Well another slow week; however, as mentioned in a post earlier this week ("Cross Your Fingers...") we had a young couple stop by to take a look at the house. Unfortunately, our realtor has not heard back from their realtor. So we play the waiting game. Hopefully, they will approach us with an offer.
Update on neighbors:
Not much progress....the neighbor that had the mulch delivered has not done much. The mulch is still in the driveway, less about 3 wheelbarrow of mulch. The other neighbor has cut his grass, but the playground set is still sitting broken down in the backyard covered in weeds. We have received no follow-up from the borough.
Until, next week...
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
PRE-DRYWALL SUMMARY / SCHEDULED FINAL WALK-THRU and CLOSING
The insullation was being hung at the time we were doing our pre-drywall meeting, which concerned us a little because we didn't feel that the home inspector would be able to see all of the details. However, the home inspector didn't seem to be worried about it and said he could work around it. There were so many details for us to look at and we mainly focused on the ones that we were confortable with, such as # of outlets and the custom requests and we left the inspection of the structure up to the home inspector. The next day, we received a report via email. The report stated, "...framing, as well as the electrical, plumbing and hvac rough in have been complete in a workman like maner." and "the master bathroom rough in for custom work appear to be in line with fixtures to be installed." It went onto say, "It is recommended that the insulation can now be applied and finish to the drywall completed. No concerns were noted that would not permit the next stage of construction." For peace of mind, we are glad that we spent the money and had an outside home inspector look over the structure. We plan to use the same home inspector at the final walk-thru.
Additional information from pre-construction meeting:
Garage - floor has been poured, garage doors installed, and additional insullation hung (exterior walls)
***Funny story - after the pre-drywall meeting, we left the site and returned a few hours later to take a few pictures. When we got out of the car, the PM met us out front of the house to inform us not to be alarmed; however, when he went to close the main garage door the track fell and he was waiting for the contractor to come back to determine if there is any damage. A few hours later, we received a text with a picture of the garage door back on the tracks; however, the PM said he may need to replace a few panels. ***
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| garage door fell down view from outside |
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| garage door fell down view from inside garage |
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| garage door all fixed text from PM |
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| claw foot tub rough-in We will install the tub after closing. |
Master bathroom - spa shower system rough-in is complete. Since we decided to remove the custom tub, but we kept the shower seat; the PM made a suggestion that we shorten the shower seat about 4" to avoid it sticking out into the bathroom. We agreed with the suggestion and feel that it will make it easier to maneuver around the tub.
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| custom spa shower system rough-in install is complete |
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| spa shower valve system located in master bedroom closet |
Jack/Jill bathroom (for bedroom #3 and #4) - RH installed rough-in for double sinks; however, we only wanted one bowl. The PM will fix and ensured that the vanity will have one bowl.
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| double bowl sinks rough-in PM will cap and fix to accomidate a vanity with one bowl |
Study - removed the main hallway closet and added the space to the Study. This called for a "happy dance" right in the middle of our meeting. We are sooooo very grateful and happy that RH was able to accomidate this request. We really think that the extra space in the Study will be put to good use.
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| removed main hallway closet adds additional space to the Study |
Main stairs installed - per the PM, since we decided not to cover the steps with a runner; there are 2 pieces on the steps that are currently plywood, but before they stain the stairs the plywood will be replaced with oak.
Solarium - HVAC exterior unit - the PM stated that the contractor ran the wires to accomidate the HVAC exterior unitl outside of the solarium on the side wall; however, he suggested that we move it to the back wall...and we agree. We plan to plant rose bushes on the side wall and we do not want the HVAC unit to be the 1st thing that people see as they drive up to the house. Another GREAT suggestion from our PM.
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| will move the wiring for HVAC system on back wall to solarium |
Brick has arrived...RH will begin to lay brick on Monday and will finish by 07/22
Drywall will begin to be hung on Friday and should be complete by 07/22 and sanding/painting may begin on 07/22
Trim is scheduled to arrive around 07/19
Vinyl siding is schedule to arrive around 07/25
Finally, we discussed the best time for the final walk-thru and closing. If all goes well, our PM will be finished on-time, Tuesday, 08/29/2011 (Whooooo Hoooooo....way to go PM!!!!). However, due to accommodating our schedule, the final walk-thru will be on Thursday, 09/01/2011 and the closing will be Tuesday, 09/06/2011 (even louder Whooooo Hoooooo!!!!)
Well there you have it folks, it seems so official now. And there is soooooo much to do. Next week, we meet with 5 moving companies for estimates and then let the packing begin.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
CROSS YOUR FINGERS...
As you know from previous posts, its been a few weeks since we have had any activity on the current house. Just as we were about to contact the realtor to discuss our options regarding our current house; yesterday, we received a call from our realtor indicating that someone wants to look at the house at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. So we spent the last 24 hours cleaning up the house. We left the house a little before 6:00 pm and drove by the house at 7:30 pm to find out that the potential buyers were still there. Either they were late or they were taking their time looking over the house. So we parked down the street a bit and stalked our own house. They came out shorty after we arrived...it was a young couple with a new baby (our guess is the baby was less than a year because s/he was still in a cradle). They took their time to look over the yard, which we hope is also a good sign.
We so hope that this is the one and that we get an offer within the next day or so. We will keep you posted.
We so hope that this is the one and that we get an offer within the next day or so. We will keep you posted.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Pre-drywall jitters....
We didn't make it out to the house this weekend and are sooooo looking forward to seeing the progress on the house on Thursday. Our pre-drywall meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 9:30 AM. We plan to meet the home inspector (that we hired) at the site at 9:00 AM so he can begin the inspection prior to the inspection with the PM. We want to make sure that we don't miss anything because we feel that after this there is no turning back. What if we miss something...something BIG that will cause us problems and possibly money in a few years. This is the first time that we feel that we have to totally trust the people who are building our house that they will do everything in their power to make sure it is done right.
For those of you that have been through this before, any advice on things we should focus on is greatly appreciated.
For those of you that have been through this before, any advice on things we should focus on is greatly appreciated.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
OH MY, WHAT A BUSY WEEK....
The PM called us on Thursday, since he took Friday off. According to the PM, ....the plumbing should be completed on Friday (07/08); the electrical wiring should be completed on Monday (07/11); and roof should be done by Saturday (07/09). Next week, Guardian should be done by Tuesday (07/12), a few inspections will occur, and the PM will complete a frame punch-out (we believe this is his final walk-thru with the contractors to make sure everything is complete and correct before our pre-drywall walk-thru). If all goes well the insulation will be installed on Thursday and they will begin to hang the dry-wall. Pre-drywall meeting is set for Thursday, 07/14 at 9:30 AM. (Whoooooo Hoooooo!!!!!!) We are just a tad bit excited.
Yesterday (07/08), we met with Guardian to finalize the layout of our options in the basement. We also added a few cable/data outlets (1 in the master bedroom and 1 in the family room).
We also met with a landscape architect to discuss our options regarding the landscaping for the front and back yard. We expressed our needs/wants and within a few weeks he will provide us with a design layout. We plan to meet with several other architects over the next few weeks and we plan to have a decision made on a landscaper by mid-August, so that work can begin as soon as we close on the house.
Landscaping plan (within the next 3-5 years)
We hope to make it out to the property this weekend to check out the progress and will post some pictures of the progress. For now, we have to catch up on what our fellow bloggers have been up to for the past week. Happy weekend everyone!!!
Yesterday (07/08), we met with Guardian to finalize the layout of our options in the basement. We also added a few cable/data outlets (1 in the master bedroom and 1 in the family room).
We also met with a landscape architect to discuss our options regarding the landscaping for the front and back yard. We expressed our needs/wants and within a few weeks he will provide us with a design layout. We plan to meet with several other architects over the next few weeks and we plan to have a decision made on a landscaper by mid-August, so that work can begin as soon as we close on the house.
Landscaping plan (within the next 3-5 years)
- irrigation system - front and back yard (Priority #1)
- landscaping - front and back yard, includes maintain grass, add trees, add flower beds, etc. (We really need assistance in this area. We have such a big front yard and we want it to be very appealing with a lot of curb appeal; however, since we have very busy schedules we need it to be low maintenance. Neither of us know much about plants, so we are really counting on the landscaper to provide a lot of guidance.)
- front yard additions - terrace the hillside with retaining walls, add walkway from front porch to main sidewalk
- back yard additions - add partly covered patio off of morning room with area to entertain, a place to grill, and maybe a fire pit, add a play area (swing set, sand box, playhouse, etc.), convert egress window into walk-out from basement, add in-ground pool (last item on priority list)
We hope to make it out to the property this weekend to check out the progress and will post some pictures of the progress. For now, we have to catch up on what our fellow bloggers have been up to for the past week. Happy weekend everyone!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Current House Status Update - Week 8 and 9
Sorry we didn't post last week regarding the status of our current house. So we decided to add last weeks post to this weeks post. Not much to report...still no calls, no showings. We didn't get a chance to contact our Realtor regarding our next step. However, we plan to follow-up with him within the next week to discuss our options.
Update regarding the neighbors:
We haven't heard back from the council president regarding the status of our complaint. However, last Friday we noticed that the one neighbor had a bunch of mulch delivered and that he has been spending some time (a very small amount of time) in the front yard with the weed whacker and laying some mulch down. However, we believe that this is just a band-aide to the real problem and that it is not going to take care of the problem. Also, we are still waiting for him to remove all of the junk from the front and back porch and to take down the Christmas lights that they hung up 13 years ago and never use.
We plan to reach out the council president AGAIN to see if we can get a status on our complaint... i.e. how long did they give the neighbor to comply with the complaint.
For now we are trying to stay optimistic that we will get an offer and be under contract by the end of July.
Update regarding the neighbors:
We haven't heard back from the council president regarding the status of our complaint. However, last Friday we noticed that the one neighbor had a bunch of mulch delivered and that he has been spending some time (a very small amount of time) in the front yard with the weed whacker and laying some mulch down. However, we believe that this is just a band-aide to the real problem and that it is not going to take care of the problem. Also, we are still waiting for him to remove all of the junk from the front and back porch and to take down the Christmas lights that they hung up 13 years ago and never use.
We plan to reach out the council president AGAIN to see if we can get a status on our complaint... i.e. how long did they give the neighbor to comply with the complaint.
For now we are trying to stay optimistic that we will get an offer and be under contract by the end of July.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
PROGRESS and MORE PICTURES (TAKEN 07/03)
Sorry this post is a little late...with the busy holiday weekend and our niece has been staying with us for a couple of days, we just haven't had the time to blog. We made another visit to the property on Sunday, 07/03, this time we took some family members with us. Not much changed since our last visit a few days ago; however, we snapped some random pictures of the progress.
This week...according to the PM, the electric and plumbing will be complete. Guardian will begin; however, it may be held up since we have to go back on Friday, 07/08 to finalize the layout of the options in the basement. Also, the roof should be started if not finished by the end of the week.
Here are a few pictures....
This week...according to the PM, the electric and plumbing will be complete. Guardian will begin; however, it may be held up since we have to go back on Friday, 07/08 to finalize the layout of the options in the basement. Also, the roof should be started if not finished by the end of the week.
Here are a few pictures....
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| front yard entering the development |
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| front yard street view |
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| back yard |
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| front yard w/ rough grading from right-side of property |
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| roofing materials will be completed by end of next week (07/09/2011) |
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| more roofing materials |
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| front foyer taken from solarium |
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| kitchen taken from family room |
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| family room stairs to 2nd floor |
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| family room taken from top stairs to 2nd floor |
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| shower valve system |
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| spa shower with plumbing |
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| 2nd floor hallway looking at stairs and 2 bedrooms taken from master bedroom |
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| Bath #2 shower/bath |
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| backyard from 2nd floor bedroom possible location of in-ground swimming pool |
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| jack/jill bath/shower for bedroom 3 & 4 |
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| rough-in for powder room located in basement It appears that they added the rough-in for the shower; however, we didn't add the shower. Hmmmm...we need to look into that. |
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| not sure why they have the wood hanging down into the basement like this....very interesting. |
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| master bedroom sitting area taken from master bedroom |
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| ceiling beam support in morning room |
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| pantry and refrigerator area kitchen |
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| closet in laundry room |
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| washer/dryer location in the laundry room |
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| service door in the garage We are sooooo very happy that RH was able to accommodate this custom request. |
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| support beams basement |
Friday, July 1, 2011
VISIT TO THE SITE (MORE PICS)
We couldn't help ourselves, we went to visit the site again today. We can't believe how different the house looks after one day. We now have a porch and all of the windows are installed, except for the basement. We were very pleased (actually, jump up and down for joy happy) to find out that we are able to open the window located in the master bathroom. We also got to watch the shower spa system be installed and it allowed us to talk directly to the installer to confirm the height of the body sprays and the rainfall shower head that comes out of the ceiling. Next week we will go back to discuss the specifics regarding the claw foot tub. We also spoke to the PM about removing the coat closet so the space can be added to the study. We figured that this space will be better utilized in the study because we would probably only store junk in the coat closet because we plan to use the closet located in the laundry room to store coats among other things (i.e. vacuum cleaner, etc.). The PM needs to confirm that this is ok; however, it didn't appear to be a problem because it is not a load bearing wall.
The following are a few pictures that we snapped today.
Well until next week....and Happy 4th of July!!!!!
The following are a few pictures that we snapped today.
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| entering development right-side of property |
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| front of the house view from street |
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| front of the house view from street |
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| front of the house view from left-side property |
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| valve system to accommodate spa shower system located in master bathroom The valve system is located between the vanity and closet and we will be able to access it from the closet (if necessary). For us this was better than having to access it via under the vanity cabinet. |
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| Spa shower system Master bathroom green circle - rainfall shower head from ceiling (too accommodate this request, they will move the ceiling light back a few inches) orange circle - rainfall shower head from wall red circle - body sprays blue circle - outlet to handheld, which will be attached to a bar located on the wall on the left |
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| HVAC in attic for 2nd floor |
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| looking at under the solarium Basement |
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| HVAC for solarium Basement |
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| storage under stairwell Basement |
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| HVAC for basement and main floor and storage area Basement |
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| basement stairs leading to main floor |
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| powder room rough-in Basement |
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| space under kitchen and morning room also you can see a little bit of the media room (we will finish later) Basement |
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| Egress window, space under dining and living room Basement |
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| Solarium view from living room |
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| Dining room w/ bay window view from living room |
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| Living room view from dining room |
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| Kitchen view from dining room |
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| 2nd floor (missing stairwell) view from foyer |
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| walkway to family room view from foyer |
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| family room view from main hallway |
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| Morning room view from outside of family room |
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