Update...kinda

We got the counter offer/addendums yesterday. Eh.

Here's the deal:

1) $1000 earnest money. No biggie. We expected $500 or $1000. Done. (As a bonus, we got our tax money this week, which is what covers all of our closing costs.)

2) They won't pay for the termite inspection. Ok, not happy, but we can do this. We found a home inspector that includes the termite inspection for $300...which is what we were expecting for just the home inspection anyway. Ok. We'll take that.

3) The Biggie: 20% down. Um, sphinctersayswhat? Why do the sellers (granted, it's a bank) CARE what we put down. We are not financing it with them. It's none of their business. They will get a check for the full amount (minus our closing costs, which they did agree to) either way. We *think* that the person doing the contract was new, didn't know what she was doing, and thought we were financing with them. If, for SOME reason, they decide to stick with this, it's a deal breaker. We won't...can't...do 20%. But our real estate agent and mortgage broker have BOTH said that they can't insist on that, and it should get changed. We will see. I'm optimistic, but cautious.

Sort of. Did I mention I have a shopping list going? And I look at the pictures all day and plan out furniture arrangements and decorating schemes? Yeah. I'm a bit obsessed. LOL!

We did, however, submit our earnest money this morning, with our counter-counter offer. Basically, the same thing. They did try to change our closing date from March 3 to Feb 23 as well. I'd prefer March (because then our first payment is due in May), but can deal with Feb (first payment in April). And we tried to put it back to March in our offer. We will see what happens. I'm just ready for step 2: either moving forward on this one and the inspection, or starting over (please, don't let me have to start over!).

Oh...and one awesome piece of news: So, the taxes were listed as Fulton County at $1500 a year. Ugh, but ok...the house is cheap. Even with that, it's still only $600 a month payment. But those were 2006 taxes, so we looked into it. As it turns out, it's City of Palmetto that we owe, not Fulton County. And we owe $406 a year. Not $1500. Dropping our payment almost $100 a month. SCORE! Also, $50 will get the electric and water set up for the inspection, and count toward the $200 to get them turned on when we move in...and all are paid to the city: electric, water, sewer and trash. Cool. I think. At least it's only 1 bill for all of it.

So, I think that is all of our news so far. Will update more as we hear more.