A Man's Home is His Papal Apartment

After many delays, the Pope finally closed the deal on his new mini-Vatican.

I had the appraiser from hell. I was all set to close two weeks ago. Twice he delayed the closing. At first he insisted that deed documents were wrong because it didn't list a home owners association but that an HOA existed. The title company said there is an home owners group that exists for fixing mutual problems on in the area like a busted sewer line or shared common areas. They don't function on the legal definition of an HOA.

On the first closing date, the appraiser was out in the field and wouldn't return until late in the afternoon to change the paper work. The bank put the closing on indefinite hold.

This created a ton of problems for me.

First, I had to fight to get the day off from work. The max allowable had taken vacation already. So I had to get special permission from the boss's boss's boss. I had to go up three levels of management for approval. Before he'd approve though I had to call around and see if anyone from the off shifts were willing to swap with me. No deal. So I went through a lot of trouble to get the day off and then wasted it.

Second, that day was a drop date for closing. It was going to cost people money...namely me! My interest rate I was locked into expired that day. The contract sale expired that day and the seller was adamant that we close so he wouldn't have to pay another mortgage payment.

I decided to make two counters. First I'd agree to a week extension on the sale contract. Second, in order to get the sale contract extension, I offered to pay the mortgage for one month. In return, the seller agreed and the bank agreed to keep my lower interest rate locked in for another month.

It took two more days for us to finally close. The appraiser never changed his mind about the HOA. In the end, the mortgage company and the title company came to an agreement on the wording of the documents and amended whatever they had to on the side to complete the sale.

I still haven't spent the night in my new place but today I start the work. Today's agenda includes shampooing the upstairs carpet, purchasing a new stove and dishwasher and selecting paint colors for living room and master bedroom. I have a stove but decided on switching from electric to gas.

Next post I hope to have an introduction to Mila.