One Step Closer

Today we inched a wee bit closer to sealing the deal with the house. I had to sign a bunch of paperwork and give it to my mortgage lady. It was basically a lot of disclosures and financial statements and whatnot. It was fun because I finally got to meet Mortgage Lady, who has been a treat to work with for her efficiency and knowledge - she's been great.

We talked about interest rates too. Today was the first day I could lock in a rate, as you can do that only thirty days before closing. Today it was at six and one quarter, which is higher than it was last week at five-point-eight. Everyone tells me the interest rates will drop after month-end, so I'm waiting. I'm just crossing my fingers that Greenspan won't come out and give one of his little 'talks.' Even before I was in the house market, he has always been quite reluctant to acknowledge the great rates with this latest housing boom. All he can muster is that it isn't going to last forever, and the bubble will eventually burst. What a party pooper.

I also got another couple of referrals to check out regarding homeowners' insurance. The first two were in the same price neighborhood but my mortgage lady (same one) said they seemed a bit high - to the tune of thirty dollars too high. She gave me a few names I'm definitely going to call upon tomorrow. The good news is either way I'll be getting equity instead of thirty days' priveledge of living somewhere.

Mortgage Lady also told me this has been a really good transaction thus far and that we are WAY ahead of schedule. She complimented me by saying she wished everyone were as on-top of their homebuying tasks as am I. My real estate agent had said the same thing a few days earlier, and I can't help but think either everyone else is completely lost and can't get their stuff together or they are just saying this to be nice. Then I thought about why I have been so quick to get things done - we still have a whole month before closing and we're almost done with all the administrative tasks. I've concluded it's probably because I'm so damned nervous about this whole thing. There's just something about going so far into debt, getting approved, picking the right neighborhood, the right school districts (resale value), the right quality structure, a trustworthy real-estate agent, mortgage lady, insurance underwriter, attorney, etc, etc... It's enough to make me grow a few gray ones.

But then I relax, think about that big back yard, a grill, a football game, a couple of cold ones and a couple more good friends all enjoying the break-'er-in party. Can't wait.