This report covers June 7, 2000, Day 3 of our Las Vegas/Henderson trip.
The big day, when we would close escrow and officially become the owners of our Nevada home.
At 10 a.m. we arrived at the property, where we were joined by a Del Webb quality assurance representative, Lynn Kehres, and the construction superintendent, Jeff Alworth. Their job was to take us through the home step by step, explaining the basic operation of the appliances, heating, cooling and water systems, electrical features, garage door, etc.
This was also the time to identify problems and items requiring attention and correction. Most people who have been through this process will tell you that it is good practice to use a "punch list," sort of a check-off list that serves as a reference to assure that all aspects of the construction have been carried out to satisfaction. A complete punch list will address topics such as grading, painting, exterior trim, window operation, integrity of floors, plumbing, etc.
Using the Internet to help plan for the walk-through, I came across an excellent Canadian Web site. Sponsored by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, the site explains the elements of a new-home inspection and lists about 50 items that should be inspected. I recommend this site to anyone who has a walk-through coming up or wants to learn more about the process.
http://www.newhome.on.ca/consumers/boughtnewhome/newhomeinspection/pdi.html
The quality assurance representative is a Del Webb employee, but it seemed to us that Lynn was functioning effectively as a buyer's agent who was looking out for us more than looking out for her employer. We learned that she had done a preliminary walk-through earlier in the week, finding a number of minor problems that she had ordered corrected. These included areas that needed repainting; several crooked electrical plates; a chipped chandelier; and several other things.
In spite of Lynn's intercession, quite a few problems remained to be corrected. The wrong-size sink had been ordered for the laundry room, so we found a countertop where the sink belongs. All three bathrooms were supposed to have sliding-glass tub and shower enclosures, but one had been incorrectly fitted for a curtain. The wood facing on a kitchen cabinet is chipped enough to require replacement. To assure that these problems would not go uncorrected, Lynn filled out a special form spelling out each item, and we all initialed the form.
Two hours had been allocated for the walk-through, but we needed an extra half-hour so that Lynn could instruct us on the procedures to follow in closing up the house for our return to Massachusetts pending our permanent move to Henderson in a couple of months. Just to give you an idea of the things we discussed, one of the recommendations is to cover the tops of the toilet bowls with plastic wrap so the water in them doesn't evaporate and compromise the system while we are away.
An important document we received from Lynn is a detailed list of the steps we must take to convert all household services and utilities from Del Webb Corporation's name to ours. The developer gives buyers four business days to accomplish this, so for the first few days, at least, our cooling, electricity and water are on them.
After the walk-through, it was time to visit the offices of First American Title Company to close escrow, a procedure roughly equivalent to what many of us might call "passing papers." We had originally planned to buy the house for cash, but decided to take out a mortgage in order to keep more of our money invested; it was this decision that brought us to the closing with the title company.
The closing was a one-hour process, with many documents to sign or initial. I have represented many homebuyers and sellers at closings over the years, and the title officer was definitely happy that I could spare her the trouble of explaining each document to Rosalyn.
What was that about the best-laid plans of mice and men? Right up to the weekend
before our departure for Las Vegas, I had been in constant touch with the title
company to verify the amount we were to bring them in the form of a cashier's
check for our remaining share of the purchase price. In fact, we were assured
that the "final" amount we were told to bring would create enough
of a comfort margin for First American Title to cut us back a check for about
$500. But now, as part of the closing, the title officer asked us for a check
that was more than $1,000 above the amount we had been told would be required.
After reviewing the history
of my dealings with them, I said they could have the difference in the form
of a personal check, which they accepted as I expected they would.
After a quick lunch at Rubio's Baja Grill on Eastern, we drove up to the Sun City Anthem sales pavilion, where our "homeowner coordinator" gave us several sets of house keys and some instructional information for new homeowners.
We've signed the papers!! We've got the keys!! We are locals, at least until we go back to MA for a while next week!
While driving around and shopping for the house, we stopped at Trader Joe's on Sunset to feed an addiction that Roz and I share: wasabi peas. Trader Joe's sells these bags of dried sweet peas that have a coating of wasabi, the potent Japanese horseradish. Most of us wouldn't swill down too much wasabi at one time unless we had a death wish, but the peas have just enough of a wasabi coating to give a pleasant buzz in the mouth without sending you out of the room screaming. If you like wasabi, Trader Joe's wasabi peas make a delightful snack.
We needed a TV for our upcoming cable installation and a phone for our Sprint telephone service, so we bought one of each at Circuit City and Office Max, respectively.
On-liners with a passion for Las Vegas may recognize the name of Joe Copeland, who these days is an active participant in the Vegas mailing list on egroups. Joe has been a wonderful supporter of Shade Tree Shelter via large purchases of calendars and lapel pins, along with other nice gestures he has made. A resident of San Antonio, Joe will be retiring to Las Vegas in the months ahead, and with great anticipation we ended our day by joining him for dinner.
Joe's daughter Cristina is a waitress at the Tony Roma's restaurant in the Best of the West shopping plaza on Rainbow in the Northwest area, and that is where we met for dinner. Joe is a classy gentleman, and we found we have much in common as we conversed while dining on onion rings, steak, ribs and grilled shrimp.
Thanks to Joe for a wonderful couple of hours!
Finally, it was back to Sunset Station for our final night before moving into our new home.
And so ended Day 3.
Best from David and Roz in Las Vegas/Henderson.
