Inspection is complete!

I had my pre settlement inspection yesterday and things are looking good!  There is one major problem that needs to be fixed.  One that we would have never known about until it was blazing hot outside.  Our inspector did his due diligence and climbed into the attic and discovered that HVAC unit was collecting water from some unknown source.  The problem with this is that once the water level hits 1/2 deep, the unit shuts off.  Can you imagine a record breaking temp of 101 and service can't come out until 2 days later because its not an emergency?   They do not demonstrate the AC during the winter which this problem could have had the potential to brew and cause some major issues- including a leak in the ceiling!
Next major issue:  our step to the front porch.  It was leaning a bit and can pose a potential slip and fall risk.  Other than that paint this, nail that was the rest of the report.  All in all, my inspector reported it as a well built house.

While we were in the basement, I again questioned installing a wet bar using the 3 piece rough in we were told was needed to finish the task on our own.    It was confirmed that it was truly not needed for the wet bar- only to install a bathroom later.    I was told we could tap directly into the sump line, using a special sink with a pump.  BUT he also said, that it still may be useful for resale value as a lot of people look for an extra bathroom in a finished basement.   At this point, I really just want to move I am not thinking about selling.

NEWS FLASH: If you are like me than you haunt your community's website on Ryan Homes.  They reduce the number of models to be built down to 5- removing the Courtland Gate as a choice!  When choosing our lot there was not that many lots left that could accommodate the size of a CG with a morning room- something that they started including in the base price.  Not jealous at all.  Checking the math against what they will save vs what we saved- we would have ended up spending the same amount of money.  I am, however,  little jealous of the closing costs offer they are currently running, grrr.  Lastly- we are down to 10 lots!  Ten lots are left before we get into the swing of spring selling season.  Looks like we may be a completed community by the end of this year.

UPDATE:  If you have been following my mortgage saga- its getting closer to the end.  I was told by the loan officer that if everything cuts the mustard  we can feasibly look at closing next week.  To that end I have reset my count down clock.  I am still looking to hear back from Ryan on how this all fell apart so fast.  Our loan officer did take some of the blame and quickly moved in to help us figure out a plan BUT we still had to do the leg work.  I don't think I can rest until I have those keys in my hand.

Let the Countdown begin!

I know its a little cheesy- but I just added a countdown clock to the blog.  Its really simple and unobtrusive but it does make it feel like Christmas.  And not the adult Christmas.  I am talking about the kid Christmas where you could barely go to sleep thinking about all the goodies that could possibly be under the tree.  THAT'S the feeling I am going for.

Are you adding a countdown clock?

Plank Tables and Mailboxes 2

I have found few more vinyl decal that I think might be just the thing- fancy and it clearly shows the address

I think I like the first one better, less distraction.  This company offers the decals in different colors but I will probably just pick white to keep it clean and simple.  These were found on Etsy as well.   My husband may think I am off my rocker for this one.

I am home sick today (insert hiss and boo here) and so I have been watching  ton of  HGTV.  I think I want a plank table now for the morning room.  I had originally said distressed but I love the rich hues and tones of a table like this

Or this

Still not sure of the seating for the tables- it must be durable and easy to clean to withstand my boys and their friends.   I am really not a fan of the bench seating that seems to popular pairing with these tables.

Locked Up!

I am so glad I geared myself to ask permission to see my home whenever I stop by because today I HAD to get the key!  That's right folks, my house is locked up tighter than Fort Knox.  Okay not that tight but you get the picture.  One must have a key now to visit the Grand Ol' Courtland on lot 14.

And here is why:

As predicted, the minute they installed the appliances, the locks are put in place.    A little sad that I just can't go in whenever I want, but it also means we are drawing ever closer to that magical date.

I really wanted to go see how the staining was going along.  Let's just say I will kindly suggest that everything be painted again if they had not already consider it.  Here is the progress so far:

If you look at the steps you will notice how deep the stain looks on the right and how it seems to fade as you travel left.  This is not the lighting effect from the camera- this is actually how the stain currently looks.  So the stain needs to be deeper and a lot more even.  I was told by my SR that my PM is a bit OCD when it comes to staining.  I am going to assume that my SR and PM worked together in another community because I distinctly remember our house being his very first project where we are now, so I am not sure how she knows this information.  To be fair- I was told that the painters would be there this weekend and the PM would not be there to see it until Tuesday as RH has President's Day off.  So we will see if his OCD beats my OCD.  Challenge!

I also went and rechecked my kitchen cabinets to make sure the damaged one was replaced

Totally different cabinet!  Take a look below at the damaged one

Do you see what I am talking about?  Previously this end had NO outlet as per plan.  So yes that cabinet really needed to be replaced.  Did I mention I was giddy with delight admiring my 42 inch cabinets?  At my nearly 5'2" my step ladder (forget the step stool) will be put to good use.

And I got another pleasant surprise!  In the model homes we toured the left side of the gourmet island- the side closest to the refrigerator, had cabinets that were very shallow.  I checked my cabinets noticed that they are about 3-4 times deeper than the model cabinets- HOORAY!  That nearly makes up for a total lack of a walk in pantry for a home of this size.  I will say that is my ONE disappointment with this RH model so far.
The tradesmen also took the time to repair my column

It doesn't appear to be painted over but at my height I can't really tell. Whilst one thing was repaired another was damaged:

That is stain on my carpet.  The workers probably didn't even notice it.  "Oh they will clean that up, " my SR told me.   Really? Pray tell how?  We didn't upgrade our carpet and just got Rockport.  This is a cheap carpet to say the least.  If you have ever had cheap carpet the one thing you know about them is that they don't clean easily if they clean at all.   As long as it is taken care of, is all that really matters.

My sink and powder room fixtures have been installed.  I also took at picture of our granite jutted up against our cabinets.  In case you wanted to know this the popular Rushmore Cabinets in Hazelnut Glaze with the St Cecelia granite.  From all the blogs I have been reading, this is a very popular kitchen combination.
Sadly I did not get to go upstairs because it was taped off by the painters.  I do know that carpet should be in place upstairs as well.

Last but not least our neighborhood is growing fast!  I think I counted 14 available lots left and only one of them is wooded.  The rest is what I would call interior lots where all the backyards back up against one another.  I also noted lumber delivered for another lot AND my future neighbor and fellow Courtland Gater across street has broke ground!

This seems like such a distant memory to me.

Our heat was running today when I entered the home.  It was a nice toasted 70 degrees on the inside.  Good thing because this was on the outside

Yes, that is one large icicle. But happily my siding stayed in place during the high winds,  

I can't wait to see what happens next week and then I think I may be forced to take a 2 week break.  Not looking forward to that

Another PM Update

My PM's updates seem to come every two weeks- which is okay.  The PM for this community is a very busy man with all  houses that are breaking ground on a weekly basis. There are about 3 homes scheduled to close in March.

So here is the scoop- my lot has been graded and the topsoil added.  He also said that my driveway will be repaired, no more lumps and bumps.  If I heard him correctly, the driveway will have to be moved over a little, for what reason I don't know.  My walkways from the driveway to the home have also been laid.  Carpets have been installed and my steps and railings will be stained this weekend. They also replaced my damaged kitchen cabinet.   I wonder did they also repair this:

see that huge scratch?  Do not paint over this- replace it

The only hiccup is that the railings for my portico have been delayed.

Incomplete

complete

I was told there may be a lot of tape so be careful where I go if I visit this weekend, and I will visit.  I forgot to ask him about my chair rail as that was not installed the last time I was in the home.  At first I thought it didn't come with trim package #3 but I re read my punch list and sure enough, its there in black and white.  Always check your punch list- this helps to ensure you are on top of ALL your standards and your options that are to be placed in your home, like my chair rail.

Are they done yet?

No- but I am getting little batty waiting for my wonderful home to be completed.  And I thought the wait for them to break ground was bad!
In the mean time in my minds eye, I have been decorating the boys room.  Their rooms are simple- dark wood furniture and their favorite sports teams: Eagles and the Phillies.  On that note look at what I found at our local Target:

These canvas prints are just the thing at $40.  I still want to get one of these Fathead murals:

Still would have to figure out a good paint color for the walls- but I got a year to work on that, sigh.

I would love to have something like this for their beds.  The trundle bed feature would be great for when one of their friends wants to sleep over.  

I am also came across some other printed canvases that just brought out the tom boy in me

Maybe these can go in our basement.  I really like the look of the Spider and Captain America comic book cover.  

For the Interior Decorating Impaired

If you have been following this blog for a bit you know I have repeatedly said I am no good at interior decorating.   I know what appeals to my eye but how to put together myself well........

This is not my current home- just an example of what I usually accomplish 

Drab, bland with very little interest to the room.  And thus the reason for hiring someone to help me pull it together.  That's when I ran across this article from Houzz.  It does some great work of breaking down of where to begin  and how to set it all up.  By the way- join Houzz!  It's a great website and app for everything and anything for your home. 

If you still need help planning your space- get your iPad involved. 

This app is one of the best as you can adjust for YOUR floor plan.  Don't like this app- well just search for Interior Design and I am quite sure you will find something that fits your needs. 

What ever you do- don't feel like you have to rush to get that decorated model home look. Easier said than done.  Take your time- you are planning on living in this home for some time, why not enjoy the process? 

For those of you have this decorating thing done pat- any other tips or tricks you would like to share?  Help us non DIY, non decorating folk out!

Super Bowl Sunday and hard at work

Since all the good stuff is going on inside my home, I have restricted myself to going once a week, typically on a Sunday.  I figured all the workers would be home getting ready for the Super Bowl and their own personalized wing fest.  Nope.
Today I was a good girl and didn't sneak in.  Today I dutifully went down to the model home and politely asked if I could walk my home.  And the only reason why I did it today was because instead of the 1 or 2 workers I typically encounter there were  at least 8 today.  Yes 8 tradesmen and at least 1 trades woman hammering and gluing and tiling stuff in my home AND my house didn't in the least feel crowded.  SCORE!

I toured my home and took pics and marveled at all the things they accomplished in such a short time.  I commented to my husband that it may be early March vs mid March that we will close.  He seems to think that tomorrows threat of 9 inches of snow spurred them to get work done today. We will know soon enough.  On to what you really came here for:  PICS! Ignore the order of pics- blogger wouldn't let me rearrange them

My columns have been installed.

Kitchen cabinets being installed 

Kitchen cabinets

I wonder if he is wondering how fast he can get home 

Dining Room Chandelier


 It looks like they started painting and it will a slight off white color

 Metal balusters

Wainscoting installed!

French doors with transom window 

 Laundry Room- I like the shutter type door

 Column at the entrance of the master bedroom

 Light fixtures in bathroom

Tile in place, needs to be grouted 

Looking up to the second floor

Foyer Chandelier 

Hall Bath- floor tiled but needs grout

I finally remembered to ask about the percentages of the different models in the neighborhood.  As I figured there are few Ravennas as this is the decorated model.  But since my community periodically changes the model offerings we have quite a few of the other models in the area- Naples and Bainbridge are two of the models no longer offered- well at least for now.  He also reported that more people are now interested in the Courtland Gate.   Something that I had heard from my own SR.