So what happened???

After our recent appraisal we immediately set to work trying to finish any other problems that may stand against the house being deemed "livable" in the eyes of the bank. 

The Gas Meter
We immediately called the plumber who came and did a test on the gas line.  Then the inspector came and inspected the gas line.  Then the Gas company came and installed the Gas Meter and turned on the gas.

Problem #1-Check

The Hot Water Tank
We decided to rent.  This poses it's own problems over the next two years (mainly that we can't breach our contract or it will cost us an additional $150 and therefore we can't take out the chimney which it's venting into ...which falls right in the spot the new shower will be going in the downstairs bath AND where the door will go in the upstairs bedroom).  Anyhow, we got the Hot water tank and it's all hooked up and running.

Problem #2-Check

The Back Entrance/Stairs
Shaun and his friend "Uncle Bob" came over the weekend and built the stairs.  Pretty good job for waterproofers, no?  Shaun also bricked up the holes in the chimney, so the hot water tank could be hooked up the following day.

 

Problem #3-Check

This information was forwarded to the appraiser BEFORE he submitted his appraisal/report so that he could include the photos, inspection reports and permits if needed... he never submitted/included them into his report, but rather left them out and said that the house was still considered unlivable because of these conditions.

This information was ALSO sent to the bank before they even recieved the appraisal report, so that they could see these issues had been addressed already when they recieved his paperwork.

I recieved a phone call yesterday on my birthday from the bank stating that the appraiser had also found a couple lines in our deed that caused him some concern and recommended the bank take note of it.

It says: "Grantee agrees to rehabilitate the Property as a residential dwelling in conformance with existing zoning restrictions in the City, or consistent with any vested zoning rights the property may have, within twelve (12) months from the date of recording of this Deed as evidenced by the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Inspectional Services Department of the City of New Bedford or other demonstrated occupancy acceptable to the Grantor.  In the event that the Grantee fails to subtantioally complete rehabilitation withing the above (12) mont period, then, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Grantee, the Premises shall revert to the Grantor."

Blah Blah Blah... it goes on.  I actually brought this up to the city 5 months ago right after we had purchased the property and was told not to worry about it.

It essentially means we have a year to complete the work on the home and get an "Occupancy Permit" or the property returns to the city.

After Mr. Appraisor pointed this out, It caused MAJOR red flags for the bank (thanks for pointing that out Mr. Appraisor, we appreciate it) and they were concerned that if we lost the house within the next 7 months (we've been trying to get a loan to fix the roof, windows and siding for 5 months) it would go to the city instead of the bank and the bank would lose their money... too risky for them.

SOoooo... I spent the entire day today at city hall trying to either get this part of the deed amended, or obtain an occupancy permit.

Essentially what it all comes down to is that ...I don't even NEED an occupancy permit because the house is already "livable", so they won't give me one.  They only give occupancy permits if the house is ripped apart and upon being put back together, the city approves that it's again able to be lived in. 

We don't need one.  It's like saying,

"Can I have a plumbing permit for plumbing that's already there?"
"But you don't need a plumbing permit ...because it's already "plumbed"!" 
"But can I have one anyway because the bank needs this piece of paper" 
"We can't give you something you don't need"  ..."Go see so and so instead and talk to them about it" 
(ALL... DAY... LOooooooNG...)

I eventually ended up in tears in the city solicitors office *Pregnancy Hormones on Overdrive*...

...because I felt like this!

Ava (aka cutest baby ever) sat on the counter and pulled kleenex tissues from the nearby box and handed them to me making her "sniff face".  It's hard to stay sad around such cuteness.

My friend in there said, "Hold on a second, I'll be right back."  He already KNEW how frustrating this had been for us, He already KNEW what the house looked like before we got it and He already KNEW the work we'd done on it up till that point.  He quickly wrote letter to act as an addendum to the deed, essentially waiving that clause completely, making it null and void and noting that we had already complied with all necessary obligations to make the house "livable" and our agreement complete.

Victory right??? 

 

*deep sigh* Finally all Four remaining issues had been taken care of and documented for the bank to see plain and clear *pheww*

As I walked out to my car with baby in one hand and paper addendum in the other I felt reassured.  What more could they want, right?

At that moment my phone rang.  It was my hubby checking in.  I picked up,

"Hi, Honey, I just got a phone call from the bank" he said.

...They rejected the loan"

WHAT???  But they didn't even LOOK at anything I'd sent over!  I called the woman back to explain that we had taken care of everything.  It didn't matter. 

They needed an "Occupancy Permit". 

If we couldn't get this piece of documentation (even though we don't need it and have every other possible piece of documentation saying the home is "livable") they wouldn't even consider it, because evidently without it, the house isn't considered "livable".  After this conversation I felt like THIS...

*Ugh*  5 months work ...down the drain...

 

 

In the midst of all this frustration, I'm honestly not sure what our next step is, but I do keep reflecting on how we entrusted this whole situation to Our Lady and Our Lord.  We have to continue to trust when we are being tested, that they are watching this whole situation.  If doors are being shut when we try to open them and we are doing everything possible to move forward, we have to trust that He sees something we don't and we are being "steered" in a different direction.  Back to prayer and common sense to try to figure out what our next step will be.  Please continue to pray for us and that we continue to trust.