Before you go to small claims or lawyer (I'm not one, by the way, am a LL), I'd suggest a trip to the local police department. In some jurisdictions, a person who has stayed/occupied a residence for a length of time (as little as a few weeks) is viewed as being a resident there. (That's why I stipulate on my leases who will occupy, and I name names, and take a few other measures. In the past I had people allow others to stay with them for a month or even longer. If roomie decides they don't want to leave, I could well be facing eviction as the only means to get them out - on someone who's not even on my lease.) Wait - I see you can't get a police escort. Why? Did they give you a reason?

Louislinus - first of all, I understand you are upset with the buyer about not releasing the inspection contingency. However, you did sign a contract that did not specify a deadline. So my understanding is that your buyer has not done anything wrong. You just don't like the contract you signed. As for the appraisal - has the buyer agreed to pay $25k over appraisal? She may have been pre- aproved for a mortgage. But unless she is willing to put up that $25k in addition to her 20%, she won't be getting a mortgage. I'm not sure why the bank will listen to you - you are the seller and the bank only has a relationship with the buyer. Appraisals do take into consideration differences in lot sizes. No 2 houses are identical. So a appraisers make adjustments for things like lot size, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, how busy a street is. When we've had our house appraised, even though we are the largest lot in our subdivision, lot size barely matters. Unless you have a big enough lot with enough frontage for 2 homes, you are just valued at 1 build able lot. And the fact that your house appraised for $15k less than 5 years ago also is irrelevant. It is based on what current homes are selling for NOW. What you paid 5 years ago and how many improvements you made have no bearing on what your house appraises for today. I hope things work out for you in the end. But between the roof issues, basement issues, and appraisal issues, I have a feeling this sale may not be going through.

Thanks for all your kind words everyone. Mattie I'd like to say you can drop your DH off anytime when you need a break, but I really don't think it's my place to make that decision so just check with BM ok? ;-) I checked for the Alanon but there's none in our town, only 2 hours drive away. FDH has kept the message that BM sent, in case we need it later on. I've talked to FDH about trying to get the court order changed and ask for full custody, to make it official. He thinks it's better to wait and see if SD is actually going to stay with us first. The most important thing is that she's with us now. He's not that worried about the custody issue because he really doesn't believe it makes any difference. Even if we were to get it, nothing stops the kids from going back to BM's when they choose to do so. They're old enough to make that decision. Even when they were only 10 and 12 the court already determined the girls should be able to choose where they want to stay, hence the flexible order. Also, trying to force SD13 to come live with us will not work, she would NOT come and stay with us. At least now she's coming EOW which is better then nothing. SD14 has figured out what is what, we are hoping SD13 will do the same. Forcing the issue will push her away, but being supportive will hopefully draw her closer. So SD13 is still with BM, she's feeling the pressure now and recently tweeted that she feels she can't do anything right. Of course she hasn't been going to school again this week. We are still waiting for a reply from the principle to FDH's letter. This Friday it will be 2 weeks since he got it (I would expect a response within 2 weeks, that's reasonable right?). I guess FDH will have to ring him and follow up if he doesn't get a response. SD14 has been adjusting really well at our place. She's in a routine now and it's only been 2 weeks, I'm so proud of her. She goes to school, she does a couple of shifts every week at the Fast Food Place, she's going to bed on time, she gets up early, eats breakfast now (that was a hard one :-) and she's started doing her homework, even without us telling her to do so! Wow, that's so impressive isn't it?! She's missing her mum and siblings, but she's also still angry at mum for kicking her out (BM really lost it that day and did some nasty things to SD). She would like to go back but she wants her mum to call her first. This will be a long wait. BM will never call her first, she CANNOT ring. She's already given SD13 a note to give to SD14 at school, but the note only said something about a message that SD's boss left with BM and "I love you sweetheart". This is BM's way of saying "Please come home and I'm sorry" but without saying it of course. And SD knows it and doesn't think it's good enough. She really wants her mum to call her so they can talk about it. But BM cannot talk about things, only deny and pretend it's all good again, till next time.. So I'm not sure what will happen next, but I think it's what JNM said: "I wouldn't be surprised if this has blown over in a week and nothing more is said. Then in 6 months it will happen again. Lather, rinse, repeat." We have had a few conversations with SD14 to get her to think about making a decision for herself, for her own good. To live with us and spend f.e. weekends at BM, so she can stay in a routine. Instead of going back and forth like she has been. We try not to pressure her, but at the same time we do not plan on becoming the 'dumping ground' either. I'm thinking SD14 will make the right decision.

Thanks for your kind words and for looking! I think I always have a cactus spine stuck in me some where--sometimes in very strange places! My 'Charlemagne's' are budded up and waiting for who knows what to bloom! I was hoping the Blue Moon was going to have a positive effect :-)