The area rugs are to keep the noise level down for the people below you. From my experience, it's a good rule to have. Even if 60% of the hardwood floor is covered, you still have 40% of the floor as bare wood, and that's a significant amount--you'd be surprised at how much square footage that will be. Mind you, when I was growing up, nearly every house had hardwood floors, with area rugs over them. Wall to wall carpeting was just being introduced and many people didn't like it. Area rugs over wood is a classic look. You may also find that wood floors can create a very "echo-y" room, and that the area rugs help with noise inside your unit. Bottom line, if you want wood floors, you'll need to get area rugs. If you feel that you can't justify the expense of wood floors, then just replace the existing carpeting. Your other options are to sell this unit and buy someplace where you can have bare hardwood floors, or work to get this rule changed where you are (and if I lived in your building, I'd resist that change, as I think this is a good rule for shared housing). You should have been able to read the by-laws before making an offer on the place. If you were not given access to the by-laws, then you might have a legal case here. But this would mean checking the laws of your state very carefully (most states require that the by-laws be made available to prospective buyers) and you'd probably need a lawyer. And if the by-laws were available and you just didn't read the fine print, then you wouldn't have a case.

I gave it time to balance, but the flow is just very weak to the downstairs vents. I am sure the damper controls the output not the input. I can tell a difference in the output when I change damper but not a huge difference. I am afraid it is either the damper is not working right, or since the the ductwork is so short to the upstairs output vents the upstairs always gets way more flow no matter the damper position. Comfort is fine in the summer with the AC on. Nice and cool upstairs. There is no door between up and down. What I was thinking of doing is move thermostat for HVAC upstairs and get a thermostat for my ventless fireplace which is downstairs? What do you think?

Why would it being banked owned make it more? I did some internet searching. Seems 1-3% is the norm in Chicago area unless it's a hot property with a lot of interest. This one is not. I've given his RE agent letter from Citigroup stating he is good for the money/loan pre-approved. I'm hoping he misunderstood and she meant 5K, not 5%. That's the norm for here. I've emailed her tonight...maybe she'll get in the morning. If not, I'll call her before she heads out to meet him. Asking for her to email or fax me contract to look over also, before he signs. Thanks for your quick response.

Tricia, since you know the area, you probably know where the University Towne Center mall is~her condo is not too far from there. It's not in LaJolla per se(no LaJolla Zip)but in the Golden Triangle. It's not all good, as there is a huge apartments complex under construction, as well as several tall office builings. It has also been desinated as a pontential site for a new airport~not good! If she is going to sell, i've told her it should be within the next year. The area is taking a 'bad rap' with all the new construction~shades of L.A. If you'll be 'home' again, I would love to meet you! I'm hoping to make my move to TX ASAP, but probably not until Sept.(keeping my fingers crossed!) ....and I need to ask~why didn't you stay at the the Valencia? LOL Never mind, you don't need to answer that!! ;o) patty_cakes(Trish, too!!)