Gotta Catch The Pretty Ones
© 2011-2014 by Mr. David R. Dorrycott
Chapter Forty
“Well” Harry Keller, the man from Regis and Peters said upon examining the Richards soon to be new home, if things worked out. “She’s got good bones but there’s rot needs addressing.”
“Just how bad” Penny asked, reaching out to poke the indicated wood beam with a fingernail. Instead of just scratching the oak beams surface her fingernail went in easily, as did part of her finger when she pushed harder. They were doing a pre-purchase inspection and though most of the problems had been simple ones, this one looked critical.
“That for certain, it’s a main load beam and it surprises me that the second floor hasn’t bowed yet. We’ll put up some temporary walls then take out the rot, find the leak that caused this then repair it. In all about three days work. Some of the bedroom floorboards have dry rot, they need to go as well.”
“How much” Sara asked, looking over to where a worried Mr. Quigley had followed the inspection throughout his home.
“Four, five thousand” the inspector answered. “It simply depends upon what we run into but since the building is already empty it will be a great deal easier and cheaper than with it filled with furniture.”
“We are only asking thirty-seven because of the damage” Mr. Quigley reminded Sara, “It was appraised by the bank at forty-five.”
“What do you think Mr. Keller” Sara asked.
“My opinion is this is a fair price Mrs. Richards” Keller answered. “There are always things that need addressing in any building this old, settling of the foundation for example always causes problems and as you intend to expand the home for your future family, a lot of the problems that I have noted will be addressed simply with that work. This is the worst thing I have found and I suspect that replacing the roof slates will address this leak. It’s just that Mr. Quigley is elderly, so getting up on the tower roof isn’t in his resume anymore. I think that you are doing very well at thirty-seven Mrs. Richards, this isn’t Warren Hill after all. There a place like this would run you five times that much and you would be lucky to get it in twice as bad of a condition.”
Turning to Mr. Quigley Sara held out her left hand, it still took remembering that her right one was gone. “If your will shake on it sir” she said, “We can go to the bank and transfer your deed to us while giving you a little slip of paper with a lot of numbers on it, and Mr. Quigley? Penny and I are paying all the other fees, call it a retirement present. You have always been a wonderful neighbor, your wife taught us so much about gardening but we are losing a wonderful school teacher, you are going to be very hard to replace. “
Mr. Quigley quickly took Sara’s hand, shaking it gently. “Erica will be so delighted that there will be children here again. A house is never a home without children after all. When will you start your family Mrs. Richards?”
“In about two or three years” Sara answered. “I need to be comfortable with my prosthetic hand before I even think of holding a fragile baby and since I’ll be first.” She retrieved her hand, looking around her. “Just imagine me waddling around here nine months along, I’ll look like a fence post with a melon tied to it. Since the Guild refused to allow a tunnel between the buildings we are going to have to put in a covered breezeway, that was a bit of a disappointment, the thing is going to be frightfully cold in the dead of winter after all.”
Penny laughed, “You, skinny?” she explained. “Well I warned you about mud and water now lets get this over with. I’m certain that Mr. Quigley wants to join his wife in Mirror City with a big cheque and go home hunting.”
So it was that three hours of paperwork and transferring funds later Sara and Penny were the proud owners of a fixer upper and a contract for expanding the building, especially its basement and septic system, all the while maintaining its current exterior looks and design.