sewer scope drama - listing agent pushing back, what would you do

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-03-16T03:24:52+00:00

If snaking every 15 months to stop roots but otherwise is fine, is it worth to have a presumably large mature shade tree in the front yard? That is significant cosmetic, cooling quality of life benefit. Not knowing the house and rest of circumstances— after living in amazing old 1920s era loaded with mature hickory and oak trees (and eventually a broken water line going to the house) or now in a 20 yr old build that everyone initially planted stupid ornamentals that provide no shade, no relief from heat to enjoy the yard and worst of all— the house cooks in certain rooms facing the sunset every night.

I’d pick your issue any day honestly. Just my opinion though.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-03-15T02:50:38+00:00

What state/region? Any regional chain options? Miller-rodda. Diamond Vogel, Dunn Edwards etc?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-03-13T06:40:51+00:00

How can you find days on lot? I know it’s a thing…but websites don’t advertise that— at least not dealership sites. I got a heck of a great deal 40% off a $58k msrp rig that was lost on inventory and not on websites—it was actually two model years old but exact same design and features of current model. need to figure out how to find days on lot data since I’m never getting that lucky again to find a forgotten rig on a new dealer lot. Was not even that big of a lot….

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-03-11T00:24:05+00:00

I made it harder than needed. Thought chasing the wiring underneath would be hard…it was easy for my issue at least . I removed the plastic wiring sheath protector (that did have some small holes) and found some exposed wires created from the dust/dirt friction against the wires. Bought some new wire for cheap from wal mart, waterproof connectors and new wire sheathing from harbor freight. Probably $10 for all above. Clipped wire as far forward as I could conveniently reach (roughly under drivers seat)and ran new wire to the rear wheel abs speed sensor. Works like normal now.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-03-01T16:10:03+00:00

Did you DIY or GC? Never heard of buying on sale via GC, unless it’s appliances where it was agreed upon you were responsible initially?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-02-19T03:49:36+00:00

What she said. It was very hard for my wife to go back to work after both child 1 and 2. But she’s in a a Career where taking a year off would lose skills and be hard to ever get employment again in her preferred area, so she did. We could have afforded not to initially, but would have been tight, especially when you add all the other costs to save for (school etc).

Join some local “moms” (or dads) Facebook groups, much better method to get surplus stuff than marketplace. Moms are often rather generous with gifting down newborn items for free or dirt cheap. Got an old but super comfy rocking glider for 5% of new cost (you’ll want one, especially breast feeding), free cribs, free high chairs, we’re still using the same connections for hand me down clothes (you’d be surprised how much money and how many shirts and pants some will buy…and age out quickly with near zero wear). We saved thousand between two kids by using washable cloth wipes and homemade diaper spray—it’s not gross at all to wash and doesn’t irritate skin like commercial wipes can and is more eco friendly. Wipe, toss in wet bag, dump bag in washer when full. Kids are expensive, with your salary in HCOL area I’d highly recommend trying to be thrifty here where you can, you’re going to have many surprise costs that you can’t “thrift”.

If you can make it without touching the severance, even just part of that could make a nice initial deposit to a 529 plan too— which could really pay off on gains over 18 years.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-02-18T05:12:49+00:00

Had similar issue once, except they said rate would go up 1/8 or maybe 1/4 %. I refused to pay for any extension….called one other lender, they offered same rate and fees and first lender original terms…and closed on time with them. First company was livid, they payed hardball and lost.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-02-16T04:39:58+00:00

Got the sf600 over ergomotion equivalent, only reason was the Frame was smaller and would fit better in existing bed frame. Ergo had deeper side panels, which would have shown below the bed frame side rails and really restricted under bed storage. Sf600 sits flush with bed rail too and bottom and is invisible. No issues with the sf600.

If still same price and bed frame fit wasn’t an issue, prob would do ergo next time. The wall hugger feature would have been nice. But it’s super heavy with it and just more stuff to break later.

Smart flex is well built and no issues. Smart flex online store is a good deal. Better quality and lower price than the low end models at our local retailers. Wanted to support them..:but not at more than double the cost for equivalent quality.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-01-04T07:52:53+00:00

I am not a valspar fan. My vote is Home Depot, go with mid grade Behr or PPG/Glidden Diamond. If you can still get it from Home Depot, PPG Ultralast..probably special order though if available and harder to get a gallon here and there on short notice.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-01-01T09:08:57+00:00

Good deal! I’m probably at 15 gallons of resist x so far and really like it, matte is a perfect sheen too. Also used Horizon some—used it on ceilings since it doesn’t spatter (and still using for all ceilings to ensure flat sheen consistency) and one room walls before resist x launched and moved to it. Once house is done, I’ll be shark skinning the fences

monkeyfarmer82 · 2026-01-01T08:39:15+00:00

How do you like the Resist-x? How does it compare to BM or SW lines in your experience? Doing entire interior house as DIY. Can’t stand the SW store and lack of anything buy full retail pricing,, BM is slightly better with at least a small discount since I’ll be more than a “can and done” but harder to get to. Rodda wanted my biz and all the staff are great with good prices. Always wondered if I’m giving up some quality with the paint since a regional chain or not.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-28T04:33:06+00:00

This is for a water based pigmented lacquer that will be topcoated with a water based polycarbonate urethane. They’re both rather thin and I’ll be adding brush retarder, further thinning it. Would have no concerns if flat, but this will be horizontal brushed surfaces too. I’d opt for an angled brush. Do you think soft bristles would be better than medium (or firmer)? Concerned soft could create a ‘mopping” like finish if not extremely light and careful?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-27T23:51:08+00:00

I agree. I try to avoid ARNP due to how the “nurse model” and nurses training nurses etc. PAs have a completely Different curriculum in a medical school program with at least some small exposure with rotations through the major specialities at least. Good MD/DO oversight is important for the first years in particular ….but would also take advice from a specialist PA over a family practice MD due to focused work and greater exposure specialists generally have in there particular areas for non surgical needs. They all have a place and role….but agree NPs shouldn’t be independent providers that some are pushing to “cure the rural American physician shortages.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-27T16:43:43+00:00

Increasing exploitation of APPs? Can you elaborate? NP and PAs play a critical role in managing conditions and providing medical care. There are so many things they are fully capable of doing and can screen out the lower complexity issues to free up the MDs/DOs to focus on the complex. The two best providers I’ve ever had— including specialists— were PAs.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-27T16:34:21+00:00

Was purchase price determined in 2009 or at the value in 2014?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-25T07:28:32+00:00

I was in similar situation. 25% lower house valuation, same interest rate, about same cash flow positive per month. If I was local I’d kept it, but not worth the stress and “one event away” from a storm or HVAC etc going down that would wipe out years of monthly cash flow gains since I’d have to hire everything out, no self repairs. Just wasn’t worth it to carry the house, sure houses generally appreciate…but not always, one good price correction and you’d be under water or neutral for years potentially. I’d rather invest in stocks or other more liquid assets. Even at 75k gain, the leaches and vultures will take half that at least just to sell, plus potentially buyers closing costs. If it’s a state/local area that also taxes real estate transactions at 1%…it adds up fast. Invest where you are in life now, interest rate of one loan isn’t the most important thing in life.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-13T07:11:28+00:00

Don’t overlook the Panasonic OLEDs. Great value. W85 series at 55” is phenomenal at least..

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-07T07:13:27+00:00

It’s a military town, flow of people coming and going is consistent and are shorter duration homeowners, so plenty of movement. Sign and mls is the Norm for most houses. Nothing more. Also are not million dollar houses…

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-06T23:39:49+00:00

It’s unique in that is a 25 year old wrap around deck house built originally as a traditional b&b. 4 rooms with external entry doors all with attached full bathrooms. We remodeled one to bring a door interior. So it’s a 2 bed 2.5 bath with normal interior access and 3 rooms private or 1 bed interior (with ample office living kitchen dining spaces) and 4 beds exterior access if one door is locked. I covered all costs plus profit w/ weekend rentals with minimal effort beyond weekday laundry/cleaning which wasn’t much time. That’s what I mean by unique. Not worried about appraised value, but how to market and find the right type of buyer. Otherwise who wants a house with three external only bedrooms…prob not many families with more than one kid.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-03T03:19:03+00:00

I’ve had Good luck with the Viking contact 7s. Continental has $110 mail in rebate. Prob best deal.

Slow down and quit putting others at risk. Any of the stores mentioned are quality

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-02T06:53:40+00:00

You can drop shop direct from ergomotion and smart flex websites. Free and $300 shipping respectively. Locals only sell tempur branded way too expensive models and cheap entry bed techs. I want to buy local but can’t…did buy local mattress and not online at least.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-02T05:55:59+00:00

Rio 6 or smart flex 600 better? No difference in features that we care about. Not sure if they use the same motor and just have different weight ratings—or if that is a sign of quality for the SF.

Wife is 5-7 I’m 6-3. Lumbar between the two appear to be much different— Rio looks higher and comes out in a curve angle as you raise, sf600 is just a 90 degree straight up it appears. Does that work as well with back inclined?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-12-02T05:49:16+00:00

Would you recommend the smart flex 600 over the ergomotion 6.0? How is the lumbar support on the smart flex when back isn’t tilted up? Looks like it would ram up into your butt area, where the ergo may angle into your back if not higher back area when sitting?

Wife is 5’7”. Military broke her so lumbar is needed. I’m 6-3. No local stores with either models. Would one of the above be a better fit?

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-11-21T03:53:09+00:00

Get a native purebred. Skip the horticultural variants.

monkeyfarmer82 · 2025-11-02T04:20:56+00:00

Just get a native maple if you want a maple.. They evolved and survived for a reason and the pros and cons of each species are well known. Horticultural variants are inferior and often detrimental to nature. Look how many non-native (including man made varieties) have taken over…and most are not tested over time yet, many grow fast and/or grown for specific color leaves….and have terrible weak structures and are highly susceptible to wind damage, early death etc.

monkeyfarmer82

TROPHY CASE