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My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 1:06 pm
by Canelek
Signed counter-offer last night, closing in April. I am particularly thrilled about this since it took me about 3 years to rebuild my credit. The place is a 1920 completely remodeled Bungalow, located just outside of downtown Portland in the Hollywood District. Fucking rad location! Close to light rail, Trader Joe's, a bunch of hipster bars and some restaurants. Totally nice neighborhood!
These are all pictures from one of the listing sites, and they really do not do the place justice. Also, there is a 1100 SF basement, partially finished (some sheetrock hung and taped).
I'll post my own photos next time I roll over there.
Woofuckinghoo!!

Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 1:50 pm
by Aabidano
Neat place, congrats!
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 2:48 pm
by Fairweather Pure
Congrats. There are few things in life as satisfying as buying your own house. It appears clean, well taken care of, and modest. That is a great starter home.
Now you can pimp out your home exactly to your liking. Hot tub, tankless water heater, stainless everything, home theater, man cave, ect.
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 4:14 pm
by Kluden
grats dude, I wish I was shopping right now!
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 6:09 pm
by Canelek
Thanks!
Yeah, the basement will be a very long project that will likely start in earnest after next year's tax returns.
However, since he already started hanging rock, I can complete that rather soon. At least to make it a cleaner-looking space and lock out spiders and such. I am going to go ahead and get the measurements over to my step-dad for design ideas.
Full bathroom
Custom wet bar
Gym
Lounge area and/or theater room
Lighting design, carpeting, soffits, hanging ceiling in places, chair rails, etc... I really want it to be something impressive.
Materials alone will be quite pricey, but it should all come out much cheaper if we do most of the work ourselves (aside from installing plumbing stumps for toilet, etc.).
Saturday I'll take some photos when out with inspectors.
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 6:29 pm
by miir
Make sure you don't over-renovate and out-price the neighbourhood.
It's a cute place.
There's nothing quite like buying your first home.
Congrats!
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 7:42 pm
by Kilmoll the Sexy
Is there already a pit in the basement or are you going to have to dig your own?
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 8:22 pm
by Canelek
No, but I am still torn between fighting pit (ala Conan) or general purpose pit.
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 24, 2011, 11:27 pm
by Aabidano
It puts the Joe Dirt in the hole!
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 25, 2011, 12:51 pm
by Bubba Grizz
Awesome man and congratz. Also, it looks like you won't need a lawn mower really. You could cut that plot with some shears.

Re: My First House!
Posted: February 25, 2011, 1:07 pm
by Canelek
That there is what you call a 5-minute mow, and that includes tracking down starter fluid if the damn mower just won't start right.
Also, I plan on ripping the grass out at some point and doing a little landscaping. It would be fantastic to get some saplings going, along with some decorative grasses (those that survive the winters here, that is). I will add nice sod, since the drainage looks good.
Out front is just weed-blocker and bark dust. The landscaping the previous owner did is not awfult, it is just plain. Sadly, I've got little room out front to do much to add shade. Luckily, the windows are good, so that should help keep the place from becoming an oven.

Well, that is the hope... I really should not have sold my portable AC!
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 26, 2011, 9:19 pm
by Canelek
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 27, 2011, 12:38 am
by Winnow
Sweet, wood floors. Basement looks like you could do something fun with as well.
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 28, 2011, 11:29 am
by masteen
I hear this guy is the master of basement renovations. You should give him a call.

Re: My First House!
Posted: February 28, 2011, 11:40 am
by Boogahz
omg, lol
at least apple juice is less painful than mtn dew when exiting the nose...
Re: My First House!
Posted: February 28, 2011, 11:42 am
by Boogahz
Canelek wrote:Took some pics during the inspection today. Obviously dude still lives there!
Quick, the house is about to tip over! The angle of the picture makes it look like the house is sliding down a hill
Grats on the house. Having your OWN space is going to rock

Re: My First House!
Posted: February 28, 2011, 12:02 pm
by Tyek
congrats
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 1, 2011, 1:46 pm
by Canelek
Boogahz wrote:Canelek wrote:Took some pics during the inspection today. Obviously dude still lives there!
Quick, the house is about to tip over! The angle of the picture makes it look like the house is sliding down a hill
Grats on the house. Having your OWN space is going to rock

In Portland, all homes are built at odd angles. Think 'Mystery Spot' in Santa Cruz.
And thanks! We are writing up the repair addendum now. Looks like we need seller to buy new furnace, repair/update chimney and take care of some other minor things. Inspector said for the age of the place it is in remarkable shape!

Re: My First House!
Posted: March 1, 2011, 3:31 pm
by Chidoro
Congrats on the purchase. Rates are really good again, great time to be a buyer.
Use it well.

Re: My First House!
Posted: March 1, 2011, 3:50 pm
by Ashur
Congrats Leezard Bungalow! I'd go with Old Sebilis basement decor versus New Sebilis main floor.
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 1, 2011, 5:01 pm
by Canelek
I'll consider it!
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 9, 2011, 12:43 pm
by Canelek
Good news!
It has been confirmed that the oil fuel tank no longer is buried in the yard! This could have posed some problems, especially if it had been there, and leaking. Apparently oil tank removal had been an informal process in the state... would not wanted to have dealt with EPA!
So, that means we are on to appraisal scheduling! I think I have all of my financial documentation accounted for as well, yay!
Still on track to close by 4/7.

Re: My First House!
Posted: March 14, 2011, 3:23 pm
by Ashur
Have you done a check for buried ancient Sebilisian Emperors or Golems yet? Also, next time you're there call out "CAMP CHECK!". There may be a group in the Kitchen you're unaware of.
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 15, 2011, 8:53 pm
by Drolgin Steingrinder
Ashur wrote:Have you done a check for buried ancient Sebilisian Emperors or Golems yet? Also, next time you're there call out "CAMP CHECK!". There may be a group in the Kitchen you're unaware of.
Make sure to do this. It really sucks to open a kitchen cupboard to find an_Ancient_Golem there that you didn't expect.
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 18, 2011, 1:56 pm
by Canelek
That would not be so good. Especially when I am painting over the grasshopper green.
Re: My First House!
Posted: March 30, 2011, 5:07 am
by Canelek
Almost there! Loan docs are at the title company and they will call later today to make closing appointment!!! Holy shit I have to get some things done! Craziness.
Re: My First House!
Posted: April 5, 2011, 6:26 pm
by Canelek
CLOSED!
Keys on Thursday!
Re: My First House!
Posted: April 6, 2011, 10:40 am
by Kluden
Grats again. I just started the refinance process and its amazing how different it is from when I bought. Banks actually are looking at borrowers now it would seem.