Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

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 new copper plumbing, big closets (huge plus) and all hardwood floors, good kitchen and bath and the foundation is bolted (Yeah!). A bit smaller than we had hoped for, but it screams cute and has possibilities for additions and changes as needed.

Why such a small house? We didn’t get the bigger house 1800 sq feet 3 beds/ 2 bath that accepted our low offer at the same time.  We would have been in upgrade “fix it “mode for years. It need new everything and it had been built in 1927 as well.  It seriously needed everything! All new baths, new kitchen, new chimney, new roof, new electrical, new plumbing, new windows. The “fix it “bill would have been over 80,000!!!! ... and have taken forever. So we passed on it and opted for the smaller house.

So far, escrow is going smoothly. Our Realtors Jon Trunk and Bonnie Davis (Keller Williams, Studio City 818.432.1525). They’re staying on top of things, working around our hectic schedules, working holidays, ready & willing to explain everything. They’re recommendations and insight has been excellent.

The Inspections:

We got the home inspected by La Rocca Home inspections. http://www.laroccainspect.com/
They did a really super job, giving us and the current homeowner a complete verbal assessment followed by a formal written assessment with pictures, dvd and full structural explanations.

On their advice we also got a sewer inspection, a Chimney inspection and roof inspection. The results weren’t good and they needed immediate repair. We ended up having to ask for a credit back for a new roof and new chimney. Luckily we got it.

Our mortgage guy Brett Doscher (Augusta Funding, 818-841-2995 Ext. 1992) is also on top of the process. He has kept us informed,trouble shoots to make things run smoothly and does everything he can to work with our bizarre schedule. He also got us locked in to a super low interest rate.

While we waited for appraisal and loan funding, we started to plan out how long it would take to make necessary repairs, paint and refinish the floors. But the big issue is office space. Until we convert the garage or add a room or something, we will be working out of the breakfast nook. Possible …but not idea.