So, we sold the house. That process – though unbearably stressful – was a lot simpler than I thought it might be. With the way the real estate markets have been, I should truly feel lucky about the quick two months that it took from listing the house to handing over the keys to new owners.
In contrast, the renovations on the new house have been anything but simple. (Which should explain – in part – my absence from the blogosphere for the last six months or so.)
I’m an HGTV junkie, but never have I seen an episode of any show that deals with the complicated mess involved with permitting and inspections. To say that it’s not as easy as it looks would be the understatement of the century. The kitchen cabinets have been delayed, but Inspector A says all we need in the kitchen to pass is a functioning sink. Inspector B (aka, Ms. Grumpy, the electrical inspector) says she won’t pass it until cabinets are installed. The power company won’t hook up power until they get Inspector B’s ok, so since November, we’ve been working on the renovations without heat or light. It’s too cold to paint without heat, and the electrician doesn’t want to finish the electrical until the paint is done. Luckily, Inspector C has been unbelievably helpful and has been trying to figure something out for us. I’m scheduled to meet with his supervisor this afternoon. At this point, I’m not beyond crossing my fingers during the meeting .
Did I mention that we don’t even own the house yet?
Inspector A won’t approve us to buy without the utilities on… which brings us back to Inspector B. Like I said, it’s complicated.
Oh, and one of the contractor’s subs threatened to file a lien on the property if he doesn’t get paid…. Which would mean we still couldn’t buy the house.
Um… I need some divine intervention or something.
