The Calls are coming from inside the House

I started typing in "the calls..." to google and the title above was the first to appear.  Fitting, in that this has been a bit of the thought process.  The sense of various voices leading you down an irreversible path.  That might help explain why the simple picking up of the phone actually made me a bit nervous today.  Maybe it is the realization that the proverbial shit could be about to get very real.

Both calls were helpful.  Patricia first, with the intelligence from 880 that the price is likely going up into the 230 range.  Good luck with that folks.  Too much lawn maintenance, too far a walk in the winter, and too removed from the view and boating and opportunities down the road.  829 has the right of way issue, emphasized by their own agent.  It would get annoying, and the soggy yard does have me concerned long term.  The deck is way too small, plus I doubt the movement on price given what they paid a few years ago.  I am sorry, Mistress Chestnut, but the new apple of my eye has a sturdy tree with decorations of her own that is not in danger of falling down.

Then Francine.  You will have her for two hours, so make the most of that time to ask the questions about island life and study the house/property.  June 1 should not be a problem there, since they have already moved up the hill.  You need a deal that satisfies your potential new neighbours on the homestead.  Maybe a lower offer with the promise of work could seal the deal?  Or should we get the cousin-in-law to wade in?

I think the way to play it this week is as follows - assuming there are no deal-breakers, you need to meet back there at some point next week.  Find an inspector (or TKR) to join and that's when the formal offer could be made.  But hint on the 13th at how it could happen and gauge the price ranges they are looking at and how they jive with the budget for the 20%.

UPDATE: Of course, all that is off.  The 100 year old house is 100 years old, far from saleable condition and no attempt to shift it for a big reduction.  Keep an eye on it and see how low it goes.  If I could buy just that deck for $10,000 it would already be sold, of course.  Better the quick chat with Ed and his "for sale by owner" efforts.  $232 it is, but you get a sense that he would like to walk away.  Something to think about on the return from France...