Pictures from MN

These picture are from 2 weekends ago when we went to Minnesota.  We had a great time eating,visiting and spending quality time with our families.

Preston being a goofy

Brittany and Wyatt

Wyatt and Megan

Wyatt and Preston, I love this picture with them both in flannel

Dennis and Mike

Java Kitty, how I miss you...

Willow and Cora waiting for a treat.

On the way home we saw a train that actually had a caboose 

Yeah we had to drive through some water on the road home... Here is a semi blazing though.

Homebuyers Class 2 = More Depressing with a bit of Excitement

Homebuyers Class 2 was last night.  It was the final class and I am glad it is over because again it was very DEPRESSING. Last night we heard from an appraiser, a homeowners insurance guy, another bank talked about construction loans, and a inspector from the county.  They all presented pretty good information but we kinda saying they were glad they did not have to buy today.  Then a contractor gave a short presentation, I think he was the only person excited in this market, most likely because he is making plenty money.

The appraiser went first and he depressed us the most talking about how 5 years ago most homes around here were valued between $50,000 and $150,000.  Now you are lucky to find a home for under $200,000 that does not have wheels.  He presented good information about how homes are appraised and why it needs to be done.  Then he talked about how 5 years ago there were all these city owned lots going for $10,000 and how there are none left now, how new subdivision that are proposed do not have any infrastructure and he does not see the city catching up to it until next year so we are supposed to "sit tight and wait"... Um no!

The construction loans talk was next.  It was interesting to learn how they work and how the amount of the loan goes up as your home is built.  He talked about lien holds and how it is important to find a good contractor.  He also talked about the benefits of renting vs owning. He pretty much at the end said do not do a new construction loan, because they are a pain in the butt.... Gee Thanks!

The insurance guy was next...again good information but pretty boring.  Talked about how important insurance is and how they come up with a price.  What is covered under each policy.  How insurance works if you own a condo or rental.  Not to depressing but boring.

Then the inspector from the county talked about the 5 inspections he does for a new construction build in the county, or outside of the city.  Mike and I both really liked him, he was funny and really knew what he was talking about.  He also did not seem as down on the situation as the previous speakers. 

Finally a General Contractor gave a speech about how to find a contractor and what to make sure you look for in a contractor when building a new home.  He was super nice, and reminded Mike and I of my Dad.  Mike made sure to run up to him after the presentation to get a card and chat with him.  I would LOVE to "build" our own home and help with the design. 

So we are still a bit depressed but at the same time getting more excited about the possibilities.  Our next, or should I say, first step is to get pre approved for a mortgage.  I will get my first full paycheck on May 2nd and we have an appointment to meet with one lender at 2 on May 6th.  We will know more then, before that we plan on contacting the General Contractor and maybe looking at a couple model homes this weekend.          

Thankful

Last Tuesdays night class has gotten me a Little down on life, see my previous post.  So I decided to make a list of things I am thankful for:
- For a husband that loves me
- For amazing parents that support me
- For my expended family and in-laws who love us
- That Grandma O is allowing us to live with her
- That we have family so close
- That we both have good jobs, in the fields we have always dreamed of
- For Cora and Java.
- For more than enough food to eat every day and not having to worry about going hungry
- For Marja, Nicole, and Samantha who I can call at any time to laugh or vent with
- For my faith in God, know that all will work out
- For Callens life and all he has taught me
- For health, dental and vision insurance we have through my job
- For our Adorable 2 nephews (Preston-4 and Wyatt-1), for the 1 nephew on the way and the other niece/nephew on the way
- For my health
- For the wonderful nature that you can find almost anywhere if you are looking for it
- The knowledge I have about saving money
- For Spring!

Hope every one had a Happy Easter.
 ( I promise to post some pictures soon...)

Homebuyers class 1 = Depressing

I went to the Homebuyers class last night put on by the local community action council, a real-estate group, banks, and a title officer. It was part one of a two part class. It had a ton of great information but to say the least it was depressing.

The real estate agent said currently in the area there are only 10 places on the market, and 2 of them are condos. (and that is total not just her group) I would guess there were 15 people in the class. FAIL. She also said that every house has been getting multiple offers and a lot of the time the house apprises for less than the offer and people just fork over the money. OMG!!

Then the title officer said that the soonest most people are closing is 60 days after the offer is signed because the inspectors, appraisers and the government is so backed up. So even if we bought a house today the soonest we could move out of Grandma’s house is the end of June.

The bankers talked about getting approved for a loan and said the you need to be on the job at least six months to a year in order to be approved for a mortgage. (This is where I got close to tears, we have only been here a month.) They went through all the closing costs on a house, the cost to connect to rural water if needed, adding the cost to this and that. And then, I am sure MM would like this, they said if you did not have enough of a down payment that you could always borrow against your car, boat or camper… Really?? I raised my eyebrow on the that one. The one banker did not help the depressed mood I was in saying that she is glad she does not have to try to buy a house right now, because it is depressing. Oh and both banks talking also said that there is about a 2 week wait to even get in and see a loan officer for pre approval.

Finally a lady from the rural development group with the state gave a spiel on state funded loan programs. Which was interesting, but the only way we will qualify is if one of us quits our job or we suddenly have 8 kids, which is very unlikely living in Grandmas basement.

After the class I went and talked with a couple of the bankers, who were really nice when I asked them about the 6-12 month thing. Thankfully they said since I went from an Engineering job to an Engineering career and Mike went from a Corrections officer to a Police officer that most likely we could be approved for a loan sooner than 6 month. She said the information is general and with so many in the oil field in our area, coming from other careers that is why lenders are more strict, generally.

So to sum the night up if we started today the earliest we could be out of Grandma’s basement is the end of July. And the is only assuming we find a house we like, the seller accepts are offer, and we can afford it. (how does anyone buy a house these days?)

Hopefully there will be as much good information next week and 40 more houses on the market…I can dream.

Tuesday Night Fun

HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOP 2011

Individuals who are thinking about buying a home are invited to attend a 2-Day FREE Homebuyer Education Workshop offered April 19 and April 26, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at WSC, Room 106. Topics will include preparing for home ownership, what you can afford, obtaining a mortgage, financing, insurance, closing the deal, home maintenance and much more.

Mike found this in the local News Paper.  So guess who is going to the first night alone, that would be me. Mike works tonight, but is going to go with me next week.  Hopefully there will be some good info.

Birthday week

This week is the week of birthdays.  First Mike Brother Mathews Birthday is the 12th.  The 13th is a big day.  It was Wyatt's 1st birthday, Jory's birthday and My moms birthday.  Then Mike Srs birthday is the 16th.  And finally Jacobs 2nd birthday in the 18th.  Where did the last 2 years go?

In other news I have started the C25K... again.  I did W2D1 on Saturday and W3D1 on Monday.  Cora has been doing it with me... it really tires her out.   I would also like to start doing Yoga more.. but currently we still have water coming into our bedroom.  I really have no place to do it, unless I push the bed completely again the wall in our room.  So I cannot wait until the water stops and I can start Yoga.  For now I think we have decide to not get a gym membership, walk out side and save money for a house.  But as things have it I injured my foot after 2 days of running.  I had a lump on top of my left foot that hurts... Going to take a few days off and re-evaluate.

I have a to give a HUGE congrats shout out to our friends Hans and Samantha!  They found out last week that Hans got a job in South Dakota!!  So they are packing up and heading out.  They will only be 8 hours away from us :)  Which is amazingly close, considering the other options they had been looking at.  They also had an offer accepted on a house where they are moving to.  Lots of changes for them but I am so happy it is all working out for them.  We only have to find a way to get our wine down with them.

This weekend we are heading to Minneapolis to celebrate all the birthdays.  We headed out Thursday night, and spend the night in Moorhead with my cousins.  Today we got up and are headed for Minneapolis.   Mike took Thursday night off work so we could head out and with Good Friday next week, I would normally have Thursday off, But my boss rocks and is letting me take Monday off instead, so we do not need to rush back as quick. We just have to make it back for Mike to go to work Monday night at 6.  Hopefully I will have some fun picture to post next week.

Fixed

Well we got the Versa fixed!! For free!!! Which makes it even better.  The mechanic in Williston was correct, the front wheel bearings were both shot.  They were both replaced on Tuesday and I drove the car back on Wednesday. 

Last weekend was a blast.  We drove to Bismarck and dropped the car off on Friday.  Then ate at Erberts and Gerburts, which was super tasty.  We then took Cora on a walk and headed to Sara and Adams.  Their house is awesome, I loved her kitchen.  We chatted for a while, watched on TV and then let the dogs meet.  Sara and Adam have a weimaraner, and were babysitting a 105 pound yellow lab and a smaller black lab mix.  All 4 dogs got along great.  It was so nice hat they have a fenced in back yard where we could just let them run run run.  After the dogs were pooped we went to Famous Daves for dinner and walked around Scheels, where we got Cora a Chuck-it.   Saturday we went to Sam's Club, Target, and to lunch before packing up and heading out.

When we got back to Grandmas on Sunday we found there was more water in her basement.  And it had started coming into our bedroom.  I feel so horrible for grandma because she is really freaking out over it.  We have been placing towels where the water comes in in our room and changing them every 3-5 hours.  We hope the pray the water stops soon. 

This week had been OK.  Monday we both worked.  Tuesday morning Mike dropped me off at work and then I headed to Bismarck for work.  The conference I went to was interesting but boring at points.  The hotel we  stayed in was quiet and I got a goods night sleep so that was awesome.  Plus I got the Versa back running super!  Tuesday night we went for a walk...the pictures from it are above.

have a great week

Hope for the Versa

This has been a great week.  This past weekend Mike worked and I scrap booked.  I love getting crafty!  We are searching for a new church so I went to the Methodist Church in town on Sunday. and then took Cora for a walk around Spring Lake Park, she loves the snow so much, she is not going to know what to do this summer without it. 

Monday and Tuesday I got out of the office and did some traffic counting for an intersection in town.  It was nice to be working outside of the office, I can not wait until summer and the construction season comes.  Mike seems to be likes his new job too.  He has started to do more and enjoys the people he works with.  We are still trying to get the sleep schedule worked out for him. 

Today we are leaving to head to Bismarck for the weekend.  That is where the closest Nissan Dealership is, 266 miles and 4 hours away, ugh.  So when Mike gets off work we will drive both the Versa and Veracruz to Bismarck.  We have a appointment at 1:30 to drop the car off.  The mechanic in town still has not called us back since last Friday.  I am super excited to see out friends Sara and Adam who live in Bismarck!!  They both work for the DOT too!  We are going to spend the night at their home.  And then drive the Veracruz home, if the Versa is not done yet we will one car it for a while.  I will be in Bismarck Tuesday and Wednesday for work, so hopefully it will be fixed before Wednesday and I can drive it home.  I hope they can find out what is wrong.. fingers crossed

Hope everyone has a great week.

Not much else is new with us.