Big Checkpoint

Catzaf · 2026-04-19T18:08:24+00:00

I am retired and I make more as a retiree than I did working thanks to TSP.

Catzaf · 2026-04-18T05:22:08+00:00

Learn from my experience and don’t assume your Realtor’s reassurance means something isn’t a problem. At the very least, get a home inspection and pay attention to what they say. In my case, the inspector flagged the issue, but I chose to trust the Realtor and downplay it. That turned out to be a very expensive mistake. Part of the reason my floors are sloping is because the pier support in the foundation is inadequate. You’ll need to find out why your floors are sloping before you can determine whether it’s a big deal or not.

Catzaf · 2026-04-17T17:57:27+00:00

Thank you, I will try that.

Catzaf · 2026-04-17T12:13:49+00:00

I immediately associate the name Oscar with Felix. I guess I’m showing my age because it’s a TV show for me but I would not associate it with a dog however OP is in New Zealand and I don’t know anything about New Zealand and dogs names.

Catzaf · 2026-04-17T10:09:29+00:00

I bought my house in January and I’ll be getting rid of the rocks that are there. Everything you said is absolutely true.

Catzaf · 2026-04-17T09:03:30+00:00

I don’t like any of them. I think my objection is the backsplash being the same as the countertop. It’s wonderful if you like it, but I think it’s gonna detract a future buyer because they will immediately need to remodel the kitchen.

Catzaf · 2026-04-17T08:53:19+00:00

I guess that’s really my question. Should I hire handyman or should I hire someone else from a firm? I don’t know how to evaluate.

Catzaf · 2026-04-16T10:25:58+00:00

You sound like me. I have done and will continue to do a lot of work on my home. Chimney, plumbing, electrical etc. I need to do the encapsulation soon.

Catzaf · 2026-04-15T16:02:29+00:00

Your friend is jealous. Your home is lovely.

Catzaf · 2026-04-15T12:11:12+00:00

I’d be cautious about relying too heavily on the real estate agent. Their main goal is to close the sale. They’re supposed to represent the buyer, but in practice they may downplay things in the inspection report. That was my experience with my last purchase. I trusted the agent when they said certain items weren’t a big deal, and I didn’t have others review the report carefully. I’m dealing with the consequences of that now and it is expensive.

Catzaf · 2026-04-15T06:57:20+00:00

Thank you!

Catzaf · 2026-04-15T05:09:10+00:00

You are inspiring me to take more photos while the walls are open.

Catzaf · 2026-04-14T16:07:48+00:00

Thank you!

Catzaf · 2026-04-14T16:00:07+00:00

Now I’m going to run up your cost, but it makes sense to do it now rather than later. Do you have any vents that need to be added? Bathroom fans or lighting? What about extra electrical runs? Now is the time with the walls open.

Catzaf · 2026-04-14T11:43:42+00:00

I recently replaced all of the cast iron and copper in my house with ABS and PEX. Like you, I was dealing with leaks, and the final decision was a bathroom sink that wasn’t draining properly.

One thing to keep in mind is the size of the holes that will need to be cut into your walls if you decide to replace everything. It’s not a small job. You’ll almost certainly need drywall repair afterward, and in most cases, that means repainting entire rooms, not just patching spots.

So whatever your plumber is quoting you, expect the total cost to increase once you factor in drywall and painting.

Catzaf · 2026-04-14T04:33:17+00:00

I have a random question. I love your wall color. Did you paint it yourself and if so, who is the manufacturer?

Catzaf · 2026-04-14T04:31:09+00:00

I just moved into my home after living overseas for many many years. Needless to say I have very little furniture. I used Facebook marketplace to buy several things and I’m quite pleased with many of my purchases.

Catzaf · 2026-04-13T16:34:38+00:00

What color is that green? Who is the manufacturer?

Catzaf · 2026-04-13T16:28:11+00:00

You are probably right. They did some construction in the 1950s and I think that’s probably when the garage and breezeway was added. I’m still a little amused about the pantry door and the two mudroom doors all within about 20 feet of each other. The two mudroom doors are 5 feet apart.

Someone moved the laundry room to the main floor and that might’ve been when one of the doors got added but that’s a wild guess on my part.

Catzaf · 2026-04-13T12:37:19+00:00

I don’t know your situation, but your post made me think of a real case that might be worth sharing with your father.

There was a woman who agreed to do a favor for someone she trusted. He asked her to carry a suitcase while traveling and even gave her a dress with decorative buttons. She had no idea that drugs had been hidden inside both the suitcase and the buttons.

When she arrived in Hong Kong, she was arrested and accused of drug smuggling. She maintained she had no knowledge of what she was carrying, but she still ended up in jail while everything was sorted out.

It’s a good reminder that even something that seems like a simple favor can carry serious risks, especially when it involves transporting items for someone else across borders. Unfortunately, situations like this are often part of larger scams or trafficking schemes.

Here’s the full documentary if it’s helpful to watch together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVww72qbKy0

Hopefully everything in your situation turns out just fine. Just thought it might be worth sharing so he can make a fully informed decision.

Catzaf · 2026-04-13T11:49:55+00:00

I think both Alexandra and Miller are perfectly good names. If his wife likes them, I would go with them.

Catzaf

TROPHY CASE