Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Closing Day Updates

Closing Day was awesome! 

First, I got a call about 90 minutes before closing from our project manager.  I got super anxious, but it wasn't a big deal - he said our garage door was possessed!  He said it had opened itself about 3 feet overnight.  He checked to make sure someone didn't try and break in and then the door, apparently, decided to close itself.  He had already called the garage door company and they were coming over to fix it tomorrow (Thursday).

The actual closing ...
SO EASY!!!  We were there maybe 40 minutes.  Went through and signed everything, got our keys, cried my little tears, and rolled out!


We invited my family over to see the house afterward and had subs in the kitchen while our son ran like a maniac all over the house.  I think he's going to like it.

Observations:
1.  My 19 month old can open all the doors because they aren't knobs.  This will make my life painful.
2.  The powder room is tiny and when people wash their hands, you will get water splashes on the wall.  Here's hoping they dry okay.
3.  If you are particular about window coverings, the windows measure 88 inches from the floor to 4 inches above the window (where you would normally hang a rod.  Curtains are made in an 84 or a 95 inch length, not 88.  I am opting to go with 84 length and will mount the rod closer to the window and the curtains will hang 1-2 inches above the floor.  If you like the puddle type curtains, 95 is an excellent length.
4.  If your exterior has not been painted yet, then your windows have not been caulked either.  They will be caulked - no need to call your PM....I did that for you!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Pre-Settlement Walkthrough Pictures

Pre-Settlement Walkthrough went really well today.  I had a hard time listening because I wanted to look in my cabinets. I'll post more details later, but for now, here are the pictures:

Kitchen (Stove and flooring!!)




Powder Room

Mud Room (and part of the powder room)

View from Front Door

View of Front Door from the stairs

Study

Dining Room
Family Room


Finished Basement

Inner Workings

Basement Bathroom Rough-In
Master Bedroom

Master Bath




Bedroom #2

Loft 



Bedroom #3 (apparently I didn't get a picture!)

Upstairs Bathroom


View down the stairs
 

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Week 14 - It is finished!!!

Well, our house is finished!  We got a mailbox and a driveway this week.  

On Monday, we are doing our pre-settlement walk through and this will be the first time I've seen the house since our pre drywall walk through.  Yes, there will be tears.

Closing is on Wednesday and then it's finally time for our long awaited cross-state move.


I'll be back with pictures from the walk through and will keep you updated on the move.


 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Week 13 - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm so excited!!!!

We received our last update from our project manager on Saturday.  I say last because he likes to save all of his thunder for the pre-settlement walkthrough, which will be happening next Monday!!!!

So the work that was done last week and over the weekend was small, but significant.
  • Trim carpenter came and did his punch outs and corrections
  • Mechanical contractors installed all the finish items (toilets, lights, etc.)
  • Drywall touch ups
  • Carpet installation
  • Stone work.... YESSSS!!!
  • Siding completed over the weekend
  • Shutters, trims and gutters
The Loft 

The Stone



And then this....




  



Next week, we go do our pre-settlement walkthrough on Monday and then we close on Wednesday.  We are "this" close!!!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Week 12 - Getting Closer

No update from our PM this week, but....

There is finally a sold sign in the window!! 


On an unrelated note, our home in VA has been listed for 9 days and we've shown it 21 times.  We expect an offer soon! 


We're going to miss that house.  It's our first home.  It's where we brought home a newborn son and where we had our amazing dog Rex.


Good memories, but time for the next chapter!

  


 


 


 

Monday, May 2, 2016

Week 11 - Late, but good update!!

We received a midday Monday update from our project manager for work done last week.  They were about to complete a lot of time consuming tasks on the inside of the house, including drywall touchups, installation of the plumbing and electrical fixtures, and getting a second coat of paint on the walls.

I have a faucet in my kitchen!!

And the stair rail got stained.

The other update he gave us was why the work on the exterior of the house was stopped.  He explained that the mason who did our brick did a good job mostly, but there was one side of the brick wrap that our PM did not think was acceptable.  He ordered more brick and is having the mason come back this week to redo that wall!!  Once the brick is fixed on that wall, he will move forward with the siding and the stone.  

(Picture taken Tuesday, day after the update, showing brick removed.)

There are two things I truly appreciate about our PM and he prides himself on these things:
  1. He has the customer in mind when he inspects the work on the house.  If he wouldn't want to live with a squeak in the floor, poorly done insulation, crooked framing, and flawed brick, he makes his contractors redo the work.  For that, I am thankful!
  2. He holds his contractors accountable for the work they promise to do.  I'm sure he upsets a lot of people, but I appreciate his standards.
 At this point, there's no impact on our schedule and close date.  WE'RE GETTING CLOSE!!!!