Siding is Finished

Last night we got to the house after dark, so sorry no pictures.

They finished the siding yesterday. We also ran a speaker wire for the center channel to go beneath the plasma tv over the fireplace. We ran a 12guage power wire for the power outlet that i'll install at a later time. I electrical taped both sides of it, since it's not connected, it's not a code violation, but you never know what inspectors will give you a hard time about... hopefully, the house has already been inspected and they'll go ahead and drywall over it. If not, I'll either be getting a phone call or it will be ripped out... we'll see.

More dealings with the mortgage companies.... found one that says they can do the 10% loan, however now the main mortgage company is saying if I get that, they might not be able to do the 80%... so once I get the #s I'll have to submit them to the first company before accepting the second loan. Also, I locked in my rate in case I have to do the 90% loan with PMI from Forino Mortgage.... however, they also made sure to add in that if my credit score has lowered from the other companies checking my credit, it might disqualify me from the loan. My score has dropped from about 720-680 from the creditors looking at my credit (kinda screwed up that your credit score gets lowered because you're trying to get competetive offers). So we'll see if the mortgage company is still leaving a "loophole" in our agreement to be able to try to get more money out of me.... oh and get this.... they can't check my credit until a week before closing... some b.s. excuse about the lender won't let them do it earlier. We'll see I guess....

Sorry for no posts over the last few days, been away on thanksgiving break. Wed stopped by the house to find that the electric was run throughout the house.

Stopped by the house today and saw that they had begun putting the siding on.

You can also see the black wires in the picture below. We bought a 42" plasma this weekend to put above the fireplace. We then ran 3 rca, 1 s-video, 1 cable wire, and 3 component wires to where the TV will be and to under the window where I will install a wall plate to accomadate all the wires. I still have to run a speaker wire and a power cable... need to remember to bring them with me. Now, we just need to hope the builder doesn't rip them out!

More Mortgage Issues

Well the mortgage problems persist.....

I have been trying to get a hold of my loan officer Kristie at First Horizon. I've left her a few messages to call me over the past week without a response. Yesterday I called and asked to speak to someone else and was told I couldn't do that, that I needed to speak with her. So after leaving another message, I called this afternoon, pretending to want to get a new loan, then once speaking to a loan officer, explained that I needed an update on my current one. The manager called me back later, saying how hard my loan officer is working to try to get the loan through and how hard it will be to do with such a large debt to income ratio etc etc.... So I kindly let him know that that should have been explained to me before his officer had me increase my loan amount to "get it through". So, he's going to call me later today with an update... I'll be sure to sit by the phone (sarcasm).

In the meantime, I went to the 2nd lowest quoted rate lender. Supposedly, they said it will only take a day or two to find out an answer... with the holiday, that means not until next week probably. So, now it will be first come first serve.... if none of them can do it, then I'll have to lock in the 90% with PMI and cough up the extra $133/mo.

Electrical Boxes Installed

The electrician installed the electrical boxes today, power outlets and light switches.

They also did a bit of work on the HVAC, still a ways to go though.

HVAC Started

The HVAC was started today. The main floor has a lot of the ductwork run.

They also pulled the gas line for the dryer.

Unfortunately, I saw where they plan on putting the water heater... right where the bar was going to go when we finished the basement. It shouldn't be a huge deal to move the heater later on, I'll have to learn to braze copper though :)

Good news, it was absolutely pouring today. We didn't see any leaks in the main house, but there was one leaking onto the garage floor by the side... I think it might be coming from the sidewall where the pieces of OSB meet though.

Roof Finished

Not too much done on the house this weekend. The roof was finished and the plumbing was finished. We also solved the mystery of the pipe in the basement... it's the radon prep that now comes standard in all homes. They also chalked a line around the basement wall for the height the basement floor needs to be poured to. Now that they have the roof on, they should be able to pour the floor this week.

They were also finishing up burying the power and gas lines.

Holy Pipes Batman!

The workers were busy today, very busy!

I didn't get to the house until dark tonight, first thing I noticed was that the shingle stacks were on the roof to soon be put on and the roof was placed on top of the second bow window.

Upon entering the house I smelled a real strong smell, one that I know well from my aquariums.... PVC Glue! Sure enough, the first and second floors were completely plumbed! Water supplies, vents, drains, everything. The basement hasn't been plumbed yet, but the piping is laying down there and will probably be done tomorrow.

One large concern I have is that the drain line comes down into the basement and goes into the ground.... not where the drain pipe was run under the house though. It was too dark to see what exactly was going on, but I've definitely got to make sure that it's not just put down 1' into the dirt.

The plumber added the faucet to the spare bathroom.

They also framed out the shower today and installed all of the plumbing for it.

Along the left side of the house, the trench is dug for the electric.


Along the right side of the house, the trench is dug for the gas line.

The gas meter has also been added to the side of the house.

Windows Completed

The workers were just finishing up when I stopped by. I felt bad for them as it was POURING out. Suprisingly it was pretty dry inside. The only parts getting real wet were where the two different roofs met.

Wow, it's really starting to look like a house now with all of the windows in. I did some research on the windows and was pleasantly surprised to find out they are excellent top of the line brandnames.... Simonton Reflections, double paned (which is really cool with the grids inside to make cleaning easier) and LowE coating to keep the sun out. They're highly rated by consumer reports... I'm glad we didn't spend the $20,000 to upgrade to Anderson windows.

The wall of windows are complete. I'm glad to see they put the cross bars on top of the circular windows for more support.

The front door is in, but not painted. I'm glad we went with the small window on top (vs. no window).

They framed the stairs down to the basement today also.

I noticed a few "extra" steel column supports in the garage and went downstairs to check the basement and see why... to my surprise, one of the supports is extremely crooked... I'm hoping that they plan on using the ones in the garage to fix it.

The hot tub was installed upstairs, I'm dissapointed that they didn't insulate under it. (Will help keep the tub warm after filling it up). Might have to install some of my own.

They also put up all of the updated plans, so for the first time, I got to see exactly what our kitchen layout will look like.

Is it a Scam?

So as posted below, I'm working on finding a different lender for my 10% of 20% down payment. I'm working with First Horizon. I called yesterday and the rate was quoted at 6.75 with one point. Well I put the paperwork in today... the rate rose to 6.85%. She called me back just now to let me know that that was the rate for a 30 day lock.... for a 60 day lock it would be .2% more.... so 7.01% with one point.

Now this raises the question, am I being scammed? The first .1% rise... ok fine rates did go up slightly last night, by around .05%... I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Ok, even though I specifically mentioned to her yesterday that I needed a 60day rate lock and she said "yeah no problem, it doesn't matter how long you lock it for"... perhaps she's new and just didn't realize it... ok but now she's really pushing it. I realize though that in two months rates will be higher, at least that much with the Feds raising rates again in December by 1/4 point. Now my concern is that 7.01% is still below the 7.5% national average.... so will they have another "trick" up their sleeves to raise my rates even higher? If so, what are my other options? The next closest lender started at 8.25% and I'm sure I'd have to go with the same rate raise as these people.

I still have to lock in with the primary provider, but that can't happen until Nov. 25th. Will they pull the same trick? Will that rate go from 5/1 ARM 5.125 rate with 3 points to something more like 6% with 3 points? Will they say, I'm sorry since you're taking out money with a different lender, our lender needs you to pay PMI ?

Let's all cross our fingers, but I'm losing hope quick....

Some Windows Installed

The two front bay windows have been installed. They've installed the windows on both sides of the fireplace and some of the ones in the "wall of windows". There was a window on the floor that they must have dropped, because it's cracked all the way across in two places. Now, we'll just need to make sure they don't install it.

All of the stairs were put in as well.

Roof Felt

They put the felt on the roof today. A little bit of finishing work on the plywoods sides as well. They also delivered the bay windows today.

I've been trying to obtain a new second mortgage since the other one fell through, got jerked around all day by brokers. I put an application in on Lending Tree and said that I was going for an 80-10-10... so the results came in with 5 "winners", all of which I called to find out NONE of them offer an 80-10-10... but hey... that's for responding with fake rates on things you don't offer !

Luckily, I went to Bankrate.com and found some good info along with a few companies. One company, First National had the best rate. By adding one point and raising my 2nd loan by $1600, they said I could lower my rate by 1.25%. Sounds great... we'll soon see if it's too good to be true. Let's pray.

Slackers

Stopped by the house today, no one was working... must have taken the week off.

Because no one was there though, we got to really take a close look at everything. We did notice that there was one rafter over the master bedroom sitting room that wasn't resting properly and was hanging over the support.

We also bought a bag of fall grass seed today. We spread that around the back yard where we'll be letting the dog out... in the hopes that some of the seed will sprout and keep the area less muddy so the dog doesn't track it into the house. This is all because the builder won't be spreading the topsoil or seeding until late spring.


Oh and a BUYER BEWARE NOTE: Mortgage brokers and companies are underhanded liars. The nicer and more honest they seem... the more you are getting screwed... seriously. Granted this is only my second house, but this is the second time I've been mislead until it was almost too late. Luckily I learned the hard way last time and knew to "follow-up" this time. So here's the story.... I've been working with a mortgage broker, and working towards taking a 80-10-10 mortgage. 10% down from my own pocket, 80% first loan, and 10% second mortgage... called a Home Equity Loan. So no prob. Well I can lock my rates in 60 days before closing, the end of this month. So I called the mortage broker to have them refax the current rates before it was time to lock. They fax me the rates I ask for on a 5 & 7yr ARM and 30yr fixed... they also fax me an copy of an email.... one they supposedly sent me in early October which states that their lenders will require that I pay PMI (mortgage insurance), which is another $133. Well, geez... my emails ends with @LMCO.... they sent it to @IMCO, so of course I never got it. Now, anyone who knows anything about computers, knows when you send an email to an invalid email address, you get an email sent back to you that says "Invalid Address". So without a doubt, the broker got this return email and knew that I never got it. But hey, they now have proof they "tried" to send it... and I won't find out about it until I go to lock and it will be too late by then! Losers! Luckily I asked for my rates early.

So now, I need to find a mortgage company who will let me take out a Home Equity loan for the house, or I'll need to pay PMI. The PMI vs. a new equity loan will cost $60 more a month, and will be putting no money towards the principal.... so not the best option, but also not devastating.

Oh did I mention that the builder gives us $6,000 for going with their mortgage broker, so I'm stuck with them? Besides, a scumbag is a scumbag and a different broker, well... wouldn't be any different. If you're sitting there saying.... " I had one that wasn't like that"... it's because you didn't know enough to realize it! Ignorance truly IS bliss!

The Roof is On

The roof is now on! They plywood sheeting is almost complete as well.




Below you can see the trusses that were used to make the roof.

Windows Delivered + More

The windows, tubs, and outside doors were delivered today. They also added the roof to the fireplace dormer. They began putting the front stairs in also. They put up some sort of make shift scaffolding so they can put the wall of windows up, I'm guessing they'll do that tomorrow.

Roof Delivered

The roof trusses were delivered today. They also did some interior wall framing. They finally put the plywood all the way down to the base of the house, that mystery was solved. It was raining terribly when we got to the house, hopefully all that water won't hurt they wood they put up.

Amazingly, the house across the street went from foundation to having the roof on and windows in in only 3 days... pretty damn fast!

2nd Floor Walls Up

They put the second floor walls up today. There are still a couple of things bothering me. You'll notice none of the plywood goes all the way down to the foundation... for some reason they left a foot or so void... no clue why. Also, the left side of the house has insulation board instead of plywood... why only that one side? I'm confused :)

Garage and Family Room Walls Up

They put the garage walls up today. They also put up the family room double story walls up. You can see our wall of windows cut out, although they forgot to cut out one window. They also began putting up the plywood for the second story.