Two Down - None To Go

I leased my house yesterday.

Felt really tired the the day before. Son Number One called my cell phone at two in the morning. He was locked out of the house and needed in. I got out of bed to answer the phone and let him in the house.

The problem was I couldn't get back to sleep, so I gave up the ghost, and stayed up. I decided to call in sick again. I am so naughty recently. I determined that there were lots of errands and chores that could be accomplished in my sleep deprived state that needed to be done and work was not one of them.

I went to the property management company to deliver the photos of the house because my connection to the Internet has been shaky at best recently. I also got another sign for the end of the lane. The company put a sign on the property near the house but unless someone knew to look for the house, drivers wouldn't see the that the house was for rent.

Late in the afternoon I was outside the house taking a break with the boys when a car pulled up the lane. A lady got out and said that they were doing a drive by so that they could view the house the next day.

I asked her if she wanted to take a quick peek now. When she realized I was the owner and not the cleaning lady she agreed to take a look.

An hour and a half later the whole family was drooling and asked what they needed to do to sign the lease. I called the property management company and put them on the phone. They went to the management office and filled out the rental application. I got a call later that night and was told they qualified. They signed the lease the yesterday.

I passed the reinspection for the occupancy permit today. They move in next Thursday. My cleaning and painting saga are coming to an end. The house looks really good and I can get a life again.

Wednesday Bites, OOPS, Bytes

Wednesday bites, OOPS bytes.

Work is really slow. I can't stand slow. The day drags on and I can think of three bazillion things to do other than look like I am being productive.

Son # 2 called eight times today. I know it is his way of saying that he misses me and wants to stay in contact. Just come over and visit on occasion or invite me over.

Work does not like Son # 2 calling eight times in one day.

I listed my house over the weekend and had a family that assured me that they wanted to rent. Tuesday they called me and said that it might be too much work for the wife if.... IF he had to deploy. Have they ever heard of a lawn mowing service, and why did they make me wait??

I decided to list the house with a local management company. The manager viewed the house and sent me an email stating that she was anxious to take the listing. Now she hasn't gotten back to me via email or answered any of my phone messages. I don't know if she is swamped or if her assistant, who needs MAJOR customer service skills implanted somewhere, are the reason.

Woo Hoo - One Down - One To GO

Last night I signed a lease. I am ecstatic. The new tenants wanted a long term lease.

I am stressed to the max about getting my house ready for renters and then the other foot fell.

My old tenants gave me a 3 day notice and said that the deposit would suffice for the 30 day notice rent. NOT. I have no way to contact them at this time so everything may be a moot point.

They left a cord of wood in the garage so I need to get a termite inspection.

They didn't clean the house or the carpeting or have the fireplaces cleaned or inspected so I get to do all this on my dime.

I am not a slum lord so I will do all that needs to be done to get the house rentable.

I advertised the house prior to having all the tasks done and started showing the house. My Murphy's law luck of course kicked in.

The ceiling downstairs is now being repaired from the toilet overflowing and at this time, for once, I am on task to have everything accomplished in a timely manner.

There was one couple that saw beyond the needed repair and asked to be considered. They gave me a deposit and the credit check money and went home and waited. Their references and credit check came back good. I like them even more, the second time I met with them. A really nice family that just needs more room.

And, they want to stay long term. They signed a 4 year lease, just to stay in the same neighborhood.

For Rent - Gentleman's Farm, Horses Allowed

Large, very private home, in the country, with neutral decor. Close to everything. Shopping 5-10 minutes away.

6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 family rooms, formal living room, formal dining room.

Walk-out basement.

Huge kitchen, with island, breakfast bar, very large pantry, and large breakfast room.

Two fireplaces. Seasoned wood for burning, included with rental.

First floor master.

Lots (think oodles) of closets and storage. Each bath has it's own linen closet.

Screened-in porch.

Pool w/large deck.

Fruit orchard. Various fruits.

On five acres.

Rent me.

For Further Details, email: jamjac2@YAHOO.com

I Am Really Fighting the Urge to Plant Some Petunias

The house is coming together. The house is torn up. The house is torn up.

The work being done is awesome. The house is torn up. Take a deep breath. I'll deal.

Just spoke to the insurance company....

No, they will not insure us because now, they consider us a business.

They will only insure us as a primary home, plus one. This house will not be our primary residence, hence no insurance. When we moved into this house I didn't want to sell the house we moved from. So I talked Spousal Unit into renting that house. This choice has been a good arrangement for us. It is helping to build our retirement fund. It is not always easy being a landlord, but it has worked.

So, I called a couple of insurance companies today and am waiting for quotes. I'm hoping one of my gal pals comes back with a good quote. Wouldn't mind helping her out.

I also called DirectTv and requested that our service be disconnected on the 20th of May. The movers are showing up the next day and I don't want the TIVO to be packed. Movers tend to not think about stuff like. (I had my full garbage can packed once) My new BFF, Christie, assured me that my last bill will be pro-rated and DirectTv will stop billing (pulling directly from my checking account) me after May. We'll see.

OH, one little detail I thought you might want to know. My house is torn up and I have a toilet on my front porch. I am really fighting the urge to plant some petunias in it.

Are we there yet?

I Planned on Leaving in August

After Spousal Unit informed me that he had been selected for the job in Germany I went through the mental math and figured out that for me to put the bulging house back together would take me a couple of months.

We LIVE in our house. Think teenage boys that totally trash the house along with their friends.

Don't get me wrong. I really liked that the boys brought the friends home during those years 'cause I always knew where they were. It's just that the house suffered.

Now I have to fix all the damage (I prefer-well lived in) before I can offer the house on the market for rent.

Paint, possible new carpeting, new kitchen floor. Stuff that I really don't want to deal with. I'll deal, just don't want to.

Don't even get me started on the storage area of the basement. Any one out there that will help me out? You get first dibs on the stuff. Think ebay people. I give you stuff. I don't care what you do with it.

Just found out that sister #2's son is getting married on Oct 4th.

I'm gonna have to leave a little later than I planned.

Recycling and Freecycling

Been busy this weekend.

Still going area to area finding stuff to get rid of. (Lousy sentence structure. Deal with it.) Spousal Unit and I are going through all the stuff in the house because his move is getting closer and I need to be ready for when he is gone.

I am remaining behind to do all the stuff that can't be done while we are living in the house. Painting every surface, installing new kitchen flooring, and possibly replacing the carpeting.

Did I ever mention that the BOYS are slobs? We wouldn't be required to do many of the repairs if we didn't have the two beloved children. You know I love you boys, Mom.

I keep finding "treasures" in little hidey holes all over the house. I am packing up said treasures and posting them as OFFERS on the Freecycle and Cheapcycle networks in the local area. People love my STUFF. Of course they love it, its FREE.

Did I mention that I am a Packrat? I still have a lot of stuff.

I Gotta Get Rid Of Stuff. Oh By The Way....

I AM A PACK RAT. Ok, I said it. Now, let's go to the twelve steps to recovery.
I am moving soon. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but soon.

I have always been required to clean out stuff every two to three years as a military wife in anticipation of a move. I had to get rid of all the boys things that I thought I wanted to give them later in life for sentimental reasons. My sentimental reasons, of course.

I have been in Illinois for almost 16 years. OMG my house is bulging at the seams.

I started Freecycling and Recycling several months ago. (Great group of people by the way) Stuff is starting to flow out of the house. People request what I offer and I set up a meeting time at the house or at a convenient location. Often they show up at the house. Guess what?

Everyone wants my house. No, I am not selling people. Get over it.

I am only going away for a couple of years.

I love this house. If you want to rent, we can chat.

6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 family rooms, formal living room and dining room, kitchen that has breakfast bar, breakfast room, island and desk/planning area. (Think BIG kitchen) Did I mention it is on 5 acres in the country? My own fiefdom.

Oh, downstairs is lots of storage.

Pool, deck and screened-in porch are added bonuses.

Good credit renters welcome.

Like I said, we can chat.