I'm going in
Mar. 6th, 2008 12:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sepdetYep, I'm buying it.
Some weird news about the smoker. The real estate agent for the seller said, "Oh, gosh, that's a guest staying at the house while the seller's on the east coast-- she'll be FURIOUS to find out he's smoking!" and I said, "yeah right."
However, I was over there yesterday for one final appraisal thingie, and you know, I think they weren't lying after all.
The closet I thought was musty has his coat in it. He was there, and he did indeed STINK of smoke. That's not wonderful news, but I checked the walls, and they're not yellowed from nicotene because they're the exact same color under the pictures. I think it's just old paint.
So. I was planning to rip out and replace the carpets anyway. I was going to have the downstairs repainted, and the heat/air conditioning cleaned out completely because they're due anyway. So I will do that. I think that will take care of it, because I don't think the house has been smoked in longterm.
Also, my Dad talked to a smoke expert who does house reconditioning after both fires and heavy smokers, and they said, honest to gosh, one really CAN get it all out. Not cheap, but there are ways, and the steps I outlined above work even for long-term smoked-in houses, so I should be fine. If not, I'll move out for 2 days and have the bally ozone treatment done.
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trekqueen, maybe you can visit sometime and apply your nose expertise to make sure I've got the last trace out. Not to spend the night, just in case I haven't gotten it 100% clear, but in that event, there's the patio and park, plus we can go out for dinner/movies.
I do actually like the place, which is insane because it's not like the PERFECT PLACE ON EARTH -- the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms are a bit small, and my guests will have to put up with that -- but it feels just right for me. Over and over, every time I go there, the first thing I notice is that it's so peaceful and quiet. Something I desperately need to write my dissertation.
I mean, I still think back to the Minbari Penthouse with all the skylights and gigantic rooms and bedroom view over Newport Harbor, but... that's not me, really, and besides, the price was just STUPID. Whereas this is just a pleasantly adequate little home.
"You're looking to buy a home, not a house," my realtor said the first day. He was right.
I will have to see if my pudgy kitty can squeeze through the gate out front. I think she can't, or not easily, anyway. And she's not into climbing walls anymore, so she's not going to run away if I let her out on the patio.
There's a huge jasmine bush on the patio, and a little strip of dirt around the edges where I could grow herbs and tomatoes and maybe plant a small orange tree. I'm going to try planting a soft little moss between the cracks of the bricks, to keep weeds out and soothe the feet.
(I soooo need to get a Touched By His Noodly Appendage poster for that wall, don't you think?)
Doesn't look that exciting, and I don't have photos of the second story -- there's sun in the master bedroom in the morning, sun in the spare bedroom and (what will be my) office in the afternoon coming through trees. Walk-in closets, every single room. About $60,000 less than other 3BRs because it's old and doesn't have the latest granite countertops or "plantation shutters," which I don't want anyway.
The condo feels right, but here is what really sold me. When you turn right coming out of the door, you pass 2 units, and then you're at the edge of this park.
It's been peaceful and deserted nearly every time I've been there, except sometimes for a mom pushing her baby or some kids coming home from school and climbing the trees. That felt very homey! And the birds are singing, and nearly all the trees are jacarandas, which I adore. They are covered in delicate purple flowers in May and June-- these photos must've been taken at the tail end when there's purple blossoms scattered on the ground. That ivy-colored trellis is over a trio of picnic tables, where one could easily take a laptop and books.
It's like having a beautiful yard without having to do the yardwork.
Also, in the same neighborhood, there are two artificial lakes, which are very beautiful and have lots of ducks and water birds.
The condo is near a small community college that teaches evening classes, and I'm hoping to get a job there teaching a few elective-type classes. It's not high-powered academia... but you know, I've really burned out on high-powered quality academic institutions for now. I'd be just as happy teaching classes on "Intro to Ancient Art: How to Get More Out of Visiting the Getty Museum" and "Egypt, Just Because" and "I Always Wanted to Learn Latin Because I'm a Nerd."
Some weird news about the smoker. The real estate agent for the seller said, "Oh, gosh, that's a guest staying at the house while the seller's on the east coast-- she'll be FURIOUS to find out he's smoking!" and I said, "yeah right."
However, I was over there yesterday for one final appraisal thingie, and you know, I think they weren't lying after all.
The closet I thought was musty has his coat in it. He was there, and he did indeed STINK of smoke. That's not wonderful news, but I checked the walls, and they're not yellowed from nicotene because they're the exact same color under the pictures. I think it's just old paint.
So. I was planning to rip out and replace the carpets anyway. I was going to have the downstairs repainted, and the heat/air conditioning cleaned out completely because they're due anyway. So I will do that. I think that will take care of it, because I don't think the house has been smoked in longterm.
Also, my Dad talked to a smoke expert who does house reconditioning after both fires and heavy smokers, and they said, honest to gosh, one really CAN get it all out. Not cheap, but there are ways, and the steps I outlined above work even for long-term smoked-in houses, so I should be fine. If not, I'll move out for 2 days and have the bally ozone treatment done.
trekqueen, maybe you can visit sometime and apply your nose expertise to make sure I've got the last trace out. Not to spend the night, just in case I haven't gotten it 100% clear, but in that event, there's the patio and park, plus we can go out for dinner/movies. I do actually like the place, which is insane because it's not like the PERFECT PLACE ON EARTH -- the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms are a bit small, and my guests will have to put up with that -- but it feels just right for me. Over and over, every time I go there, the first thing I notice is that it's so peaceful and quiet. Something I desperately need to write my dissertation.
I mean, I still think back to the Minbari Penthouse with all the skylights and gigantic rooms and bedroom view over Newport Harbor, but... that's not me, really, and besides, the price was just STUPID. Whereas this is just a pleasantly adequate little home.
"You're looking to buy a home, not a house," my realtor said the first day. He was right.
I will have to see if my pudgy kitty can squeeze through the gate out front. I think she can't, or not easily, anyway. And she's not into climbing walls anymore, so she's not going to run away if I let her out on the patio.
There's a huge jasmine bush on the patio, and a little strip of dirt around the edges where I could grow herbs and tomatoes and maybe plant a small orange tree. I'm going to try planting a soft little moss between the cracks of the bricks, to keep weeds out and soothe the feet.
(I soooo need to get a Touched By His Noodly Appendage poster for that wall, don't you think?)
Doesn't look that exciting, and I don't have photos of the second story -- there's sun in the master bedroom in the morning, sun in the spare bedroom and (what will be my) office in the afternoon coming through trees. Walk-in closets, every single room. About $60,000 less than other 3BRs because it's old and doesn't have the latest granite countertops or "plantation shutters," which I don't want anyway.
The condo feels right, but here is what really sold me. When you turn right coming out of the door, you pass 2 units, and then you're at the edge of this park.
It's been peaceful and deserted nearly every time I've been there, except sometimes for a mom pushing her baby or some kids coming home from school and climbing the trees. That felt very homey! And the birds are singing, and nearly all the trees are jacarandas, which I adore. They are covered in delicate purple flowers in May and June-- these photos must've been taken at the tail end when there's purple blossoms scattered on the ground. That ivy-colored trellis is over a trio of picnic tables, where one could easily take a laptop and books.
It's like having a beautiful yard without having to do the yardwork.
Also, in the same neighborhood, there are two artificial lakes, which are very beautiful and have lots of ducks and water birds.
The condo is near a small community college that teaches evening classes, and I'm hoping to get a job there teaching a few elective-type classes. It's not high-powered academia... but you know, I've really burned out on high-powered quality academic institutions for now. I'd be just as happy teaching classes on "Intro to Ancient Art: How to Get More Out of Visiting the Getty Museum" and "Egypt, Just Because" and "I Always Wanted to Learn Latin Because I'm a Nerd."
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no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 09:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 09:51 pm (UTC)What colors are you thinking for the downstairs?
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 09:55 pm (UTC)I find that I need LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT, which was one of the things that attracted me to this place. There's a large window over the front door which lets lots of light into the living room; because it's up high, it doesn't compromise privacy. Same thing with all the windows -- either there's a high patio wall with trees behind it (it backs onto a green belt and bike path that I'm hoping runs all the way to the lake), or it's on the second story, where anyone looking in from outside will just see the ceiling unless I stand at the window and jiggle.
So I can finally indulge in my bad habit of leaving all the curtains open without worrying about people staring at me.
Edit: Oh, and I'm not apologetic about the house in general, it's just that the room I'm planning to use for a guestroom is small. It'll be snug, especially since it's going to double as my library, but at least now I'll have someplace to put people!
Oh, the fireplace really works!
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:30 pm (UTC)Er.
Right.
So much to learn.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:31 pm (UTC)The main noise source is the 3PM ice cream truck. I'm so doomed.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-09 02:49 am (UTC)does the ice cream truck have a creepy circus music that pauses suddenly with a new yorker acccented woman who suddenly yells "HELLO!" from the speaker? that one makes its rounds here frequently...
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:23 pm (UTC)My lease runs out in May, so I have a little leeway in moving. I'm sensitive to the fact that many of us are not entirely able-bodied, so I may hire movers to take my furniture, but I don't have much, so that shouldn't be too bad. If I can get friends' help to move Nana's rocking chair when the time comes, that would be super! And I'm gonna get my personal organizer friend to help me pack and unpack.
Two-car garage... STORAGE SPACE!
I picked this place partly because it's got better parking -- spaces fill up, but it's in a cul-de sac and one can park along the street -- and the living room/patio will make a nice area for bardics, assuming my neighbors don't mind! The Homeowners' Association is very strict, but I'm not planning to paint the exterior purple or hang a fake gorilla off the roof.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 11:47 pm (UTC)And I would so be taking those classes, btw.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-07 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-07 07:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-09 02:47 am (UTC)