Al Zylstra

So, as my title indicated, things have changed so much in the last little while.  After the fiasco that was our original chance to become property owners went all askew, we sat back and took a deep breath.  We were very frustrated by the roadblocks put up by the park owners and it really soured us on looking for a place to live.

Then, we got a call from our landlords.  They were out of rent cheques.  So, Alex called them to arrange to get them a new batch.  They gently informed us that they were needing to raise our rent by $100 / month.  That was just too much for Alex and myself.  So, Alex got on the internet and contacted our real estate agent.  He asked for more listings for locations where we weren’t going to have the same problem with contracts and agreements.

Our agent sent Alex a number of new listings.  He reviewed them and narrowed our choices down to 2.  We arranged to have viewings this Saturday.  So, Saturday morning, we packed ourselves up and headed off to White Rock.  The one listed there looked great on the internet.  2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate workshop, additional room off the dining room and so much more.  When we got there, we held our breath as we ventured in.  Sadly, the place looked awful.  I commend the photographer for taking such great pics that hid all the things wrong with it.  So, we decided after 20 minutes of wandering around, it wasn’t worth the money that they wanted along with the work that we would have to put into it… On to the next one!

Our second one we looked at was around the corner from the first one we put an offer on but in a different park.  This one took our collective breath away!  It was clean, massive covered, fenced patio, concrete pavered lanai off of that, a postage sized backyard (but big enough for Nykie), a separate workshed (need some work, but, is in one piece), a huge living room with vaulted ceilings, a clean kitchen with functional appliances, separate laundry room, 2 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a large dining room with a built in buffet.  Laminate flooring throughout.  

I think we found our place!!!!  We are meeting with the owners on Wednesday to make an offer.  Keeping our fingers crossed.  

On a separate note, we had a setback with Nykie over the weekend.  He has developed a new issue called “Old Dog Syndrome”.  He has basically developed an inner ear, eye problem.  He is now suffering from vertigo, nausea and has had some challenges walking more than 10 – 20 feet.  We had him at the vet’s (not our regular one due to the nature of the emergency) on Wednesday where they thought he was, of all things: stoned on pot! So, they did a blood test, pumped him full of liquid charcoal and sent him home.  He pooped charcoal briquettes for 3 days!

On Saturday, after our viewings, we took him to our regular vet.    Alex and I talked about it prior to going there and decided that we would be strong for Nykie and do what was necessary to make sure that he wasn’t suffering. The most terrifying two hours of our lives. Our vet, Dr. Lapittre (an amazing woman!!!!!) did all the tests and hummed, hawwed and thought about his condition.  We were sure that she was going to recommend that we put him down.  AUGH!!!!

But, our fears were allayed.  She told us that MOST dogs recover to some degree from this condition and that as long as he is able to control his bowel and bladder, we shouldn’t panic. She prescribed some anti-nausea drugs and sent us home.  After we came home, we settled him in and let him sleep.  He was traumatized at the vet but, was so happy to leave there.  He went straight to sleep.  I went out to get some air and cried for what seemed forever!  I was so grateful that I didn’t have to say goodbye to him yet.

He is slowly improving each day.  He is drinking, but, not eating yet.  I am hoping that his appetite will come back shortly.  We will be hopeful.

 

Well, here we are back at, basically, square one again.  We have been struggling to stay positive about the last deal falling through.  We are exploring all of our options and while, limited, there is some glimmer of hope. Our bank is still ready to pre-approve us for a mortgage, but, they have some restrictions which are proving to be somewhat onerous.

Alex is staying positive but, I know it has been real hard on him.  I wish there was more that I could do to make this all magically work, but, alas I am no wizard and cannot conjure a magic formula that will make this all fall into place.

We will find something.  It is just a matter of when. 

Well, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished….. After weeks of negotiations, paperwork, meetings, signing documents, hunting and angst filled evenings, the moment of truth arrived. We needed the park owner to sign one last document and then we would be able to close.  

I sent the document to the park owner yesterday afternoon after receiving instructions from our financial institution.  So, guess what?  The park owner refused to sign it!  I called him numerous times yesterday to get him to cooperate and he refused.  He told me that he wouldn’t sign the document and that I should just go and get a mortgage through another bank! Was he kidding?  I asked him if he was serious and he told me he was.

So, I politely told him that I would not be doing that and unfortunately, the deal would not be proceeding.  Alex is devastated.  We spent a good chunk of money on a home inspection that we will not be able to recoup.  We put deposits on flooring and appliances that we will have to cancel.  We, fortunately, did not give notice where we are living, so we are covered there, but, the damage to us emotionally is immense.

So, back to square one again.  Alex has decided to look for a new real estate agent (not that I blame him) and we will begin the process all over again.  The fortunate part of this is that we have the financing in place, the downpayment is there and we now know what it is we need to do to find the right place for us.  

On a cheerier note, the tech rehearsal for “Barefoot in the Park” went reasonably well.  A few minor glitches but, they are already fixed.  The biggest challenge is going to be bringing on all the set pieces 1/2 way through the first act.  We need to get everything on stage in under 3 minutes.  Last night was a rousing 6 minutes!!!  AUGH!!!  So, we are getting to the theatre tonight 1/2 hour early to practice bringing on all the furniture.  Oh, my back!

So, how was your day?

 

Well, we passed three more major hurdles yesterday:  Home Inspection went amazingly well. We were fortunate to have West Coast Home Inspection Services come and do the inspection.  Kudos to Arne Larson for doing a thorough and accurate assessment of our soon-to-be home.  There were a few small, minor issues that Alex and I can deal with when we have the time and funds.  Nothing untowards that would prevent the deal from progrssing – WHEW!!!!

The inspection took over 3 1/2 hours and was worth every nail-biting minute.  We discovered some good things and some not so good, but, the not so good are all fixable and not very expensive.  Hooray!

Right after the inspection, we ran to the bank to meet with our mortgage specialist who got the rest of our documentation together to send of to the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Commission) for their rubber stamp of approval.  Another nail-biter.  One can never be sure that bureaucracy will ever work in your favour.  This day, it did.  They approved our mortgage!  

We then scored BIG TIME!  We found a great washer and dryer through Handy Appliances.  Alex is in love with them!  For the price of the Dryer, we got both pieces!  They are holding them until the end of the month and then will deliver them to us!  Hooray!  No more waiting in line to wash our clothes.  No more needing change!  No more having to share the facilities with 20 other families.  

Today, is the appraisal for the bank and then a copy of the pad lease agreement to be sent to the bank.  Then insurance.  Then off to a Public Notary.

If all goes well, conditions are to come off on Saturday, closing on Tuesday and then we get the keys next Thursday…..

On top of all this, my latest theatre project: “Barefoot in the Park” opens this weekend at the Metro.  Someday, I may be able to get some sleep again…..

 

 

Well, we met with the owners of the park that we are looking to move into.  What was supposed to take less than an hour wound up taking 2 1/2 hours!  We went over the agreement with a fine toothed comb.  We discussed all of the options, rules and regulations with the owners.  After that, we got in our respective vehicles and drove over to the park.  Alex had so many questions about what we could or could not do.  The easiest thing was for the owners to show us what was permissable.  We learned a lot about the land our potential home sits on.

We will, when time permits, create some very enjoyable outdoor spaces on our lot.  We have envisioned a patio with planters, relaxing seating and our barbecue.  Alex is looking at creating planting beds with exotic flora.  We have also set aside space for a nice sized greenhouse where Alex and I can indulge in growing orchids and other exotic plants.

Tomorrow is the home inspection.  Somewhat anxious about it, but, I know that it will go well.  I feel it in my bones.

On a separate note, this is also “Tech Week” for my latest production:  Barefoot in the Park.  I am out every night getting the stage set up, getting the costumes coordinated, setting lighting and sound cues and gettin my actors comfortable on stage.  We open this Friday.  Wow!  It is amazing how quickly things move, isn’t it?

 

Well, here it is.  My latest endeavour.  Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park”:

Director Don Briard is busy putting the finishing touches on Barefoot in the Park, the beloved Neil Simon comedy which is as funny today as it was when it first opened on Broadway in 1963

In the show, Corrie Bratter (Amy Rhead) and Paul Bratter (Albert Nassrallah) are newly wed. For their first home, they live in an apartment on the top floor of a Brownstone in New York City. During the course of four days, the couple learn to live as a “couple” while facing the usual daily ups-and-downs. Corrie wants Paul to become more easy-going, to, for example, run “barefoot in the park.” Unfortunately Paul is not the free spirit his bride is, in face he could be described as downright stuffy.

A meddling mother-in-law (Sabrina Prada) and eccentric neighbour (Chris Dellinger) help to complicate things, while trying to help.

Barefoot in the Park will preview on Jan 11, and run through Feb 9.  You can order tickets through the Metro Theatre Box Office.  Check out their site:  www.metrotheatre.com

 

Well, we survived the Christmas Holiday and New Year’s.  Very quiet events for us this year.  We have been saving like crazy to get our potential move ready.  We are that much closer to having our home realized.  We are meeting with the owner of the park on Saturday to discuss our application to move there.  Alex talked to him on the phone last week to set up a time to meet.  The only thing that they will want to discuss is Nykie.  I am confident though, that Nykie will pass muster.  Alex explained Nykie’s history and really stressed his age (15 years on Christmas Day) and that he is never off leash and is considered a small-ish breed.  The owner seemed to be unconcerned about him and that is a huge relief, ‘cuz we ain’t going anywhere without him.

Once we get that done, we then have the home inspection next week and once that is completed, it is a matter for the bank to review everything and set up the closing.  Hooray!

If all goes well, we will close on the 15th and take possession on the 17th.  Then, the real work begins.  I am commited to working on two plays in January – March.  So, most of my evenings will be booked.  Alex will be packing furiously and each day we will move boxes and then sometime in mid-February, we will do the big move.  *shudder*

But, once we move, life will be that much more exciting for us.  Alex will have a small yard to putter in as well as a good sized home to decorate, renovate and make ours.  I can hardly wait.

Well, yesterday was a momentous day for us.  We have been working quite hard for the last while to get a place of our own.  We started talking about it earlier this year but didn’t begin in earnest until after our vacation in Nova Scotia (more about that at my year end round up).  When we got home, we began socking away every spare cent we could and began to explore our options.

Qualifying for a mortgage was no mean feat, but, we did manage.  We were pre-approved for a reasonable sum of money and began our search.  Alex spent every waking moment in front of the computer pouring over listings, searching for options and narrowing down the fields.  We wanted 2 -3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a yard for Nykie (getting a place for him to be able to sit outside in peace was #1 priority for both of us).

We found a real estate agent who also helped us further narrow our search.  An in early October, we began.  We spent weekends going to viewings, asking questions and crunching numbers.

Eventually, we came upon a hidden gem.  The property is in Surrey and after our initial view (which was not favourable by any stretch of the imagination) we talked about it.  And talked about it.  And discussed it.  Debated it. And then when all was said and done, we talked some more.  We arranged for a second viewing and spent close to two hours there, poking around, taking pictures, measurements and generally snooping.  It was definitely a diamond in the rough.  We went home feeling confident that we found the right place.

We then began to put together our plan:

1) Secure downpayment – Check

2) Secure financing – Check

3) Put together offer – Check

4) Make offer – Check

On Sunday, December 23 at 1:00 pm, we met with our realtor, put the offer in and by 1:45 pm, the offer was accepted with all our conditions attached.  YIPPEE!!!  We are on cloud 9.  Couldn’t sleep a wink last night because I was planning on all the things that need to be done:  carpets out, new flooring in, new paint, wall coverings, arranging for utilities, AUGH!!! MOVING!!!!!!.  Gawd, I hate moving.  Trying to decide if we ask friends or hire movers… Decisions, decisions, decisions….

To make matters more entertaining, I am in the middle of 2 (count ’em TWO) plays and won’t be finished until the middle of March…. Sheesh!  What the heck was I thinking?

Then, there is the whole matter of packing everything.  Major purge is being planned.  Will be posting a variety of knick knacks, curious, bric a brac and various sundry items that we don’t want to take with us.  So, people…. be prepared for a deluge of items we want to find homes for…..

in the meantime, a few pics of our new home.  Enjoy.

Al

ps:  Hope you have an amazing holiday.  I know we will.  Best friends Angela, Roy and Bonnie are gracing us with their presence (but no presents) on Christmas Day….

My first post.  Wow!  I have been pondering the advantages of setting up my own blog and this time of year always gets me nostalgic.  I used to spend a fortune sending out Christmas Cards to all my friends and family.  Then in time, I started to wean myself off of those.  The cost involved, the time to source out the perfect card and then to not get one in return.  *sigh*

So, then I started creating an email which I would send out to as many of my friends as I could.  Again, rather time intensive and trying to jam an entire year into one page is often an exercise in frustration.  Then one day it hit me… I can just do a blog and let everyone read what is going on in my life.

So, here it begins….