The Vent and Rant Thread

[cromag]

Just a warning, but do everything in your power to be responsible for your own homeowner's insurance. You will be required to get it, but if the bank takes care of it the bank is the insurance company's customer, not you.

I have always fought for this. One of my brother's decided to let the bank handle it because he didn't want the hassle. A few years later he lost his home to a particularly impressive gas explosion. He was standing in the driveway at the time with an employee of the gas company, having smelled gas. He said it was like something from a Bruce Willis movie -- flames shot out of every window and the walls literally bowed outward before collapsing. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The house burned to the foundation, taking his SUV with it (it was in the garage).

In addition to his full time job as a University professor, he operated a very successful scientific photography business. He lost all of his inventory of film (slides from the 70s through the 90s) and most of his digital images. The insurance company offered to replace his two Nikon DSLRs and assorted lenses with Nikon Coolpix cameras (with built-in zoom lenses). For his business suits, purchased in New York (he's way more conscious of his appearance than I am, but it's necessary for his business) they based replacement costs on off-the-rack jackets and pants at J.C. Penney. For the value of his lost work, they suggested he find his work in publications and "scan them back in."

Their "ace in the hole" was that he would have no place to live and be willing to settle quickly at a (very, very) substantial loss. Fortunately, he was able to get inexpensive (but tolerable) living quarters (he's single). The insurance company dragged the case out for a couple of years. At one point the judge apologized to my brother for their tactics (but noted that it was legal). When they finally used up their maximum legal delays (more than a years worth) they met him at court and, as proceedings were about to begin, gave him a check that was very nearly what the damages actually were. He was still out his legal fees, temporary housing, inconvenience, etc.

The bank got their money back right away, of course, and had no interest in his legal fight.

As a first time buyer you might have to let the bank handle the insurance, but fight to get that responsibility back on an annual basis.

[speakingtohe]

@cromag
Good advice.

I don't believe I had to buy insurance as I had a good down payment but my memory may be faulty.

I do of course have insurance and consider it a sound investment. Especially liability.

I actually had a water damage claim a few years ago and any money I had spent on insurance was returned 10 times at least.

But for years I didn't as the building was covered by condo insurance. I am embarrassed to remember how ignorant I was of the cost of paying the deductible etc. as I was certainly old enough to know better

Helen

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

@cromag
Good advice.

I don't believe I had to buy insurance as I had a good down payment but my memory may be faulty.

I do of course have insurance and consider it a sound investment. Especially liability.

I actually had a water damage claim a few years ago and any money I had spent on insurance was returned 10 times at least.

But for years I didn't as the building was covered by condo insurance. I am embarrassed to remember how ignorant I was of the cost of paying the deductible etc. as I was certainly old enough to know better

Helen

Yeah, I am more than old enough that I should know about stuff like this but, aside from two years when I had a little efficiency apartment, I have rented from my mother, who was in real estate and had places she would rent me at below market-rate. That is one of the reasons I would like to have her live with me rent-free so she could rent my current place at market-rate and have that income.

Anyway, I feel bad fretting over that stuff when the husband of a friend of my brother's died of cancer yesterday, leaving two small children. Cancer is a horrible, unfair thing.

[cromag]

The On/Off switch on the lamp next to "my" chair in the living room broke -- the internal mechanism seems to have stripped. Unfortunately, my wife bought it and it doesn't use parts I can pick up at the hardware store.

Not a tragedy, in the overall scheme of things, but an annoyance.

[theinfamousj]

Is it stuck on or off? At my hardware store there are in-line switches to be put into the power cord and if stuck on (or you could solder in a short piece of wire to make it on) then you could use an in line switch.

I love tinkering with electronics. I have cobbled together many of these solutions.

[cromag]

Actually, I've used ones that don't even need soldering.

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/Secti...?section=47454


The problem is, it's "mostly" on -- not getting a good connection. The socket is recessed in a metal collar (which has prevented me from using CFL and LED bulbs) and is pretty inaccessible without the right tool. I've replaced lamp sockets on more conventional lamps, but this one isn't like anything I've seen. And I'd rather pay to get it repaired thanbother with it myself.

[covingtoncat73]

Oh, things are looking a bit better with the home-search. I found the neighborhood I want, at least! There is actually a cute, little neighborhood. Totally residential, no trash on the streets at all, no graffiti, some trees, etc. etc. It still has a few deals because, being kind of hidden and completely residential, you still have to drive to go to anything, even though it is the city. Just not far. This is the one I really like. It has a tenant on at least one side and I haven't been able to get in to see it yet but it looks good on the outside. I wasn't considering a double that small but, at that price and in that neighborhood, Mom and I could each have a side. I hope it is that cheap just because it is a tiny double with that kind of open, "shotgun" floor plan a lot of people don't like due to lack of privacy. Not a big problem with just one woman and one cat per side. LOL.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/40...07367381_zpid/

[covingtoncat73]

I might have to sell my grandmother big 4 poster, if it doesn't fit.

[dreams]

Cute double, covingtoncat73, and it does look to be nice to share with your mom. Good luck.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Oh, things are looking a bit better with the home-search. I found the neighborhood I want, at least! There is actually a cute, little neighborhood. Totally residential, no trash on the streets at all, no graffiti, some trees, etc. etc. It still has a few deals because, being kind of hidden and completely residential, you still have to drive to go to anything, even though it is the city. Just not far. This is the one I really like. It has a tenant on at least one side and I haven't been able to get in to see it yet but it looks good on the outside. I wasn't considering a double that small but, at that price and in that neighborhood, Mom and I could each have a side. I hope it is that cheap just because it is a tiny double with that kind of open, "shotgun" floor plan a lot of people don't like due to lack of privacy. Not a big problem with just one woman and one cat per side. LOL.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/40...07367381_zpid/

That looks lovely although the kitchen is a bit squinchy, but then there is no such thing as a too big kitchen IMO And it has a garage.

Good luck, but if not that one I am sure you will find something just as good.

Helen

[Rumpelteazer]

Both my father and my sister have the very annoying habit of putting empty packages back on the shelf.

When this happens to the peanut butter it's annoying. But when they do it with the Imodium it's a lot more than just annoying!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Both my father and my sister have the very annoying habit of putting empty packages back on the shelf.

When this happens to the peanut butter it's annoying. But when they do it with the Imodium it's a lot more than just annoying!

Sorry to laugh, but this really is funny... for me at least, if not for you. I feel your pain.

Apples... lots of apples. The kaolin in them will help.


Stitchawl

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Sorry to laugh, but this really is funny... for me at least, if not for you. I feel your pain.

Apples... lots of apples. The kaolin in them will help.


Stitchawl

For me it will probably be funny in a couple a days time. For this reason I have my own medicine cabinet, however the last time I can't remember the last time I needed Imodium so I never bought it for my cabinet.

They both say they put empty packaging back so that my mother knows she needs to get new....they refuse to write down thing that need to be bought on the whiteboard used for that purpose.

Mind you, it does give me time today to do my nails, research a navigation system for my bike and play some of the games I recently bought on GOG.com and haven't come around yet to play.

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by dreams

Cute double, covingtoncat73, and it does look to be nice to share with your mom. Good luck.

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

That looks lovely although the kitchen is a bit squinchy, but then there is no such thing as a too big kitchen IMO And it has a garage.

Good luck, but if not that one I am sure you will find something just as good.

Helen

Thanks! The little double proved to really be too small in the size of its rooms and to need too much work. However, there was a perfect little single in that neighborhood that was a winner, winner chicken dinner. So, I think I'm buying a house...

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/36...73797985_zpid/

Yesterday was some day. It really looks like there will be fracking in the parish (read county) where I live now. This is an area known and prized since the 1800s for its clean water and tall pine trees. The presentation by Ms. Subra was clear and horrifying. John Barry, the author of Rising Tide, spoke as well. I could just cry. My family has been in this parish since my great-great grandparents came here from Scotland and Ireland (the French side was already in New Orleans long before that, of course).

Also, there was someone from my past there also protesting the fracking. It really shook me up to see them, especially since I didn't even recognize them until I walked right up to them.

So, to sum-up:

/Bought a house (I may pass out or throw up now)
//Parish is going to be destroyed
///Person from past
////Where is my Bloody Mary? I need one STAT.

http://www.wwltv.com/news/Fracking-c...258996221.html

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Thanks! The little double proved to really be too small in the size of its rooms and to need too much work. However, there was a perfect little single in that neighborhood that was a winner, winner chicken dinner. So, I think I'm buying a house...

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/36...73797985_zpid/

Yesterday was some day. It really looks like there will be fracking in the parish (read county) where I live now. This is an area known and prized since the 1800s for its clean water and tall pine trees. The presentation by Ms. Subra was clear and horrifying. John Barry, the author of Rising Tide, spoke as well. I could just cry. My family has been in this parish since my great-great grandparents came here from Scotland and Ireland (the French side was already in New Orleans long before that, of course).

Also, there was someone from my past there also protesting the fracking. It really shook me up to see them, especially since I didn't even recognize them until I walked right up to them.

So, to sum-up:

/Bought a house (I may pass out or throw up now)
//Parish is going to be destroyed
///Person from past
////Where is my Bloody Mary? I need one STAT.

http://www.wwltv.com/news/Fracking-c...258996221.html

Congratulations.
It looks so shiny

Coincidentally that is exactly what I paid for my condo in 1995. By paying an extra $1000 or so a year I managed to pay it off in 8 years.

Helen