Update--we have the contract signed and are working on adjusting the price--if only by getting them to pay closing costs. We are getting the house for so much under market value that they may not give us anything for repairs, but we are hoping they will be reasonable and see that if we drop out, the house will scare any other buyers away. We'll see what happens! Working with a bank-owned property, we have fewer options and flexibility, but the price we got is so freaking low that it would be gravy to get more cash at closing from them! It would be very helpful, though, because then we could do the landscaping instead of using that budget to repair the plumbing...

The verbal agreement in this case was actually strong--it's pretty common till you get the contract back from the bank. Didn't worry my realtor who does these deals all the time.

DosMetros · 2010-03-01 00:47:34

Sounds good Amy, hope the deal continues to work for you, good luck, too.

Cotton · 2010-03-07 23:03:33

Reason: Computer was slowly dying. I therefore only used it for schoolwork as it took me about 30 minutes just to turn it on
I now have my new MacBook! So I'm back!
I'm sure I missed a lot, so I'm just going to jump back in!

DosMetros · 2010-03-08 01:17:22

Welcome back Cotton, glad you've made it back to the forum. Congratulations on the purchase of a new computer, sounds like your old one is similar to mine, hope to upgrade one day to a laptop, notebook, or something new.

"Bad News" Bob · 2010-03-08 13:45:19

Cotton wrote:

Reason: Computer was slowly dying. I therefore only used it for schoolwork as it took me about 30 minutes just to turn it on

Cotton, I sort of know how you feel. My computer is desperately in need of having it's operating system reinstalled, it's been about eight months since the last re-install, and defrags and other routine maintenance have taken their toll on it's operating speed and efficiency. The problem is, my IT guy is out on paternity leave for a few weeks and I don't trust my computer skills to off load my important files, wipe the hard drive, reinstall the operating system and update all the drivers and security systems. I've attempted this in the past with near disastrous results, so I leave that sort of thing to him. Mechanically, my computer is fine, but it's starting to take an inordinate amount of time to perform even the most basic of tasks. I'm actually thinking about having him to replace the processor when he updates everything else. Anyone here running Windows Seven?

Cotton · 2010-03-08 23:45:19

Wow BNB you just stuffed everything I don't understand about computers in that post! If it makes you feel better, you're at least better than I am with computers!

DosMetros · 2010-03-09 01:01:06

I have to do computer maintenence work each day, deleting temporary internet files, cookies, downloads, etc. I have absolutely zero extra space on the hard drive, so I have to delete all useless files on a daily basis.

Starshine · 2010-03-09 20:46:26

Reasons:
1. Project schedule from hell: you try doing 4 months' worth of work in 1 month.
2. Husband's bar exam schedule basically left me on my own with maintaining the household (while working 12-14 hour days for reason #1).
3. It's been a baaaaad winter for my seasonal issues. We seriously went WEEKS without a ray of sun peeking through the clouds. I'm not totally back to 100% yet, but I'm managing.
4. Traveling every weekend for the past 4 weeks.

So... I should be back intermittently for now. You'll lose me again in a few weeks, when my husband has major abdominal surgery (1 week in hospital, 6 week recovery period). My mom is coming up to be his recovery nurse, so we have to get the house in near-immaculate condition. Expect me back for good sometime this summer.

BadKarma · 2010-03-10 00:50:59

"Bad News" Bob wrote:

Anyone here running Windows Seven?

I would be, if I could justify building a new tower for the four days a month I'm home. But I will be in full uber-geek mode when I do, and I'm sure I'll be going for just a bit of overkill on my next build... 64 bit O/S, 12 gigs of RAM, two + TB of storage, dual video cards, quad core processor with hyperthreading, possibly striped SSDs for the boot drive, two 24" LCDs, the whole catastrophe.

I am thinking about buying a new Mac laptop. That way, not only will I have my normal annoying personality, but I'll be an Apple nerd, too!

Bamboo · 2010-03-10 11:01:25

YIPPIE!
we get starshine back--even if it can only be briefly~~~it's far better than not seeing you at all.

mom coming to live with you--as if your stress level hasn't been pushed to the limit already, eh.
hope her stay will turn out being much more benificial than detrimental.....
does hubby love your mom, or does he just tolerate her to stay in your good graces?
either way, he's gonna get to know his mom-in-law far better than he had probably ever hoped to in this lifetime.....
be sure to give us a heads-up on the actual surgery date so we can send a group line of prayers.
& again, welcome back starshine!!

Bamboo · 2010-03-10 11:08:02

BadKarma wrote:

"Bad News" Bob wrote:
Anyone here running Windows Seven?
I would be, if I could justify building a new tower for the four days a month I'm home. But I will be in full uber-geek mode when I do, and I'm sure I'll be going for just a bit of overkill on my next build... 64 bit O/S, 12 gigs of RAM, two + TB of storage, dual video cards, quad core processor with hyperthreading, possibly striped SSDs for the boot drive, two 24" LCDs, the whole catastrophe.
I am thinking about buying a new Mac laptop. That way, not only will I have my normal annoying personality, but I'll be an Apple nerd, too!

bk--even without the apple, it sounds like you have already earned your badge of geekdom!
Congrats (or condolences, if you didn't want the geek title) on knowing FARRRR more about computers than the average jo could or would ever want to know. i bet the salesmen at bestbuy/computercity/etc..(assuming they work on commission...) all get into fist-fights over who's gonna get to wait on you when you enter the building!

"Bad News" Bob · 2010-03-10 14:20:23

BadKarma wrote:

"Bad News" Bob wrote:
Anyone here running Windows Seven?
I would be, if I could justify building a new tower for the four days a month I'm home. But I will be in full uber-geek mode when I do, and I'm sure I'll be going for just a bit of overkill on my next build... 64 bit O/S, 12 gigs of RAM, two + TB of storage, dual video cards, quad core processor with hyperthreading, possibly striped SSDs for the boot drive, two 24" LCDs, the whole catastrophe.
I am thinking about buying a new Mac laptop. That way, not only will I have my normal annoying personality, but I'll be an Apple nerd, too!

BK, that sounds like what I did when I had Einstein, my computer's name, custom built. I went so over the top that it took five years for the average machines being sold to equal Einstein's speed, ram, and storage; problem is that was three years ago and now Einstein is like a horse and buggy compared to a Bugatti Veyron. The time for Einstein replacement is rapidly approaching, but like you I have to pi$$ some money down the laptop rabbit hole first, as my oldest daughter needs a computer for her room; because two computers are no longer enough to satisfy the needs of four people. So Einstein and Tesla will be getting a portable baby brother, however I've made no decisions on the brand yet.

Artistamy · 2010-03-10 18:02:35

I love Mac--but I am amazed at how buggy my new 27" desktop is compared to my old one. It's getting better, though. Nowhere near as bad as a windows machine, so I can't complain. Last time I tried to do any work on a Widows laptop, I cried. I was trying to print, for Pete's sake! But apparently there were windows I had no clue existed that had to be opened, about 15 of them. All I wanted to to was print. Ack!

Been on 'vacation' to Dominica Republic. I can say my curiosity has been satisfied and I won't go back. Mexico is way better! Marc got sick (he never gets sick) and it rained two out of the 3 days we were there (all day rain, wind and cold). The hotel was supposedly a 5 star, but equivalent to a 3 in Mexico. And it took 14 hours of travel to get there. It was so not worth interrupting my house sale/purchase. Which, BTW, we move out of our house this weekend, move our stuff into the new one and move ourselves to temporary quarters while they redo the plumbing.

Our final purchase price on the house? $481k!!! It appraised for the loan at $588k, it's worth in the current market $650k. Sweet!!! Hope you guys in the middle didn't have a heart attack, and LT probably is rolling over for how cheap that is for a 3700 sq ft house A starter home here is in the low $300's if that helps put things in perspective.

BadKarma · 2010-03-11 00:49:40

"Bad News" Bob wrote:

So Einstein and Tesla

I like that... imaginative. I just call mine The Money Pit.

BadKarma · 2010-03-11 00:52:04

Bamboo wrote:

BadKarma wrote:
"Bad News" Bob wrote:
Anyone here running Windows Seven?
I would be, if I could justify building a new tower for the four days a month I'm home. But I will be in full uber-geek mode when I do, and I'm sure I'll be going for just a bit of overkill on my next build... 64 bit O/S, 12 gigs of RAM, two + TB of storage, dual video cards, quad core processor with hyperthreading, possibly striped SSDs for the boot drive, two 24" LCDs, the whole catastrophe.
I am thinking about buying a new Mac laptop. That way, not only will I have my normal annoying personality, but I'll be an Apple nerd, too!

bk--even without the apple, it sounds like you have already earned your badge of geekdom!
Congrats (or condolences, if you didn't want the geek title) on knowing FARRRR more about computers than the average jo could or would ever want to know. i bet the salesmen at bestbuy/computercity/etc..(assuming they work on commission...) all get into fist-fights over who's gonna get to wait on you when you enter the building!

Sorry, 'boo, I build it all myself. Seems I'm a bit of a control freak. My approach to shopping, be it for computers (components) or vehicles: always know more than your enemy/sales puke.

Last edited by BadKarma (2010-03-11 00:52:32)

jheri · 2010-03-11 03:25:45

Artistamy wrote:

I love Mac--but I am amazed at how buggy my new 27" desktop is compared to my old one. It's getting better, though. Nowhere near as bad as a windows machine, so I can't complain. Last time I tried to do any work on a Widows laptop, I cried. I was trying to print, for Pete's sake! But apparently there were windows I had no clue existed that had to be opened, about 15 of them. All I wanted to to was print. Ack!
Been on 'vacation' to Dominica Republic. I can say my curiosity has been satisfied and I won't go back. Mexico is way better! Marc got sick (he never gets sick) and it rained two out of the 3 days we were there (all day rain, wind and cold). The hotel was supposedly a 5 star, but equivalent to a 3 in Mexico. And it took 14 hours of travel to get there. It was so not worth interrupting my house sale/purchase. Which, BTW, we move out of our house this weekend, move our stuff into the new one and move ourselves to temporary quarters while they redo the plumbing.
Our final purchase price on the house? $481k!!! It appraised for the loan at $588k, it's worth in the current market $650k. Sweet!!! Hope you guys in the middle didn't have a heart attack, and LT probably is rolling over for how cheap that is for a 3700 sq ft house A starter home here is in the low $300's if that helps put things in perspective.

I'm getting ready to go back to København. House prices there fell by about half during the crash, but still aren't cheap. My apartment is 79 sq meters and I have an option to buy. The current price is about 3.2M DKK, which is about $590k is USD. It is in a nice place and I don't need a car, but larger places are very expensive. I think København is close to NYC is price. People are starting to buy again because the prices crashed so much. Of course you could probably use the same money and buy Iceland.

LT-1 · 2010-03-11 10:58:03

LOL! Have you ever been to Iceland? We're.considering a trip to one of their natural mineral pool spas. Thoughts?

jheri · 2010-03-11 12:32:02

LT-1 wrote:

LOL! Have you ever been to Iceland? We're.considering a trip to one of their natural mineral pool spas. Thoughts?

I have been twice (as well as to Greenland once). The first time was to Reykjavík mostly and some bicycling with a friend in the countryside. I had very little money then and it seemed incredibly expensive. The city is small, I think less than 200,000, but feels European and anyone who is young speaks English very well. There are a lot of thermal pools through much of the country and I tried one here. Some of the restaurants are supposed to be world class, but I was mostly living with very little. There is a lot of creative energy with many musicians and artists. I saw Björk walking on the street. In this trip I took the bus trip to Þingvellir, which is where Iceland's democracy began in the 10th century. We did a hike in an area near there that was nice.

The next time was a serious trek through the middle of Iceland. They call that the highlands. It is incredibly rugged and spectacular and the leader of the group was a crazy geologist from the US. That was not a formal tour, it was just people getting together with the core group being some geologists. It was one of the best trips I've had.

You can balance money and weather. There are a couple of levels of off season travel that were cheap. My first trip was in early March and inexpensive for flying and hotel. The second was in late June and you couldn't find cheap travel packages, but I wasn't staying in hotels or eating in restaurants. A friend of mine is going next month and she says the current economy has some huge bargains. They really want foreign currency now.

The weather is milder than you would think, but that is the edge of the gulf stream. Reykjavík is famous for a lot of rain. I would definitely check climate information if you plan on any trekking

If you are into cities, this won't do much for you, but if you want a very different place with a lot of nature close by, it is pretty good.

LT-1 · 2010-03-11 15:09:45

Thank you so much! We were considering staying at one of the thermal pools that has some mineral content that benefits the skin. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the place, but the photos were spectacular. The website did warn about the weather and the time of year for a visit. It's not on the radar for us just yet -- we've got a few other places to go before we go there -- including our honeymoon on a bike tour of castles in Scotland. That is -- if I find a job soon. I may have to scale down the trip to make it affordable. If I were to book it right now, it's about $10K. I have a profile on www.honeymoonwishes.com if you'd like to take a look. It pretty much details the whole trip. You can look me up under Lauren *eger the star is a "T" in the search field on the website.

Artistamy · 2010-03-11 16:10:37

jheri--for sure, this area isn't one of the priciest in the country There are members here who can buy a house with property for under $100k. I remember back in the height of the market that a double-wide trailer here was $310 on a mobile home lot in a mobile home park--people in, say, Texas or other places 'in the middle' freaked out and thought i was lying. But to LT or you, homes in my city are cheap! And I agree with my new one--I am floored by the price! Lots of work to be done, sure, but still!

My sister ran a marathon in Iceland--it'd be a neat place to visit! I have a lot of places to see before I die, LOL!

LT--do you have a wedding date? (I may totally have missed it).

jheri · 2010-03-11 18:57:49

LT-1 wrote:

Thank you so much! We were considering staying at one of the thermal pools that has some mineral content that benefits the skin. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the place, but the photos were spectacular. The website did warn about the weather and the time of year for a visit. It's not on the radar for us just yet -- we've got a few other places to go before we go there -- including our honeymoon on a bike tour of castles in Scotland. That is -- if I find a job soon. I may have to scale down the trip to make it affordable. If I were to book it right now, it's about $10K. I have a profile on www.honeymoonwishes.com if you'd like to take a look. It pretty much details the whole trip. You can look me up under Lauren *eger the star is a "T" in the search field on the website.

Wow - that is detailed! Scotland is a good place. I was there during a Beltane celebration and jumped the fire. There is a lot of drinking, dancing and general rowdiness for sure. I certainly haven't done anything like staying in castles or some of the other things.

I'm lucky that my work has me traveling a lot and I can find a bit of time to look around. It certainly isn't conducive to relationships, but I'm more interested in travel and doing crazy things at this point in my life.

LT-1 · 2010-03-11 19:54:39

For me, the good news is its a second life and we both love to travel and do fun things together.

DosMetros · 2010-03-12 01:10:12

Well, that's a good reason for not posting to Tall Talk, traveling to all those beautiful places around the world. Hope you can take the time during your trip to post to Tall Talk, we'd like from you and to know where in the world you are.

Tall Talk

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