Finally...maybe???

There are times when reaching an agreement comes to be simply because the parties involved say "close enough".  Other times the negotiating process can sour the outlook of said parties to a point that things fall apart even though they really are very close in reaching an agreement.  I like to think I fall into the former rather than the latter category most of the time.  In fact, I can't think of an instance where I was involved with a prolonged negotiation that fell apart at the end.

Having said that, my current negotiations might fall apart.

Yesterday, I received a text from my realtor saying the sellers had agreed to lower the price.  It was $500 more than I had said I'd be willing to go with my final offer, but it was close enough.  I said "sure" as long as everything we had agreed to previously was still included.

I haven't heard back since.

As I sit here staring at a foggy street scene outside my window, coffee at my side, I wonder if this house purchase might be the exception for me.  Living abroad taught me much about the art of negotiating a price and reaching an agreement.  I think these sellers would struggle living abroad.  To complicate matters, I'm not convinced my realtor is working in my best interest.

In other words, trust has been compromised.  All of this will be a moot point if things work out and we sign this coming Friday as I suggested to my realtor.  If this deal should ultimately fall through, however, I will point to the lack of trust as the reason why I will be able to walk away and sleep at night.

Heading South...

My first post this year revolved around a property I was looking forward to calling home.  The closing date had been established early on and I've been under contract since the second week of December.  Assuming all went as planned, papers were to be signed January 13th* taking effect on the 16th.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and no papers have been signed.

Throughout this process, I've been fighting a sneaky suspicion that my realtor is either working less on my behalf than he should be or caves quite easily.  During the negotiating process, things rarely moved my way and instead seemed to always shift in the sellers' favor.  This is purely speculation on my part, this is my first home purchase after all, but this past week had me revisiting those feelings.

We came to an agreement on things to be taken care of in late December, a minor list, really, but a list nonetheless.  The official document, however, wasn't derived until the first week of January (could be that Christmas played a role here).  The appraisal was then scheduled for Friday, the 6th, with results to be released the following Tuesday.  That's a tight squeeze if there was to be any discrepancy in the price and the appraisal...and, unfortunately, there was.

I'm not sure if my realtor or the appraiser is at fault for the late appraisal.  If could be my realtor lazily got around to scheduling the appointment.  It could be the appraiser was booked and didn't have time to schedule it at another time.  It could be a bit of both.  Regardless, it has complicated matters.

My response to my realtor was quick and decisive once the appraisal was passed my way--ask the seller to lower the price and we have a deal!  He, however, did not respond that night nor the next day.  When I followed up Wednesday night to ask the sellers' response, he shared he had spent the day looking for comps to justify the price we had agreed on.

Question: Isn't this something the seller should address?

My lenders seemed to think so.  When meeting with my lenders the next day, the two of them were at a loss as to my realtor's actions and spoke through clinched teeth as it became more evident that the appraiser was not going to budge.

Seeing the value in the home, I offered a new bid that I thought was more than fair given I was going to be hit with a fee if I agreed to a price above the appraisal.  The sellers' countered with a lower price, but took back the washer and dryer and moved the closing date to one where I would be hit with additional fees--in other words, I would be paying the same amount even though it had been appraised for less.  As I shared with my mom, they were hoping to play me like a chump.

I've been doing my best to keep a loose grip on this property.  I do like the house, really I do!, and I would love to call it home, but this past week has me questioning my realtor's motivations and the sellers' ability to work with others.

I am ready to walk.

* The original plan was to sign on Monday, January 16th--MLK Day.  However, the office will be closed due to the holiday and so we moved the signing day back to the 13th.  Nothing major as far as I am concerned.

2017 NFL HOF Class...

Two years ago, I shared my thoughts on the 2015 HOF Finalists.  This year's Finalists were released last week and, as always, I think there are some worthy names on the list.

Before diving in, it should be noted there are 3 items I consider when casting a vote (and these items are not necessarily mutually exclusive):

Career*... Ex: Walter Payton, career leader in rushing yards when he retired.

Team Leader... Ex: Jerome Bettis, often thought of as a "locker room leader" for the Steelers.

Game Changer... Ex: Jan Stenerud, credited with introducing the soccer-style kick for field goals.

Also, I feel all positions deserve consideration and give quarterbacks only a slight edge (+.5), and a kickers a slight deduction (-.5), when compared to other positions.

Without further ado, here's my list...

CANTON WORTHY (no debate)
LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON...First year of eligibility and should have no issues.  He ranks 5th in both career rushing yardage as well as yards from scrimmage.  He was a force to be reckoned with when he was playing for the Bolts.

JOHN LYNCH and BRIAN DAWKINS...I have no idea how Lynch still hasn't been enshrined and the addition of Dawkins to the list only complicates matters.  Ronnie Lott was likely the best safety to play the game, but these two definitely played the position in a way that influenced outcomes of games.  My educated guess is that with both of them now on the list, votes will be split (but they shouldn't be).

ALAN FANECA...This guy went to 9 straight Pro Bowls and was First Team All-Pro 6 times.  I don't care that he played guard and tackle, that's impressive!

CANTON WORTHY (...or so The Bearded says)
KEVIN MAWAE...If Faneca were not a Finalist this year, I'd say this guy should be: 8 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro nods.

DON CORYELL...Read my comments from a couple of years ago when he was also a Finalist.  It's not his W-L record (and I would argue he shouldn't be in the HOF with those numbers), it's how he influenced the game with "Air Coryell" and his coaching tree.

CANTON "GALE SAYERS WING" WORTHY (...or so The Bearded says)
There needs to be a new wing added to Canton that takes into consideration NFL greats whose careers were cut short because of injuries.  Sayers was healthy in only 6 of his 8 seasons.  He was a great, but those career numbers were cut short.

TERRELL DAVIS...As previously noted, I am horribly biased on this selection, but his stats are incredible during his 4 year healthy run (out of 7 total season): NFL MVP, 3 time Pro Bowler, 3 time All-Pro, 2 time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 2000+ yard season, Super Bowl MVP.

TONY BOSELLI...A left tackle who was healthy 6 of his 7 years in the league.  Of those 6 seasons, he made 6 Pro Bowls and was selected All-Pro 3 times.

CHUCK FOREMAN...He isn't on the list, but should be.  In his 6 healthy seasons (out of 8), he was selected to the Pro Bowl 5 times with an All-Pro nod to boot.  He is likely the first "all purpose" back in the NFL.

STERLING SHARPE...He isn't on the list either, but should be.  His stats over 7 seasons: 5 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pros.  It's a little scary to think of what numbers he would have produced had he played more than 3 seasons with Favre.  In addition, his brother Shannon, who is in the HOF, has always insisted Sterling was the better athlete.

AM OPEN TO DISCUSSION
MORTEN ANDERSEN...He should probably be higher on my list and this is likely where the -.5 comes into play.  In a weaker year of candidates, he gets my vote.

JASON TAYLOR...He was an intimidating force throughout his career.

TERRELL OWENS (T.O.)...T.O.'s career numbers suggest he should be in Canton.  However, when one considers his antics and how he sunk several good teams, I leave him out.

ISAAC BRUCE...He was a solid player through his career.  My argument against him is that he was "great" for 3 seasons and "good" or "ok" most of the others.  For comparison, Rod Smith had as many "great" seasons (possibly 4) even if his career numbers aren't as strong.

JOE JACOBY...His resume doesn't seem to stack up (4 Pro Bowls; 2 All-Pro), but he was a member of the fabled Hogs and I still hear references to his career on a regular basis.

NOPE
TY LAW...Good, just not HOF good.

KURT WARNER...Overrated.  How does this guy keep making the list?

*Career is not just stats for a given position (Bledsoe and Testaverde would both be HOF worthy in that case).  There's a need for a number of "great" seasons over the course of a career.

Making a Statement vs. Creating a Jinx...

My realtor asked if I'd be willing to switch the closing date from Monday, the 16th--MLK Day, which is a really cool given the history of the house (see previous post)--to Friday, the 13th.

Thoughts?

2017...

Two weeks from today, I will wake up in a new home*.  Oddly enough, this new home will likely never be home in the sense that I feel that I belong.

Let me explain...

On Colorado Day 2015, I embarked on a journey that took me from the foothills of the Front Range to the plains of Kansas.  My first stint in the Sunflower State was directly related to my time in the PhD program at K-State.  Prior to and in the immediate aftermath of this experience, I never thought I would return.  This is not to say I despised these lands, but on some deeper level I never related to the people or the landscape in the way one should if he or she is to call a land "home".  The mountains with their trees and boulders call my name.  I am a Westerner at heart.

Having said that, there are a number of items I am looking forward to with my new surroundings:

HISTORY (PART 1)...The original structure on this property was burnt to the ground by Confederates in 1863 because it belonged to an abolitionist.  My prayer is that if it should burn again, may it be for following God on a similar noble quest.

HISTORY (PART 2)...The current structure on this property was built around the turn of the last century (papers have been lost) and was stripped to the stud in a major renovation 5 years ago.  The interior and exterior are really nice...come visit and see for yourself!

"Walkable Community"...This statement may get some push back, but it's been my experience that Westerners value a walkable community more than Midwesterners.  My realtor in KC, who I sincerely believe had the best of intentions, ultimately failed to fully grasp how much I value being able to walk or take a short bike ride to a farmers' market, coffee house, and the like.  On a topic that might headline a future post, it took one brief discussion with a Colorado realtor to understand where my priorities lie.

The past year, with a heavy focus on the months of June and July, shaped me in ways that few years have in the past.  My hope is that this new home will do so in a different way for years to come.

Stay tuned.

* It should be noted the final papers for the house have all but been agreed upon.  There will be much to discuss if the sale should not go through.