So we signed our paperwork last night and proabblly will get the keys in the next few days. Very excited, as it isn't easy these days trying to buy a home in The LA area. Unfortunally we could not find a house in a area that we liked, nor a house in our budget. So we ended up with a Townhouse. But at least it's ours;):thumbsup:

So here's a little info, with pics coming soon;)

2 story
3 bedroom
3 Bathroom (1 full, 3/4 in master, 1/2 1st floor) So actually 2 1/4 bath:confused:
1225 sqft
large attached 2 car garage:D
220 in garage:thumbsup:

Our plans are to clean it up and sell it or rent it out in 3 to 5 years. Then buy a house;)

Plan to redo all 3 baths and Kitchen

Congrats!! Pics!!?!? :cool:

...X2...Can't wait to see the pics...:popcorn:

Very cool!

Good luck to you & the family

Chris

When is the :bdrunk::party::hammer::burnout:

Congrats Steve, I had no idea where that city is so I google earth'd it. FYI, you are 175 miles from Truckhaven, 2hrs 53 minutes and less than 6 hours from my place when you decide to come wheelin in AZ.

Congrats Steve, I had no idea where that city is so I google earth'd it. FYI, you are 175 miles from Truckhaven, 2hrs 53 minutes and less than 6 hours from my place when you decide to come wheelin in AZ.


Probally less, sense it's only a few blocks from the city Limit of La Cresenta, the next city over;)

Congrats, man! I would also like to see some pics. It's been almost 6 hours. Where's that foot tapping smiley?

Congrats!

Unfortunally we could not find a house in a area that we liked, nor a house in our budget.

Sounds exactly like when I bought my first house.

La Cresenta! I remember that area, I lived in Glendale until 1984 LOL

Congrats! What a great feeling that is!

Congrats Stic. Pics! :D

congrads

Unfortunately we could not find a house in an area that we liked, nor a house in our budget.
Congratulations! Everybody has this problem, then after they move in they decide to stay since they get use to it. It sounds pretty big with a 2 car garage, 3 bedrooms, and all of those bathrooms. What year was it built?

Congrats to you guys. I'm with Bill, although we're all still waiting for Matt and Tracy to have one too. :D

Still waiting for Keys:rolleyes: Should have tommorow, then we start painting;)

Plan to redo all 3 baths and Kitchen

sounds familiar.. :confused: :hammer:

congrats! get all you can do done NOW before you move in!

Is there a HOA?

Congrats!!!!!!!!

sounds familiar.. :confused: :hammer:

congrats! get all you can do done NOW before you move in!

Is there a HOA?


Yeah there is a HOA, but it's a really small complex, there no pool or anything like that. We some pretty cool Idea's for it, that I will talk about once I have pictures to show. ;)

Baths will get all new cabinets and tile. The Kithen, maybe just new counters.

Oh and eveywhere in the house has Hardwood floors, everywhere! (all bathrooms) exsept the kitchen.:confused:

Congrats!

:ttiwwp:

Bring on the pictures.

RockRanger, waiting on your pics too..:p:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221238

Awesome Steve:thumbsup: Does JP fit in the garage if you need to work on it or will you just do that at your parents still?

still waiting for keys....:rolleyes: I'll have story's to tell later. This is the craziest thing I've ever been thru. I should have keys in less then 24 hours;)


Yes the JP mobile will fit fine in the garage. The Volvo will also go in there, but I will still have some work area afterwords it looks like.:thumbsup:;) I do work on the ex here, but alot of times I work on it at my dad's because I just don't have the tools he does. Now that I have room I will attempt to start collecting stuff like drill press, bench grinder and so on.


First thing I have to do is move the washer and Dryer hook ups out of the garage. it the stupist set up right now:rolleyes: Washer and Dryer are on the oppisite sides of the garage right now. I pretty sure I have room in a closet under the stairs. I also have water and gas line right there, so it should not be to difficult.

I'll go thru our plans , when I post pictures;)

Glad to see you got your house.


Ill be awating pic also

Congradultions. I agree about the washer dryer thing. Just make sure you have 220V for dryer hookup and also a way to vent the dryer.

Congrats on the house purchase! We bought our first house last summer and love it to pieces! Of course it's probably dropped in value since we bought it, but such is life I suppose. After living in apartments for years there is something definately satisfying about owning your own home - feel like knocking down a wall or putting one up? Go for it. Feel like painting your walls some wacky color? It's yours, do it!
Of course there are bad parts too, like when the roof starts leaking, or you have sprinkler problems etc. but it's all worth it I think :).

I remember at closing we were so pissed at the sellers of the home I could hardly even concentrate on reading the contracts and so forth. We went over for the post-closing inspection, just to make sure things were like we expected, the ass-hat had turned off and unplugged absolutely everything in the house, for what reason I dont know. By unplugging everything I mean he unplugged the garbage disposal, the dishwasher, the garage door opener, turned off the gas to the house, turned off the water, etc. so what should have been a 15 minute walk through turned into 2 hours of looking for breakers, looking for where the gas cut-off was, the water cut-off, plugging things back in so we could make sure they worked, etc. They called us several times from the title place and we said sorry we're not coming until we verify things are working like we expect. Because nothing was there to plug in the garage door opener we had to find some pieces of wood for me to stand on to plug it in, and so forth. What an asshat!
Funny part was they took the window coverings too, even though the contract said they wouldn't. They weren't much, but we were pissed they took them... so they said it was a mistake, they'd bring them by later... they came by that night, said sorry we can't find them... we can give you $75 for what they probably cost, or just call it even. CALL IT EVEN? WTF? ASS-HAT!
We later learned from talking to neighbors we were instantly one of the best neighbors, just because we bought their house so the old owners no longer live there. Apparently nobody liked them.

Congrats:chug:

Congradultions. I agree about the washer dryer thing. Just make sure you have 220V for dryer hookup and also a way to vent the dryer.

My Dryer is gas, so I don't need to move the 220;)

ah home ownership, its awesome!
Now that I am married and have been in my house for almost 3 years I can say its alot of work!
We have re-modeled like everything, all new floors, etc.. but it never ends
there is concrete to be poured its been impossible to keep the grass in the back alive this summer (30 ddays 90+ in Denver NO RAIN, until the last two weeks)
We did manage to get the back deck painted/re-finished this summer and park all the toys on the side of the house, remove two dead tree's, replace the water heater, pull a bush out from front, tile the bathroom, etc.

its alot of fun, but also a big time suck (takes away from truck stuff)
I used to think my garage was big enough for me... now its about 1/2 what we need LOL

tools fill it up QUICK! I am flipping another explorer to make enough $$$ to buy a bigg ass shed before the snow comes... need storage!

cant wait to see pics, having your own home RULES
We wanted to sell and go bigger, but in this market it may be a while!

Congrats on the house purchase! We bought our first house last summer and love it to pieces! Of course it's probably dropped in value since we bought it, but such is life I suppose. After living in apartments for years there is something definately satisfying about owning your own home - feel like knocking down a wall or putting one up? Go for it. Feel like painting your walls some wacky color? It's yours, do it!
Of course there are bad parts too, like when the roof starts leaking, or you have sprinkler problems etc. but it's all worth it I think :).

I remember at closing we were so pissed at the sellers of the home I could hardly even concentrate on reading the contracts and so forth. We went over for the post-closing inspection, just to make sure things were like we expected, the ass-hat had turned off and unplugged absolutely everything in the house, for what reason I dont know. By unplugging everything I mean he unplugged the garbage disposal, the dishwasher, the garage door opener, turned off the gas to the house, turned off the water, etc. so what should have been a 15 minute walk through turned into 2 hours of looking for breakers, looking for where the gas cut-off was, the water cut-off, plugging things back in so we could make sure they worked, etc. They called us several times from the title place and we said sorry we're not coming until we verify things are working like we expect. Because nothing was there to plug in the garage door opener we had to find some pieces of wood for me to stand on to plug it in, and so forth. What an asshat!
Funny part was they took the window coverings too, even though the contract said they wouldn't. They weren't much, but we were pissed they took them... so they said it was a mistake, they'd bring them by later... they came by that night, said sorry we can't find them... we can give you $75 for what they probably cost, or just call it even. CALL IT EVEN? WTF? ASS-HAT!
We later learned from talking to neighbors we were instantly one of the best neighbors, just because we bought their house so the old owners no longer live there. Apparently nobody liked them.

We feel your pain! When we bought our house the former owners took everything! The lightbulbs the drapes the carpet the toilet paper oh and they left a rafter high size pile of crap and trash in the garage. Our neighbors were glad as well. It takes all kinds.

large attached 2 car garage
220 in garage

By 220 I am hoping you mean a 220 volt circuit and not 220 sq feet of garage space.
If it's 220 square feet the Realtor that told you you have a large 2 car garage needs to be fired.
Because the garage I am building is 500 sq ft and I would say it's a medium sized 2 car garage.

Looking back I wish I would have gone ahead and put a 220 in the garage but I was silly and did not:mad:

Maybe you could still run 220 in there? If you have 110 in there now, keep in mind that 220 is really 110 of 2 separate lines. Some of your 110 lines could be on one circuit while other ones are 110 from another circuit. You might already have 220 in there now, and not know it.

ok Good news...and bad news:rolleyes:

Good News: I have keys and we have started to move in.
Today we changed the locks and put together our new dinning room table.;)

Bad News: Someone forgot the camera over there:rolleyes: So no pics till tommorow night:( Sorry guys

Bad News: Someone forgot the camera over there:rolleyes: So no pics till tommorow night:( Sorry guys

Way to go April. You are going to have to teach that girl some responsibility.

Ok...So I guess I should post some pics:rolleyes:

Zuk, thank God they took the tp... would you want it?? :) Stic-o, before you move the washer and dryer, make sure it won't cause a mold build up in the new location. Also, make sure it wasn't previously in that location - if so, find out why it was moved (inspect the area under the floor, etc.. ) Sounds like fun! :)

Ok...Photo time...Lots and lots of photos:D

Most of the hose looks pretty Different already. I Will update with newer photos soon. But this is what it looked like the day we got the keys;)


Living Room

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/LR3.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/LR1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/LR2.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/LR4.jpg


Kitchen

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Kit1.jpg

Powder Room (1/2 bath) off living room behind kitchen.

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Pow.jpg


Master Bed

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed2.jpg


Master Bath 3/4

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/MBat2.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/MBat1.jpg


Main Bath Full

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/ABat1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/ABat2.jpg

and all the bathrrom have these ugly lights in them

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Lights6.jpg


2nd Bedroom


http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/AR1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Ar2.jpg


3rd Bedroom/Office
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Office1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Office2.jpg


Attic=Lots of storage:D

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Attic.jpg

And finally...the Garage

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Gar3.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Gar1.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Gar2.jpg

and the little closet in the Garage

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/GC.jpg

Three things.

House looks good! Nice floors!!

What are you plans for the garage floor? Epoxy? Say yes. :D

I have that same crappy garage door. But you said you can get the Explorer in still?

Looks good Steve. Any pics of the outside?

Looks good. I like the wood floors.

Lots of white...you plan on adding some color?

Your a lucky SOB. My house depreciated WHILE IT WAS BEING BUILT and now the mortgage company is playing games w/ us because they don't want to give us a mortgage for 315,000 when the place only appraised for 290,999. Now I'm living with my parents until the builder decides to drop the price. :help:

Three things.

House looks good! Nice floors!!

What are you plans for the garage floor? Epoxy? Say yes. :D

I have that same crappy garage door. But you said you can get the Explorer in still?

Living room has real hardwood floors, the rest is just the snap in stuff I think. Garage floor is concrete and I’m fine with that :p: The garage door opening is 6’8” and the explorer is about 6’6” with 37’s :D The F-150 will actually fit in the garage, and I can close the door;)

Looks good Steve. Any pics of the outside?

Not really…It’s a town house, with Beige and Green trim. We do have a small patio (10’x10’ or so) and we can do what we want with a flowerbed out front. 2nd bedroom also has a balcony.

Looks good. I like the wood floors.
Lots of white...you plan on adding some color?

Not much white left anymore, we started painting just after these pics. I’ll post some update soon. Just trying to clean it up a bit more still.

congrats! we're just finishing construction of our new place. planning to move on the 27th! Exciting stuff, isn't it?

Your a lucky SOB. My house depreciated WHILE IT WAS BEING BUILT and now the mortgage company is playing games w/ us because they don't want to give us a mortgage for 315,000 when the place only appraised for 290,999. Now I'm living with my parents until the builder decides to drop the price. :help:

Ours dropped $80K while being built. We went from having $50K in equity to having to bring $30K cash to the closing on the final mortgage. Plus we had to have a second mortgage to cover 20% since were financing 100%. We also had to spend another $20K out of pocket on the driveway and landscaping.

Fortunately I had the cash. Unfortunately, that cash was supposed to be for my pole barn that I'll probably never get now.

Besides all that, our old house dropped about $40K in value. We lived in it for 7 years, but broke even on it when it sold. All this would've been so much better if we finished the new house 4 years ago....when we first started building. We had to fire 3 different builders over a 4 year period of getting nothing done. The cost of materials went up a TON in that time too, so we had to drop $50K worth of upgrades from the house. Oh well, we're in it now and happy with it.

Ok I have most of the place painted, just a matter of time to take a picture and post. So here's a little taste;)

Master Bedroom

Before

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed1.jpg


After

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed4.jpg



Before

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed2.jpg


After
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed5.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Mbed3.jpg


and a updated pic of the garage...:D Still a bit of a mess, but coming along;)

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/medium/garage5.jpg

Looks great so far! Looking forward to the rest of the pics.

We're going to start painting our rooms this fall. Everything is still the white primer that the builder used. I like the dark red you used, but my wife hates dark colors. Everyone we know used the dark red, tans, and greens, so she wants to be different. Everything will be light blue, pale yellow, and light tan.

Today was a great day...

I made my first morgage payment;) I now own the front door.:D

What do the neighbors think of think of the explorer?

I try to keep the door closed;)

Actally not really much, but there are some recreatiolist in the complex. The guy across from us has a small fishing boat in his garage he takes down to Newport, and a few Dirt Bikes.

Another peroson I have not met yet has a Baja buggy on a trailer in there garage:thumbsup: Looks like a old Race buggy, and they tow it with there Explorer:D

Thought I'd post up some more before and after photos of the house. Been meaning to foe awhile now:rolleyes:

So..


Kitchen...

Before
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/Kit1.jpg

After
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/kit_1year.jpg

Living Room

Before
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/LR4.jpg

After
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/liv_1_year.jpg

Another angle

Before
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/LR3.jpg

After

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/liv2_1year.jpg

Cool, just the change in the color of the cabinets makes it look more modern, and opening it up works very good...
Just need some SS apliances LOL

That looks great

I like the change in the kitchen the most

After I redo the other two bathrooms, we'll redo the kitchen for real next time. Full gut, then cherry cabinets and stainless steel applineces;)