Journey of a Homeowner

New blog takes more time away from home

2011-04-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

I have found that I have not been keeping up with my blog. Reason is I actually started another. Its not even remotely related. Its a foreign movie review blog.

Joe Foreign Review

I tend to watch a lot of foreign movies. Most of which the majority of people have never seen. I have found the current hollywood can not make a decent movie. Sure that poop out a good one from time to time but the overall is...they suck.

Its finally done and working

2011-04-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Thats right. The dishwasher is finally working. I no longer need to wash my own dishes. Some think this is lazy, but I think its just modern.

Dishwaser is installed (Almost)

2011-04-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

AB May came out today to install my dishwasher. It went really smooth. I was really worried about the dishwasher fitting. Its was a really tight fit. It fits perfect though. I couldn't ask for a better one. It's actually kind of funny. I was actually tearing off some of the wood underneath the cabinets just so it would make the height needed for the dishwasher. Turns out I didn't need to do any of that.

The reason I put almost is because they could not reuse the water line from the old dishwasher. It was a solid line and the Samsung needed a stainless steel braided line so it could be moved around underneath it. The cut off the old line and gave me some options. "We can get it fully installed now and have a plumber come out tomorrow...which I worn you, they will charger you another $60USD for or you can purchase this..."

I went with the latter. All I needs was a 5/8 to 3/8 compression fitting. After that it will run. I plan to pick that up tomorrow from the store. I should be able to do my first load of dishes tomorrow.

Sherwin Williams Corporate Discount

2011-04-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

Looks like a get a Corporate discount through Sherwin williams. Talk about great. Looks like I get 15% off everything they have in the store plus extra depending on the item. Paint can be up to 30% off but it depends on the amount that you buy. I will figure out everything I plan to paint and buy it all at once. Maximize my savings.

Ive worked in some helping hands as well. Friend of mine will spray my ceiling for me. Thats a huge help. I wasn't sure how it would turn out if I did the job.

I'll get some color samples posted soon. That way you can see the colors before I get them up on the walls.

Renting a room

2011-04-05T05:20:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine wants to rent my spare bedroom. I am really considering it. It will give me more money to spend on home improvements. With this market that would truly be helpful. Plus I could use a second pair of hands to paint.

I'll make my decision by this weekend. I know it is just for short term. So I will make sure we work out the time frame before we agree to anything. I don't want it to last forever.

Decorating ideas for living rooms

2011-04-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

There are so many different designs styles to choose from. You can even mix and match. Contemporary, modern, traditional, eclectic, and more.

I really don't want to mix and match styles. I think those tend to look A.D.D. I want my place to have a finished look. I've been looking at a lot of furniture at Crate and Barrel, as well as Nebraska Furniture Mart. I'm torn between Asian or Modern.

Modern

Asian

Its really hard to choose.

Is Homeowner Insurance worth it?

2011-04-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

After my first dealing with my Homeowners Insurance. I am not sure that it is worth it. My first claim was for my dishwasher. As many of you know it has been a real pain to deal with. After submitting my claim and paying my $60 USD claim fee. I'm really only ahead $30 USD. They gave me a $90 USD to Nebraska Furniture Mart.

The only reason I have it now is that the Bank I purchased the foreclosed home from gave it to me for free in our negotiations. If I had the choice again. I would have taken the $450 USD and put it towards the cost of the house.

AB May is going to come out Tuesday to install my new dishwasher. That way it is still qualified for the homeowners insurance.

Thank you Samsung for the dishwasher

2011-04-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

This thing looks awesome. I cant wait to have it installed and running. I am temped to install it myself but the piping has me a little worried. I am going to let the pros handle this one.

You have to admit that is a sexy dishwasher.

Old dishwasher is still a pain

2011-04-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

This thing was a pain in the butt to pull out from underneath the cabinet. It was almost like it was glued in. turns out it may have been a little tall for the area. Plus the water pipe was a solid 1cm copper pipe. I thought that was a little over board but I am not a plumbing professional.

They will be hauling away the old when the new one arrives. Thats they only reason I wanted to make sure that I got it out.

I noticed that it does have water in the bottom. If I am lucky I will not have to worry about that. I'll let them deal with it.

Know when to hire a professional

2011-03-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

Most DIY stuff around the house you can do. These ones to look out for are the following:

Plumbing
Electrical
Load bearing walls

All of these have extreme consequences if something were to go wrong. Plumbing can damage almost everything in your home. Electrical can stop your heart if you mess with the wrong wire or forget to turn the power off. Load bearing walls can bring your house down on itself.

Me personally would not want to deal with any of these issues. This is a perfect time to call in a professional.

Project: Fixing a wet basement

2011-03-29T23:52:00.000-07:00

Slowly coming along with the wet basement. So many things going on in this house that its hard to keep it straight at times. I'm finding it hard just to gets small jobs done. I know they will all get done. Its just a matter of time.

That wasn't there when I bought the house.

I had to tear into the wall to find where the water is coming from. Unfortunately we are in a bit of a dry spell so its hard to see where the water is coming in.

Notice the water stain.

This last photo is hard evidence that water is coming in.

Project: Remodling the Bar

2011-03-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

A summer project of mine will be to remodel the wet bar. The construction of it is sound but the appearance of it is very rough and dated. No real ideas of what to do to it so far so I figured I would post photos and let you guys come up with some ideas. ;)

Its a nice size bar. Just needs a face lift.

Wet bar means it has a sink.

Plenty of room to mix drinks and store bottles of energy.

This old house is true

2011-03-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Part of my HGTV addiction is This Old House. This show has some of the best Home Improvement and Remodeling ideas on this network.

Expert advice on kitchen design and planning, from remodeling to easy upgrades for every layout from great rooms to galley kitchens. Find more space in half baths, powder rooms, and other tight-squareeze bathrooms by looking at design, layout, and storage options. Ideas, projects, upgrades, and step-by-step instructions for creating a cozy great room, living room, library, and more.

And their website is killer. They have all kinds of videos you can watch and learn from. They also have a wonderful gallery that other homeowners post too. This is a great way to get ideas from and also comments back on what people think of your home.

I plan on posting a few photos on there to see what people think of my home.

HGTV Addiction

2011-03-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

I’ve watched way too many HGTV shows over the last couple of days.

I found out how to watch them on Hulu and I’ve consumed many episodes of House Hunters, Top Design, and more. I’m addicted. It’s giving me an escape. It’s letting me escape for thirty minutes and dream about renovating my place.

HGTV gives me a break from these thoughts. It let’s me escape into someone else’s home buying or decorating process and pretend it’s my own. I like having that ability to make the decisions in my head and talk back to the show when I feel they made a horrible choice.

It’s too bad they don’t pay you for watching HGTV.

How to meet your neighbors

2011-03-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

I actually met one of my neighbors by accident. I was leaving with a friend when they pulled into their driveway. It was interesting the number of questions she had for me. Do you smoke? Is that your wife? Do you have kids? She wanted to know so much about me. It was actually pretty cool. Sadly the only thing I now know about her is her name and that she has a dog. Need to find more ways to introduce myself.

Just because delivering a Jell-O mold to welcome a newcomer to the block is creepy doesn’t mean you’re destined to live a lonely, anonymous life in your neighborhood. Even if you are the new person.

Saying hello "a lost art that needs to be brought back." Try this: Walk around your neighborhood and actually look at people, not down at the sidewalk or at your iPhone. As you pass someone, make eye contact and smile, nod, or say "Hi." Afterward, continue walking, and don’t look back. Repeat.

Practice common courtesies. Return your neighbors’ mail if it’s delivered to you by mistake (including a nice note wouldn’t hurt). Help strangers who need assistance with large packages, or carrying strollers up and down stairs. Open doors for others.

These are just some small things that you can do to learn more about your neighbors.

How to be a first time homeowner

2011-03-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

A first time home owner often starts the real estate search all sunny & happy. They are finally going to get their dream home. A few weeks later you can see first time home buyers tearing out their hair or even crying.

Look past what you see in the house. Many of the homes that you look at will be dusty. They will probably be cluttered and decorated in a style that you don't like. You need to learn how to look past people's possessions. You aren't buying the furniture. Use vision as a first time home owner to turn what you can afford into your dream house.

The first rule of real estate is location, location, location. You can change pretty much everything about the house except for where it is. If you are looking for a prime location you will probably have to spend more money. If you think it's in a great place, so will another first time home owner. This may mean that you'll end up with an older home that costs more money.

Look for up and coming neighborhoods or add 15 minutes to your commute to save more money. Be sure to factor in the added cost of getting back and forth to work (Even if gas prices sky rocket) to see if the money that you would save is really worth it.

Most first time home buyers have a list of dozens of things that they want, like dishwashers, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. If you are on a budget, you will have to learn to compromise. Decide what you can and can't do without. Needs and wants are different. Learn what they are to you.

Slow as a turtle

2011-03-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

I finally worked out with A.B. May on who will be installing my dishwasher. They at first told me that Nebraska Furniture Mart was going to install it and I would have to pay their fee and they would reimburse me. I felt that was to much of a pain. I paid them $60 USD and all they have done was give me a $90 USD credit to NFM. So they are basically out $30 USD. I really don't feel like I'm coming out a head here. After speaking with them I finally got them to install my dishwasher for free as this was covered by the first $60 USD fee.

The part that I felt unfair about is that I had to climb the food chain to get this answer. Everyone before hand was telling me that it was an extra fee for them to install it since I purchased the dishwasher from someone else. Sure one person can make a mistake but I got the same answer from two different people before I spoke with someone in management. Mangement was very clear that the install was included with the first fee and that I will not be charged an additional fee. If it wasn't for the fact that I am stuborn when it comes to money, they would have got another $60 USD from me. Some how I bet that is how their system works. Its just a racket to make more money.

I have zero plans to renew this home warranty. A.B. May is a scam. This is a clear example that gives insurance companies a bad name. They are not playing fair. They are 100% for the system. Know your rights as a homeowner. Read the fine print. Make sure you are not getting screwed by them or any other company for that matter. They will all try to make a buck off you.

Samsung is now my kitchen theme

2011-03-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

So I went up to Nebraska Furniture Mart to purchase the Whirlpool dishwasher. Turns out that sell ended the day before. Talk about being upset. I then asked to see a GE model that I had compared to the Whirlpool. Turns out that one was also part of the sale. Talk about suck.

I can't drive all the way out here and not get something. So now I told the guy to just show me stainless steel dishwashers with hidden controls. Showed me serveral but all of them either did not have features I was looking for or it had a big brand badge on the front of it. Thats kind of why I like the GE models. They do not have any labels on the front of it. I took a longshot and asked if they had any Samsung models on the floor. To my surprise he said yes (Their website still does not show any Samsung models). The price was still high but it was nothing like the others. Plus I knew I had $190 USD in credit coming to me.

The Samsung had all the features I was looking for and it had a stainless steel tub to boot. It was also the quietest dishwaser I looked at (51db). I should be able to run it just before bed and not have to worry about it.

After getting home I made a realization. The dishwasher is 34" tall. My counter is just under 34". Sounds like I will need a BFH. Im going to make that thing fit no matter what. I wont care if it never comes back out. Unless it breaks, it better not break. I decided not to purchase the exteneded warranty on this one. I have 30 days to change my mind. I don't think I will.

Huge savings on dishwasher

2011-03-21T05:13:00.000-07:00

Looks like A.B. May is coming through for me. They are giving me a $90 USD credit (cost of the part) to go towards any appliance purchase. This is awesome. Combine that with the $100 USD gift card and this washer is going to cost me $208 USD. It would have been less if I could have gottent the entire $158 USD credit but they would not include the labor since I was buying from else where. Either way I am happy.

Im actually thinking about getting a GE model. Its about $100 USD more but it matches my fridge handle much better. This will give the kitchen a more unified feel. This will end up being an in the moment purchase. Im trying to keep expenditures down. The more I spend the less I make when I go to sell the house. At the same time. What is $100 USD when it could mean a quicker sell of the house? This is just one of the questions that I fight with myself on.

Epoxy basement wall crack repair

2011-03-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

Ive dealt with leaky basement since I was a child. They seem to be typical. Though they should never be ignored as the problem will grow in to a major foundation issue. Its best to identify the problem and address it while it is small. This is not just in the basement. This also includes your garage, pool, and patio.

Most are caused by the drying shrinking, thermal movement of the ground. If you do not fix the cracks while they are small. They will widen and get worse. Then you will have to do much more than a simple epoxy job. You may have to run tile drainage or do some kind of excavation. Foundation cracks will also hinder the value of your home.

Lucky for me they have inexpensive epoxy crack repair kits. These are cost effective and a homeowner like myself can get the job done. Poured foundation cracks may be repaired by using low-pressure injection of an epoxy or polyurethane foam material. For the repair of concrete floor cracks, certain epoxies and polyurea materials exists, suitable for such slab repairs.

Either way, the repair of concrete cracks in either the foundation or the slab may efficiently and effectively be completed in as little as an hour or more.

Basement leaking

2011-03-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to ripping out the basement wall. I have not located the leak but I know I am close. I think I have an idea of what is causing it. From the outside I see a small tree growing in the window area. Its about 1-2 inch thick. I would not be surprised if this was the culprit. I wont be for sure until I find the leak. I still have to rip out all of the insulation next.

Im hoping that a good epoxy filler will save me thousands of dollars. I really dont have to have to spend money to trully get this fixed. After I rip out the tree and apply root killer to everything in the area. I hope it goes away. I will also work on the grading of the house. That way water flows away.

I also plan on installing new gutters this summber. They are needed anyway.

How to clean stainless steel appliance without streaks

2011-03-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me you have gone through the gamut of cleaning solutions and cloths. So far nothing has worked for me. Until now.

Vinegar. Common everyday viriety white vinegar. Spray it on in its undiltud form, then wipe with a clean wash cloth. Then take a paper towel over the entire thing. 100% streak free. This is the best cleaning tip I have ever seen. Plus vinegar kills 99% of all germs, so you dont have to worry about things growing on the surface.

Why is Nebraska Furniture Mart so awesome?

2011-03-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

This store has so much going for it. They always make sure they have the lowest prices. If they don't they will beat the advertised price by another 10%. Now that is what I call commitment. They even gave me a $100 USD gift card when I purchased my Samsung french door refrigerator. They want you to come back often.

Now that my dishwasher has hit the fritz. I want to use this gift card before it expires. $100 USD toward a new appliance is pretty sweet. Even more so when I can find a hugely discounted item on NFMs website. And it just so happens I did. The Whirlpool Gold with Full Integrated Console GU2275XTVS. This is a sweet stainless steel dishwasher that will go really well with my fridge. I know some people really like to match their appliances but since im going with stainless steel. Its kind of hard not to match. Just have to follow the grain of the steel and I should be good.

The next part is to wait for the call from the A.B. May people. I want to get my $158 USD repair credit to go towards any purchase that I make. Not some cheap over priced piece of crap they want me to buy. I know its a long shot to get them to go this way but its worth trying. I cold have a new stainless steel dishwasher with integrated controls for as little as $140 USD plus taxes. This include my repair credit and my nebraska furniture mart card.

The MSRP on this model is $649 USD. I think I would be getting a pretty outstanding deal on it if all goes my way. This is a current model too. How awesome is that?

Stupid Dishwasher died on me

2011-03-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

Chances are the thing was already dead. It was the first time I went to use it and the motor was siezed. I went ahead and called A.B. May. My home warranty is through them. They came out and diagnosed it. They came to the same conclusion. They gave me two options. 1. They will replace the part for free. 2. They will apply the repair credit ($158 USD) towards the purchase of a new dishwasher. Now the second option sounds great. The catch is that I must purchase the dishwasher through them. So I went ahead and got the model info from them and what it would cost me. OHH WHAT A RIP OFF! They want to charge $523 USD for the new dishwasher and thats with the $158 USD credit. I can buy that same fridge new from Lowes and it will cost me $386 USD installed, which includes hallway of the old one. To go even further. The MSRP on the Whilpool website says $499 USD for the stainless model. How the hell are they charging $681 USD for the same dishwasher!!!! A.B. May is a joke. I am not going to recommend them to anyone.

I left them a voice mail to give me a call back. We'll see what happens. I want the $158 USD to go towards any purchase I make.

Now you could say its not markup. Its the Labor involved. Im not paying for Labor. Its a warranty. I shouldnt have to pay for it. I'm already paying $60 USD just to have a service call. I now know why people usually don't get home warrantys. Its a rip off. The only reason I have one is because I did'nt have to pay for it.

Come next year, I will not renew it PERIOD!

What is the best mortgage lender?

2011-03-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

These are the main points that I went through when deciding on my lender and when searching for a home. I shopped myself around to different lenders and landed with Wells Fargo first. After getting horrible service with them, Stonegate Mortgage appeared. They treated me fair. My only fault with them is that I had to pay for the appraisal guy to go back out and look at some repairs that was made.

Analyzing your debt to income ratio
This is one of the first things a lender will look at when you're buying a home. The less debt you have the lower your percentage will be. When I purchased my home. My debt to income ratio was 8%. Which is really good. Once you start hitting 25-27% its gets a little flaky. Reason being once you apply your mortgage to that ratio you will be close or over 50%. Most lenders want to keep you under 47%. In my opinion that is still to high. When you get approved, they are approving you for the max percentage. Always find this out. Try to stick to 22-25%. This way you won't be house poor.

Are You Really Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?
Pre-Qualified and Pre-approved are two different things. Know the difference. In face dont even wory about pre-qualified. It doesnt do anything for you. It may get some realtor to talk to you, but thats about it. Always get pre-approved when you find the mortgage company you want to go with. Use the pre-qualified as a way to feel out the mortgage company and how they work.

Do You Have a Mortgage or a Deed of Trust?
security instruments that gives a lender the right to sell your property to recover funds if you do not pay the debt. A mortgage and a deed of trust are both security instruments, but deed of trust allows a lender to take an easier road to foreclosure. As they dont have to go through a judicial process (no court).

Don't Get Caught Up In Loan Fraud
I dont see how anyone can get caught in one. If you are at all educated then you know what companies are reputable. If you dont, then educate yourself. I used Stongate Mortgage.

Facts About ARMs, Adjustable Rate Mortgages
If you dont plant to live in your home for more than a few years, get an arm. You can get a better interest rate in the earlier years. After the period has expired your loan will adjust each year until it reaches the max APR that is agreed apon when your mortgage was made.

Facts About FHA Mortgages
FHA loans allow you to buy a home with as little as 3% down. Unlike a conventional home loan that requires 20%.

RESPA's Required Disclosures Help You Shop for a Mortgage
Disclosures will become your best friend. These will break down all the cost. That way you will not have any surprises. Its there to protect consumers when they buy and sell real estate, and teaches them to be better shoppers. This will also make it easier for you to compare two different mortgage companies since you will see a break down of every fee you have to pay for.

Should You Buy Discount Points?
Unless you plan on living in your home for more than 10 years. Dont waste your time. I could have paid an extra $1000 and gained a point but it would have taken 7 years to before I would start seeing the savings.