First Time Ever?
Things are just a little crazy with the chaos associated with the coronavirus and the global reaction. Talking with my wife and brother, as well as the rest of the world that will still chat with you, nobody can remember anything quite like this situation. The crash into the Twin Towers on 9-11 had some elements of the situation, but the total shutdown of sporting events, meetings, global travel and the run on water, sanitizer and toilet paper is just totally new to us.
The Master Indoors meet was cancelled this week, I was not planning on going this year. I am in the middle of relocation from Nashville to Harper Ferry , West Virginia. On March 31 we will close on the Brentwood house and close on the new place on April 2. Getting this into place has been a real battle, but it is going to happen. We are on our third contract for the Brentwood house and after trying to sell it for 9 or 10 months it will close this time. Linda and I had been actively searching in Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown, WV for a new house. My work is in Strasburg, VA and the drive we will be about an hour from these areas. Both are tourist towns filled with old buildings and progressively thinking people and that is the areas we tend to enjoy most.
The new home search has been a month long slog of riding around and just brutally rejecting house after house. Putting in a Bed n Breakfast was the priority for the future homestead and that criteria was imperative and really dictated the search. Our first bid was on a large house in Shepherdstown and we lost out to a cash bid. We then put in a contract on a very modern design house with 13 acres in a very quiet location and thought it would be the one. During the home inspection, the crawl space was in terrible shape with mold and water damage and I just did not want to fix up a 30 year old house that had the bones of a 75 year old house. After a sleepless night, we bailed on that house and moved on to the one we have under contract now, During my roaming for houses, I found this one before it was listed and still under construction. By the time it was listed, our second contract was voided and we bid on it the first day it was listed. Lucky?? Maybe, but getting a house requires a lot of luck.
An 1830 model house had just been completely redone inside and we went after that place and it is under contract and it should close on time. Whew!
The new house is in a historic district right across the street from the National Park in town. This house was build by the Federal Armory that was based in Harpers Ferry. George Washington had the Armory built in the area because of the water that could be used for power and transport and proximity to DC. The Armory was in use until the Civil War, Early in the war, there was a battle over the armory and it was burnt and eventually the Confederacy carried off the equipment I believe. During the War of Northern Aggression, Harpers Ferry changed hands at least 6 times. It was great place to get shot if you were not on your guard. The house is three levels and has 4 porches.
Three porches are on the back and one on the front. Hopefully we can sit out and listen to the water, we are between the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and they blend together just East of the old Armory site--which is completely gone. The water is low now form the lack of snow this season, but Spring rains should bring up the volume as the river level rises.
We will be living in a tourist area, which is not that new to us. I think we will adapt to the new area quickly. Linda is getting a dog and that will get her out and about the town. The Appalachian Trail is literally 200 feet from our house and there will be some interesting people streaming by all summer.
I think we can convince family to visit. There is water on all sides and I think kayaking and rafting are big business in the area. I have met a few area people and they are quite chatty and friendly. Tabby at the Battle Grounds Bakery makes an awesome breakfast sandwich from scratch.
Lets talk about timing. Between the time we starting to bid on houses and settled on the one in Harpers Ferry the stock market was going crazy down and the interest rates were tanking, We snagged a loan at 3.125 fixed for this house, just one week after getting a loan fixed at 3,5% on the second house that we bailed on. I will take a little luck any day. Also, we have both contracts firmed up so that we can close on time. If we tried to close a deal now, I am not sure it would happen. Too much chaos just suspended in the air right now. For a couple of weeks, I was not sleeping well. Just way to much stuff not coming together quick enough to suit me. Thankfully, things are under control and actually Linda and I are experiencing some real boredom as well wait on moving day.
To follow up on a point earlier, I do work for a tissue converter and we are running as hard as we can run trying to meet the absolute avalanche of orders the last 10 days. The increase in orders was just insane. We are selling stuff form the warehouse that is outdated and just wasting away and taking up space. We sold 10 semi loads of obsolete production ( about 1/2 million rolls) today in one sale to customer that did want this stuff a year ago!! More specials are coming as we find the hidden gems in the warehouse. I really enjoy turning old product into cash.
I hope everyone can stay healthy and not get sucked too far into the chaos around now.
The Master Indoors meet was cancelled this week, I was not planning on going this year. I am in the middle of relocation from Nashville to Harper Ferry , West Virginia. On March 31 we will close on the Brentwood house and close on the new place on April 2. Getting this into place has been a real battle, but it is going to happen. We are on our third contract for the Brentwood house and after trying to sell it for 9 or 10 months it will close this time. Linda and I had been actively searching in Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown, WV for a new house. My work is in Strasburg, VA and the drive we will be about an hour from these areas. Both are tourist towns filled with old buildings and progressively thinking people and that is the areas we tend to enjoy most.
The new home search has been a month long slog of riding around and just brutally rejecting house after house. Putting in a Bed n Breakfast was the priority for the future homestead and that criteria was imperative and really dictated the search. Our first bid was on a large house in Shepherdstown and we lost out to a cash bid. We then put in a contract on a very modern design house with 13 acres in a very quiet location and thought it would be the one. During the home inspection, the crawl space was in terrible shape with mold and water damage and I just did not want to fix up a 30 year old house that had the bones of a 75 year old house. After a sleepless night, we bailed on that house and moved on to the one we have under contract now, During my roaming for houses, I found this one before it was listed and still under construction. By the time it was listed, our second contract was voided and we bid on it the first day it was listed. Lucky?? Maybe, but getting a house requires a lot of luck.
The new house is in a historic district right across the street from the National Park in town. This house was build by the Federal Armory that was based in Harpers Ferry. George Washington had the Armory built in the area because of the water that could be used for power and transport and proximity to DC. The Armory was in use until the Civil War, Early in the war, there was a battle over the armory and it was burnt and eventually the Confederacy carried off the equipment I believe. During the War of Northern Aggression, Harpers Ferry changed hands at least 6 times. It was great place to get shot if you were not on your guard. The house is three levels and has 4 porches.
We will be living in a tourist area, which is not that new to us. I think we will adapt to the new area quickly. Linda is getting a dog and that will get her out and about the town. The Appalachian Trail is literally 200 feet from our house and there will be some interesting people streaming by all summer.
I think we can convince family to visit. There is water on all sides and I think kayaking and rafting are big business in the area. I have met a few area people and they are quite chatty and friendly. Tabby at the Battle Grounds Bakery makes an awesome breakfast sandwich from scratch.
Lets talk about timing. Between the time we starting to bid on houses and settled on the one in Harpers Ferry the stock market was going crazy down and the interest rates were tanking, We snagged a loan at 3.125 fixed for this house, just one week after getting a loan fixed at 3,5% on the second house that we bailed on. I will take a little luck any day. Also, we have both contracts firmed up so that we can close on time. If we tried to close a deal now, I am not sure it would happen. Too much chaos just suspended in the air right now. For a couple of weeks, I was not sleeping well. Just way to much stuff not coming together quick enough to suit me. Thankfully, things are under control and actually Linda and I are experiencing some real boredom as well wait on moving day.
To follow up on a point earlier, I do work for a tissue converter and we are running as hard as we can run trying to meet the absolute avalanche of orders the last 10 days. The increase in orders was just insane. We are selling stuff form the warehouse that is outdated and just wasting away and taking up space. We sold 10 semi loads of obsolete production ( about 1/2 million rolls) today in one sale to customer that did want this stuff a year ago!! More specials are coming as we find the hidden gems in the warehouse. I really enjoy turning old product into cash.
I hope everyone can stay healthy and not get sucked too far into the chaos around now.
Fascinating! (But I still don't understand the run on toilet paper.) And good luck on the great new house!
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much for the nice words.
DeleteGlen is already planning his hikes - wants Heather and Leslie to come... I'm more interested in the bakery sandwiches and bike trail. Sounds like a great place - keep up the toilet paper production, you are doing the country a great service. And keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to hike in the AT. I have trying to get out and do some of the stuff that is easy to access. As a rule it is rocky and in old growth woods with a high canopy. Some the hills kick your butt, but the elevation is typically 2000 ft and below which helps a bunch.
ReplyDelete