Well we didn't find anything too scary

[wendyzski]

I was seriously impressed with my inspector (in fact I've been very impressed with my entire team on this and would not hesitate to recommend any of them to anyone in the area looking to buy). He took care to explain everything he was doing, showed me what he was looking for and the tools he was using to check things, and answered all of my questions in plain English.

For example:
Bill *goes to open dishwasher*
Dishwasher: *wobbles*
Bill: Hey. *gets down on knees* Yeah - they didn't attach it to the countertop here. See?
Me: *gets down on knees and looks*
Bill: See these things here? *points* Those are where the screws are supposed to be attaching it to the countertop.
Me: So, just a regular wood screw?
Bill: Sure - right in there like that, and it holds it in place.

So not only do I know some of the issues that need attention, I also have a very clear idea of what needs to be done to correct them. Pretty much all of them are things I can do myself with about $30 worth of tools/supplies, a good reference book and a free afternoon. It's not so much that I hope to be a huge do-it-yourself-er. It's about 50% "I'm cheap" and the rest "I want to know how exactly this thingie works". After working with theatrical lighting in college, I'm pretty comfortable around basic wiring, and a couple of years in property management being called on to be the "third hand" for a maintenance guy gave me a decent idea of the kinds of things I can do.

One exception is the bathroom sink that wasn't properly attached to the wall - I will need to take the faucet and supply lines off, take off the sink, put the right kind of bracket on the wall/stud, and then re-seat everything. Probably one of those "Hey - I'll buy you lunch if you come be my second set of hands" kind of thing. (there *is* a sushi/noodle place on the corner....) Or since I have to take the thing apart eventually, I might just start pricing actual vanities and replacement sinks, so I could have actual storage space!

The only thing we found that was at all concerning was electrical. On the breaker panel in the basement they used a different brand of breaker when they put in the double (240) circuit for the electric stove. As a result, it doesn't quite fit the holes, so things are pressing that shouldn't be. No danger yet, but one of those "you know, they really ought to have done it THIS way so you probably want to get that re-done at some point". A good thing to know and something to keep in mind. Also it was nice to know that my current place has 2 breakers, most of the other units in the condo complex have 4, and this condo and one other have 6 (plus the double). So probably no worries about overloading circuits here.

Oh, and evidence of roaches (eew) so I need to start researching how to manage that with a bunny. But mostly it's things like stripping and recaulking the tub, switching out the lines on the kitchen faucet (right now the hot side is cold and the cold side is hot), fastening up the line/loop for the dishwasher, fastening down the bathroom threshold with longer screws, etc.

So all of a sudden things are moving! The seller's attorney finally started returning calls this afternoon, the mortgage guys are ordering the appraisal and underwriting and we're on track for a tentative close sometime the 2nd week of August. *Gulp*

Oh, and I found a tiny organic grocery hidden away on the route I will often be walking to-from the 'el. They do CSA shares, which I love the idea of so maybe next summer I'll do one.

Comments

[surlywench.livejournal.com]

so cool!!! i hope it's all smooth sailing to the closing date, hon!!