Spinnin’ the Big Wheel for That $1.00

We have a pool that is open. We HAVE a pool that is OPEN!

Who knew that something that once seemed so insignificant would be a turning point in a contract negotiation? After that last house where that scoundrel was pulling all the tricks out to not do it, we actually have a seller who wants to sell a house, a seller that is motivated out of his own economic self-interests. Is a rational approach just a Bartlett thing? Maybe lead paint never made it onto the walls over there?

I mean, I would think it's readily obvious that if I were to sell a house with a pool, I'd have it open for an inspection. But, I am of Bartlett. The other two places I've walked from, I didn't even know I could inspect the pool—that shootin' from the hip, the dual agent never gave a heads up—and that last one...I bristle. You can't hide a cracked pool, folks.

So, we've got our dynamic duo of our inspector with our contractor at the new place today. It's weird to not yet buy a house and think in terms of what you'll do five years down the road in adding equity. That "forever home" is a bit of a misnomer. Life has so many variables that a few pop out of our arms. The only place like that has some exquisite craftmanship of pearl on the front gates and it's over in New Jerusalem. Heck of a time getting over there, however!

Carmageddon 2023

Yesterday, I found out that Harbor Freight is running a deal that with the purchase of a cordless tool, you get a free battery. A week ago, I bought both, but they have a 30-day policy where they honor it retroactively. $40 for free! Maybe a new toy! So, off I went to the Collierville location...and that was NOT the one I should have picked.

Now, I did shop for 15 minutes. But, I was out for...TWO hours. It's Mad Max out there: a blown-up motorcycle; a high-speed wreck; a stalled, budget "car" on an interstate overpass; a slammed SUV that was in the Chic-Fil-A drive-thru on an arterial road; and lastly the collector road near my house that had all three lanes of incoming traffic blocked as guys pushed shop brooms around a wreck.

I was beat. I don't remember Memphis traffic being so daunting back in 2012.