11:17 p.m. - 2005-06-17
Frosted Over

Of Course They Want Money

My attorney received a letter from the Buyers attorney today.

"Since dangerous levels of Radon Gas were found in the property (a whopping 4.1 picocuries) my clients (ie: my sister) want to know, will the association pay for mitigation of the noxious substance or will the sellers pick up the cost of the mitigation system (filling a crack). My client (my sister) will be happy to take a credit at the closing."

A closing that will be held 35 miles from here because that is where they Buyer's lawyer (brother's) office is. The property, the sellers and the buyers, as well as our attorney live in Elk Grove, but the closing has to be in Joliet because their lawyer is there.

We have opened our home to their inspectors, their appraisers, and their stupid blinking blue radon detection box. We have allowed subcontractors in for measuring for estimates so their rehabbing can start the day they take possession.

I'll never forget the young buyer as we talked the first night we ventured into this deal. "I'm so glad we are doing this without a Realtor. Realtors are so slimey."

Well, I think snot nose lawyers fresh out of college handing their own family members cases are slimey.

As friendly as we have been with one another, all conversation will now be had through our lawyers. This is not longer a buddy buddy, neighbor to neighbor transaction. It has taken on sliminess. We will no longer honor requests for them to invade OUR home with their sub contractors. They can wait until they take possession like they would in the real (slimey) world.

So...they want money. They didn't say now much. My attorney was not in today but his assistant assured me that he is a really good lawyer. I told her that I would offer 500.00. but the truth is...if they want 1500.00 we will fork it over because we already have lots of money sunk into this deal.

Both mortgage committments have come through and one closing is scheduled. (I am contesting the one in Joliet.)

"Can't we have ONE thing our way?" I asked Nancy, the attorney assistant.

"We're working on that." she replied

So....into next week we go. I am certain at this point that the deal will go through as planned on the original dates planned, but with my pocket book considerably lightened.

Throughout this whole ordeal, we have been freindly and have accomodated the buyers 100% in everything they want. If we were to back out now, it would be twice as hard to sell this place as we now know and would have to disclose that our home is over the safe picocurie limit for Radon Gas (4.1).
We would have to install the mitigation unit anyway which is unsightly and no doubt have to have another radon gas check. Also, some condo associations do not let you install the mitigation units because they are ugly. Let that be their problem.

We are trading swine for pearls. So, I will do with 1000.00 less furniture than I originally planned, or we will have to eat hot dogs for a while...we will be in a beautiful, maintenance free home that is already pretty much decorated.

We will also have some work done in the new home as I wouldn't dream of asking the owner to fix everything. They are already selling us a wonderful home at a great price and everything in this home is of the best quality workmanship and materials. If we didn't want it, there were other buyers waiting in the wings for it...AS IS. We also have a crack to fill and the water shut off valve is rusted. Probably 1000.00 work to be done there. Then there is the rooftop deck I want to finish.

Nothing but Money Money Money Money.

I want to thank my Grandma Slanchik for making this possible by leaving me some money when she passed away, for without some extra money, this would never be happening. I will name my rooftop deck the Granny Deck. Actually though, I should have enough money left to get a nice dining room set in her memory and have a bit left to stash in the bank.

When anyone asks what I did with my inheritance from my Grandma, I will say I bought my first single family home.

The radon stuff and the Joliet closing really has me frosted but then today I realized that all they are asking for is money. They did not pull out of the deal...so tomorrow, we act as if..and continue to pack and move crapola to the storage unit. The goal tomorrow is to finish cleaning out the garage. Once that is done, a big load will be taken off my mind.

After complaining to my coworkers about the Radon problem, I started asking another co worker about the problems he has stemming from his Diabetes. He has to see at least one or two specialists per week. The Diabetes is taking it's toll on his nervous system, his eyes and his kidneys. Right now he is in a cast and on crutches undergong treatment to keep his foot from turning into a "bag of bones".

He looked up at me and said "in the broad scope of things Paula, you're Radon problem really isn't anything at all.

I said, "You're right Dave, I am embarrassed to carry on like it's the end of the world after listening to the things you do every day just to keep healthy enough to come to work and raise your family."

A humbling thought....YET!!,P>

It still frosts my cake!!!!

Three weeks from now...it will all be meaningless and I will have a wonderful new home to have fun decorating.

P. I. Yarnsmith

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