skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

House update..

12 years ago

Well we are in under writing..and the VA is extra picky(since they back a good portion of the loan)...and of all things called out..bubbled paint on the exterior..."needs to be scraped and repainted"
Now mind you there is a poorly patched spot above one of the boys bedroom closets, that has no paint. And they smeared the spackle into the wood grain on the closet slider...oooh nooo...that's apparently okay...but some random bubbles somewhere on the siding is bad..

The upside is that the house appraised for 8k more than we "paid". So that is awesome.

On my way over to check out the bubbles, circle with chalk, and search for outdoor paint amongst the cans left behind. Should it be not to many bubbles and paint available...we will do. (Lisa aka Friend and Realtor and I) if no paint an lots of bubbles, let sellers agent pay someone..

We were set to close the 30th, but if we can get this squared away..we may move it closer yet again.

It's like a roller coaster..scary and elated with a rush all in one.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Rose_NW_PA
12 years ago
I don't understand a lot about real estate transactions these days. We bought our home 42 years ago and it had been my grandparents so it was mostly a family deal.
I am excited for you to be getting your own home though and hope all works out.
glenda_al
12 years ago
I'm happy for you terri!
Related Discussions
Designer's and Tastemaker's own houses (Updated in thread)
Q
Comments (31)
In the apartment, our only living space, which was the LR tended to look more like the professional work photos above, with the exception of stacks of books. We used it, but we didn't really leave things lying around. But the second bedroom always looked like the first set of pictures. And I suppose most people in here would consider us "hoarder-adjacent" although I consider it collecting. On the shelves and table next to my bed I have an original oil painting, mouthblown glass, museum replicas, mid-century Italian ceramics, a gourd carved into a monkey, plastic coral, a plastic slide whistle, matches from the Russian Tea Room, Parc, a drink mat from King Cole Bar, pictures from a photo booth, bits and pieces of stuff from Chinatown, ashtrays from VA Metalcrafters, a gold railroad watch, one of my mother's wedding rings, vintage Architectural Digests, old post cards and a stack of fabric samples, and that's what's not inside the drawers of the night table. Packed away right now, in addition to all the crystal, china, sterling flatware and service pieces are lots of my childhood toys, including a bunch of GI Joe, and Tonka Trucks which I kept in their boxes. These will probably be displayed inside a dedicated closet, along with my collection of things I have found on the street or elsewhere, including a large bisque china doll leg (in the middle of the sidewalk) headless dolls, dollar bills with graffiti written on them, random bits and notes (Like a list of sins to remember in the confessional), stuff like that. You rarely find anything interesting lying around on the street or buses anymore.
...See More
Flooring help - home update started
Q
Comments (4)
i could agree with getting rid of the yellow tone to the floors. Personally I find these too dark they can find you a light to med brown / slight red undertone ... and thats where i'd be looking. these are just all dark scant difference between them so pick any you want....... what you are going to end up with is just plain dark.......a huge area like that means THINK it over . this is better ..you can see the flow into a larger area and they achieved medium/somewhat dark not "dark dark " much more liveable. You are dealing with more than kitchen area remember and want long term pleasing result.
...See More
What Color Should We Paint our House? Update
Q
Comments (12)
Since the stone is staying you don't want to drift too far away from it when choosing the paint color. That's why Celery suggested Grecian Ivory, and the other commenters are suggesting bronze, not black windows. Black windows would not look good, and I also don't think you can use gray or blue on the body because the stone doesn't look gray. Maybe up close there is some gray in it, but most people will be looking at your house from a distance, so you want to be complementing the overall color of the stone from a distance. Your roof looks brown also, so if you're not replacing that you need to keep that in mind. I think if you were to use the ivory or something similar it would be quite a different look than what you have and you would like it.
...See More
House Update Ideas
Q
Comments (6)
I don’t think your house looks ’dated’ but maybe could use small update to refresh. More pictures taken from different angles & closer up would help generate useful suggestions. I also don’t know about painting siding if it doesn’t need it but the color of the shutters isn’t what I would choose with the red brick. I’d favor green tone shutters - not dark hunter green but more of a sagey tone. Looking at the 2 hanging lights either side of front door - they would have more impact IMO if they hung lower & were larger. That would have a big impact on snazzing up the entry. Looks like there’s one plant pot at door - is it sitting on step? I’d have a large pot on each side of step filled with bright colors or some kind of evergreen that makes a statement. You don’t give us a clue as to location so can’t make suggestions. Are there any shrubs or plantings in yard around the house? That’s a definite area to consider adding to for updates. Need pictures to make any suggestions.
...See More
Dash2
12 years ago
Bubbled paint on the exterior may indicate water. It may indicate exterior boards that were not primed properly, allowing water to seep behind the paint, which could, in turn, allow for the siding to rot or mold.

Dealing with VA/FHA is a bear and many sellers do not want to deal with buyers getting a mortgage that way. That's most probable in a hot market and on a house that has multiple offers. An average deal can close in 30 to 60 days. VA/FHA deals can take up to 6 months because of all the nit picking.

They would not concern themselves with cosmetic faults such as the smeared spackle, unless the inspector felt it was done to distract from a physical fault.

So rest assured, it is frustrating to deal with VA but you can be confident that once they set a go date, you have a strong, solid house that you're buying.

Good luck and just be patient with the process.
Terri_PacNW
Original Author
12 years ago
It is not water damage, but it could have been rain splatter.....it was only the two east facing walls. Those are the most open and unprotected walls that house has due to the location of the houses beside it and the large old growth Douglas Firs that "protect" much of the house/yard from Southern and Western Exposure.

The bubbles in the paint were no larger than a quarter and most were smaller than a dime and oddly spattered in groups. Many were sitting over unsanded puttied areas.

We went under contract 1 month ago yesterday. We should be "signing" no later than the 30th.
jannie
12 years ago
Sorry the Va is being so nit-picky. Good luck with them, hope the sale works out.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Elegant Updates for a Traditional Dallas House

By Sarah Greenman

First-time homeowners give their 1939 house a modern refresher that still honors its original style

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Living Room Update for an 1800s New England House

By Annie Thornton

Major renovation gives owners the open, contemporary feel they love

ARCHITECTURE Personal Spaces: 10 Cool Updated Ranch Houses

By Laura Gaskill

Looking to bring your ranch-style home into the 21st century? Get inspired by what these homeowners have done

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Parisian Modern Updates for a Toronto Coach House

By Mary Jo Bowling

Iconic furniture, creative groupings and bold colors turn a short-term Canadian rental into a knockout

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Unpretentious Update for Sydney Beach House

By Monica Kovacic

A relaxing collage of bright colors and eclectic furnishings, couple's 1950s home doesn't take itself too seriously

RANCH HOMES My Houzz: Warm and Airy Kitchen Update for a 1980s Ranch House

By Caela McKeever

A dark and cramped kitchen becomes a bright and open heart of the home for two empty nesters in Central California

RANCH HOMES Houzz Tour: Industrial Updates to Classic Southwest Style

By AWH Construction

Hot-rolled steel and Caesarstone meet adobe and Mexican rugs in a Phoenix ranch house untouched since the 1950s

ECLECTIC HOMES My Houzz: Charming 1940s Home Update Is All in the Family

By Corynne Pless

Heirlooms, handmade furniture and original details take center stage in a couple’s renovated Los Angeles house

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Updating a Midcentury Aerie in the Berkeley Hills

The setting was splendid; the house, not so much. Now the two are right in line, with high quality to spare

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Barn Style Gets a Modern Update in Italy

By Greta La Rocca

Traditional architecture combines with contemporary features in a vacation house designed for indoor-outdoor living

Sponsored

More Discussions

Let's start a chain reaction game -- Part 5

104

dry eye syndrome

16

Nathan Fielder Interviews Elizabeth Holmes (Parody)

4

I'll show you mine/ysmy - Su 11/8/26

2

Smile today - 11/8/26

4