Now apparently she asked my sister Karen to talk me out of it, and try to make sure I don't buy it. She described it to Karen as a "death trap", and said the porch was falling off, and the basement was horrible, and complained about the paint job and the kitchen cupboards.
When I pointed out to Karen that the paint job in the house was brand-new, to cover the brand-new drywall job, and that I wasn't likely to paint over it because it didn't *need* to be painted, poor Karen was taken a bit aback, and asked if she could come to see the house. I wondered what was going on in her head, but agreed and set up a time with the realtor. We went out last night and saw it. Karen and Jim and roomie poked around, tugged, prodded, bounced, and otherwise tried to get the place to collapse around us to no avail. They didn't notice the problem with the porch until I pointed it out. I guess maybe I haven't explained. The porch has dry rot. On the far outside corners. It is, however, level and sturdy, and would probably last at least another 5-6 years before really needing to be replaced. Apparently my mom thought it was next to death's door.
Karen opened the cupboards and was pleased at the nice interiors, ignoring the 1970's facings and drawer pulls. Then, after we left, they had a few minor comments, and felt the asking price was too high, but certainly didn't think it was the wreck my mother assumes it to be. Kay (the realtor) says sometimes it's hard for someone who has always lived in newer homes to see the value in an old one. I guess I would have to agree. I also think that Karen is right when she says my mom doens't know the real difference between something "needing" to be done, and something she "wants" to do. For instance: my mom doesn't like the color of the paint in the living room. So she says I will "have to paint it." This is silly, because it's a brand new paint job. I can think of a lot better things to do with my money than repaint something that is already nicely painted.
So today I was really pleased to get a nice call from my sister, who wanted to remind me that I am perfectly sane, and that the house isn't bad at all, and she thinks I should buy it. I think I agree with her. As soon as my dad gets back, I think I will go to the loan officer and see what I can do. My mom can just learn something from the experience and grow up a little.
It's going to be a long wait for dad to get back!
