The Jig is up: House Hunting

 

I’ve tried to hide the fact that I am buying a home, but the f!@kery that we’ve been going through is too damn much. 

I don’t really know how I got here, but 10 offers later and no home, it’s been the pits. I am trying to be a rational man, but I just can’t at this point.

When my wife approached me about buying a home, I instantly stood behind her and got on board. We searched  for a bank that would pre-qualify and approve us and got that out of the way. Receiving the price range that we could afford, we went on the hunt for the best possible situation and home.

THE AGENT

I didn’t do my research when I picked my agent. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Reading web articles, I decided to go with some guy who had a great amount of sales within the past year. When I talked to him, something felt off, but I decided to go along with it anyhow. We talked about each of our schedules and everything seemed fine. I looked at his ratings and this gentleman had nothing but 5 star ratings. In hindsight, I should’ve listened to my intuition instead of random fake reviews.  I have four more offers in with this guy. If these fail within the past week, I am moving the hell on.

TIP: When picking a real estate agent, use buyer/seller reviews accordingly. Make sure that you are dealing with an agent that is great at what you are looking for. If you are looking to sell a home, choose an agent that specializes in selling homes, especially in the area you live. If you are a buyer, choose an agent that not only specializes in your desired area, but also is in rhythm of your schedule. You can’t work graveyard shift and have an agent that only shows property at noon, when you may not be able to view properties until 4 p.m. on off days. Choose an agent that is flexible, don’t get caught up on sales unless you are a seller.

The HOMES

Home offer #1: This home was a probate sale. Probate sales can be done either through the court, or without the court. It means the owner has passed away, and the heirs or de facto owners want to sell the house by auction or standard sale. The listing agent that presents the property must legally state that the owner has passed away. When we saw this home, it was on a random weekday night that I happened to get off early. My wife and I met up at the location with one of our agent’s “team members” in his “group”.  Let’s call her Linda. Linda showed us the property and the condition of the house was murky at best. There was peeling paint, uneven floors, and an un-permitted back house that smelled like rotten marijuana. The carpet was awful, the rooms were decent, and the entrance of the garage was in an alley. I absolutely hated the house but loved the area, so we put in an offer. We put in three multiple counter offers and still lost, because we refused to pay more than what the house was worth. STRIKE ONE: I found out through a third party website that the house was pending before the real estate agent. The agent didn’t notify us of the property being sold to another party until two days later. Didn’t return our calls, until I called one of his “team members.” Pissed me the f**k off, but I didn’t want to make it a big deal.

Home offer #2: This home was also a probate sale that was being sold “as-is”. It fell out of escrow due to a multitude of factors: buyers got separated, buyers refused to split responsibility of repairs with seller, etc.  STRIKE TWO: We specifically told this guy to put in an offer that same night on this house. I sent an email to him and the group member that showed me the property, specifically telling him to put in the offer that SATURDAY. They had an open house that SUNDAY. On Monday morning, no more offers were accepted. My agent did not put in our offer that SUNDAY at minimum. He had to beg for them to accept our offer as a backup that MONDAY afternoon. I WAS PISSSSSST!!!! I was so pissed I let him know about it.

Home offer #3: This home was awkward as hell. Garage was almost bigger than the home itself. The house was crazy small, located on a main street, corner house, driveway not connected to driveway. Awkward to pull in, no dishwasher or space. No backyard or privacy, the home was overpriced and outside of the area we desired. This was a flipped home that felt unfinished. The agent actually negotiated a great deal with this house. They agreed to help on closing costs and were ready to make a deal with us. He did an excellent job, but this time we reneged and backed out of our offer. The house was not appealing at all. It probably is still for sale.

Home offer #4: This home was located in the perfect area, but was dated and ugly. It had floor heaters and possible water damage. The home was ideal, but had some issues. We actually cross qualified and damn near got our offer accepted at asking, but a cash buyer came in and offered 97 percent of asking without any contingencies (at the last second). We instantly got beat out and lost, cash is king, but the agent did a decent job.

Home offer #5: This home is in a sketchy area but the home and block was actually nice. It is what you would call a pocket block. A good block surrounded by a few bad streets with criminal activity. I liked this house enough to put in an offer, but didn’t want to commit to a house that we halfway liked. The house had multiple cash offers, and even blind offers, so we didn’t like our chances on this home beyond putting in an offer. Plus we were waiting on home offer #4. It was MEH!

Home offer #6: This home was one that was the closest of my intended area to move into. I still haven’t received word back on this home. We just know that the competition is deep and the likelihood is low, when there is too much competition. Allegedly we are going to find out tomorrow who gets the home, but the seller’s agent is a hard person to get in contact with. We our crossing our fingers, but expecting a no. This home is dated and has a retro 2000’s feel to it. I thought I was on the set of ‘Moesha’, but the backyard is huge and the driveway is private. I saw it alone and immediately put in an offer without hesitation, because I knew my wife would love it. We shall see.

Home offer #7: Beautiful home, pocket street like home offer #5, turn key and ready to go. We put in multiple offers and was one of the highest offers, but we refused to waive the appraisal contingency. I was like hell no, and they found a sucker who did waive his appraisal. We lost out on that one, and to keep it more gangster — they still are having open houses despite its pending status. We just shook our heads and moved on. We loved that they moved fast and didn’t stall, unlike Home offer #6.

Home offer #8: We saw this property and let the seller’s agent(s) know our interest immediately. This was a pocket block home that was renovated into a turn key, but had more potential that what was shown at open house. This offer is fresh and we are waiting on a response by the end of the week, or next Monday at the latest.

Home offer #9: This home is located in a non-desirable area, but the home is a got damn castle for a KING. I walked through the home and felt like nothing else outside mattered. Only thing that this house needed was a front gate, an electric powered swing gate and that’s it. This house was lit. We offered lower than the asking price, because we know people aren’t willing to move in that area. The home was sick, I could see my dogs roaming the property. Easy home to sell in the future also, something I couldn’t say about home offer #3. No response on this home yet.

Home offer #10: This home is a great location not far from home offer #1, but the wife checked it out alone and became hesitant because of a nosy neighbor. This home has multiple offers that are placed on the property and even our real estate agent doubts that we will be considered for this home.

 

I’m very frustrated at this point with the whole entire process, because I have pressure to find a home soon. My rental lease with my landlord is up, and they are hiking the price up exorbitantly high to coerce us into signing a 6 month to 1 year lease. They disfavor tenants who stay month to month, so I have a lot of pressure to make a deal happen. I am not too satisfied with my agent, because his communication is not great. All of the homes I’ve found on my own, he doesn’t send me any listings. My wife and I attend multiple open houses alone –then write him a long ass email report– and beg him to put in offers before the night ends. He has shown us 4 of the houses we’ve put offers on. He seems too busy at times and he rarely helps us on weekends. He avoids showing us properties on weekends and uses people on his team to show properties during the weekday. My wife gets to see the properties, but I don’t. When the weekend comes, those people that work on his team actually don’t work for him, they ASSIST him.  The one guy who does show us property has clients of his own that come before us. So when (more like if) we need to see properties on weekends, it feels like a hassle to ask our agent if we can see lock box properties that regular buyers don’t have access to. We got into a heated discussion today, and I kept it real. I told him that if I knew that he was this busy on weekends, then I would’ve chosen otherwise. I will give him until the duration of these four offers, and afterwards i’m done. These real estate agents are sharks who hunt for buyers who attend open houses without agents. They tell us bad things about our agent, and how they can do a better job. One guy promised us a house, only  if we left our agent out of the business transaction and did the deal straight up. I know its all bullshit and smoke, but the fact is I get irritated with not having an agent present. The seller’s agent treats you different without an agent, they turn into sleazy greasy salesmen without one. I told my agent that I don’t like defending a real estate agent who isn’t there.”It’s not my responsibility to defend you”. I hope a deal goes through, but I had to use my platform to vent. Thanks for taking time to read my drama.

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Inside Eddie’s Daydream #26

What’s up guys?  I’m back again with the drama for your mama. The reason I chose this picture as the header is because I haven’t been updating you guys on the let project letters. As far as A.J., he sent me a couple letters talking about how so far he is very appreciative of all the books and letters I’ve sent him. He thinks that I am changing his life. The original letters have been destroyed by water being spilled on them. I told him about the programs that were available in prison and he says that he has already enrolled and graduated with a g.e.d. and a welding class certification. I sent him two more books during the x-mas/nye holiday;

Carter G. Woodson’s “The Mis-Education Of The Negro” is one of the most essential books for black people, or African-American’s. This book should be labeled as the “Black Bible Of Consciousness”. It is a book that not only confronts white supremacy, but reprimands brothers and sisters in the black community who fall victim to bourgeoisie ideology. Yes, you can be educated and misled. Hence, the proper term mis-education. This book was the first time I realized that you could have more degrees than an oven, but still be socially and subconsciously controlled by society’s standards. He predicts the pattern of black politicians and their behavior towards blacks.

This is an amazing book, and an amazing man. It is absolutely essential that A.J. reads this book.

Another book that I’ve sent is Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow.

This book breaks down the entire prison system, from the beginning of slavery up to current times. I told him to take his time with these two books, because it is heavy material. This book was what gave me the inspiration to start this project of trying to curb jail recidivism. I’m for damned sure not a millionaire, but I am strapped with the knowledge that could change a person’s life. Why not use that information to uplift someone in need?

What’s crazy is that I received a new letter from an inmate named “Cory G”, here is the letter.

In so many words, he thinks the let project is an actual prisoner reform program that is funded by the government. He is interested, but doesn’t know how to move forward. The mistake of my introductory letter, is that my mission statement was too powerful. I am only one person, trying to help as many prisoners as I can. I will definitely help this brother, but the whole “can my homies get on also?” stuff is dead. That is why my project is a project, and not a program. The few chosen are the few selected for an amazing opportunity. 

 

 

 

A.J. Responds (12/03/16)

“Hey Eddie, 

    This is Adolphos,

I received your letter. You responded so quick, caught me off guard. I have already sent you a letter right before this one. I guess a second won’t hurt. I also sent a poem. I think you might like a lot. That’s the way I express myself. You said me getting chosen was extreme luck. I call it a blessing.

Eddie I feel like this moment to get my voice out there, also have somebody like you listening to me and understanding that it is not easy in here. In your letter you mention Malcolm X. That’s crazy because he is my role model. I have read all his books and speeches. I know what he is about and while I am not Muslim, I understand his views. 

(By any means necessary)

I got so much to say about prison, where do I start, I am currently in the hole. The police say I had a knife in my cell. I was in high desert, I still belong to that prison. You name it I’ve done it here e.g. riots, stabbings, got shot. I had it hard in prison. With gods blessings I will be out very soon, I don’t have life sentence.

Well I will let you go until the next time I got another poem I am working on and will share soon. I hope you can be that help I am looking for. (With respect Adolphos)

Please give me feedback on the poetry 

Thank you a lot ☺”

My response:

Inside Eddie’s Daydream #21

Went to the mailbox yesterday to see if I received any letters and I got nothing, smh. What in the hell will it take to get more inmates to participate? I will have to double my efforts and send another thirteen letters this weekend. I already roped 1/13 inmates. Next time I will send a stamp and envelope with the letter to see if that is more effective.

Many of them are like, Why in the hell do you want to help me?… Why am I special? I have to convince them that I want nothing else other than to improve their mindset. It is almost like a mindset barrier that many men and women have to break open, in order to allow help. I’m not giving up, just realizing that I have to reach the ones who are open to change.

L.E.T. Project “A.J”

 So I sent AJ some books. The first book is a dictionary, because it is literally like a translator in jail. It helps expand his diction. The second book I sent was Tupac ‘the rose that grew from concrete’ in hopes that he could be inspired by some of Tupac’s poetry. AJ says he likes poetry, and I think this would be the book he would read first. The third book I’ve sent him was ‘Man’s search for meaning’ by Viktor Frankl. You guys will automatically see me send this book to almost every inmate. This was a man who survived concentration camp under Nazi rule. Incredibly heartfelt book, it shows the power of a positive mindset under any circumstance. This book is hands down the greatest book for any one facing a difficult time. I can’t wait until I hear his take on the book(s).

~Eddiestarblog

:D✊