For Sale Ad #3 Multi-Gen Households.

Grandparents, do you want to be closer to your grandkids but not too close?
Can your kids not afford a nice house in a nice neighborhood in a good school district on their own?
Have we got the house for you! With this duplex you can live all on a single level and your kids and grandkids can live in the 2-story main house. The house is 4 houses down from a nice park for quick and easy trips to the playground with the grandkids and has an amazing outdoor entertaining area in the back yard we refer to as the 'sunken living room'

For Sale In Central Alameda 1896 Victorian Triplex 4-3 of 2858 sq ft. on a 3500sq ft lot for $495k. Many Original Details intact.

House is legal Triplex currently set up as duplex. House is mid project. All the expensive work has been done just needs to be finished. Will not qualify for standard loan, only all-cash or 203k buyers.

Why You Should Want the Chez!

1. It’s a legal triplex of ~2858 sq ft with no parking requirements.
2. New foundation-slab where we dug down to give 9’ ceilings on the bottom floor.
3. An extensive under slab drainage system means bottom floor stays bone dry.
4. Earthquake retro-fitting done.
5. Electrical service upgraded to 200amps with 100amp sub-panels on each floor.
6. Natural gas service was upgraded and all the gas lines where re-piped.
7. Warm water radiant heating installed on first two floors. System is set up to also heat 3rd floor. Luxurious, energy efficient heating!
8. Stamped concrete outdoor sunken living room with natural gas plumbed fire pit.
9. New fancy ‘carriage door’ automatic garage door.
10. Custom antique brick driveway and path.
11. All work done with permits.
12. In Franklin School District.
13. 4 Houses down from Little John park.
14. Has tankless water heater installed-Endless eco-friendly hot water.
15. Have complete computer model of house (as-builts) in Chief Architect x1 and model for our 'dream house'. The full set of plans for our 'dream house' remodel is included.

Perfect opportunity for a multi-generational household with aspirations of raising their children in a nice neighborhood in a good school district.

Like to BBQ? Like to entertain outdoors? Then this stamped concrete outdoor entertaining area with built in lighting and fire pit is just the thing! This sunken living room is plumbed for natural gas to the fire pit and bbq.

For more information on the house than you could possibly imagine go here http://chezneumansky.blogspot.com/ and kill a few hours.

The house is not on the MLS yet, will be next week, so now is your chance to make an offer before the entire Realtor Universe knows about it.

Showings to pre-qualified buyers only right now.

Seller paying $5k bonus to buyers agent if house is in a successful contract within 30 days of listing on the MLS.

If interested please contact our Realtor. You can email him here MarioMarianiRealtor@hotmail.com

Everything You Need To Know About The 203K Loan
I just learned about it but it seems to be just the ticket for our situation.
Its a government backed loan where you get to roll the cost of the house, the cost to fix up the house AND the first six months of the mortgage payments into the loan and being an FHA loan they only require a 3.5% down payment.

Here's a good article from sfgate that explains it better than I can.
Here's a link to the HUD website that also explains the 203k program.
Here's a link to the HUD website where you can search for a local lender experienced with the 203k loan process.

The 203k is an FHA loan so there is some additional hoops the buyer has to jump through of course.

I spoke to several different local 203k loan experts and I got the best vibe from this guy.

Luis C. Munoz
Renovation Loan Specialist
Mason-McDuffie Mortgage Corp
6472 Moraga Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
1 510 825-0300 Cell
1 866 958-1869 E-Fax
http://www.luiscmunoz.com/

This is not an endorsement exactly, but Luis offered to make a house call to help me figure out how to best sell this place through the 203k program and I thought that was going above and beyond. If after reading the info above you are seriously interested in the 203k program I suggest you call Luis as he's local, knows the market, and seemed very knowledgeable on the subject. Tell Luis, Chez Neumansky sent you.

Why the 203k Program Seems So Great
Its a program for moderate income folks, to give them a chance to move to a house/neighborhood that they couldn't afford otherwise.
With this loan, you only have to come up with the 3.5% down payment and then when the first mortgage payment is due after the first six months, you rent out the bottom 1000sq ft apartment. That's gotta take a decent bite outta the mortgage no?
You get a 1858sq ft 3bed 2 bath house to live in and a 1000sq ft apartment to help pay your expenses.

For Sale Ad #2 For The Investors

For Sale In Central Alameda 1896 Victorian Triplex 4-3 of 2858 sq ft. on a 3500sq ft lot for $495k. Many Original Details intact.
House is legal Triplex currently set up as duplex. House is mid project. All the expensive work has been done just needs to be finished. Will not qualify for standard loan, only all-cash or 203k buyers.

Why You Should Want the Chez!

1. It’s a legal triplex of ~2858 sq ft with no parking requirements.
2. New foundation-slab where we dug down to give 9’ ceilings on the bottom floor.
3. An extensive under slab drainage system means bottom floor stays bone dry.
4. Earthquake retro-fitting done.
5. Electrical service upgraded to 200amps with 100amp sub-panels on each floor.
6. Natural gas service was upgraded and all the gas lines where re-piped.
7. Warm water radiant heating installed on first two floors. System is set up to also heat 3rd floor. Luxurious, energy efficient heating!
8. Stamped concrete outdoor sunken living room with natural gas plumbed fire pit.
9. New fancy ‘carriage door’ automatic garage door.
10. Custom antique brick driveway and path.
11. All work done with permits.
12. In Franklin School District.
13. 4 Houses down from Little John park.
14. Has tankless water heater installed-Endless eco-friendly hot water.
15. Have complete computer model of house (as-builts) in Chief Architect x1 and model for our 'dream house'. The full set of plans for our 'dream house' remodel is included.

Let's be honest investor types, you probably don't really care that we've poured our hearts and souls into the house making many, many improvements....Here's why you should care. For what we're asking for the house you should be able to finish the house and then sell it for much more than you have into it.

For more information on the house than you could possibly imagine go here http://chezneumansky.blogspot.com/ and kill a few hours.

The house is not on the MLS yet, will be next week, so now is your chance to make an offer before the entire Realtor Universe knows about it.

Showings to pre-qualified buyers only right now.

Sellers to pay $5k bonus to buyers agent if house is in a succesful contract within 30days of listing on MLS.

If interested please contact our Realtor. You can email him here MarioMarianiRealtor@hotmail.com

For Sale Ad #1 -For the Young Couple Who Wants to Raise Their Kid In A Nice Neighborhood

For Sale In Central Alameda 1896 Victorian Triplex 4-3 of 2858 sq ft. on a 3500sq ft lot for $495k. Many Original Details intact.

House is legal Triplex currently set up as duplex. House is mid project. All the expensive work has been done just needs to be finished. Will not qualify for standard loan, only all-cash or 203k buyers.

Why You Should Want the Chez!

1. It’s a legal triplex of ~2858 sq ft with no parking requirements.
2. New foundation-slab where we dug down to give 9’ ceilings on the bottom floor.
3. An extensive under slab drainage system means bottom floor stays bone dry.
4. Earthquake retro-fitting done.
5. Electrical service upgraded to 200amps with 100amp sub-panels on each floor.
6. Natural gas service was upgraded and all the gas lines where re-piped.
7. Warm water radiant heating installed on first two floors. System is set up to also heat 3rd floor. Luxurious, energy efficient heating!
8. Stamped concrete outdoor sunken living room with natural gas plumbed fire pit.
9. New fancy ‘carriage door’ automatic garage door.
10. Custom antique brick driveway and path.
11. All work done with permits.
12. In Franklin School District.
13. 4 Houses down from Little John park.
14. Has tankless water heater installed-Endless eco-friendly hot water.
15. Have complete computer model of house (as-builts) in Chief Architect x1 and model for our 'dream house'. The full set of plans for our 'dream house' remodel is included.

Perfect opportunity or the young couple with aspirations of raising their child in a nice neighborhood in a good school district.

You can keep it as a triplex, or, do what we were going to do and turn the top 2 floors into a single family home and rent out the bottom floor apartment, or, turn the entire place into a giant 2858sq ft single family residence.

The super fab radiant heating system installed on the bottom two floors.

The stamped concrete outdoor entertaining area with built in lighting and fire pit!

Readers
If you know of anyone who wants to do the 'move to Alameda and restore an old Victorian and raise their kids in a safe environment with good schools' thing, please, please forward this post to them. They have to qualify for the FHA loan remember.

Realtors
I know a bunch of Alameda based Realtors read this blog.
C'mon, I bet you have a couple of clients who might be interested in the Chez. Forward em this post. Its a win-win, we get to sell the house AND if we buy a new place I don't have any need to keep doing my real estate reviews that you love so much, I'm talking about you Alain Pinel Realty.

The house is not on the MLS yet, will be next week, so nows your chance to make an offer before the entire Realtor Universe knows about it.

Showings to pre-qualified buyers only right now.

Seller paying $5k bonus to buyers agent if house is in a successful contract within 30days of listing on the MLS.

If interested please contact our Realtor. You can email him here MarioMarianiRealtor@hotmail.com

The 203K Loan
I just learned about it but it seems to be just the ticket for our situation.
Its a government backed loan where you get to roll the cost of the house, the cost to fix up the house AND the first six months of the mortgage payments into the loan and being an FHA loan they only require a 3.5% down payment.

Here's a good article from sfgate that explains it better than I can.
Here's a link to the HUD website that also explains the 203k program.
Here's a link to the HUD website where you can search for a local lender experienced with the 203k loan process.

The 203k is an FHA loan so there is some additional hoops the buyer has to jump through of course.

I spoke to several different local 203k loan experts and I got the best vibe from this guy.

Luis C. Munoz
Renovation Loan Specialist
Mason-McDuffie Mortgage Corp
6472 Moraga Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
1 510 825-0300 Cell
1 866 958-1869 E-Fax
http://www.luiscmunoz.com/

This is not an endorsement exactly, but Luis offered to make a house call to help me figure out how to best sell this place through the 203k program and I thought that was going above and beyond. If after reading the info above you are seriously interested in the 203k program I suggest you call Luis as he's local, knows the market, and seemed very knowledgeable on the subject. Tell Luis, Chez Neumansky sent you.

Why the 203k Program Seems So Great
Its a program for moderate income folks, to give them a chance to move to a house/neighborhood that they couldn't afford otherwise.
With this loan, you only have to come up with the 3.5% down payment and then when the first mortgage payment is due after the first six months, you rent out the bottom 1000sq ft apartment. That's gotta take a decent bite outta the mortgage no?
You get a 1858sq ft 3bed 2 bath house to live in and a 1000sq ft apartment to help pay your expenses.

Annnnnnnnnnd Finally A Price

Okay Folks Here It Is......

The Long Awaited Price For The Chez.....

Is........

$495k

After reviewing the results of the twelve Realtors that toured the place and considering what it should be worth when its finished as a tri-plex or a duplex we think that $495k is a fair price.

But, To Make It More Attractive

We've decided to offer a $5k bonus to the buyers agent.

The house is not on the MLS yet, will be next week, so nows your chance to make an offer before the entire Realtor Universe knows about it.

Showings to pre-qualified buyers only right now.

If interested please contact our Realtor. You can email him here MarioMarianiRealtor@hotmail.com

I'm going to do up some goofy for sale ads and post them to the blog shortly.

I'm sure this post will provide much amusement at our expense from the Reptile Realtors but please keep your comments civil or I will delete them.

Its Ours!!!! Its Ours!!!!! Woo-Hooooo!!!!!!!!

ITS OURS!!!!!! ITS OURS!!!!! ITS OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Over the weekend we had a very nice notary public come to the house so we could sign all the papers without Mrs. Madscientist having to miss any work.

After that we were like, 'Hey, why in the hell are we going to wait for the 31st to close.???' All the hurdles where jumped and we wanted to close quick before ANYTHING else could pop up. So we sent an email around to everyone about, 'Hey, how about we close on Wednesday the 26th instead??' Our loan guy was able to fund the loan on the 25th and the sale was recorded on the 26th and its ours!!!!

HURRAY ITS OURS!!!!! THE $26k GAMBLE PAID OFF!!!!!!

We didn't actually know when exactly it was going to close so I was out grocery shopping at Safeway when my Realtor called. He said,'Daniel the sale recorded I'm heading over to the house now to get the keys where you at?' We agreed to meet in the Safeway parking lot in 15 minutes.

I immediately called Mrs. MadScientist and gave her the good news!!!! It was finally over!!! All the hoops, the hand wringing, the stress, the many, many sleepless nights...

Mrs. MadScientist started crying, so of course I start crying right there in the meat section of Safeway.

HURRAY ITS OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAY HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. Madscientist came home a bit early from work and we scooped up the baby and drove right over there. It was really, really, really. surreal driving up to the house and down that looong driveway to the garage...it was ours.....wow.

The baby wanted to get out and run around the back yard and we played on a swinging bench there for a while but I was itching to get inside.

We went through the entire house turning all the lights on and looking out the windows and the baby danced around in the middle of the big empty rooms...it was awesome...lots of laughing and crying and giggling.

Here's the best new thing we discovered about the house...from one of the top floor rooms you actually have a little-bitty water view of the bay!!! Mrs. MadScientist has always dreamed about living somewhere where you can see the water and this new surprise just really sealed the deal for us that this is 'The House' for us.....

Boy, I hope we can get a couple of stress free nights of sleep before we have to start the moving, and building process at the new place...oh and sell the current Chez too....no stress there no sirree bob...

One Last One
WOO-HOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

We've Traded Rats For Birds!!!

Dead Biiiird gonna put it on yooooouuuu!!! Dead Biiiird gonna put it on yooooouuuuu!!!!
Bonus points for anyone who got that reference...

Actually the credit for this post has to go to our friend Kevy...it was all her idea! Especially the title.

Stopped by the house today to unstick a window that the inspector had stuck open...pay the guy $1300 bucks to inspect the house and he can't even unstick the window he stuck.....

I went into the room and was greeted by this grisly site....apparently a small bird had flown into the open window and somehow fallen between the panes. You can see the struggle marks on the glass....hope this isn't some kind of omen or something.

Kevy saw this and shouted, 'Holy Crap you've traded rats for birds!!!'

I was able to unstick the window and gently remove the bird with a couple of putty knives... We gave it a dignified burial.

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That's it for now still have a crazy hurdle to jump this week...next post I promise...

Appraisal And Loan Are Finaled!?!?!?!?!?

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another post with no pictures but plenty of exclamation points!!!!!

We just heard from our mortgage broker and after a small clarification of our income its official!!!

Our loan is done! The rate is locked in @ 4.99% APR.

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The appraisal came in where we needed it too and the loan underwriters are happy with the appraisal!!!

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One interesting thing about the appraisal was that because the house is a legal 3 unit the appraiser had to come up with reasonable rent numbers for all three units. We where shocked to see that his findings say that the $900/month rent for the studio apartments was a good average price!?!?!? Ha, seems high to me...

One exciting thing he came up with is that if we rented out all 3 units we could get $5k total!!! Wow, that's more than our all in mortgage-property tax-insurance monthly costs!! Course we're not going to do that because we're going to be living in the main unit.

Hurray!!! Now its just some paperwork....whew.....I should feel more relieved but I don't....

That was the last big unknown hurdle that was out of our control...but there is still one hurdle left and that's getting the city to uncloud the title....a subject for another post.

Much more celebratory Margarita's for everyone!!!
Man, this whole experience is driving us to drink unhealthy amounts of alcohol....but we can stop any time we want too!!!