The Daily Peeve / Rant

[iris lilies]

Bad news about our house inspection. The sewer line, put in 30 years ago, has dropped deep and so it will cost $18,000 to fix it. The buyer will go halfies with us. I guess we will accept that offer. Time to move on and get the sale done.

We already gave the buyers a sweet deal. On the other hand, they’ve been VERY cooperative And I do like that idea of selling to them. I suppose we could always say no, you eat the entire thing because we’re giving you a sweet deal on the price, and they might actually do that, eat the whole thing.

I am actually shocked that our Herman has not needed a complete new sewer line. I imagine that’s coming down the road. Every house we buy needs a new sewer and apparently, the house I live in in the city needs two new sewers! Yoinks.

[catherine]

IL, that's a bummer, but I think you are making a right decision to split the cost with them. Seems like a reasonable compromise.

As for sewer issues, there is a house in our "neighborhood" (9 houses on one dead-end road) that sold last year. The guy LOVES it and would live there if he could; partner is an academic and bit more high maintenance--she wants her own bathroom in this small cabin. So they call out the experts to check out the septic/wetlands/etc. Long story short, with the wetlands and the grandfathered ancient septic system, if they want to tear down the house and rebuild on the site, they'll be paying $60-$70k for a mound system.

I think they're going to leave it as it is. The guy has come up for a week or so by himself. I'm thinking the partner is not so keen on "roughing it" without her own bathroom.

Nothing worse than spending $70k on something that doesn't even give you anything to show for it.

[Teacher Terry]

I also think that’s a reasonable compromise IL. Last year we got top dollar for the house so when it needed 24k in repairs I just took it off the price as I didn’t want to lose my condo. I am all for hitting the easy button.

[iris lilies]

I also think that’s a reasonable compromise IL. Last year we got top dollar for the house so when it needed 24k in repairs I just took it off the price as I didn’t want to lose my condo. I am all for hitting the easy button.

See, that’s what normally drives me. Just hit the easy button.


I got stuck on what a low price we set. Our real estate agent thought it was fine, but the city of St. Louis has our square footage way off. I’m remeasuring right now, but I think the city failed to update the records when we built the addition to this house. We did everything with permits and inspections, so the city certainly has the opportunity to change square footage.


But then as I’m telling him, and telling myself, it does not really matter. The money doesn’t matter. What kind of bites me a little bit is that we’re working harder and faster than we normally would to get out of this house to meet the buyers’ possession date. That’s the one sticking point, otherwise our buyers are reasonable. They’re already traveling around the neighborhood talking about “their” house and I am up for that. It will be their house and I like them And I’m glad they are excited by this property, even though they’re going to abandon my house to build a new one next-door!

[ToomuchStuff]

They’re already traveling around the neighborhood talking about “their” house and I am up for that. It will be their house and I like them And I’m glad they are excited by this property, even though they’re going to abandon my house to build a new one next-door!

What do you mean they are going to abandon your house?
Is this a short term purchase, where they will do the plumbing work, when they put the new sewer in for a house they are building next door? Then they will flip the house?

[iris lilies]

What do you mean they are going to abandon your house?
Is this a short term purchase, where they will do the plumbing work, when they put the new sewer in for a house they are building next door? Then they will flip the house?

They are planning to live in our house while they build a new house right next-door on the lot where my flower garden sits. I imagine they will sell my house when their new house is done. But all that will take a few years.

[catherine]

They are planning to live in our house while they build a new house right next-door on the lot where my flower garden sits. I imagine they will sell my house when their new house is done. But all that will take a few years.

See--your post is what instigated my thread about attachment. Good for you for liking the buyers, but I would really feel sad about their thinking that my house is just glamping for them while they destroy my lifelong garden. I get the sense that you have already let go of that attachment to the best you can.

[iris lilies]

See--your post is what instigated my thread about attachment. Good for you for liking the buyers, but I would really feel sad about their thinking that my house is just glamping for them while they destroy my lifelong garden. I get the sense that you have already let go of that attachment to the best you can.

i’m not sad that the new buyers won’t live in my house forever. Someone will live in it. The historic code protects it ever being torn down or changed substantially.

I live in an area where we have been pushing for development of this neighborhood for decades. By development we mean more buildings. More activity. More people, etc.

Even though some people think of my neighborhood as being focused on maintaining the past, and we certainly are dedicated to existing old buildings, we like infill housing that is appropriate. So, the fact that my flower garden will host the first new house on this side of my block in 145 years is exciting. It’s great! And it fits with my neighborhood’s plan.

that said, I hope someone lives here eventually who will appreciate the carpentry details that DH put in. I understand the kitchen cabinets probably won’t live here forever, even though I think they’re very nice and I love them. But there are certain things that will be with this house forever. As I sit here in my living room I see the built-in bookcases. The fireplace mantle that was handcrafted with fluted columns by DH. The windows have panel inserts that are not found in other gut rehab houses. There are carpentry details throughout this house that are unique. Oh right, the crown molding is spectacular!

[catherine]

I share that hope with you!

[Tybee]

I admire you for adapting with the flow of life, IL. And I imagine that your house will end up with someone who loves it as much as you do, eventually.