Thanks for the input so far. Brent - interestingly, nothing is "invasive" in Indiana - but I wouldn't have known that without your post prompting me to check. It was a good though. bhrost - We're the last house in a subdivision that was made out of farmland - so there is unfortunately NOTHING that's native. A surprising number of people have used grasses that I associate with the sea/great lakes - which are hundreds of miles away. saypoint - While our cart isn't before the horse, it's probably next to it more than it should be (?). We do have a complete landscape design, including where the walks are, the driveway, etc. We've also planned for landscape lighting, although the final lighting won't be decided until all the landscaping is planned. I only included the front yard in my message, as I thought the message was too long as it was. As far as your other comments - one of my initial thoughts in looking at the plan was that the shade trees aren't in the right place in the back yard, and I'll work with the designer on that. In addition, from what I can tell/know, the back isn't unified with the front as much as I'd like - so thanks for confirming that it should be. Other thougths always welcome! Emily

there is corn in the pic above??? .. perhaps you loaded the wrong pic??? ... i have a weed called dock that looks like that ... aphids can be sprayed off with plain water ... if you want to go wholly organic.. do not be upset with a little leaf damage ... the pic above.. isnt all that bad.. if it has stopped.. and you figure that out.. by watching newly emerging leaves.. and whether they are damaged .. if not.. then your first cure worked ... you have to understand.. that spraying.. curing.. is not going to make the holes disappear.. and you have to figure out if one cure worked.. before you go piling them on.. as to the first pic.. i would be looking for small caterpillers/worms.. on the reverse.. of the exact same color as the plant .. they are after all.. what they eat ... see link ... if you find them.. squish them and be done with it ... no need for sprays etc ... lift them out with a stick.. and put them on the ground.. and squish them.. the brave do it with their fingers.. [and keep looking for them, if the new growth is munched on] and realize.. aphids are suckers.. they are not chewers .. so you need to zoom in on what your damage is.. rather than some particular bug ... ken ps: the bird could have beat you to the luscious worm ... after all.. they are what they eat.. lol ... Here is a link that might be useful: link

I never knew there was a suggestion forum before, but on this thread - linked from suggestion forum, someone gave a tip to get rid of the symbols. Worked for me. Link to thread for odd symbols Here's what I did with the room. I moved the loveseat parallel and centered with the fireplace. But the room is really too narrow and there was just a narrow gap on each side. So I angled it and squared up the chair to it, and I think I like it. Both chair & loveseat face the kitchen, and I have room to add another chair later. And I moved the little table behind the loveseat. I put a couple of ducks on it for now. Don't look too closely please; they're dusty. I've never had a sofa table before and have no idea what to put there. There wasn't enough room to put one of the wall unit pieces beside the loveseat, so I moved one where the little table was, and moved the other two to the other side. There wasn't enough room for the two to be side by side. I tried and it didn't look good, plus it covered the light switch. So I put them together in the corner. It looks ok, but it has the dreaded empty hole in the corner. I put the plant stand beside it for now, but that is the spot where another chair could be placed I think. For now, I put the bench and table against the wall that will be cut out. Now I need to hang these two pictures on the wall before something happens to them. I also have a bunch of extra pictures hung on the wall in the garage too. I'll photograph them in a few minutes. I am really horrible at accessorizing. Any suggestions anyone wants to make about pictures or any other accessories is most appreciated. I go years without being able to decide where to hang a picture, much less what to place on a shelf or table. And any idea for curtain color or fabric is also welcome.

mariend, I'm definitely going to have the house inspected, wasn't planning on a structual engineer, but maybe the home inspector I go with will tell me if he thinks it's needed - I think, from the looks of what I saw (not that I really know anything) beams look fine. Wouldn't title insurance protect me from any liens the previous owner has outstanding? Will definitely ask the realtor all these questions tomorrow - for sure I want to protect myself! Why not turn on the electric if the listing agent says it's okay?? Why from the looks of it wouldn't you purchase a house if you got it at a steal?? linda117- not sure what offers have gone in on that house, if any. The area is gorgeous, and this is probably the worse looking house in that area, even after it would be spruced up. The house isn't exactly what I want, but the area is. Seems I have to make some adjustments of what I want, especially if the price is good. I can make the offer, they can reject it, and who knows, if nothing else comes in in time, they may just call me back. One thing that's good - I'm in no hurry. I've been looking for a longggggg time, and time is definitely on my side. ncrealestateguy - thanks for the info - I love NC! The FMV that's listed as public records through the county is around $158k I think, something around that area. Is this the FMV you refer to, the one from the county? So, given your info, you'd say $78K would be a good offer to start, or to go up to? If you put in an offer through the REA, do banks counteroffer? I was thinking if I put in an offer to go $74,990 and see where it goes from there. If I have to only put in $50K in improvements, it would be a nice deal, but if I need to put more, I'd much rather try and get a house without so many problems and work that needs to be done. It's the neighborhood that's the keypoint, not the house (definitely not the pool that I really don't want either) I really appreciate the time and help! carol, I expect to pay for the inspections and I'd have to do it quick as I'm going back home in a week and a half, so this would be quick. I don't know how long the bank will drag their heels with giving me any type of answer though, if it's after I leave, then it won't be so quick - I can't come back til mid August at the earliest due to a family wedding and people coming in and staying with us. That's been one of the hard things about finding a house in another state - not only am I not here, but finding a house with the critieria I'd like is hard - which is why I'm bending a bit with this house - not exactly what I want, but if I can get it at a steal, I'll go for it. What I forgot to mention that I found about the previous sales was the first time it shows the amount due was about $154k and the second time, this past March, it was $150K Again, not sure if this means anything or would have anything to do with what the bank may sell it for. I'll be going back tomorrow morning for another look, more pictures and more measuring. I'm also meeting a guy I met that knows construction for his opinion. Lucky to find this guy - he only lives 1 mile from the house. At least I'll have some insight to what needs to be done, at least what he knows. He doesn't do electrical, and some other things but at least I can get some information about what he thinks it may cost to do what he knows how to do. If it's meant to be, it will - I'm a firm believer in this. I won't be upset if the bank doesn't take the offer I give, I'll just keep looking. Thanks again to all who replied. I'm definitely interested to hearing more from anyone who'd like to give me their 2 cents. I've learned quite a bit just reading these forums!! THANKS!!!!