I bought a house..

[jeff2005]

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..and I've never even seen it! Well, I saw a picture of it. I won't see it in person until closing. 😱 At least I have my living situation figured out. Who is still looking?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

..and I've never even seen it! Well, I saw a picture of it. I won't see it in person until closing. 😱 At least I have my living situation figured out. Who is still looking?

Awesome! Congratulations! I bet you got a pretty sweet deal for it too.

When do you close?

BTW, if you haven't even seen the place yet, I would recommend that you be present at the home inspection (if you can swing it...obviously, don't go out of your way and spend an insane amount of money to be there for that). Personally, I was not present for my home inspection but apparently, you can learn a ton if you can make it.

 

[jeff2005]

Awesome! Congratulations! I bet you got a pretty sweet deal for it too.

When do you close?

BTW, if you haven't even seen the place yet, I would recommend that you be present at the home inspection (if you can swing it...obviously, don't go out of your way and spend an insane amount of money to be there for that). Personally, I was not present for my home inspection but apparently, you can learn a ton if you can make it.

Close May 26. My husband will be there for the inspection. It's a For Sale By Owner and we offered what he was asking (199k) because the place was perfect for us and in a great part of town. It's less than 2 miles from the hospital! The neighborhood also borders a 100+ acre Park with a trail that I can take directly to, yes, the hospital. Sweet.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Close May 26. My husband will be there for the inspection. It's a For Sale By Owner and we offered what he was asking (199k) because the place was perfect for us and in a great part of town. It's less than 2 miles from the hospital! The neighborhood also borders a 100+ acre Park with a trail that I can take directly to, yes, the hospital. Sweet.

Sounds great! A house under $200K...wow!

 

[beary]

jeff2005 - congrats on buying a house!!

Do you want me to go look at it for you?

Iowa City is a great town. We will have to hang when you get here.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

jeff2005 - congrats on buying a house!!

Do you want me to go look at it for you?

Iowa City is a great town. We will have to hang when you get here.

Maybe she'll be your resident when you do your pathology rotation. How cool would that be?

Kinda like when I was doing an autopsy with yaah that one day back in September...he scutted me out like you wouldn't believe! I'm just kidding.

 

[beary]

Maybe she'll be your resident when you do your pathology rotation. How cool would that be?

That is definitely possible! That would be way cool!

 

[jeff2005]

jeff2005 - congrats on buying a house!!

Do you want me to go look at it for you?

Iowa City is a great town. We will have to hang when you get here.

Thanks! Sure, you can take a look at it for me. It's at 824 Normandy drive. Check it out on mapquest. Fab location, eh? It's a great neighborhood for our daughter too, with wide quiet streets and lots of kids. And, of course, the park. We are buying it from a guy who finished his residency training at U of Iowa a few years ago.

 

[beary]

Thanks! Sure, you can take a look at it for me. It's at 824 Normandy drive. Check it out on mapquest. Fab location, eh? It's a great neighborhood for our daughter too, with wide quiet streets and lots of kids. And, of course, the park. We are buying it from a guy who finished his residency training at U of Iowa a few years ago.

That is a great location!! I take walks back in that neighborhood and it is really nice. I am sure that your daughter will love playing in the park. You will have a really easy bike ride into work.

I live right across from Carver-Hawkeye arena (a ten minute walk to the hospital).

I often take long walks on Saturday so maybe I will go check out your house tomorrow. 😎

 

[quant]

..and I've never even seen it! Well, I saw a picture of it. I won't see it in person until closing. 😱 At least I have my living situation figured out. Who is still looking?

congratulations jeff.......

 

[deschutes]

At least I have my living situation figured out. Who is still looking?

I don't have my living situation figured out. And I can't even claim to be actively looking 😳 Was eyeing this 1-BR facing the Mississippi (did I spell that right?) with lots of trees and noise insulation going at more than 2x my current rent... but since I don't get into Mpls until like the last week of June I might have to do like you did and pick based on picture!

Grats on the buy 🙂

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yeah, I don't know how the rental market in MSP is but trying to get a place just one week prior to move-in could be tough. I would try to sign a lease sometime before you leave...lots of residents and incoming med students are probably looking for places to live now. If you wait too long, you may be SOL and have to settle for a place that is less desirable.

 

[cytoborg]

..and I've never even seen it! Well, I saw a picture of it. I won't see it in person until closing. 😱 At least I have my living situation figured out. Who is still looking?

Congrats on the house! From your description it sounds like it will be great for your family. And what a price! I bet it's nice to know that your search is over and you will have a great place to live!

We just signed a lease on an apartment in SF for an MI-inducing monthly rent. Prices have gone up quite a bit since the last time I looked there. As a deposit we had to promise our first born child and fork over almost $4000. 😱 It's a great apartment though...here's to beans 'n tortillas for the next 4 years!

 

[Pingu]

I moved into my new house last week!

For all those who have never actually owned a house before, get prepared
Get out your checkbook. From now on all anyone will want from you is money. Also get a few good books to read, as you will be held captive in your house waiting for delivery men, service people, and other assorted vagrants who have need to traipse through your house...but will only tell you they will be there between 8 am and 5 pm. They will then show up at 5:30, take 10 minutes to discover they don't have the right doohickey to do what they need, and tell you they will be back tommorrow between 8 and 5. By the time they leave, you will have just enough time to load husband and children into the car for your daily drive to home depot. Home depot will ALSO want a check. Then you stop on the way home at a fast food place because you new fridge hasn't been delivered yet and you have no kitchen table because your saleswoman ordered the completely wrong one. Then spend half the evening digging through boxes for your white coat as you need to drive to houston to take step 2 BS.

On the up side, I absolutely love my new house. But moving has made my hairfall out, my face breakout, a cold sore to erupt and all the eating out has made my bowels a bit angry.

 

[beary]

I moved into my new house last week!

For all those who have never actually owned a house before, get prepared
Get out your checkbook. From now on all anyone will want from you is money. Also get a few good books to read, as you will be held captive in your house waiting for delivery men, service people, and other assorted vagrants who have need to traipse through your house...but will only tell you they will be there between 8 am and 5 pm. They will then show up at 5:30, take 10 minutes to discover they don't have the right doohickey to do what they need, and tell you they will be back tommorrow between 8 and 5. By the time they leave, you will have just enough time to load husband and children into the car for your daily drive to home depot. Home depot will ALSO want a check. Then you stop on the way home at a fast food place because you new fridge hasn't been delivered yet and you have no kitchen table because your saleswoman ordered the completely wrong one. Then spend half the evening digging through boxes for your white coat as you need to drive to houston to take step 2 BS.

On the up side, I absolutely love my new house. But moving has made my hairfall out, my face breakout, a cold sore to erupt and all the eating out has made my bowels a bit angry.

Oh Pingu, I feel your pain!! Moving stinks! Congrats on the house though! And good luck on the step 2 BS (not that you will need it!)

I have not noticed eating out making my bowels angry. Is it just me or has there been more talk than usual about bowels lately around here? (This is an impressive feat!)

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Pingu, I hope you're not eating McDonald's. The last thing you need is the McSh*ts.

Congrats on the house!

And yes, moving IS a bitch 🙁

 

[yaah]

I noticed all that about these "extra" expenses when I moved too. You think it's as simple as buying the house and moving your stuff in, but inevitably at least one of your new appliances will malfunction (mine was the water heater which kept shutting off necessitating me relighting the pilot light every time I wanted to turn it on, as well as the washing machine which I just fixed myself). Plus, you need new furniture and supplies that you forgot to bring or didn't realize you needed. Then there is all the crap you have to do if it's a new state - like getting a new license, insurance, etc. It's nice to move in a few weeks before you start so you can get this crap out of the way, but it isn't always practical.

 

[Pingu]

Pingu, I hope you're not eating McDonald's. The last thing you need is the McSh*ts.

Worse the the McSh*ts is the CS sh*ts. When they say 'light lunch' I assume a selection of salads, fruit, etc. Au Contraire! Some bread, your choice of a platter of tuna fish or odd appearing turkey, some skeazy looking lettuce and tomatos sliced so thin you could have used them as a cover slip and condiments in packets. Better yet, the proctor people hit the food table first, so the good chips and sodas were already gone and sitting on the proctor table. They spent 20 bucks max on the food. and with 24 people testing at approx 1000 a pop, they could have catered steaks and still profit greatly. I mean, take my money, but don't insult me with sandwich fixins.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Worse the the McSh*ts is the CS sh*ts. When they say 'light lunch' I assume a selection of salads, fruit, etc. Au Contraire! Some bread, your choice of a platter of tuna fish or odd appearing turkey, some skeazy looking lettuce and tomatos sliced so thin you could have used them as a cover slip and condiments in packets. Better yet, the proctor people hit the food table first, so the good chips and sodas were already gone and sitting on the proctor table. They spent 20 bucks max on the food. and with 24 people testing at approx 1000 a pop, they could have catered steaks and still profit greatly. I mean, take my money, but don't insult me with sandwich fixins.

Word! Our lunch was pathetic too. Some weird spicy bbq chicken crap and dry cracking bread.

Then there's the part where they keep addressing you as doctor at the beginning of every sentence.

Doctor, the food is in the back.
Doctor, we have a nice assortment of soft drinks.
Doctor, you need to stop when time is called.
Doctor, I'm gonna have write you up for irregular behavior.
Doctor, thanks for you $1000. Have a nice f*cking day!

 

[deschutes]

Better yet, the proctor people hit the food table first, so the good chips and sodas were already gone and sitting on the proctor table.

Was there a riot?

 

[Pingu]

I noticed all that about these "extra" expenses when I moved too. You think it's as simple as buying the house and moving your stuff in, but inevitably at least one of your new appliances will malfunction (mine was the water heater which kept shutting off necessitating me relighting the pilot light every time I wanted to turn it on, as well as the washing machine which I just fixed myself). Plus, you need new furniture and supplies that you forgot to bring or didn't realize you needed. Then there is all the crap you have to do if it's a new state - like getting a new license, insurance, etc. It's nice to move in a few weeks before you start so you can get this crap out of the way, but it isn't always practical.

We bought a new house that was being custom built. Many of the things you get when you buy a tract house don't come with custom houses. We had to buy blinds, which are insanely expensive. On top of that are your choices of blinds, plantation shutter, 2 inch, shades, and on and on. We had to get our own garage door opener, which home depot was nice enough to come and install for a fee. Then fence, sprinkler system, riding mower. We have an acre and my husband says that it can't be mowed by a push mower. I think he is shiftless and lacks gumption, but finally caved. He then insisted he needed a john deere mower. But not just any john deere, we had to go to a special john deere store because the john deere they sell at home depot apparently aren't the same. Add all this to furniture and rugs and I think I could have bought a aston martin for what my 'extras' were.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

You know Pingu...I don't know if you watch South Park at all.

But the CS proctor grabbing all the good **** first reminds me of the episode when Cartman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny are all sharing a bucket of KFC fried chicken. Before the other three can eat, Cartman picks off all the skin off the chicken and eats it all and leaves.

See ya later guys. I'm gonna be on the toilet all day.

I hope the proctors got the sh*ts.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

We bought a new house that was being custom built. Many of the things you get when you buy a tract house don't come with custom houses. We had to buy blinds, which are insanely expensive. On top of that are your choices of blinds, plantation shutter, 2 inch, shades, and on and on. We had to get our own garage door opener, which home depot was nice enough to come and install for a fee. Then fence, sprinkler system, riding mower. We have an acre and my husband says that it can't be mowed by a push mower. I think he is shiftless and lacks gumption, but finally caved. He then insisted he needed a john deere mower. But not just any john deere, we had to go to a special john deere store because the john deere they sell at home depot apparently aren't the same. Add all this to furniture and rugs and I think I could have bought a aston martin for what my 'extras' were.

What did the home inspection reveal? You and yaah's posts are starting to worry me since the condo I'll be moving into is one of those completely custom renovated condo's (brand new appliances, brand new plumbing/piping, brand new central AC/heating, etc.). The home inspector said everything looked good but I can't begin to think what I would do if some **** broke right after I move in.

 

[Pingu]

Doctor, you need to stop when time is called.

I almost got written up for irregular behavior. Plus I was assualted by the proctor. I have a bad habit of zoning out on the world when I am concentrating and plus the station I was at was near the end of the hall. So when they said to put your pen down, I didn't react because I was still zoned and it takes me a few seconds to react when I'm like that. So I put my pen down and am waiting for instruction when the proctor comes up and says 'You didn't put your pen down when they called time. That is irregular behavior and if it happens again I will have to have your results invalidated. I'm like whatever and shift in my chair. The woman shoves my shoulder and pushes me back in my chair. I'm like 'ow' she says 'this is a very serious matter. you need to put your pen down when they say. And then she walks off. I mean, sorry, I didn't hear the announcement but you don't need to shove someone.

 

[deschutes]

See ya later guys. I'm gonna be on the toilet all day.

I caved and agreed to a Death by Chocolate buffet Tuesday evening. A week before grad. I am hoping that if I don't eat anything between now and then, the law of compensation will allow me to fit into my gown which I bought last summer.

 

[deschutes]

The home inspector said everything looked good but I can't begin to think what I would do if some **** broke right after I move in.

The stuff of nightmares. Another reason for a single n00b like me to rent.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I caved and agreed to a Death by Chocolate buffet Tuesday evening. A week before grad. I am hoping that if I don't eat anything between now and then, the law of compensation will allow me to fit into my gown which I bought last summer.

Damnit...you're making me hungry! My first meal today will be dinner.

Let's keep talking about sh*ts. That way my appetite will continue to be suppressed.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

The stuff of nightmares. Another reason for a single n00b like me to rent.

even more reason for you to buy 😉

seriously, we all need to learn about these issues sometime. i figure...sooner the better.

 

[deschutes]

So I put my pen down and am waiting for instruction when the proctor comes up and says 'You didn't put your pen down when they called time. That is irregular behavior and if it happens again I will have to have your results invalidated.

Same here. And what annoyed me most is how they mock-respectfully call you "Doctor" throughout the entire exchange.

 

[yaah]

Same here. And what annoyed me most is how they mock-respectfully call you "Doctor" throughout the entire exchange.

What are you supposed to call them in return?

 

[deschutes]

Let's keep talking about sh*ts. That way my appetite will continue to be suppressed.

How can that be? I thought you loved ****? 😕

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I almost got written up for irregular behavior. Plus I was assualted by the proctor. I have a bad habit of zoning out on the world when I am concentrating and plus the station I was at was near the end of the hall. So when they said to put your pen down, I didn't react because I was still zoned and it takes me a few seconds to react when I'm like that. So I put my pen down and am waiting for instruction when the proctor comes up and says 'You didn't put your pen down when they called time. That is irregular behavior and if it happens again I will have to have your results invalidated. I'm like whatever and shift in my chair. The woman shoves my shoulder and pushes me back in my chair. I'm like 'ow' she says 'this is a very serious matter. you need to put your pen down when they say. And then she walks off. I mean, sorry, I didn't hear the announcement but you don't need to shove someone.

this is very reminiscent of my experience...including the shoving.

except after that, i muttered under my breath, "bitch."
she turns around and says, "what what WHAT?"
i'm like, "i have a bad itch."

 

[b&ierstiefel]

How can that be? I thought you loved ****? 😕

um yeah...you got me.

 

[Pingu]

What did the home inspection reveal? You and yaah's posts are starting to worry me since the condo I'll be moving into is one of those completely custom renovated condo's (brand new appliances, brand new plumbing/piping, brand new central AC/heating, etc.). The home inspector said everything looked good but I can't begin to think what I would do if some **** broke right after I move in.

We actually didn't get a home inspection because it is brand new and under warranty for like 5 years. Things did break but we were extremely lucky that our builder is local and thus even after we moved in is having things fixed to our liking. Our brand new dishwasher broke and they replaced it. They have come back to touch up the paint we scraped on the wall trying to fit an overstuffed leather couch into an arched doorway. They also came back and refinished the hardwood floors after the painter who touched up the crown moldings forgot to protect his ladder and left scratches and gouges across the floor. They leveled some doors and fixed weatherstripping. So I would say just pray that everything goes right, but that things will most likely break. That is why home depot is so successful. Oh and never ever ever get hardwood floors.

 

[beary]

I almost got written up for irregular behavior. Plus I was assualted by the proctor. I have a bad habit of zoning out on the world when I am concentrating and plus the station I was at was near the end of the hall. So when they said to put your pen down, I didn't react because I was still zoned and it takes me a few seconds to react when I'm like that. So I put my pen down and am waiting for instruction when the proctor comes up and says 'You didn't put your pen down when they called time. That is irregular behavior and if it happens again I will have to have your results invalidated. I'm like whatever and shift in my chair. The woman shoves my shoulder and pushes me back in my chair. I'm like 'ow' she says 'this is a very serious matter. you need to put your pen down when they say. And then she walks off. I mean, sorry, I didn't hear the announcement but you don't need to shove someone.

That is crazy. Can you report the proctor for irregular behavior?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

We actually didn't get a home inspection because it is brand new and under warranty for like 5 years. Things did break but we were extremely lucky that our builder is local and thus even after we moved in is having things fixed to our liking. Our brand new dishwasher broke and they replaced it. They have come back to touch up the paint we scraped on the wall trying to fit an overstuffed leather couch into an arched doorway. They also came back and refinished the hardwood floors after the painter who touched up the crown moldings forgot to protect his ladder and left scratches and gouges across the floor. They leveled some doors and fixed weatherstripping. So I would say just pray that everything goes right, but that things will most likely break. That is why home depot is so successful.

Sounds like you really lucked out. For every one of these stories, there are plenty of stories were families get totally shafted.

Oh and never ever ever get hardwood floors.

F*CK! Too late for me.

 

[beary]

Damnit...you're making me hungry! My first meal today will be dinner.

Why? I can never go all the way until dinner without eating.

 

[Pingu]

Same here. And what annoyed me most is how they mock-respectfully call you "Doctor" throughout the entire exchange.

Well, I introduced myself as a fourth year medical student to the patients. I don't feel legit until I walk the stage. The patients kept calling me doctor though and that was annoying.

The shoving pissed me off. I might write to the NBME because I'm sure they have the incident on tape. I don't like to be touched by people, much less people I don't know

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Why? I can never go all the way until dinner without eating.

Really? I've gotten used to it. I usually eat just one meal a day. And it's dinner. And the time varies...sometimes it'll be at 4 pm...some days it'll be at 9 pm.

 

[yaah]

Mine was under warranty too (and still is for another few months) so it hasn't costed me anything to get this stuff fixed. And the condo complex is still under construction so there is always someone around to fix stuff during the day - none of this "8am to 5pm" bullcrap.

 

[beary]

Really? I've gotten used to it. I usually eat just one meal a day.

I love eating way too much to only eat one meal a day.

 

[beary]

The shoving pissed me off. I might write to the NBME because I'm sure they have the incident on tape. I don't like to be touched by people, much less people I don't know

You should write them! I admire your self restraint for not getting right up in her face. 🙂

 

[Pingu]

F*CK! Too late for me

Okay, it's not too late to save you. First off all, you will need to buy rugs. Remember, be first class, don't settle for some bed bath and beyond knockoff. Buy the real thing-oriental or persian. Or be sensible. But if you have ceilings over 10 feet and you don't have a rug, you will go deaf from the acoustic effect. Get a dustbuster. Turns out you can't sweep hardwood. Brooms will scratch it. People will tell you to use a dustmop, it doesn't pick up squat. Also when moving furniture in, have some old blankets lying down to protect the floor when you carry the stuff in. Also go to home depot and get the felt pads to put on the legs of your furniture to protect the floor.

Hardwood floors are gorgeous but they are more work than carpet by a long shot. Also be prepared to tell everyone to take off their shoes when they come in. No high heels.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Okay, it's not too late to save you. First off all, you will need to buy rugs. Remember, be first class, don't settle for some bed bath and beyond knockoff. Buy the real thing-oriental or persian. Or be sensible. But if you have ceilings over 10 feet and you don't have a rug, you will go deaf from the acoustic effect. Get a dustbuster. Turns out you can't sweep hardwood. Brooms will scratch it. People will tell you to use a dustmop, it doesn't pick up squat. Also when moving furniture in, have some old blankets lying down to protect the floor when you carry the stuff in. Also go to home depot and get the felt pads to put on the legs of your furniture to protect the floor.

Hardwood floors are gorgeous but they are more work than carpet by a long shot. Also be prepared to tell everyone to take off their shoes when they come in. No high heels.

Very wise advice. Thanks very much. I hadn't thought about this issue in this much detail. I wonder what issue will hit me in the face next?

 

[Pingu]

You should write them! I admire your self restraint for not getting right up in her face

I would have but thought of the thousand extra i would have had to spend, a thousand that would be much better spent on a luella tote bag.

but the whole thing is taped, so i may write and complain. it did shake me up a bit so i know my next few encounters weren't my best.

 

[Pingu]

Very wise advice. Thanks very much. I hadn't thought about this issue in this much detail. I wonder what issue will hit me in the face next?

Hit the parents up for rugs. State that you want to bring some of your asian heritage home by having oriental rugs. Granted, i like my persian rugs better than my oriental, but they might shell out.

You will be hit by blinds and window treatments. I guarantee that. And the wonderful costs of furniture not made by ikea.

 

[deschutes]

The shoving pissed me off. I might write to the NBME because I'm sure they have the incident on tape.

Oh please do. Please please please. It would be poetic justice.

If 5 seconds of extra time spent in the room to make the appropriate exit is considered irregular behavior (as in my case), irregular behavior must be a fairly common event on this stupid exam.

Wait for your score report (I am sure you passed) and then write them. Even if the proctors were unreasonable, the people marking the exam clearly were not, since they allowed me to pass!

 

[Pingu]

I'm thinking of writing them now, then if they try to fail me I'll sue them and get rid of the test forever. I will then retire as hero to medical students everywhere and travel the country giving speeches

 

[beary]

I'm thinking of writing them now, then if they try to fail me I'll sue them and get rid of the test forever. I will then retire as hero to medical students everywhere and travel the country giving speeches

Pingu - my hero!! The killer of Step 2 BS!!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I'm thinking of writing them now, then if they try to fail me I'll sue them and get rid of the test forever. I will then retire as hero to medical students everywhere and travel the country giving speeches

That would totally kick ass. Of course, I'd be a little bitter that I had to still fork over the $1000 to take it...but nonetheless, this exam must be destroyed so that future medical students will not be subjected to further atrocities.