need urgent help with house purchase.

By on July 31st, 2009

I already asked before about this, but this question has changed in the last hours or so. I am purchasing a house for 140K (Town home) In MIami Florida. the last comparable house sold in the same condo was sold for 120.00K. the house I want has granite counter tops, remodel kitchen and bathrooms. the one sold for 120K was standard and “old”. will the appraisal come for 140K. will the appraiser consider 20K for bathroom and kitchen improvements.

need to know, because I think seller wont negotiate.
this is th eonly one sold and one pending sale for 129K
ths sf of the house I want is 1346. and the last sold was 1266. there is only 80sf difference.

What do you think of the first chapter of my book. Constructive criticism welcome. :D.

By on July 30th, 2009

I’m writing a fantasy/romance young adult novel called The Black Crane. some constructive criticism, please.

(And for some reason, it’s not letting me indent, so that’s why the paragraphing is so horrid. sorry. ^^; )

Lorelei Roux hurried through the hallways of Spring-stead Academy. This Friday had already started out terribly, and it would probably worsen throughout the entire school day.
She had woken up about twenty minutes later than usual, and consequently, had no time to straighten, wash, or even brush her bushy head of bright red hair. When she was dressed in her school uniform, she stumbled down the grand staircase in her house to the kitchen, where she proceeded to burn (and, sadly, eat) a piece of toast.
When she was finally ready to go, she saw a note from her driver on the refrigerator, reading:
“Out on errand. Be back soon.”
She groaned in frustration. Neither her father nor her mother were at home, and so, not only did she not have a driver, but she was missing a vehicle to begin with.
What she did have, however, was a bicycle.
She rode this bicycle all the way to school through pouring rain, harsh wind, fierce lightning, and a bit of hail, knocking over her neighbor’s mailbox and running over a small child in the process.
And, of course, what day should this occur on but Friday, October 13, her sixteenth birthday.

Seth Hartell ambled to his homeroom class. He still had five minutes, and didn’t want to look like an angry duck. So he took his time.
His leisurely stroll was cut short when a petite, frantic, redhead ran straight into his chest. He fell back, the wind gone from his body.
For such a tiny girl, she can really hurt a guy, he thought.
“Watch where you’re going.” Seth shouted.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, I wasn’t looking, I just—” the girl squeaked.
“Yeah, well, sorry doesn’t cut it.” he snapped.
She lifted her arms and bowed her head defensively. A pang of guilt stabbed him like a knife.
He could tell she was afraid of him, but he couldn’t understand why she would think he would hurt her. Seth thought that he, with his long spiked hair, multiple piercings, and massive height, was perfectly approachable.
“Jeez, sorry about that,” he said softly. “Are you okay.”
“I’m fine, thank you,” she said, her voice and lip trembling delicately.
“I can feel the warmth and kindness radiating from you. What’s your name.”
They had barely exchanged these niceties when they were interrupted by the tardy bell.

Damon Bloodgood saw, at the door of his office, a bright red-haired young lady, soaked to the bone. She knocked on the door.
She must be a sophomore, he thought mockingly. Ah well. I suppose I should let her in.
“Come in,” he yawned.
She opened the door, trying not to drop the stack of water-logged textbooks that (he assumed) had fallen from her bag.
“May I help you.” he sang.
She blushed and shifted the books to her right arm.
“I need a pass,” she said quietly.
“Would it be much of an imposition if I were to ask why.” he queried.
“Not at all. My, umm… driver… kind of… left… me,” she mumbled.
Damon chuckled. This had happened to him when he was her age. He understood completely.
“Don’t be embarrassed. That happened to me all the time.” he laughed. “Now, what’s your name.”
“Lorelei Roux.”
Damon’s heart stopped.
“What.” he asked quietly.
“Lorelei Roux. L-O-R-”
He already knew how her name was spelled. He knew everything about her. So this was the girl he had been told to find.
“Are you okay. You’re really pale,” she worried.
“Fine. I’m fine,” he said absentmindedly. He wrote her a note for an excuse absence and handed it to her. She took it and turned around to leave.
“Ms. Roux.” he called.
She twisted her head around towards him.
“Yes.”
“Take a seat,” he rasped.

Lorelei obliged and sat down in a plush chair facing Damon.
She was terrified. Mr. Bloodgood, the new counselor, had a reputation for being cold and mean, despite his friendly appearance. He was prone to snapping at students for something as little as an askew tie.
He’s staring at me, she thought.
She felt dreadfully exposed. What was she to do. Of course… she could stare back.
Bloodgood was very young, about twenty-one or twenty-two years old. His long silvery blonde hair was neatly tied with a velvet ribbon. A piece of his hair went down to cover one of his violet eyes, which were framed with long dark lashes, and his high-bridged nose tied it all together into a very European look.
Now she knew why her female classmates (and some males) swooned whenever he passed by.
“Lorelei Nanette Roux…” he finally broke the silence. “My, how you’ve grown.”
“Excuse me.”
“I haven’t seen you since you were a child. You look exactly as I’d hoped. Si
Thank you so much for everybody’s input so far– I’m going to try and incorporate it into my next edit.

Can’t wait for more advice.

Would you a buy a 2 bed new build flat in Croydon for £200k.

By on July 29th, 2009

I’ve been offered a two bedroom flat costing £200k in New South Quarter development by Barratt Homes in Croydon. I’ve to pay £6k for parking as well. The flat is about 650 sq ft with one good size bedroom, a smaller bedroom and a living room with open plan kitchen.

I’m buying the flat under the Homebuy direct scheme, where the govt and the develope are offering 10% deposit each. I’m putting down 5% and raise a mortgage with a bank for the remaining 75%. I will not be able to buy the flat without government/developer assistance.

The problem is that most of the flats in Croydon seem to selling for about £160k-180k, but these are mainly house conversions or even purpose built in small 1-2 storey blocks.

Barratts may be charging a premium of about 25k for the funding assistance and for the fact that it is a new flat in big modern development.

I wonder whether it is a decent buy. Or am I buying a highly overpriced flat. People living in Croydon, please can you provide your opinion.

Many thanks

Can I stain my concrete subfloor and use it as the “main” floor.

By on July 28th, 2009

My fiancee and I are remodeling our kitchen. Currently, there is a vinyl brick design that is laid over the concrete subfloor. We both like the look of stained concrete, so we were wondering if we could just rip up the vinyl, clean the concrete, and then stain it and use it as the main floor. If anybody has done this, please let us know. Also, how much did it cost or did you do it yourself. Thanks.

Do, or have your parent(s) ever beat you.

By on July 27th, 2009

About 3 months ago, my mom and I got into a bad argument. I said something she didn’t like, so she slapped me, and grabbed onto my shirt. I pulled away, and began running. She chased me into the kitchen, and she was chasing me around the counter. So I threw down a chair from the table in the space between the counter and the cabinet, to slow her down. I continued running and started up the stairs. Then I realized, she had picked up the broom, and she hit my legs, and I tripped and fell on the stairs. I tried to crawl back up, but it was too late. She grabbed my leg, dragged me down the stairs, and pushed me against the wall. She slapped me and starting beating on and punching me while screaming harsh things. Then she pushed me down.

Do your parents beat you. Any stories.
Nah, I don’t get abused. My mom hardly ever beats me, only like 2x a year. Not usually as bad as the above.
I’m 14, and I don’t get beat as often as I used to.

What are some ways to easily reduce the sound coming into a bedroom.

By on July 26th, 2009

Ok, a little about my situation. Im 15, going to college in 3 years. My bedroom is in a place in my house that was designed to be a dining room, but my room is here instead, therefore I have 2 doors. One door goes to the hallway and one door goes to the kitchen so there is always a lot of sound coming out of the kitchen and it really gets on my nerves. I complain to my mom and ask her if I can get a different door or something of the sort and she says “no, you will be going to college soon and there is no reason for me to spend 100+ dollars on that”, plus she also doesn’t really want to replace the door because it would be hard to find a new one that fits, but that is another story.

So, anyway I need to find something somewhat easy, cheap (under 100 dollars), and effective. Keep in mind it doesn’t have to COMPLETELY get rid of the sound, just reduce it so I can get some sleep past 10 in the morning.

Thanks

another relationship question. do you think i have a chance.

By on July 25th, 2009

well ive known her for a while anyway at school, but she started working down where i was and started to form a working friendship. have a good laugh with each other.
well it was around october last year i decided to ask for her msn after having a crush building up inside me, plus i thought i saw possible signs that she had the same feelings.
i got to know a lot more about her a few conversations online and eventually was about to ask her out knowing she was single and i had nothing to lose. but well something went into my mind to send her a email saying that i loved her and how i felt about her but stating i wasnt asking her out in that email. she replied a week after i sent it because she didnt go online for a while and she replied she would rather continue to be friends because she would like to concentrate on college and have good times with her female friends (sort of hangs a lot more with her female friends, hardly hangs around with just lads on her own).
i was happy with that and i carried on being good mates with her. probs is her best friend started working down there as well and she knew me from school as well (both of them are a year younger) i sort of made a reputation at school which was good but i never hanged around with them because i was to busy playing sports like football.
she does not even go to my college, well after a while i had to eventually turn my attention away from her and move on because it just seemed hopeless, so i was trying to go after someone from my college. she didnt know her but found out i fancied someone at my college because a person where i work started blabbing on about it after i told him.
then even more time went by and her friend seemed very interested in me, giving very big signs. or what i thought was signs of interest. but i never fancied her because she was the best friend of the girl i still have a crush on even though im trying to go out with someone else (id admit to make her jeolous, didnt seem to work ).
also i went to a meal with both of them around christmas time and the girl i liked would go to the toilet but her best friend would always say im coming with you. there was other people there, but older who worked own at the workplace.
well recently (9 months on) i feel in my gut i have the best chance ever, she seems very interested but her best friend does not talk to me the same as she used to before.
she went on holiday for three weeks and keeps asking me if i have missed her. obv i say i have but always make a joke after, i like joking around with people. but after a while she came in and said whenever i come in here i get dissed and looked at me with a look i cant describe, but a good look if you know what i mean by any chance.
im working her quite a lot of the days and i eep having the feeling she is going to say
something like ask me out but it never happens
AND THE GREAT THING IS SINCE IVE ASKED HER OUT SHE HAS REMAINED SINGLE. and true to her word about just wanting to hang around with her female friends and concentrate on college.
but when she is around other people ( this is in a kitchen with some older blokes like in there 40s who i know she does not find attrative)
she will not look at me or in my direction, and its making me always look at her and she does not even look for a second and then i doubt myself. she also trys to makes jokes as well.

i dont know what to do, i cant ask her out again because i have already told her my feelings and hat was 9 months ago i would sound like i keep on about it. should i just wait and hope. because i just need to know how she feels so i can move on with my life if she isnt interested

Moving a wall by yourself.

By on July 24th, 2009

We are getting ready to remodel our kitchen and plan on moving the wall a few feet to open it up. How exactly do you build the new wall and then tear the old one down. We are trying to do this ourselfs to save a lot of money. If anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it.
It is not a wall that will damage the structure if moved and it is just plaster.

Where to buy modern tiles for a Kitchen Backsplash.

By on July 23rd, 2009

I have been searching for a kitchen backsplash for awhile and I finally decided on this particular tile. It’s a mosaic red, orange, and antique gold glass tile. I found this at lowes in a book. The book listed a interior designer, but I would like to know where she bought it. Please help. I have looked for all sorts of tiles and this one is perfect.
Here is a picture of it:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php.pid=3547810&l=35d42beeeb&id=500067208

If I cannot find it, anybody know of a good store that I can buy modern artsy kitchen backsplashes.

Thanks.

Ceramic vs. Vinyl; big diference in marketing my home.

By on July 22nd, 2009

We are finishing our basement and mid-project we found out we are being re-located across the country. We are just getting ready to put the flooring in so should we stick with the ceramic tile with easy heat floors in the bar/kitchenette and bath as per the original plan or should we go with vinyl and save the money. will we get much bigger of a return if we do go with ceramic being that it is a basement and not a main floor. (BTW all the baths and kitchens in the rest or the house are laminate or lenolium because we haven’t gotten that far in the remodel)
One more thing: We have one of the smaller homes in our developement - all of the homes are new(er) custom homes. so we have some stiff competition.