topic Re: Closing on present home soon in Mortgage Loans

Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 23:41:43 GMT

This Friday we close on our current home of 38 years, as our new home nears completion (projected closing date May 28). The buyers have graciously agreed to rent back to us the month of May so we only have to move once.

My agent says be at the law office 10:30 Friday morning, and I feel sad about that. We never thought we would leave here. It is the only home we know, all our memories of family are here, not all that much here, but it was OURS. It has long been paid for.

The agents, lawyers, are all so business like. They do this hundreds of times a year. I feel like I am signing my life away come friday. Our new home will be shiny, modern, with all the bells and whistles. Including a fancy rainhead shower, and that open concept everyone talks about. If I hear that phrase one more time I'm gonna snatch some duct tape over that jokers mouth. I will have a THREE car garage and plenty of room to park my motorcycles. It is very exciting, but tempered with the fact we are leaving this home and neighbors, some who have been neighbors with for 35 years.

My son who has been gone from here and on his own for over 10 years (lives 150 miles away) won't talk about it. He asked about the few things he has left here and what will happen to them. "You can come get them, or we decide if they make the cut or not. For sure somethings will not make the move and wind up in Goodwill." "I can't see you and mother in another house, it will never feel like home to me." "I can understand that, but home is where ever we decide to make it son."

We have another month here, but only a few more days as the owners. My wife called me from the office today and asked if I wanted to do anything tonight. "No, lets just eat in, I don't really feel like going anywhere." "Ok" "How many meals ya reckon you fixed in that kitchen babe?" "WHO knows, 10,000?"

Going to that meeting Friday kinda reminds me of taking your pet to the vet be euathanized.

Owell being called to supper.

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 23:56:37 GMT

Congrats at Bamaguy.. I hear you. Once you close, don't forget us and come back... You make me laugh sometimes...

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:14:24 GMT

I've never lived in one house for longer than 7 years, so I can't understand exactly how you're feeling, but I can still feel the sorrow in your words. Just keep thinking about that garage! What a dream. Your motorcycles will be so happy. =) Congratulations on closing & I'm happy you don't have to move twice.

Re: Closing on present home soon

StartingOver10 — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:54:19 GMT

Congratulations BamaGuy on the new chapter of this wonderful life you and your wife are leading. I have never lived in the same home for more than 9 years myself so it must be both heartbreaking and exhilerating to sell your home of 38 years and move into a new home you and your wife designed from the ground up.

You are so right about "I can understand that, but home is where ever we decide to make it son."

You both are in the home stretch now...keep us posted on your closing and moving adventures and please keep coming back here. I enjoy your posts too.

Re: Closing on present home soon

frugalQ — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:47:02 GMT

Bamaguy, I can only imagine how hard Friday will be for you and your family. We built our previous home and stayed in it for 11 years. Emotionally, I was a basket case when we moved out. I even stayed while our tenant moved in and offered to help them. I just wasn't ready to let go.

Just make sure to keep looking ahead at what's to come. New memories, a new chapter in life, and living dreams. You will always have 38 years of memories that no one can ever take from you.

Look at it this way....you are getting more room for the grand babies!!!!

Good luck on Friday! Please keep us posted on how it goes. And like everyone else, I enjoy reading your posts so please stay around.

Re: Closing on present home soon

ezdriver — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 14:46:56 GMT

I've never become emotionally attached to any of the 10 properties that I have ownd ... but my wife did tell me to stop referring to our HOME as our HOUSE a while back. All the best to your in your new HOUSE which you will undoubtedly make it your HOME by creating new memories.

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 15:08:04 GMT

My wife, who was leaving for the office sensed I was in a funk this morning, she was on her way out when she said, "You ain't said 10 words all morning, I know you're sad about leaving Primorse Drive (our street) but it's time. This is NOT the neighborhood we bought in any longer." Take out the first 6 months (lived in apt) we have been here our entire married lives.

She will be in charge of the boxing and sorting stuff. We don't have much clutter, we were pretty good at staying ontop of that stuff. "I'll take many things from here that will make the new house feel like home." We go by the new build often and I see her looking at the bare rooms and blank walls imaginging where she's gonna put stuff.

One of the items she showed me last night was a heart shaped wood plauge with our names engraved in the middle. We had it made while on our honeymoon in Gatlinburg way back in 1977, We hung it on the front door of our apt when we returned, and later it hung on the porch light here on Primrose. After about a year she took it down, and boxed it up. She handed it to me and said, "do you remember this?" "I didn't till now, but yes I remember." "I'm gonna hang it someplace in the new, prolly in the kitchen by the patio door, or in the foyer somewhere." " I never knew you held on to it." "Of course I did."

There is a bush on the side of the house my mother let me dig up from my boyhood home to replant here. It has thrived for 38 years. I asked my wife if it was possible to dig and take with us. She said no, "the root system is too complex It would be risky, we need to leave it." So that was that.

In the beginning of this, it was me that tawked her into things. She was most reluctant to leave. "People don't do this at our age." "ah it will be good, in a few weeks in the new you'll wonder what all the fuss was about." Now that reality is setting in, I feel different. This is a huge thing for us, going from NO mortgage payment to 4 digits is intimidating. The agent told us, "look you've not bought a house in 38 years, things are different now, your new payment is not high in todays world. Most would fight to have a payment like you have in the house you're gonna go to, this is not a big deal, you're thinkin too much."

So by 11:30 tomorrow I'll be a tenant in my own house LOL. Shhhheesh I'm goin up to 5 Guys, and then take a ride somewhere.

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:08:09 GMT

Bama, thank you for sharing and reflecting back on your memories with your home. It is apparent you love the place, and I'm sure you will create many amazing memories with your family in your new home. Crack open a cold one and cheers to new beginnings!

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 04:46:18 GMT

Unable to close today.

My man called me Thursday and said, " can't close Friday. The UW noticed in one of the inspection reports (done by the termite guy) y'all had termites along time ago. The report noted no current presence of termites." "I did have conversation with the inspector about that, it was 15 years ago. I noticed a few and quickly got pest control out here, other than a few pencil size holes, there was no damage." I still had the receipt on that, and was prepared to submit it to the buyers people if needed.

"The UW wants another inspection not from a pest control but a structure guy"

"So he's gonna know more about termite damage than the pest guy?"

"LMAO you're too funny, look I dunno LOL, he just advised that got somebody coming back out there"

Another guy came looked and prodded, and confirmed no damage was done. He also said in Alabama its not a question of if you're gonna get termites, the only question is when. They flourish here because of the wood, rains, and humidity. I gave him the copy of termite treatment receipt, it was done in 2001. "Ill forward this receipt with the report."

The inspection report was turned in and accepted, but it was late and not enough time to get the docs ready for closing.

My agent called me and said we were good and asked if I could close Monday, I said I could, but tuesday was better. He sent a txt few hours later and said we are set for 11am tuesday. So I get to keep my home in my name a few days longer.

DW said, "Did you put plant termites in the front so they'd back out?"

"Nooooo but that ain't a bad idea"

Re: Closing on present home soon

Lemmus — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 14:42:55 GMT

...you can take cuttings from almost any bush and replant them at your new home ...may be worth a few $ to you to get a pro to do it ...just a thought

Re: Closing on present home soon

frugalQ — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 03:14:24 GMT

Bamaguy....are you SURE you didn't plant the termites?!?!?!

*inquiring minds want to know*

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:13:14 GMT

Frugal asked me-

"Bamaguy....are you SURE you didn't plant the termites?!?!?!"

Now would I do something like that to keep em from buying my beloved home of 38 years??

You know what REALLY made me mad?? I had to throw in my SAMSUNG fridge with crushed out the door. It was only 3 years old!. The front door on that thing looks like the cockpit of a 747 with that dispenser and menu thing. It's bad enough they got my home but then want a guy's fridge? My agent said that's pretty much how things are done nowdays.

Re: Closing on present home soon

frugalQ — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:41:31 GMT

Don't sabotage the fridge!!! Lol.

We bought a samsung french door fridge. I really like it.

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 04:28:22 GMT

We closed on our home of 38 years yesterday.

We go to church with the family who bought our home, so it was a deal among friends. They did not know it was our home till the agent showed them around and they recognized us from our pictures on the wall. She's a single mom with 3 kids, her dad was on the FHA loan with her. Since her divorce 5 years ago, they'd been living in a 2 bedroom apt. The parents were present at the closing.

We signed a bunch of papers and that was that. It took about 45 minutes to sign away the house we had worked so hard to pay for all those years. ( we paid it off 8 years ago) The attorney noted it is rare to close on a home where a guy holds the title outright.

Finished, my wife and I headed back out to the car, and the new owner followed us. She had a gift basket for us in her car. It had a few small gifts, but mostly it had a card signed by each of her kids. The 9 yr old boy signed it, "Thanks for selling us your house." I believe all things happen for a reason. Our house had been on the market for 5 months with almost no activity. I was making plans going forward on just keeping the house, but selling it would open many options for us. I belive all things happen for a reason. You just have to look for it sometimes. It just happens a family needing a nice home, for a good price, that we go to church with, out of nowhere, buys? C'mon. But that is exactly what happened. You'll never convince me God didn't bless all of us at that closing, as He nodded his approval.

With a 6 figure check in hand (that'll make anyone feel better) we left the meeting and made the short drive to a Regions Bank Branch. Not people of means, it was the biggest check I had ever held in my hand at one time LOL. The teller advised me it would take 3 days before funds were available. "You telling me in this day of instant transfers, it's gonna take THREE days for the check to clear?" "yes sir." Basically Regions is gonna use my money for free for 3 days, but that's ok, its business.

Because I hang out on myfico, I had the teller copy the check, and the depoist receipt, and then had their in house notary stamp both, in prepartion to send to the LO who in turn will forward it the UW.

After that we stopped at a local hamburger place for lunch. Excellent burgers. It was a quiet lunch, as things were still soaking in.

From there we headed over to the community where our new house was under construction. I stopped to see the agent in the office, and handed him the copies I had made in the bank so he could scan them in to LO's direct email. "you had them notarized?" "Oh yeah, been at this long enough now to know how suspcious UWers can be, not gonna leave any doubt where the money came from." "You know that ain't a bad idea, they might start requiring it now"

"look here, I'm homeless after June 1, y'all gonna finish end of May like ya said?" The buyers, under no pressure to move, graciously allowed us the month of May. I offered to pay rent, but they steadfast declined. The kind of people they are. They genuiely feel lucky to buy our home. I serve with the lady's mother on the parish finance council, and she said they were scared I would counter their offer. "Well I was upset I had to turn over my Samsung fridge, but I got over it."

"Yes that's what were shooting for", but they currently have 21 builds going on in 5 communities, scattered over 100 miles of Alabama towns. I hope they can pull it off, but I have plan b ready.

We left the office and went by the house. Driveway is formed but rain has kept them from pouring it. Cabinets are up. and fireplace bricked, inside looks ready to paint. Its going to be a beautiful home if I say so myself. The community only has 25 lots, and only a few remain. All lots on my street are sold, I was lucky to get one with a PGA course as a backyard. Well I say "lucky" I paid had a handsome "lot premium" for it.

We left and went by Home Depot to shop for a new fridge. It is very close to the community. We bought a new Samsung french door unit. It even has those door in door things so a guy can get his Mountain Dews and Dr. Peppers without opening the main door. I dunno what good that does, but it makes ya look important when you got guys over to watch the games.

Back home I pulled in the driveway at Primrose Drive, no longer the owner but a tennant. Talk about feeling odd. My neighbor of 35 years saw us as we got out of the car. He has spoken little to me since I put the house up for sale. "Y'all closed today?" "We did." On that he turned and went inside

We ate supper at the breakfast table that night, instead of the den and TV. It just felt like the thing to do.

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:14:32 GMT

Bamaguy, I have to say I love reading your posts. You have a gift of writing that makes it easy to visualize the point you are trying to make. They always make me smile, laugh or even tear up like this thread. Good luck to you and your wife in your brand new house!! I look forward to reading many more of your posts!!

Re: Closing on present home soon

frugalQ — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:29:03 GMT

Bamaguy,

I was looking forward to this update today. I was actually looking for it last night. LOL

I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason (and for the good)...and they work in God's time and not ours. I had to hold fast to that thought during my closing ordeal.

Welp....chapter X is closing, and chapter Y is just beginning. Make it as memorable as all of the previous chapters in your life!!

Like the other poster said, I love reading your posts.....they make me chuckle. And today's posts actually made me tear up a bit!

Re: Closing on present home soon

LynGene — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 18:42:48 GMT

I'm betting it will feel surreal until move out day as a tenant, but I'm glad that you're able to take the transition in more manageable chunks:

Close - check
New fridge - check
Pack - in progress
Final move - around the corner

You seriously made me tear up!

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:35:37 GMT

Since our closing the pace of things has picked up. My LO emailed and advised the disclosure meeting on the new was going down this monday. I called her.

"So why ya wanna schedule a meeting without checking with me first??"

"LOL cause you're retired"

"So what's this meeting about?"

"The details of you're loan, and stuff you're gonna need at closing etc,and we're gonna lock in your rate. I have the cancelled check and depoist receipt from your sale, but I also need 2014 taxes, and the HUD-1 settlement/statement from the sale of your house, 30 days pay stubs, 60 days bank statements."

"you already have that most of that"

"yeah but I need the latest now that we are a few weeks from closing"

I gathered the needed items, went by the office, and had the agent scan them into her email. Good to go.

Our dining room is now the place for stuff that is boxed up and ready to go. DW has boxed most of the pictures and dishes, I'm still lagging behind, most of my stuff is here in my office where I spend alot of time if not watching the flat screen, our playing Call of Duty on PS4. It was a perfect day weather wise here today. Low humidity, and clear skies, it will soon be summer and 9 months of misery is on the horizon. A guy needs to enjoy these days while he can.

I was stirring about this morning, stepping around boxes and clutter. DW said, "I need ya to help me go through the master bedroom today?"

"What for, none of MY stuff in there is mine, you took over all those closets over about 36 years ago." At one time I had a few things in the small closet, that now stores nothing but HER shoes. My stuff was shuffled off to the study closet before I was even shaving.

"Thats NOT true LOL"

"yes it is, you find ONE thing of MINE in there and I'll buy the steaks"

"Well I still need some help"

"I was gonna ride today, can't it wait??"

" NO I'm in the mood NOW"

"I'm NOT even gonna respond to that, I think it came out wrong."

"LOL you know what I mean"

So we delved into things. We made 2 piles, stuff that makes the cut to the new, and the goodwill pile.

Finally we started on the shoe closet. It was intimidating to say the least when you're confronted with over 50 pair of shoes. I'd hold a pair up, "What about these?"

"keep em"

"What about these?"

"Keep em"

"what about these?"

"keep em"

"How come we're not phasing any out? I pointed to some black heels, "now I know you ain't wore these in 5 years"

"YEAH BUT I LIKE THEM"

So we kept digging through shoes and came upon some old picture albums. I mean from way back in the day. We started thumbing through them. Pictures from all kinds of occassions. "I can't ever remember being THIS young," as she handed me a pic, she was 23. We were at the beach, bathing suits. "Shheeesh babe you were smokin hot." The picture albums set us back a couple of hours in the packing so we called it a day. "Start again tomorrow"

I took the ready boxes and moved them to the dining room, all the while thinking how a home of 38 years can come down to a few boxes, tables, chairs etc. but it does. The stuff that really counts doesn't have to be boxed, you store them up here and here (pointing at head and heart). I guess moving day will get here soon enough.

I won the bet and she bought tonight.

Re: Closing on present home soon

frugalQ — Mon, 04 May 2015 14:03:08 GMT

Bamaguy, you are gonna have us all crying and snotting on move-in day!!!

Re: Closing on present home soon

Anonymous — Mon, 04 May 2015 17:23:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Finally we started on the shoe closet. It was intimidating to say the least when you're confronted with over 50 pair of shoes. I'd hold a pair up, "What about these?"

"keep em"

"What about these?"

"Keep em"

"what about these?"

"keep em"

"How come we're not phasing any out? I pointed to some black heels, "now I know you ain't wore these in 5 years"

"YEAH BUT I LIKE THEM"

LOL I know this all too well!!!!!!! Best of luck, BamaGuy! Thank you again for sharing your story - it is an amazing one!