Home Inspection done. . .

My realtor called this morning after the home inspection was done. Since I'm obviously not in the area, she accompanied the inspector. She said that the inspector was really pleased with the house and stated that he had never seen a house that age so well taken care of. My realtor also said that after being in the house again and looking at it even more carefully she too feels like its a really great home. She took a lot of pictures for me today and is going to email me tonight, so I may be able to get them on here for you to see.

I knew there was a built-in stereo system from the 70's, but did not check to see if it worked when I looked at the house. Today, the inspector checked and it actually does work beautifully. There are two turntables, a tuner, and an 8-track (which I've actually never seen before). Its in a built-in cabinet downstairs, but has speakers with individual volume controls throughout the house. So funny. I'm wondering if I'll be able to adapt it so my ipod can play through the speakers instead?

There were no major issues with the inspection. Even the cool floating 70's style stairs were grandfathered in because they were not a code violation at the time they were built. There are some electrical sockets that need updating and the downstairs windows need some adjusting in order to open wide enough to pass code. But, everything else looks great!

The biggest news I heard today though is that on the day we came to an agreement and signed the contract, the sellers recieved another offer. . . for close to $10K more than mine. They could have backed out, but obviously they didn't. I feel so incredibly lucky to have hit the timing that I did and be buying from the kind of people that would honor their contract, even in the face of more money. I think I mentioned this, but the sellers of this home are the one's who originally had it built and have spent the last 43 years in it. This was a huge selling point for me. I just think that its so unique and special to be able to make a home with that kind of history, my new home.

The appraisal is set for next week and I'm crossing my fingers to close on the 25th, the day I arrive in Anchorage. It looks like my home in Nome may end up closing on that same day. Everything is moving along as smoothly as I could imagine.

I already have plans to put up a fence in the backyard. My friends Millie, Andy, and Andy's son, Devin, are coming back from vacation the first week in August. Instead of going back to Nome with Millie, Devin is going to stay with me in Anchorage and do odd jobs around the house for a few days while Andy is working in Dutch Harbor. When Andy gets back, we're going to put up a fence. He has experience doing this, so I'm really lucky to have his help. My dad is also flying in from Phoenix to help out and I also have a few other friends willing to lend a little muscle for the project too. Right now there is a short, chainlink fence and I'm replacing it with a 6 ft. cedar fence so Duke can run free and peaceful in the big backyard. I'm actually contemplating making it an 8ft. fence, but some people have suggested that its too much and would feel like a fortress. I'm not sure, but wonder if I'd appreciate the privacy? Post a comment and tell me what you think. . . 6ft. or 8ft.?

The weather has been so fantastic since I got home. Sunny and gorgeous everyday! I've been down to the beach the past several days and went swimming the past two nights after work. Boy, the water is icy, but it still feels amazing. I took a great drive in the country the other night and got some nice pictures I'll put up soon.

Two weeks from today and I'll be leaving Nome for my final departure as a resident. I know that I will be back to visit, but I doubt I'll ever live here again. Everyday is a new emotion about leaving. The only word I can find to describe it is so cliche, but so true. The process is just very bittersweet. Fingers crossed, we'll continue having this amazing weather. I plan to enjoy this last two weeks to the fullest! I'll be heading out to Council this weekend for the Salmon round-up again with Buford, his family, and some other friends. I can't wait to play in the sun and the river. . .

Peace.