Update
We got our condo. It was sort of a struggle, and I'm sort of pissed off at the seller, but I think she's pissed off at us too so maybe that means we got a fair deal.
Here's why I'm pissed off. Last Monday we did the inspection. A number of things were wrong with the house. Probably that happens with most condos that were rehabbed 14 years ago, I don't know, but some of this stuff was ridiculous. Item 1 for your consideration: The decks, which don't have enough bolts fastening them to the wall. In this here Chi-town we like our decks securely attached. Item 2: Someone, the developer I assume, had the brilliant idea to install the furnace and hot water heater in a bathroom closet. Does this sound legal to you? No? Not surprisingly, it doesn't to the inspector, the city, or the gas company either. There's some other half-ass shit along these lines. Plus the furnace, A/C and roof are all on their way out.
Meanwhile, during the inspection, the seller's realtor is encouraging us to make an offer on her belongings -- "She's just looking to unload a few things," he says when I ask if she's moving out of the country -- and otherwise emphasizing her dire poverty. Afterwards, he tells our realtor that he meant to write the contract to say she's selling the house "as is." Which is a bunch of crap.
Then the seller leaves the country, telling no one, so our lawyers have to extend the contract review period. Then the seller gets back and tells us we can either pay for all of the repairs ourselves or the deal's off. I was half tempted to say "Screw you, your place was on the market for 4 months and you're lucky you haven't died of CO poisoning in your bathroom yet," but we decided it wasn't worth it.
So hooray! As of the Ides of March, we have a condo! If you want pictures, email me.
A second, less happy update is that I'm back on the wagon again. My neurologist says the non-drinking thing wasn't an experiment, it was more like a controlled environment in which to test all the other things. Now I'm way, way more concerned that one of these headache treatments should work. Before I didn't care if it took a year, but now I'm 100% business, asking him, "Six weeks till my next appointment? Sounds like five will be plenty," and so on. Argh. I will say that I am OFF the wagon when I go to New York for the
March Mega Birthday Party. If you're reading this and want to come to this party in NYC, email me. Ianqui said I could invite friends!
