work with.
Anyway, it was a great event and I'm very honored that I had the opporunity to help out. Now, I once again look forward to the Gridiron this fall - it'll be VERY fun due to the Presidential election year we are in.
Lots happening, yet nothing really has happened. I took the day off and went to the Rockies Home Opener game with Kirsten and the fam - and they lost - to Arizona - all 3 games. Then we had our first "Ladies Night" game last Wednesday. I took Karen with me for this first one. The Rockies won that one 13-7 so woohoo - 4 tacos for $1 at Taco Hell!! The Rockies have already played 6 games against Arizona and only won one of them. We figure it's payback for 1) beating them 3 out of 5 games during Training Camp and 2) for beating them for the NL Championship. Oh well, we'll see them a WHOLE LOT more this season!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Karen's Pics
My friend (and keeper of the house I live in), Karen, has been working on her photography skills for the past year and a half. Over this period of time, her work has really blossomed - I'm really proud of what she's been able to accomplish - I told her she did good work a long time ago, she didn't believe me. Now her work is just awesome and worthy of sharing. Please check out the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/floyka/collections to "Karen's pictures" and you'll see what I mean!
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