Settlement - Complete!

I can honestly say that I've never been part of such an odd closing before.  And I've been through a few of them.

As it turns out, there are very few construction loans in general. In this financial market, only about 50% of regular home loans ever make it to closing for one reason or another.  So, we are talking about a small percentage of a small percentage here, and it was pretty evident that nobody really knew how to do it.  There were 3-5 phone calls from the closing officer to the bank officer in the middle of settlement.

Money went from us to the bank to the title company and back to the bank.  It really was a clown show.

On the good side, Trident did the stand up thing and gave us a discount on the points that were placed in the loan. They did not have to do that... and it makes a big difference for us.

Contractor was happy, bank was happy, we were happy.

so, all in all, it was a successful plan.

And, now that we have the moolah locked down, we're pretty much locked on the exterior.

Here is the latest:

Closing... maybe. (Again)

So I've been completely remiss in posting. These past months have been infuriating.  With the curent banking system mess banks are acting like absolute A-Holes.

We have been re-re-re-scheduled for closing for tomorrow, Tuesday the 24th.  Who knows if they will keep this date.  So far, they have not even provided us the actual closing cost number.

I swear, I'm tempted to walk away from the bank at this point and go to someone else.  The only thing that is keeping me with them is the fact that I know I'll have to do this all again with someone else.

Tile : Done

We've selected all of our tile for the house!

After a few good sessions with Tony, our architect, and some excellent support from Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring, that is.

We have decided to go with a textured large tile in the front entrance.

Browns and greens in the downstairs bathroom - Sandy is calling this the "Frank Lloyd Wright Bathroom". :)

In the kitchen, we have gone with Tony's suggestion of using tempered glass as a backsplash.  It gives a great green-blue color and can be done in very long sheets - minimizing cleanup mess.  You can also paint behind it to give certain colors.  Have not decided that just yet.

The kid bathroom is going to be a cool wavy blue and green glass tile with white glass grout. Should be nice and bright without being too childish.

Laundry room is going to be white octagonal tile with black grout.  Should look exactly like you would want a laundry room floor to look.

Our master bath is going with two blue tiles styles and a river stone shower floor.

Pretty psyched about it all... another big item done.

Closing for Monday - Posponed.

Surprised - no.
Pissed - yes.

This really is poor showing for Malvern Federal and Trident Mortgage.

We got a call and they just told us that they cannot make settlement / closing on Monday.  They don't have the time to complete the 2nd Title search.

Somewhere in this chain is a major problem with an employee or a process.  The complete lack of professionalism is astounding.    Sure, it is a pain in the ass for us (changing meetings, getting a new baby sitter, etc), but it is really rude for us to keep telling the contractor he's needed or not needed, and now that we have to push it because of a stupid mistake.

I just want this to start.

"Problem with Title" - Seriously 4 business days from Settlement.

Just got a call from Trident.

Trident:  "Chris, there is a problem with title."
Me:  "Oh, really?  What is the problem?  You do know you were the ones the ones that did title for the land purchase last year right?"
Trident:  "What?  Really?  Ok, well, what is 19 XXX Avenue?  And who is Daniel X and William Y?"
Me:  "Um that is the rental we are currently living in while we build this house.  It has absolutely nothing to do with construction.  We already own the land at 44.  We bought it through you last year."
Trident: "So, Daniel X and William Y have no claim to 44?"
Me:  "No, they are the owners of the current rental, #19.  They have absolutely nothing to do with the purchase of the land at #44.  Nor do they have anything to do with the construction plans for #44."
Trident: "Oh.  OK, I see what they did.  They did a search for your current address and not the construction address.  I'll call you back."
Me:  "Uh, ok."

Yes, really.

Site Work

I like seeing things actually start on this project.

Looks like we need to do some site work so that we can get it all prepped:

1. Remove shrubs at the front of the lot.
2. Trim (to 5-6 ft) all the Arborvitae (Yes, there IS a website dedicated to arborvitae.  Who knew) on the left of the lot.  Too tall and falling down. Will inhibit the passage of construction equipment.
3. Remove shrubs, vines, and brush from back of lot.
4. Trim any branches that fall below the power line hight (14ft)

We're getting close to a start.

Closing scheduled for Thursday the 19th!

We're getting there... slowly. About time.  At least we are not doing this in June.

Closing - That's better

OK, after quite a bit of push back, and probably their realization that the costs are going to go up if they continue to push this like this... we're scheduled for the 19th.

Closing... in June... WHAT?!?

So I just got a call... the first available time is June 3rd for closing.

Are you fucking kidding me? This an absolute joke.  What the hell have they been doing for the past month?  Malvern Federal is not a fly-by-night bank... but they are acting like it.

For every day they delay, we get another possible cost increase. The bids on the sub-contractors will quickly come up for renewal if we don't start this.

The time to get serious is WAY behind us, people.