Welcome to Chez Cliff!

So the Home Inspector met us at the property today.  I don’t envy that guy.  He has to get in some down and nasty places.  The good news is that the inspector is a friend of my real estate agent so if the place is bad, he’ll let us know.

But there’s good news!

First, all new copper piping was put in about five years ago.
Second, the crawlspace under the front house is huge.  There’s plenty of room down there for future renovations.  Instead of going through the wall, they can go under the floor.  Nice!!
Third, the roofs are in good shape.  He estimates that maybe in 10 years they will need some work.  That’s alright though because I won’t have these houses that long.

Now the bad news.

No rain gutters has allowed years of rain to fall from the roof and pound the foundation of the houses.  There’s some water damage on both houses that will have to be fixed.  Good news is that it’s the responsibility of the seller to fix those problems.

That’s it!

I’ll get his official report this evening (thanks eFax!) and I’ll pour over it.

The Real Estate Agent is happy.  That makes me happy.

I was telling some people at the coffee shop that I’m now an official landlord.  Everyone there says they’re happy for me.  In the middle of all this, my cell rang.

Mentor:  "Dude, I heard you made a deal."
Clifford:  "That’s right!  I got two houses and they’re all mine!"
Mentor:  "Congratulations.  I’m proud of you."
Clifford:  "Thank you sir.  I owe you a debt of gratitude.  You really helped me get into this opportunity."
Mentor:  "You did all the work.  But that’s the important thing.  At least you took action.  Most people won’t even do that."
Clifford:  "You’re right.  Before I knew what I had to do and for some reason I was hesitating."
Mentor:  "So when are we celebrating?"
Clifford:  "What are you doing now?"

I felt bad.  I should have called him first when the deal went through but that didn’t happen.

All I can think about is that U2 song

I want to run.
I want to hide.
I want to tear down these walls that hold me inside.
I want to reach out
and touch the flame
Where the Streets have no name

I can’t sit still!!

mommy

Tonight at 6:20 p.m., my cell phone range.

Agent:  "You’re a home owner!"
Clifford:  "I love you man!  That is great!"
Agent:  "Yes, now you’re going to have to get your paperwork to the Loan Officer ASAP."
Clifford:  "I dropped it all off today."
Agent:  "Nice."
Clifford:  "What’s next?"

I love that question.

I can’t think right now.

Where’s my bottle of Veuve Clicquot?!?!?  We’re celebrating!!

I took Anne and Tony over to see the property.  Anne hates it.  It makes me laugh.  Tony looked at me and with a smile said "Dude, you’ve got a deal here."

Another friend of mine arrived, who has lived in this area all her life.  Anne was drilling her with all kinds of questions.  Is the neighborhood safe?  Are there all kinds of parties going on?  Who are those kids?  What is the racial makeup of the neighborhood?

As much as Anne screams about how she isn’t my mother, she sure is acting like it.