It's Official

[air_n_darkness]

We signed the contracts tonight. Closing is planned for May 12th.

Lynson and I are buying a house.

I'm still a bit shell-shocked; everything has moved so quickly. However, this was too good an opportunity to pass up. It's not every day you get a chance at a 5-bedroom 3-bath two-story in a good neighborhood, hardwood floors, big backyard, etc, for right at $150K, AND have homeowners who are willing to do whatever they need to to help you get into the house.

Of course, it helps that we've know the owners for 7 years or so and are good friends;).

There's an apartment over the garage which has it's own entrance and such that we've already offered to rent to a friend looking to better her situation. We CAN afford the house without her renting, but the first year would be a bit tight, budget-wise, at least till Sept and Lynson got his yearly raise. It also helps that the plumbing company is going into the busy season which means 50-60 hour work weeks for him.

So, provided nothing falls through before closing (EVERYONE cross your fingers and knock on wood), we're looking at moving in starying the 21st of May. Maybe earlier, depending on if we can close earlier or not.

Comments

[sandykidd.livejournal.com]

Things have been crazy for me and getting crazier, as you'll see when I you read my latest post!

Yep, I see the crazy. metafrantic and I went a little more batty when we went through the process for our old house, too. 150K$ isn't bad, depending on where you live, but I, of course, know nothing about TN. :) *is wishing you TONS of good luck*

[air_n_darkness]

Yeah, it's a good price for Memphis, esp considering the size; it's right at 2500sqft, if I recall. You can't buy a new house (or an old house, for that matter) in the greater Memphis area for less than $175K, and that's for something half the size. Of course, that all depends on the neigborhood. you CAN find cheaper houses, but you sacrifice peace of mind, if you know what I mean. It's sad 'cause some of those areas have great old historical's in them.

We probably wouldn't be getting such a big place if we didn't run a business (really two) out of our home. We need the space. And with 4 cats, renting an house can get a bit cost-prohibitive.

[sandykidd.livejournal.com]

I know all about the peace of mind thing. I had a few moments in one of our previous living-places (not even a house, dammit) when I'd duck a little and ask myself, "Okay self, was that actual gunfire, or just the college kids whipping firecrackers out their car windows again?" Of course, back when I lived out in the sticks with my dad, it was always gunfire, and usually my dad's gun. Oy.

Anyway, I understand the cats thing. They trick you into thinking they're low-maintenance by sleeping all damn day, but then they wake up and you have to take them to the vet, or buy them all new scratchers because they've suddenly decided they like the carpet on your stairs better than their old scratchers...

What sort of businesses, if you don't mind my being nosey?

[air_n_darkness]

My husband and I are the Premier Tournament Organizers for the Midsouth Area for both Wizards of the Coast (Magic:the Gathering) and Upper Deck Entertainment (Yu-gi-oh, Vs System). So we have that going on, and back in August we were doing well enough with Ebay business (mostly TCG singles, and other assorted geekey gamer stuffs:) that I have made it a full time thing. No more mall retail for me!

Also,I have been getting back into doing artwork, sculpture and paper arts mostly. It's been hard the past few years, since we just haven't had the space for me to work. I've got a couple of commissions from friends in the wings, once things settle down.

My husband runs a plumbing company. NOT at the house, thankfully:)!

[sandykidd.livejournal.com]

Hey, cool! metafrantic used to do the whole MTG on ebay thing before we moved. We weren't even scraping by, frankly, but it was certainly more interesting than retail, if not as lucrative (sadly).

And, ah, commissions... I had a nice one once (not counting the caricatures I did at the mall). I like those. I miss them. *sigh* Maybe I'll be a real artist someday...but then I'll probably starve, so that's out, lol!

I do like that I find so many artistic peers online. It's just so much harder to find each other IRL, you know? This way, even if I don't actually art much (yep, I verbed it), I still feel like I'm not missing out on too much, if you know what I mean. :)

[air_n_darkness]

Yeah, no whatcha mean;)

You might look into nenethomas.

She was one of the old school M:tG artist who made it big as a freelancer. She rambles alot about her Sims, but she often posts some great tutorials. She's also a super nice person; I've had the pleasure of meeting her on many occasions.

[sandykidd.livejournal.com]

In context, I said "nenethomas" to Meta, and he said, "Really? Wow!" So I think he likes her work, lol.

Paper arts... Like Origami? Or do you break the paper down first, then sculpt with it? Or 'other'?

I'm a colored pencils-on-paper gal, mostly, but I've always had fun with sculpture, probably because I've usually made such a mess of it. ;)

[air_n_darkness]

Well, sad as it may seem, I'm really not the best at drawing. I have a bit of a problem with perspective (screwy eyeballs). Thankfully, my teachers were more interested in us developing "personal style" vs. realism!

I have a degree in Metals sculpture, but spent an equal amount of time in the Paper/book arts deptartment. Paper Arts for me encompasses bookmaking, papermaking, paper sculpture, etc. Recently I've been having fun making handmade cards. I like the idea of taking something as simple as a birthday card and giving textural elements, even motion, so that its a mini-work of art all it's own.

[sandykidd.livejournal.com]

Perspective can be a bitch, yeah. It's part of why my usual style went so cartoony. When I'm not being lazy, my line drawings can get pretty good, though, and I'm learning that tricksy coloring can compensate for a lot of drawing 'errors'. ;)

When I do cards for x-tice and birthdays (I get busy and I skip some years), I usually make my own. I think it's fun, but I wouldn't call what I do 'sculpture'. More arts-and-craftsy. But I do love things that pop-up. It's a holdover from childhood, I think.

Also, Metals Sculpture? Wow. I grew up around welders, and the things still scare me. You are badass, indeed.

[mdmraven.livejournal.com]

Congrats!!!!! I know how you feel we bought our house at the end of July last year! Although I must say sounds like you are getting an awesome house! are the bedroom/bathroom numbers including the apartment or does the apartment make it 6/4?

[air_n_darkness]

Nah, the apartment is included, so it's just 5/3. Not quite that good a deal:).

Thanks!

[the-other-jen.livejournal.com]

congrats sweety!!!! I hope to be in your position one day and quit renting.

[syrinakintari.livejournal.com]

Crongrats Cyn.

Congrats!

[citizen-pogo.livejournal.com]

That's great! I hope it works out for you guys. :)

*knocks on wood, crosses fingers*