Sunday, November 26, 2006

Giving Thanks

Lucky for us, Hubby’s relatives were kind enough to give us a reprieve from cooking this Thanksgiving. Hubby’s mom went all out by providing the turkey, ham, stuffing (with gravy), scalloped potatoes, all courtesy of Bristol Farms. She also bought pastries from the legendary Beard Papa. While it was as good as everyone claims, I personally thought the pastries contained way too much cream. I guess I am not a huge sweets person.

Although we did not cook, hosting a dinner for 20 people proved to be draining; answering family members’ inquiries, fetching various items for people, helping to set up and clean up, kept us quite busy most of the night. I cannot even imagine how weary we would have been if we were expected to cook as well.

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Originally, I did not want to go into excruciating detail about the potential lawsuit fiasco surrounding the sale of our condo, but since I have received some interest regarding the situation, I’ll divulge a little more about what transpired. In short (or maybe as concise as I can be) condos complexes have the ability to levy something called a “special assessment”. This usually occurs when the complex finds itself in need of some major repair(s), such as the need for a new roof, a paint job, etc., that is work outside of normal, routine maintenance. If the homeowners association has been doing an adequate job in forecasting, budgeting, and preparing for such massive projects, there will be enough funds in the reserve account, and the condo owners will not have to shell out additional cash to foot the project. However, most associations do a horrendous job in preparing for such expenditures, and often find itself cash strapped in the face of a massive repair job. Finding itself in a bind, and needing to address the repairs sooner rather than later, the association will pass the immediate financial burden to the condo owners.

So back to our situation, right before our original escrow close date, the buyers asked for a one week extension due to a lag in obtaining financing. Unknown to us, one day after the original close date, the HOA sent a letter informing us of its intent to levy a special assessment. Because we moved, we didn’t receive the letter at our new place of residency until a couple of days before the new close date, and we didn’t open the letter until after the property officially changed hands.

Confused yet? Let’s just say, it was a case of HORRIBLE timing.

As a result of this whole timing fiasco, my hubby and I have spent the last 4 months embroiled in a battle with the buyers over who is responsible for the assessment. And alas, the resolution was unfavorable for us. And the assessment was not small by any means, since we could have bought a new car, like a Honda Civic, outright, with the amount of the assessment.

Needless to say, I will not be going on any huge shopping sprees in the next year.

posted by: SF Housewife @ 10:37 PM

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