Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

New Home Repairs and Dilemas 12/30/2009

The additional weight of the new porcelain tile and vintage stove caused concern for our contractor.

He crawled under the house to make sure it could support the extra weight. He decided we needed to add extra supports to the joists of the floor to secure and support the additional weight.

The Day after Christmas

The family talked me into after Christmas Sale shopping…. At the mall. Even though I know better I went along with it cause I need to start picking up stuff for the new abode.

The day after Christmas the mall has horrible parking, people are now ill tempered and not in the Christmas mood anymore, the After Christmas sale ads are deceiving and check out lines are long.
But… some deals were found.

Kitchen Fixes

Hubby has wanted an old vintage stove for decades. Far be it from me to deny him now that we are home owners. But old 300 lb stoves don’t do well on linoleum floors and suddenly the kitchen floor, which I hadn’t wanted to upgrade for a few years had to be replaced with porcelain tile… now.

OMG! We’re in Escrow (part 3)

I am in an astonished state at how smoothly everything is going. Seller credited us a large amount for repairs, appraisal went through, loan funding and underwriting went through, just waiting for a walk through and signing. But the repairs are looming and will cost serious bucks!

The Good and the Bad

Bargain shopping when it’s raining is a fun thing to do. Driving and walking in the rain not so much.

So, Saturday morning early, during some very light rain I head to the Bauer Factory sale to get a pal a set of their famous mixing bowls at a rock bottom bargain price…

OMG- We’re in Escrow Part 2

Our new home is a 1927 Character home with 1200 square feet, 2-bed / 1-bath, a breakfast nook, formal dining, high barrel ceilings, upgraded electric and copper plumbing, big closets (huge plus)  and all hardwood floors, good kitchen and bath. A bit smaller than we had hoped for, but it screams cute and has possibilities for additions and changes as needed

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

Last minute gifts…. I hate shopping for last minute gifts. But I like to have extra gifts around for unexpected house guests, hostess gifts and reciprocal gifts for people who thought of me…. but that I, shortsightedly, didn’t think of them. Usually these gifts have to be a bit more generalized.

OMG! We’re house hunting!

Time to let ya’ll in on a little secret. We’ve been house hunting for the last 10 months.
The serious hunt started in March ’09 when we started working with our first Realtor. He showed us dozens of homes. From the gutted, REO homes for pennies on the dollar to beautiful move in ready. 

House hunting is not a game for the weak kneed or faint of heart.