Thursday, March 18, 2010

What's going on


The home inspection has been done. There are live carpenter ants, it needs a new roof and new water heater. The whole kitchen is a wreck except the cabinets, and all appliances are 20 years old. The wood floors are stained and I hate to say it but the house is dirty.

I know these things can be fixed but that means money. I have had time to ponder the rash, overly excited highness of my offer. I turned in an amended offer that the Realtor said was way too low. I havent heard back yet. The Realtor was going to get some actual estimates for the roof and water heater. I don't think the appliances count in the deal though. And what was that white powder on the basement floor.

old pajamas, who attended the inspection for me, thought the place was overpriced and unwelcoming since the short end of the house faces the road. He felt it was dirty and should have been cleaned for showings and said the whole kitchen should be ripped out. He also said it was awfully small. (I agree about that). As a former Terminex worker he said carpenter ants were no small thing.

He didnt even like the yard with all the trees and peek of the pond. To him, it was not homey or friendly.

That shook me up a bit. But today I had a house day off and took Bibs to the eye specialist down in Massachusetts, a much of the day trip. The vet again strongly recommended Bib's eye be taken out. $1400 plus dollars.

So, everything up in the air still. Be well, Suki (photo: Bibs contemplates the next chapter of her novel)

20 comments:

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Yes, be well to you too Suki.

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if you are right about the house.
If you get it, it should be cheap enough for you to put the difference into immediate improvements....
poor little cat....

The fearless threader said...

Oh no what's wrong with Bib's eye, or have I not been paying attention again? hope the offer is accepted, even though there is lots to do, the difference in price can be put into the improvements.

~Babs said...

Sigh,,,poor Bibs.I can't remember either exactly what her eye problem is. Can she see? Is she in pain? I'm very sorry.
Sounds to me like a house day off is in order. Lots to think about with this one.
Did you know carpenter ants bite upon contact? Although I'm told it's more of a pinch, and they do no health damage. Old Pajamas is certainly right,,,sometimes they completely destroy a structure internally, same as termites.
Scarey.

studio lolo said...

darn it all around Suki!

It's nice to have a second pair of eyes check out the house for you. One looker who's not attached and can be objective.

One thing to consider about Bib's losing her eye is that will be the end of her pain and the end of the long vet trips to Mass. It's a clean procedure with great results.
You've done all you can at this point to save it. Having assisted in numerous enucleations (eye removals) I feel comfortable giving this opinion. Talk to Teri and get her feelings ;)

I hope both issues are resolved smoothly.

~Blessings to you both.~

soulbrush said...

oh dear, but all i can say is ' if it is not meant to be, then rather know it now'. but the stress and pressure on you must be indescribable. poor cat, what now?

Mary Richmond said...

doesn't sound like much fun....really sorry about the kitty...

sukipoet said...

For those who asked about Bibs, I returned from a three week time away from home and discovered her eye was inflamed. My brother had been cat sitting but hadnt noticed. I took her to the emergency hospital in Mass. but it was too late. Glaucoma had caused her eye to become blind. From then on I have to give her eyedrops two and three times a day and we have had numerous "rechecks" with Dr. Jurk in Mass. Each time I go she encourages me to get the operation as she says Bibs is bothered by the eye. Which may be true. The eye remains inflamed somewhat. I hate to do the operation but maybe it would be for the best, I dont know.

Katiejane said...

Aww, too bad about the house. So sorry the inspection didn't go well. We owned a house once where we lost a sale because of a poor inspection. Well, back to the drawing board, as they say. Press on. You'll find the right house soon, I just know it.

So sorry about Bibs, too. One never knows with animals. Hope you come to a positive solution with that. Tough.....

San said...

So sorry about your Bibs and the unsettling house inspection. I hope you can stay centered and make the right decisions, Suki.

Mim said...

Well....this time you actually made an offer which is a great step! if it's not to be...it's not to be. OP sounds like a good friend.
Good luck with Bibs - sounds nasty but Lo is probably right

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Wow, lots to think about here. Poor kitty. I guess you will find out if you are getting the house if they do or dont accept your lower and probably right on offer.
But arent all the homes pretty small you have looked at? You did come a long way this time dealing with all this. Thats a good sign.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Hopefully the counter offer will be reasonable. If not, well, there you will be looking again. Poor Bibs. Such a handsome cat. Be well and happy despite it all.

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Suki...how complicated life gets! Call me and we can talk about Bibs, and how wonderful the Cat Blogosphere is and have put together auctions to help cats in need with their medical bills...and we have 3 cats with bilateral enucleations where I work and they do great and are happy cats...I can help you help her adjust if you go that route, out. Email me and I'll give you my #

Lilacrobin said...

Hi Suki... what a disappointment about the house.... still, perhaps you should see how much the price will come down now that you are aware of all the problems.
It is hard to make life decisons like this when you are stressing about Bib's health. For my "two cents", she should have the operations and lose the eye. She will do fine with one good eye - and most importantly, she will not be in discomfort.

I know you are tired of waiting for a resolution to all this - but take it a day at a time and hopefully, things will become clearer to you.

Hugs,

♥ Robin ♥

Annie said...

As I see it the ants are the worst part. A roof and water heater will need replacing at some point, no matter what house you get and cleaning is the easy. As for appliances, this way you can get exactly what you want. And I would get Bib's eye fixed, first thing.
I hope they take your lower offer and if they don't, well something better will come.
Good luck. xoxo

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Suki, This is the sticky part...I think all house sales require some get and giving...I wish you your best choices.

Marion said...

Perhaps you could consider your offer as practice for a better place which may come along. I'm sorry for all the problems, Suki, you deserve better.

Poor little Bibs. But I had a cat whose eye was removed, and he thoroughly enjoyed the rest of his life, with nary an infection which he had been plagued with. Tough decision, but I bet Bibs will be happier.

Hang in there, Suki...I'll be thinking of you.

kj said...

oh jeez. i hope the house works out easily, one way or another.

you are right to subtract the cost of repairs from your offer, unless the house is underpriced to begin with.

we found termites at our home inspection. the seller had to remove part of the basement beams and put up support poles, but it all worked out. an exterminator can tell you how much treatment at what cost will be needed.

i think sooner or later you are going to happily live on the cape. come on, universe! give suki a welcomed hand!

xoxo
kj

Lynn Cohen said...

so sorry Bibs needs his eye taken out. Poor Kitty. I hope you can allivate his pain for him. The cost of an appliance, but our kids, I mean our pets come first right?

Oh my word verification is catingsh
really!!!