NEFilk / Contata

I typed most of this on the computer in two sessions and the post button never posted it, for some reason. Then I added to it and still no go. So now I'm on my phone and this will be in 3 parts.

MONDAY:

I got the results back from my appraisal this morning, and also got a call from my reverse mortgage lender.

My appraisal came up 50K higher than the initial estimate. $530K. The numbers I got before were based on $480. I'd guessed my value at $500K. Looks like I was closer. $530K pretty much matches the figure in Zillow. Which went up $60K this week. The comps didn't include the 2 recent $700K sales down the block. But I don't want to argue with them or contest it, because that number pleases me and I'd hate for them to find a reason to go lower, which can happen.

I'll get the revised figures on all of this, he said, by Monday of next week. There are no major impediments. The appraiser noticed some areas around the house that need the attention of a painter. He said that will not hold up closing, but it has to be done within 6 months after. I'm guessing they deduct something in advance for those repairs.

I can do the closing as early as my birthday, the 17th of August, and then it's 3 days before I can access the money. So I won't be able to go to Helsinki for the Worldcon, which is just before that. But I WILL be able to go to Worldcon in San Jose, Ireland, and New Zealand. I plan to set aside a bunch of money over the next 3 years for the NZ trip and spend 2-4 weeks over there, maybe also get to Fiji, or Australia again. Probably stop in Hawaii. It will be a great way to celebrate my 65th.

For right now, I need to move forward on my health plans. Diet. Exercise. All that stuff.

TUESDAY A.M.

Today, I got a call to do a consumer taste test for chicken broth. Wednesday next week. One hour. $60.

In the mail, I got an invite to open an account at a new bank for $200. They do require the account to stay open for 6 months, but - get this - it can be done without changing my direct deposit, there's no minimum balance or account fees, except for a $10 fee after one year for keeping their debit card (FAT CHANCE), and as an alternative to DD one can charge $500 in 30 days on the debit card in at least 10 separate transactions. So all I need to do is use it to pay some bills and groceries and restaurants, and that should be easy enough.



TUESDAY P.M.

Got a call from my insurance agent in late afternoon. The reverse mortgage lender called to tell them I need to insure my house for more money. I was somewhat shocked the lender didn't tell me about that first, but I said OK because to do otherwise would hold things up.

Looked at Zillow again today. Remember I said my zestimate went up $58k in one day? Well, today it went down 64k. The market is NOT that volatile. I think Zillow is not particularly reliable.

In other news, I entered a ukulele playing contest at the Denver County Fair. That's on the 22nd.

Oh, and it's now pretty well documented that members of the Trump family engaged in treasonous activity.

Yikes.

Some good news this morning. According to Zillow, my house value jumped up $58k since yesterday. I know why. Two properties a block to the south recently went up for sale, both sold within a week of listing, and both were in the 700k range. One last sold in 2013 for 495k. Differences: that block is a designated historic block with a plaque. My block, not so much. One was designed & built by the same guy who built the Molly Brown house, which is now a museum.

Still, I hope that impacts my appraisal.

I got an unexpected UPS package, opened it, and it was the shirt I ordered at FKO in April. I expected it to take some time - the person had a broken arm, and the shirt was in fabric form when ordered. I recall saying, "heal, make it when you're ready, no rush, and when I get it, it will be a nice surprise."

It was a surprise, it's perfect, and I'm very happy.

I've been trying to keep up the momentum of all the yardwork and housecleaning done for the concert & the appraisal. Got a banker's box (or more) of papers organized and filed yesterday. Went to use a coupon for a free haircut at a fancy salon. Was happy that I got some cash before going so I could at least tip. I checked their prices online afterwards. Men's haircut $35.00. Wow! That's a lot more than sort-of-ok clips. But they spent a lot more time and did more stuff. Beautiful place. I really want to go back. And perhaps after the reverse mortgage, I'll be able to afford it.

Brought along the new shirt and went from there to the Lil' Rev concert. Rev did a beautiful song on dulcimer (a new instrument for him in the past 2 years) that made everyone cry. I've always liked him, but he just keeps getting better. More musical accomplishments. And - well just everything. He's really great.

Got nice compliments on shirt. Planning to wear it to do my first of my daily youtube videos at some point in the next 2-3 days.

Nothing scheduled this week but a Wednesday concert in a park, and the monthly uke club meeting on Saturday. Should have time to get a lot of work done.