Done Deal

So we closed on our house today. I thought I'd be way more excited, but for some reason I'm indifferent. Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet. OR maybe it's because the sellers were horrible and we just about walked away from the whole thing. I think that's what it is.

Man, it was bad. As you know, one of the conditions of the contract was the repairs to the crack in the foundation. The sellers tried and failed twice to fix it. We asked that they put aside money in escrow to allow us to get it done properly. We requested a rather high figure to ensure that we wouldn't have to fork out any extra money. They low-balled us and wouldn't budge. The guy kept saying that he wasn't going to give us his "open check book." He kept twisting it around and trying to blame us. Then the wanted to push back settlement. We left the room to make some phone calls and talk with our main man Phil Geising. We weren't interested in pushing back settlement any farther. As far as I was concerned, I was ready to walk right then and there. I wanted nothing more to do with the guy. As we were talking, the title guy came out and said that the sellers were ready to walk unless we came to some sort of agreement. Now let me explain once again that WE were ready to settle today. We had done everything that was required of us in the contract. THE SELLERS on the other hand failed to meet the requirements they agreed to in the contract, and THEY were ready to walk. We would have said, "Ok." and walked if they didn't quickly offer $3000 cash-no escrow-just in our pocket today and we'd be done. I think they threatened to walk to pressure us into taking their low-ball deal. What they probably weren't expecting was us to just say ok. In the end, we took their money and made the deal.

As we waited for all the paperwork and financing stuff, the realtors and sellers chit-chatted. (Scott and I kept our mouths shut!) The more the guy talked the more irritated I got with him and the whole situation. He bragged about his FOUR, count 'em FOUR vacation homes, a 500+ acre ranch in WY, a house on the beach in Ocean City, a house in VA and another on the beach in FL. He just happened to mention that he just bought a 1967 Mustang convertible and a Harley. He owns so many properties across the country he said, and I quote, "my wife doesn't even know about some of them. He owns a number of businesses including a roofing business, real estate, and contractor-ing. Now let me ask you this...WHAT WAS HE MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL OVER $2000 FOR IF HE IS THAT LOADED!?!?!?! I just don't understand people like that. They need power and money and more power. I'm unimpressed by both. We were ready to walk away from this deal, because we are confident that God has and will continue to provide for us. We put our trust and our lives in His abundantly capable hands. The sellers threatened to walk as a way to manipulate the situation. Money brings power and this guy is used to getting what he wants. We would have let them walk. His manipulation would have only served to make him lose a couple hundred thousand dollars.

Anyway, that's why I'm not shouting and dancing with glee. My spirit is grieved over the situation and this guy. He has everything this world could offer him, but when he dies, it's gone and he'll spend an eternity wishing he had what we have. So I have been praying for him and his wife all day. Tomorrow is a brand new day and a fresh start. My joy comes in the morning. I am going to dance tomorrow... and buy some paint.