October 2, 1997
Dear Everyone:
OK, everybody keep all your fingers and toes
crossed until further notice.
(I know it makes eating ice cream difficult, but it’s necessary.)
The
escrow on my condo is set to close on the 29th of this
month. That means I have to
be out by Saturday, November 2nd (they’re giving me a few
days to move). Last weekend,
“Jeannie” and I went townhouse-hunting.
We looked at three places (the
Realtor
now knows how much I’m really pre-approved for); one in south
Pleasanton,
one in
Livermore and one in
San Ramon.
I liked the one in San Ramon best for various
reasons, not the least of which being the fact that it’s about a
15-minute drive down the freeway to “Livermore”.
At 1064 square feet, it’s a little smaller than my place (1160’),
with two bedrooms, 1-½ bathrooms, and a “dining area” rather than a
formal dining room. After
looking around the neighborhood, we went home to think about it.
On a normal morning, I allow an hour to drive to
work. Of course, on
less-than-normal mornings, I sometimes try to fit an hour’s worth of
driving into 45 minutes because I can’t get out the door fast enough.
And some days the Goddess of Traffic just decides that you’re not
going to get to work on time and that’s it.
Monday morning, when the alarm clock went off, I
opened one eye, looked at the time, and thought, “If I buy the San Ramon
place, I wouldn’t have to get up this early anymore.”
And the stated reason for going through all this was to get
closer to work, rather than to trade up to a third bedroom (not that it
wouldn’t be nice to do so).
Monday evening, I did a rough measure of the rooms
in my condo. On Tuesday, on
my lunch break, the Realtor and I went back to the San Ramon place and
did a rough measure of the rooms there.
Bottom line: They’re
comparable. And the truth
is, I’ve been spoiled by all the space I have in the condo.
After all, how many other people do you know who have four
dressers? And all antiques
at that?
We drew up an offer (which involves signing your
initials or name in many, many places) and the ball is currently in the
sellers’ court. There are
two. Evidently they bought
the place together as income property and are now ready to transfer
their investment elsewhere.
One is in southern California, the other is on vacation, with his
Realtor frantically trying to contact him.
If they accept the offer, the escrow closes on the 30th.
Time to start shopping for a moving company.
In the meantime, everyone keep a good thought.
Love, as always,
Pete
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