Well that was fast & Frustration

Our first mortgage payment is due Sept. 1st, and it's already been sold!  Our first payment is no longer to the mortgage company who wrote our loan, but now it is due to Bank of America.  *face palm*  Of all the banks out there, why them?  Around here (where they are head quartered) they are NOTORIOUS for trying to start foreclosure proceedings on brand new mortgages and homes not anywhere near foreclosure.  UGH!  I can't believe they sold it that fast and to THEM!  Oh well.  We'll just make our payments and cross our fingers.  It is what it is.

Speaking of mortgage frustrations.....


My family is trying to get final approval so construction can start on their house.  NVR promised they'd have an answer in 2 weeks.  We are now in week 3 and NVR's response was "It's ONLY been 3 weeks" (I capitalized the only, they didn't).  Why you would say 2 weeks and then turn around and try to cover your butt and say it's only been 3 weeks and "these things take time".  GRRRR

We have family from another country flying in in December to stay through the holidays.  They stay with THEM.  I have no room for them.  Well, my family made it clear they had close end of November.  The reason for this was so they could hurry and get moved in before our other family arrives.  The longer this takes, the less likely that looks.  If they can't close the end of November, they are prepared to walk away from the contract.   A part of my family feels like they are getting the run around.  At this point, I can't say I blame them.  They've been told that the end of November wouldn't be a problem.  They were told final approval in 2 weeks.  And so far, both are looking to be BIG problem.

I'm just as frustrated as they are at this point.  NVR was awesome to us.  But so far, the experience has been far from that for my family.  You shouldn't give deadlines and make promises if you aren't 100% sure of them.  That's bad business.  Period.

And worse yet, no one is even bothering to look into why it's taking so long.  All my family gets are excuses.   And if I were them at this point, I'd be telling them if construction didn't start by Sept. 1, I'd be walking away from the contract.  This is just ridiculous.  But it's not up to me.  And they love the house and the neighborhood.  But don't think the thought hasn't crossed their minds....

I'm sorry.  But I am NOT happy at how this process has gone for my family one bit.  I guess it's a good thing they are more patient than I am.  But I can tell you, their patience is starting to run thin.  But can you blame them?  The home loan processes is taxing on all who go through it.  And to be told one thing and then have it be another is not an easy pill to swallow.  And no one being willing to find out what the hold up is not helping.  Getting excuses is not helping.

NVR may have been good to me, but I am appalled by them at this point in the process with my family.  If you are going to buy a Ryan Home, I suggest getting your OWN financier and NOT going through NVR.

I pray they get their approval by week's end......for all our sakes.

I'm sorry.  I'm just super frustrated.

Birthday Bash

This is a re-post from my personal blog.  But since the house played a part in it, I thought I'd share:
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So today was my birthday. =) And it was an amazing day. I got phone calls, texts, and I am still reeling over how many FB "happy birthday" messages I got today! I didn't realize I knew that many people, let alone that many cared. I am floored!

My hubby got the kids out of the house this morning so I could sleep in. Ahhhhh..... When I did finally arise, I had flowers, balloons, cards, and Dukin Donuts coffee and donuts! =)

My kids did not fus, fight are argue all day! That was amazing! My youngest isn't feeling well, she's a bit off. Not like her. But still, a great day! My hubby even swept and mopped the kitchen floor for me and changed every diaper today. I literally didn't have to do a thing a today. Wow. =D

I got to relax today. Only did a little laundry (b/c if I didn't, I'd feel bad for not doing a thing) and even got a shower by myself!! I have only had one of those since moving in. lol My youngest likes to walk into the shower with me. She loves it, and there's more than enough room. lol So getting one alone again was nice too. =)

We went over to my mom's tonight for dinner. Both my sisters and their families were there. She made my favorite meal. =) My sister made me my favorite cake. The kids all played wonderfully. *contented sigh*

Oh, and the best part....I got play with adults tonight!! My mom watched Bean (our nickname for our youngest) for us, and my husband, me, both my sisters and their husbands (husband-to-be in one case) all sat around and play Scattagories. We all laughed so hard!! I can't remember the last time I sat around with adults and played a game, let alone one with family.

Good food, good wine, good times. =) Loved it!

We got home tonight as a huge storm was starting up. We were under a warning with large hail and winds 60-70 mph. We put the kids to bed, shut off all the lights, opened the blinds in the morning room, and watched the storm over the field and trees behind our house. It was PERFECT. I love a good thunder storm. More and more lately. It was great.

I know it doesn't seem like much in the way of birthdays to some. But to me, it was all I ever wanted. It was a perfect day. Surrounded by people that I love. An easy, do nothing, relaxing, wonderful day. This, to me, is what life is about. Good times with good people. Today was perfect.

A big thanks to everyone who helped make it so special; from phone calls, to texts, to facebooking, to ... all of it!!! Thank you!

Couldn't believe my eyes!!

So there is another Milan going up in the neighborhood.  I couldn't believe my eyes!

They started framing yesterday.  Today it is done!  Windows and all!!  Now why is this such a big deal?  We had one heck of storm come through today.  Crazy wind and sideways rain!  (which stings when it hits you!!!)  It last a while.  Everyone around commented on how bad it was, and we've had some doozies. 

Well, guess who was out working in the rain to complete the house?  Ryan's builders/"worker bees" (as some bloggers have dubbed them).  I cannot believe they were out in that mess!!  HORRIBLE!!!

I had just gotten home from dropping my van off and getting a rental.  My air compressor went out.  Not good when you're in the south for the summer.  YUCK!!  My van is programmed to my garage door.  So when I got home with the rental, guess who had to make a mad dash to the front door to unlock it, go through the house soaking wet, open the garage, then pull the rental into the garage so my kids (& nieces) could get out someplace dry and not crazy?  That's right...ME!  That's how I know how the rain stung.  It was horrible.  I just don't know how those workers did it.

I know it wasn't my house they were working on.  But I was amazed to see them working on it in that mess none the less.  God bless those poor men!

We have barstools and greenery! =)

My husband's birthday was the first and mine is this weekend. So my mom & sisters went in together to get us a joint birthday/house warming gift.... BARSTOOLS!! We love them!!

Dh and I also went out to A.C. Moore yesterday and got some greenery for the house! What a difference it makes! (I have been shopping around and they had a good selection on clearance!)

Here are some updated pics for you.

BEFORE

AFTER

Please excuse the mantel.  I'm preparing for
my sister's bridal shower

a total of 5!  =)

more bridal shower decor  lol

close up of vertical blinds in morning room
Can you tell they have an ivy design?

morning room

apparently kids have scooted the table some  =/
Excuse the top of the hutch, again, bridal shower decor
staging area.  Notice our table matches our kitchen.

light my daughter picked out vs. a fan

master bedroom

we can put the treadmill down and use it now!

the dreaded book case we couldn't find a place for
told ya'll it was big.  I know the rocker is a bit old and
ugly now too.  But I have rocked all three of my babies
in this chair.  It's not going anywhere anytime soon.  lol

study/playroom doors down on the end

I love these stools!  We all do!

I know we still need curtains. But that's going to have to wait a little bit. We have my sister's shower and wedding. Then my eldest's 10th bday, and then the holidays. It'll probably next year before we have curtains. But I'm okay with that. At least we have blinds! lol

So that's my big update.  Not much I know.

Building has picked up.  We're excited.  We only have 2-3 lots left on our street for now.  =)

So that's it guys.  Happy building!

Rumor has it......

So, we know that there only 34 lots left, at this point, that are not under contract yet.  Crazy!  I can't believe they have sold so many lots in less than 6 months time.  =)

We also know that the HOA is starting up in January.  They are keeping with the current HOA rules.  No fences above 4 ft high folks!

And rumor has it, that a new developer is now under contract!  =)  HOPING this means a pool by next summer.  Ryan was hoping to have more lots opened up to them.  We'll see!

I have an email in to the Rep to confirm.

I make the statement about the pool because back when we started our process (in Feb.) we were told the funds were already there and put aside for the pool to be complete (not necessarily the club house though), but that Ryan was not finishing the pool, and the current developer didn't want to do it.  They were looking for a new developer to come and in and finish it.  So....  we'll see.

Other than that...  I had another neighbor move in over the weekend.  Very nice people.  And it looks like another one may have started the move, but not sure. 

For those following, living in here, stay tuned to this post and I'll let you know when/if I get confirmation.

Question for you who have already closed....need help

Ok guys, I need ya'lls help.

How does your dishwasher work?  Honestly.

Ours doesn't seem to want to dry anything.  YES, it's set on Heat Dry.  But everything is still covered in water and wet when we go to unload it....HOURS later sometimes.  It just seems to us that a brand new dishwasher should not be acting this way.  Our old 10 year old one did this.  There does seem to be some heat from it during the dry cycle, but....  I don't know. We are extremely unhappy with the how it drys.  Love how quiet it is, but what good is a dishwasher that doesn't dry worth a darn?

So, what's going on with your dishwashers?  Do you like them?  Do they dry worth darn?

Thanks.

Info for you

So I had heard that Energy Star certified homes are so good at being air tight, it was suggested you get a few plants for the indoors to help improve indoor air quality.  Hmmm....

So I have set out to scour the internet and see if this is true.

I first started at Ryan's Website.  Interesting....
http://www.ryanhomes.com/energystar/index.htm

Check that out.  Scroll over the numbers to see how Ryan makes their homes energy star efficient.  I was a little surprised by a few of them.  The paint and carpet especially.  It didn't really answer my question, but it is neat information there.

Here is another cool link:   http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.locator
Use this link to find incentives in your area for having an energy star certified home.  For example, in my area, once I get my Energy Star Certified certificate in the mail (approx. 45 days after closing), I can send a copy to my power company and get a discount on my bills on top of the already lower prices of having an energy star home.  WOOHOO!!

However, I am unable to either substantiate or dismiss the plant vs. air quality  debate.  I have found several sites that suggest a plant or 2 (or more) in any home to help improve air quality no matter the type of home you have.  I could research this thing for hours and hours more, and possibly come up with it.  But I have been at this a while already and am tired.  lol  So I'll leave it up to ya'll to decide if you want plants or not.  However, a few in the Morning Rooms may be nice.....

Went with my sister to see our Rep today.  Our neighbor officially re-opened this past February after several years of nothing.  (Developer went bankrupt and the 8 or so houses/families in here were just abandoned for a few years until this past February when Wells Fargo took over development).  Now there are officially only 34 lots left available.  0.0  SNAP!!  I know some of you out there are building in neighborhoods that may only have 34 lots or less.  But they have officially sold exactly half of all their available lots from mid February to the end of July.  I asked if this was normal and she said NO!  They don't normally sell this fast.  WOW! 

So if anyone out in cyber land is considering buying in here, you might want make up your mind soon.  Just a thought.

So that's my info for the day.  I was going to take more pictures, but my hubby took the camera this morning.  So, soon.... 

Until next time!