Follow-up

Today we drove over to Tyler Texas and had a very nice breakfast at a place called "The Diner". We left there and were on our way to visit our real estate agents when we got a call from them telling us there was no news.
We drove on to Jacksonville and paid our agents a visit. Several things were discussed and we did find out, after I suggested they call the Clerk's Office at the court, that the 'Will' had not been filed yet. This aggravated me and Samantha and the agents could tell we were upset. We told our agents we had no plans to extend the closing date past March 31 st.
There is nothing we can do now but wait and see what happens . Maybe the seller's lawyer will get it done by the 31st and maybe not.
So we have extended our stay here at Lake Tyler State Park until March 31st. We'll asses our options then and go from there.
I and Samantha are not in a happy mood; we have been lied to by the seller's agent twice and now we are in an awkward situation of having to wait for the seller's lawyer to do his job and who's fault is it that he hasn't had the time to do his job? Not ours, all this probate stuff should have been taken care of before the agent excepted the listing. One has to have the right to sell the property before you can offer it for sale. I'm grinding my teeth over this one and that's not good.

We packed up and departed from the Escapees RV park on the 25th a Wednesday and headed for Lake Tyler state park and got there after several stops at about 1:30 in the afternoon. We paid for two days; mindful that we had to pay for the weekend as soon as possible if we were going to stay the weekend. We don't know as we haven't heard from the real estate agents about the closing. We may pay those agents a visit today and see if being on their doorstep, so to speak, will get us some answers. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear that things are not going well with the Probate Court in deciding who owns the property etc.
Yesterday when we got here at Tyler Lake it began to rain as we were setting up the trailer. When we tried putting out the slide it got half way out and stopped no power to move it. We searched for a place to crank it out but didn't find one. We had Internet service so we called a local RV repair person and he gave us some suggestions which turned out to be very helpful.
Our problem was that the wires for the motor for the slide were loose. We also had another problem with the landing gear as it chewed up the bolts we had just replaced. We had one more bolt and it lasted long enough to get the gear down. Seeing as it was raining any way we went to town for more bolts. While in town we decided to have dinner at Cracker Barrel and as we were having dinner the rain became a cloud burst lasting almost a half an hour before returning to a regular rain. We got back to the trailer and watched a CD of old Jack Benny television shows for while and went to bed listening to the rain on the roof.

Trouble

We packed up to leave camp and found that the landing gear on the trailer wouldn't work properly. Another camper told us that the problem was that the shear pin had broken on the shaft that moves the legs up and down had broken. We went to the nearest RV repair place and they sent us to the local hardware store to get the shear pin. The hardware store sold us bolts to replace the shear pin. When we tried that idea out we found out that the bolt was to long so we had another trip to the hardware store to get the correct size bolt. When we got the bolt in we found that the legs wouldn't go up all the way. The problem was that another shear pin was broke in a different location, fortunately we had a bolt that would fit that part of the mechanism and now everything thing works as it should.
Then we get a call on the cell phone from our realtor saying that the bank wanted to close tomorrow at 11am. Okay, we can do that we say and continue getting things ready for moving the trailer. All little while later we get a call from our realtor saying the Title company hadn't gotten the documents from the Probate Court it needed to pass papers and the meeting was off until they get the documents.
I remember asking about this before, whether the house was properly the owners and had been assured that it was all in place. I should have known better, most people don't have a clue about Probate or the passing of property from a deceased person to another. I have had this experience before in buying real estate. Let me tell you this can turn into a nightmare real quick and delay things from closing for weeks or even months.
So here we sit betwixt and between.

Update

I haven't found this place in the house yet.


Another thing that needs to be fixed.


We visited the ranch last week to show Samantha the house and buildings. Our GPS had us going the long way around, seems the GPS likes to use interstate highways first then state highways and in doing so sometime you end up going the wrong way for a while till you get to the highway system the GPS likes.

When we got to the house we had a hard time finding the hot water heater. Usually the hot water heater in manufactured housing is located in a closet accessed from outside, but there was none. We walked around the outside and didn't find the closet for the water heater, we looked inside under the cabinets in the closets and found that in the master bedroom closet was a panel and behind that panel was the water heater. The next problem was getting the air-conditioner to work, Samantha pushed some buttons on the heater and Viola, the A/C came on.

We found lots of things that have to be repaired or replaced or improved. We shall be very busy with this house.

We stopped by the real estate office and signed more papers the closing may be next week. We also went to the insurance office to get insurance for the place. The man at the insurance office said he would find insurance for us. He had to call both real estate agents and the bank to get information he needed seemed like he had to do a lot of work just to get to the applying stage.

This is monday, we had to take Samantha to Houston for a Seaman's physical the trip there and back took up most of the day. When we got back I got a call from our real estate agent she said we might close tomorrow or the next day. So, we will break camp tomorrow and get on the road
head north waiting for the phone to ring.

Inspection photos

Older AC


Electric breaker box looks like someone has
done some odd things with it.

Deferred maint.

More fix-it stuff over the main entry door

I got a lot of photos of the home inspection, lots of deferred maintenance items. The master bathroom is off level and the AC doesn't work well, the heater needs cleaning so forth and so on just stuff that wasn't taken care of through the years. So far nothing serious and the owner is having some thing looked after, I also asked for a home warranty to cover some disaster with the house like the AC going out the heater not working or the dishwasher going on the fritz.

I have been through all that stuff in the past so I wanted the warranty to protect ourselves.

I guess I will have to get the tool box out and my overalls on and get to work when I move in :)

Truck problems again ? & We lose a friend

Yesterday I was leaving the doctor's office and started the truck up and turned the headlights on and the dash lights went out! HOLY SMOKES, I got worried that there was something seriously wrong with the truck. I had to go a few miles to get an x-ray done and I worried about getting home and you know....yadda yadda yadda :( So I did get home okay and parked the truck for the night.

The next morning I got into the truck and started it up then turned on the headlights and LO AND BEHOLD the dash lights came on. I drove the truck around town and parked let it sit and started it up and .....no problem ! WHAT THE ??? So anybody got any ideas? I don't. Just another of life's aggravations.

The other aggravation is that the doctor's office still doesn't have the results of the x-ray and they don't call you if everything is fine, ya like no one has ever forgotten something or misfiled some one's test results Grrrr, don't ya just love it?

Today our all black kitty went to kitty haven he had been sick for a while. He sure was a loving kitty in his own individualistic way, he will be dearly missed.

What or if we should name it

We have been brain storming the idea of naming our little ranchito. Both of us have come up with names and some are funny or weird, but we haven't decided what to name it. Here are some of the names we have come up with; Funny Farm, Dos Hermanas Ranchito, Las Locas Rancho, Rocking Chair Ranch, The Last Stop Ranch, Sunset Ranch, Double Star Ranch, Texas Star Ranch, so forth and so on. Suggestions welcome, we will post others as they come up.

Our plans for the Little ranch

We both have plans for the little ranch in Van Zandt county Texas. Mine are to have a horse or horses to go trail riding. Samantha would like to have goats and garden. We both love animals and like taking care of them and being around them.

I am doing my research now on how to take care of my own horse(s) what I equipment and supplies I will need what chores will have to be done and the scheduling of professionals like the farrier and the vet. I will have to locate those professionals in the area and make contact with them. I am getting excited about having a horse of my own. We had horses when the children were growing up, but I didn't get to enjoy them like they did because I had to work very long hours. I took riding lessons a couple of times, but never became a competent rider like other members of the family. My goal now is just to enjoy trail rides and have fun meeting other horse people. Kind of strange this late in life getting a horse, but I have always been a little strange.

The poor business experience

Did you ever go to a business and not feel welcome ? I mean they take your money and they do a good job, but it feels like they really don't want you there or care that you are spending your money in their establishment. I had that experience this morning at the big trailer place here in Livingston Texas. I don't remember even so much as a good morning out of anyone; NO ONE introduced themselves to me. I had my dogs with me and I took them out of my truck and we waited under a carport display for three hours, no one aske if I would like a place to sit or a cup of coffee, glass of water ...nothing.

I noticed all the photos and awards on their walls and there was a lot of coming and going of other customers and their yard was full of shinny new horse and stock trailers also carports, garages and even a large metal barn.

I asked a few questions about converting a goose-neck trailer to being used with the fifth wheel and although I got my answer I didn't get the warm fuzzy feeling that I like when I am spending money. I said I was looking for a horse trailer and had just started looking, but no one suggested I look at their trailers. I walked in and out of the barn on display several times, but no one asked me if I was interested. I saw our RV club sign on their cash register saying they were a corporate supporter and asked what a member gets and was told nothing. So why have the sign ?

The man that did the work on my truck did a good job and answered my questions. In a way I felt sorry for him cause if they ignored me, a paying customer, I can just imagine how he is treated. Maybe they have so much business they don't need mine, they sure won't get it in the future. Maybe if I showed up in a new expensive truck I would have been treated better then again maybe not, not everyone likes me although I bet if I were richer I would be treated better.

Picking up the Pickup

Today I went to get the newer truck. By ten o'clock in the morning I hadn't heard from the dealer I decided to go there and see what was up. I found the truck still there, but it wasn't ready. So, upon my arrival the boss there got the ball rolling and in a mere two hours the truck was ready. I put the dogs in and we were off on a trip to have lunch in the fine town of Conroe Texas. It sure felt odd driving this truck the steering is very sensitive compared to the old GMC, and it has a lot of power, for a diesel it is quiet, the air conditioning was working well and the dogs seemed to like that. Lunch and the bank visit went well. Hopefully my truck problems are gone for a long while (hope,hope, hope).

Good News Bad News

A lot has happened since the last post.
I was headed up to Jacksonville Texas to apply for the mortgage for the ranch and my truck decided to throw the fan belt. Of course these days it runs everything and when it goes the truck doesn't. I got lucky (good news) a man stopped and put the belt back on for me so I could get to the garage. When I got there the mechanic had to replace the belt and the tension device for the belt (cha-ching$). I continued the trip to Jacksonville and filed for the mortgage and it looks like we'll get one, but we don't know with who or what rate yet.

So, I leave the bank and start the truck and I hear this noise from the engine compartment like something hitting the fan. I turned off the motor and had a look. The fan clutch had a strip of belt
wrapped around it like a snarl on a fishing reel. I cut it off with my pocket knife, a very useful tool every women ought to carry one in her purse :) I was very concerned driving back to Livingston Texas (over 150miles), thinking that at any minute I was going to loose the belt and get stranded.

I made it back to the rig and the following morning I went back to the garage and showed them the strip of belt that came off the new belt. The mechanic replaced the belt and after turning the motor on he heard more noise and further investigation showed that the brace holding the power steering pump was gone! The good news is the part and bolts were sitting on the frame, so it was easy to replace. However in putting this back together it was discovered that the assembly that holds the power steering pump, alternator and tension device has cracks in it. This part is about to fail (bad news). I am told this part is not made anymore and search of the junk yards comes up with nothing. The after market piece comes with the air conditioner compressor, alternator, power steering pump and some other stuff plus shipping ($$$) bad news. Also the harmonic dampener is failing on this truck which could cause big problems for the engine ($$) bad news.

So with this information I decide to cut my losses and get another truck. I went to a local used truck guy and pick out a truck and made the best deal I could. I took my truck to a trailer place and had the fifth wheel removed to later be put on the replacement truck. So tomorrow sometime I get to trade trucks. The good news is it is a better truck the bad news is I spent a lot of money and I hate to spend money :(

I just hope my old truck hold together long enough to get rid of it tomorrow :\

I got news this afternoon that the secondary mortgage companies aren't accepting applications for manufactured home at this time :( This means we will be financing through a local bank at a higher rate. When the financing business improves we will switch-You Betcha.

So that's the Good News and Bad News it has been a hell of a week I don't think I could stand much more of this up and down stuff, good, bad, stuff.....

We've struck a deal !

Terrible picture of the kitchen




Partial view of the kitchen



Finally late yesterday afternoon I got word that the seller(s) had made a counter offer and after listening to it over the phone I gave my approval. They wanted a thousand dollars more but were willing to purchase a home warranty plan ($350) pay up to $500 in repairs found by a home inspector and up to $500 for termite treatment if they are found during the inspection. They will retain half of the mineral rights if there are any, I don't think there are any as when land is sold usually the previous owners have kept the mineral rights somewhere along the way. They want financing in twelve days and closing by March 31, 2009. Everything else stipulated by my offer was agreed to as stated. All portable buildings stay all fences and gates etc. The documents that accept the deal are going to be faxed to me here in Livingston this morning, I have to sign them and fax them back to the real estate agents.

Well Yee Haa, we own a Texas mini ranch..... almost :) Now the nitty gritty business of finding financing and getting all the information that is needed together for the perusal of the mortgage folks. Soon we will have our own mortgage payment book. Ya, my heart flutters too !

News ?

Wills Point Texas, No Stop Light just a four way stop, just the
way I like it :)

Well, it is Monday morning and there is no news to report. I was told that the Lady,
Mrs. Johnson, and get back with the real estate agents about their decision. I wonder what happend, or didn't happen ?

Just got a call from my agent and he is sending over the seller's disclosure statement, he says we should hear something today. Uh huh, hope so.

WHAT I Found Out :(

Front of the house

Den fireplace area.

Saturday morning I was reading my email and I got a message from a real estate site that I was using to search for property that the very listing I had made an offer on HAD A PRICE increase! I had just made the offer a few hours ago and no one had informed me of a price increase !

I called my agents right away and informed them about the situation. They checked it out and got a reply that the son of the lady of the the listing was upset that the place was priced so low that within weeks of listing it there were two offers on it and insisted that the price be increased immediately. Well this didn't set well with me and I let everyone know about it.

I talked to Samantha later and she said to leave the offer on the table but not increase it if the seller(s) come back with a counter offer. At the very least there has been a breach of confidence on the seller's side. I expressed my concerns to my agent. I also expressed my concerns that there would be more problems with the sellers over the details of the sale.

Several times I mentioned that we didn't know who we were dealing with; one person the lady at the house or the whole family? One of my concerns; is there a will involved has it been probated and if there is no will has the property been assigned properly by a court? No one seems to think this is a problem. I have been through this before so there very well maybe a problem at or before closing.

This sort of thing gives me fits. People get wrong-headed advice and have beliefs not grounded in fact and trouble is the result. If I hadn't gotten that email I wouldn't have known about the price increase and expectations of the seller(s) or that there was another interested party in the sale on the seller's side. This could get interesting. We shall see how these things are handled here in Texas.

We find a ranch?

Downtown Wills Point Texas near the ranch I looked at.

Here is the entrance to the little ranch we made an offer on.

Friday I went up to Jacksonville Texas to meet with a real estate agent to visit two properties near there. Well near there is a relative term. The first place we looked at had an offer on it already, but when I saw it I was very put off. The place was a dump. Trash and stuff strewn about the place and dangerous wiring laying on the ground. There was a spot where some one had worked on a motor or something and spilt a lot of oil, there two buildings behind the house that were dilapidated and ugly. All this plus it was on a steep hillside and had a rough road leading to the house. I passed on making an offer.

We then trekked over to the other listing and what a difference. This place is neat, orderly, clean and in good shape. This little ranch has 10 acres several out buildings, parameter fencing and cross fencing. The house though older is in good shape has a fireplace three bedrooms large living area, big closets in all bedrooms two full baths, laundry area. The kitchen was a tad small but serviceable the land is mostly level and sloops down toward a creek that is the border of the property. I liked the property and talked it over with Samantha on the cell phone while at the property and we agreed to make an offer. I spent the rest of the day wandering around the neighborhood until it was time to meet with the real estate agent to work up the documents for the offer. It was late when I left and I and the dogs had to travel back to Livingston in the dark not something I like to do these day.