Wonderful Closing

Our closing went SO good! It was so nice to meet Kevin and his agent/fiance Wendy and of course wonderful to see our amazing agent Amanda again. She's just too sweet - she brought us an adorable gift bag filled with $100 to Pottery Barn, cute address labels, and change-of-address cards for us to send to friends and family, complete with stamps and labels. SO sweet! The closing went very smoothly thanks to all of Austin's up-front work and after work i went to the gym at Cox then hopped on the highway at 6:40. Guess what time I pulled into the garage? 7 p.m. Yes, AWESOME! We emptied the car, stocked up the two guest rooms with their linens and took down some heinous curtains and are so happy the house is OURS!!!!!!! Now I just need to keep packing so we can get lots of stuff up there. We went ahead and took the seats out of my car and left them in the garage so I'd have more space. I'm so excited!!

We Close Today!

Now if we can just get everyone on the same page... the closing documents were sent last night and they were very incorrect - BLAH. Do your jobs, people! Anyway.... i'm SO FREAKING READY for this mini nightmare to be over. Who wants to promise me things will calm down soon. Anyone? I need it to... I really do! Have I mentioned that we're SO behind packing. Like SO behind? I'm getting nervous and slightly worked up. Being behind at work AND in my personal life is just NOT working for me - eeek!

Wow - We Close Tomorrow!

I can't believe it...

All Fixed Up

So... it's all fixed!! The stucco looks great! We rode up there today and they did right but us - YAY!! We also walked all through the house (now that it's empty) and just talked and chatted. A few things I noticed/talked to Austin about:

• We just love the backyard. But we would love to put some privacy trees in on the right.
• The dresser/mirror for the entryway will NOT fit - at all! I need a much smaller piece of furniture. Boo.
• There are some lighting issues - we're definitely going to need to move some things around!
• I'm going to keep the backsplash, but get new countertops ASAP!

Can't wait!!

Stucco Update

The stucco company responded to my, Austin's, Amanda's, Wendy's (seller's agent) and Kevin's (seller) MANY concerns. They sent management out. They offered to paint the whole panel to blend it better... supposedly they're going to do it when it stops raining (tomorrow) so when we get back in town we're going to go see what's up. Fingers crossed, people!

Good News + Weird News + Bad News

Good News: The floors are an EXACT match. Austin and the hardwood installer were VERY pleased. It is DEFINITELY Bruce summerside strip in Buttercup!

Weird News: There is no cable outlet in the front living room, no cable outlet in the kitchen and no cable outlet in any of the small bedrooms upstairs. So we need to install 3: one in the front living room, one in the kitchen and one in the scrapbook room. There's one in the bonus room (not where Austin wants it) but he's fine with running the cable along the wall since it's just a guy room he said! So now we need to see how much it costs...

Bad News: There were two cracks in the stucco. One above the door that we DID NOT want fixed. The seller told us he had a guy out to fix it who said it would look like shit if he did it and not match and wasn't worth it. We took his word for it and confirmed it was just a surface scratch. There was another crack we DID want fixed; a potentially problematic crack. So... the stucco inspectors come up with a report that indicates the cracks. We tell them to do several things and among them, fix the ONE crack we wanted fixed.

I think you know where this is going...they've fixed the wrong crack and it looks AWFUL Austin said. Like doesn't blend at all - looks totally ghetto. So Austin calls Amanda who calls the stucco place and they're AWARE and are apparently coming back out "when it stops raining" to fix it. (can't repair stucco in the rain). So the seller CLEARLY knew they effed up and wanted them to A) fix the crack they were paid to fix and B) correct the shitty job they did on the crack we DIDN'T want fixed. So I call to confirm and the guy is all, "we're sorry; we did the wrong one; we made a mistake; we're going as soon as it stops raining even if it's Sunday." I'm like, "Um, yeah you are. And you're going to owe us and the seller a shit load of $ if this deal falls through because you don't know how to read your OWN REPORT!" I'm pretty pissed. Austin took a picture. I'm waiting to get it from him... I just don't get it. And I feel like obviously this is the best they felt they could do so i'm worried they can't get it right.... the guy sounded worried, too.

I Think We Have a Match!

The top picture if the floor (taken inside during the day with minimal flash). The bottom left picture was taken last night by the lamp light with my iPhone and the bottom right picture was taken last night in a shadwon with my iPhone. So clearly, it's hard to tell, but I feel certain that once Austin takes them over there at noon it will be a perfect match!! What do you think?

Great Hardwood News - WE HAVE SAMPLES!

Right sample is what we're pretty sure it is; bottom left sample is the second option but we think it's darker than what's down now. Top left is totally random - ignore it!

So after going to Lowes in Doraville who said they had the wood samples we needed (but didn't), we headed to Home Depot Expo in Dunwoody (instead of Alpharetta) who didn't have the good deals the one in Alpharetta had. So as we headed to Home Depot in Dunwoody Austin called Home Depot in Doraville and they had BOTH of the wood samples we needed: Bruce summerside strip in buttercup and Bruce summerside strip in gunstock. We raced over to Doraville and got the samples for free! (Lowes charges $25 per sample deposit). Anyway - GREAT NEWS! When we left we headed over to Brandsmart to check things out. We're looking for two TVs - one for his video game room and one for the desk area in the kitchen. We found samsungs we liked and we're pretty sure we can get both out the door for under $1,000 - WOO! (the video game room was about $700 and the kitchen was about $400 but they deal there and we if we buy two we think we can swing it).



Anywho - GREAT news! We stopped by Kroger on the way home and are now enjoying a glass of wine while the laundry finishes up. I also made some headway today with the area under the bed and with ALL the linens. Yay!!

So hardwood update: Austin is meeting Ricky at noon tomorrow. There he will:

1. Let Ricky measure the rest of the floor. Get the TOTAL square feet of the main floor that would need hardwoods.
2. Show him the samples - we're 99% sure buttercup is right!
3. Get him to tell us the square foot price for materials he CURRENTLY quoted and the square foot price for labor.
4. Check the kitchen - is there a cable jack on the kitchen desk?
5. Check the front living room - is there a cable jack on the left wall (by the stairs).
6. Check the bedroom - is there a cable jack on the right wall (closest to the door).
7. Check the bonus room - is there a cable jack on the right wall (closest to the door).

Hardwood Issue

So Ricky (hardwood installer) calls today and says he really wants us to SEE the wood in the space to ENSURE we like it becauase, at the end of the day, it may not match perfect and his version of matching and mine may be different (i.e. he may think it's dang close while I may think it's not at all).

So... he says it will be $100 for a box of wood (a risk we would take) and he would bring it over tomorrow for us to see. While we're chatting about it he reminds me: the wood that is currently down (that we're trying to match to) is 2.25" - this is TOUGH to find because now most wood made is 3". Because it's tough to find, he says it's pricy. So... we have another option...

We could have them do the WHOLE bottom floor in a bigger (3") wood that's less expensive (he said about $1.50 less per square foot) - this way it's seamless, definitely matches and we can get the color we want (if we have a preference, which of course we do).

So now Austin is talking to him because at the end of the day we'd rather pay $6,000 for EXACTLY what we want, in our color, totally seamless, than pay $4,500 for a mix-match job in a color that we didn't choose to begin with. However - if it's going to be A LOT more than that... that's another story.

We're thinking of having him come over tomorrow and measure the rest of the space (entryway, kitchen, hallway between dining room and kitchen)... and just SEE what he can come up with. I just want it to look good and don't want to spend $4,500 for it to not look good. Boo.

UPDATED 5:10 P.M.: This whole 'pay $100+ for a box of wood you can't return/we may not use' just wasn't sitting with me. I called Lowe's, who carries the wood, and they'll give me two planks (two different colors) of the wood for a $25 deposit so long as I return within 48 hours. So we're going to Lowe's, getting the wood, going to Home Depot Expo in Alpharetta, then going by the house to test the wood. We'll know TONIGHT what we think about it...

Entryway Thoughts Part II

So now that I know what my entry way is like, it's much more easy to plan. hehe So here is what it looks like and here are my thoughts.



First, I definitely don't want to put anything along the right wall or on that tiny wall in front. I MIGHT hang a few photos on that tiny wall - could be cute - but that's it. I'm more thinking about that area to the left where they have that small piece of furniture. I would like a larger piece of furniture - a large dresser or chest - something that will look good and can store stuff.


So I love the top left idea - but i'm not really into putting chairs there. No one will sit in them you know? But the big mirror and piece of furniture look great! The top right idea works good too, but I don't think we need a lamp. Maybe? I dunno... The bottom left idea is super nice too (large mirror, functional piece of furniture) but we don't really need 'bins' as we'll be coming in the garage door not the front door, and I think two lamps is kind of overkill. I'm leaning toward getting the piece of furniture and mirror in the center. (the mirror is the same length as the piece of furniture - it's 63" long, 20" deep and 38" high - LOVE the height, think the depth will be fine in the space but worry it may be too long for the space... I'll have to get in there and measure. I put the river rocks/candles and the glass/rock/moss ideas for inspiration, but the more I think about it I probably will want a lamp there. Hmmm. What do you think? Piece of furniture too big/not right or do you like it? Lamp or no lamp?

Do We Like this Lamp?

Seating Area Inspiration Board

So I was stressing about what to do with the area between the kitchen and pool table. You may remember this post. Anyway, I’ve pretty much decided to do a lounge/seating area. I think we'll use it the most and can eat in there and hang out and we'll have a TV on the desk area - I just like it! I realize this means I’m forgoing any sit-down dining room deal, but honestly – we just don’t use it! And I guess if we have peeps over for dinner we’ll do what we did before – sit at the high table (I’m hoping to fit the high table in the pool table area with our bar stools at it. Anyway – here is the room – we LOVE IT! Click to make it larger.




What do you think? Here’s how much it will cost per my choices:

We already have the bench, end table and white platter. I also want my hurricane vase with sand/candle on the small iron table. But we need to buy the chairs ($280 for 2 including shipping) , the end table ($170), mushrooms ($32), pillow cover and insert ($37), green candle ($7), green apples ($10) and woven tray ($30) = $567. See any where I can cut corners? Or do you think this is a good price? Do you think the mushrooms are heinous? LOL I love them - they're our favorite food! And I think it makes sense because technically this area is in the kitchen so having apples and mushrooms ties in! :) (right?) Anyway, can't wait to see what you guys think!

Lamp for "Green" Guest Room

I love this little lamp! When me and Austin went to Target yesterday for Euros we saw it and I thought it was PERFECT for the green guest room. It's $20, so not too bad, and I would want two to sit on each side of the green bed on these tables:

The tables are only $60, and we saw them yesterday and liked them. But they didn't seem worth $60. I know that's crazy - $60 is GREAT, but I dunno... I'm not totally 100% on them!

Our Moving Schedule

I created this and we're READY! Click to make it larger.

Today we:

• Use the West Elm coupon
• Visited Ikea
• Bought 4 Euro Pillows
• Scheduled the movers for April 11 - got a GREAT price.
• Scheduled the pool table movers for April 9 - Shane quoted me $450 on the phone but Damon had already told me $350 last month so the guy said they'd honor the original price - woo!
• Checked our dryer plug - it's 4-prong - YES! (the one at the house is 4-prong so we don't need an adaptor)
• Went to the bank and moved money to checking so we'd be more flexible and ordered new checks for the house address.
• Contacted Post Stratford to see if we need to paint the walls back (they keey thinking they did them but I want it in writing: either we need to paint them or we don't).

That's it for now - off to start packing thanks to Devon letting me borrow boxes! Thanks again, Dev, you've been so much help!!!

Successful Shopping Trip

So today me and Austin set out for the following:

• Target: for 4 euro pillows; wanted to see if they had them before we went to West Elm.
• West Elm: to use our $75 in cards before they expire.
• Ikea: to see some of the things online i'd been loving. In other words - to see if I loved them as much in person and if Austin loved them too!

We went to Target first - walked away with four Euro pillows for $10 each - woo! Had a gift card so $0 spent.

Went to West Elm next. Walked around. Fretted. Couldn't find anything we liked for the right price. Finally settled on two brown matted frames for $44 each (not a good deal but free, right?) We went to the front and they were sold out. Then they tell us about this deal on chairs - 50% off the display chairs on the floor. By this time, there's not many to choose from and we really liked two of them. They retailed for $300 and $200. They were on sale for $120 and $80. We told the guy we'd take them both if he'd do $150. He said sure and we got them both for $87 after our $75 cards - YAY! We got the car, drove it to customer pick-up and are now the proud owners of these:

We didn't get a cushion for the one on the left (they were $40... more than we ended up spending on the chair), but I figure it's a pretty standard size seat so i'll find one somewhere else. I'm thinking we'll use it in a guest room or as an accent in Austin's office. For the chair on the right, we think it's perfect for the built-in desk in the kitchen. Either way - we're PRETTY pumped about our new purchases. I'm so glad you and Dev are proud, Mom! Can't wait for you guys' help with decorating!

Updates!

Two things down...

1. We have packing tape! Let's see when we actually get started. It's 8:30 p.m. and we have bellies full of enchiladas and an xBox full of Heroes. Hmmmm. We're also coming off long weeks. LONG weeks.

2. We have a hardwood installer! We ended up going with Ricky from Emperial Hardwood - i'm very excited. He's going to do the 3 rooms and finish out the main so it will all have hardwoods. We already wanted to hire him... then he said the magic words - he works on the weekend! So he will be bringing the wood over on Wednesday, April 1, for it to acclimate for 3 days (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) then Saturday, April 4, they'll do the demo and Sunday, April 5, they'll lay them down - woot! While they're there laying them down we'll be cleaning and probably doing a couple of back and forth trips to the our place to get stuff that's weird to pack in boxes like pillows and blankets!

YAY...

Other than that - our closing time is set for 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. We will walk away with THE KEYS!

I'm calling tomorrow to set up our move and (hopefully) our utitilies. Other than that, we just have to finalize our loan book - BLAH!

I haven't packed a box...

uh-oh.... i'm going to start packing Saturday. I'll get packing tape tomorrow. Right?!

We Have a Home

yes, it's ours! We even have our appraisal - woot!

We're done with due diligence. Now:

We have to make sure all is good on the loan (it is)
Get a hardwood installer on the books (it's halfway there)
Ensure that the seller does what he said he'd do. (not worried; he has until 3 days prior to closing so March 28)
Get a closing time (Amanda is on it).
Set up our moving time.


EEEEKKKKKKKKK

So.... we figured it out...

And we sent the amendment to address concerns with the property amendment. Basically:

We asked for the seller to pay all closing costs in the amount of $6,100
He didn't want to replace the windows so he offered to give us $900 more toward closing costs.
But we were like - we don't need more toward closing costs - you're already paying them all...
So we start thinking - how can we get the $.... maybe have him throw in lawn eqiupment or a bench or a chiminea...
Then we find out... closing costs will be more than $6,100 - homeowner's insurance wasn't included like we thought it was...
Then we wait for a quote... it ends up being $780 for the year (due that day) so only $120 left which, apparently, we owe one day of interest so there you go. We may actually OWE money instead of getting the $900.

So... good or bad?

Good: that we don't have to pay that $900 that we weren't expecting.
Bad: that are windows now won't be fixed.
Good: that the windows aren't messed up - they're fully operationally, it's just cosmetically they look messy because they have a white residue in them.
Bad: that we'll want to pay for them down the road and we'll have to pay for it with our own $900.
Good: Who cares? We'll live with them until we decide to pay for them to be replaced. It's only $450 a piece- I mean really... NOT a dealbreaker.

So... now we wait for the guy to hopefully agree to our amendment. He has until like TODAY because our due diligence ends today... ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ugh.

That's it. That's all I have. I am SO FREAKING ANNOYED that this seems to be no where near done and no one is in a hurry and everyone is slacking off and this workday is halfway over and NOTHING has happened. Annoying. I'm so over this and would LOVE to just walk away. Seriously. That's how annoyed I am.

Extended Due Diligence

Yeah.... we aren't agreeing on who will do what. Austin thinks we're much closer, but we simply couldn't get the deal done this weekend. Boo. So... we'll see. Austin still thinks we should do our 30-day notice today so that is a good, positive sign that this thing is going to work out!

Inspection Blues

So yes, the inspection went good but I put up this mental block about getting back to the seller. Like we're SO OVER the process we just kinda took a break. Then last night we went through the stucco inspection and home inspection and made a list of things we wanted the seller to send. Then Austin decided before we sent it, he should talk to the stucco peeps. So he talked to them today at 3:30 and then we sent our requests to Amanda. She didn't say anything was wrong so that's good, and now we just need to print it and sign it and send it back. Why am I nervous? Why is all of this bugging me? I think i'm just starting to wig...

I took a Quiz...

And here is what it said:

Today is HUGE!

Yay! Today we meet with the inspector at 1:30 p.m. Then we have 4 meetings lined up with hardwood installers to get quotes, and a meeting with a contractor to look at finishing the trim in the living room and knocking down a wall to make a walkway.... wish us luck!

My Dream Kitchen...

Now that it seems pretty likely the kitchen in that house is mine - fo sho - I decided to start thinking about it...

The Kitchen













Things We’re Not changing

The island – we love it.
The faucet – good stuff!
The drawer pulls.
The cabinets/cabinet color.
The layout of the kitchen.

Things We Would Like to Change

Replace the following white appliances with stainless steel:
Oven
Microwave
Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Replace the cabinet door knobs to match the drawer knobs (brushed stainless steel). Therefore, we need 23 knobs (6 for the desk wall; 9 for the fridge wall and 8 for the window wall).
Replace sink with stainless steel open sink – rather than a two-sided sink.
Replace countertops with granite (in a dark brown/black speckled – I like Baltic brown).
Replace backsplash with white subway tile.

My Inspiration (click to make it larger)



Ideas from the Inspiration Photos

Have a pendent light installed over the sink.
Have recessed lighting installed, and maybe two pendent lights over the island.
Put in a bamboo shade over the window (from Lowes)
Have glass put in the two cabinets to the right of the stove OR the two cabinets to the right of the window.

Things We Need to Buy Other than the Above

A chair for the desk – a nice, armless upholstered chair. Maybe even patterned because everything else in the room is solid.
Spice Racks

What do you think?! I think I love it... especially that baltic brown granite against the white cabinets - do you like?

Successful Day!

Today we:

• Got lots of great information from Amanda what happens post-inspection (who fixes what, when they do it, etc.); we feel SO much better about next steps now.
• Locked down all of my peeps for Monday (i.e. inspector, 4 hardwood peeps, etc.)
• Finalized my hardwood installer worksheet (sheet of questions for Austin to fill out for each hardwood person so we can compare their quotes apples to apples)
• Found out that the seller is ALREADY repairing the carpet (per our stiuplation) TODAY. Yay!
• Should get the stucco report.
• Heard back from Amanda and she has gotten with the seller about our window concerns (how they are now free of moisture but have white residue and look dirty)

Great, great day!! I think i'm going to start packing today... I'm so ready!

West Elm Here I Come!

So my Region's card is expired. Embarassing. I can't find the new one they sent me that I remember activating and everything to save my life. So... they're sending me another as of this morning. But last night, I looked in my old wallet for it - just in case - and I found FIFTY WEST ELM DESIGN DOLLARS that don't expire until March 31, 2009 - BOOYA! I was pumped. That's like a $50 gift certificate (you don't have to spend a certain amount). Coupled with the $25 I already I had I have $75 bucks to spend in the next 26 days in that store. I hope the burlap pillows go on sale (yes, even though they'll be practically FREE I still want a deal...). Worst comes to worst I can at least get my Euros there ($13 Euros people - and I need 4 - two for each guest room).

YAY!

OMG... Stucco Inspection Tomorrow at 11 a.m.

WOW! I'm kinda scared. Austin is attending. I so hope it goes well..................................................... EEEEEEK!!!!!!!! I'm so not going to sleep tonight.

Which Idea Do You Like Better?

Still not sure if we can attend the stucco inspection/when it is/etc. OR if Terry and Kevin know each other! hehe In the meantime, let's play Which Idea Do You Like Better?

So there's the large room with the kitchen on one side and the pool table on the other side - which should we do?

A: A little lounge area with like 2 club chairs and a love seat (most expensive)

B: A 'breakfast nook' area with table and 4-6 chairs (next most expensive)

C: Use the high top/bar stools we have now and call it a day. (free)

D: Other (share your idea!)

Here are some things I like when I picture "a little lounge area" or a "breakfast nook."


This is clearly huge- but it would be the two chairs on this side, then a love seat on the other side and a much smaller coffee table - the end!


Again - too big - but this would be the love seat on one side with a small coffee table and two chairs again with a table in between!


This is kinda different - instead of a love seat it would be 2 chairs on one side then two squares on the other. I would NOT do an upholstered coffee table, too (personally). I WOULD do my current coffee table, and get a new one for the den!

The breakfast nook would be 4-6 chairs with a cool table. I would have it running the opposite direction the pool table does so it's not like table/table. It could operate as a 'game table' for weekends and a 'dining table' for eating. There is no bar to eat at so this would be it.

Another similar example of the one above, but with 6 chairs. I LOVE the upholstered look... I would probably do two upholstered arm chairs at the ends, and then all Parsons chairs in the middle.

So if we do A or B (or D!), what would I do with our current high table/bar stools? Put in the front room den? They definitely don't work anywhere upstairs.... hmmm. Maybe it would fit by the pool table in the pool table area? (I doubt it though). I would be COOL to mount shelves on the wall by the table and put the bar stools next to it! Then we could do what Mary said with the table and shave the legs down and use it in the nook with 4 chairs? OR save the table, but just store it upstairs.... so much to think about.

I welcome your ideas!! :)

Inspectors & Contractors - woot!

Today I:

• Called 7 hardwood floor installers.
• I liked 4 and set up meetings (1 for Friday; 3 for Monday).
• Made an appointment with an inspector for Monday.
• Got with Amanda about her dad coming Monday to look at the trim and the demo between the front room and ‘pool table room’
• So now it’s looking like 1:30 – 2:30, Friday, I’ll meet with Hardwood #1. Then Monday, Austin will meet with the inspector at 1:30 p.m., then hardwood peeps will be in at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. And Amanda’s dad will come at some point in time. Yay!!

And of course…. All of this is pending a WONDERFUL stucco inspection! I do have news:

• Austin’s uncle Terry thinks he knows Kevin Duncun – we’re waiting to hear back from Kevin through our realtors.
• Terry thinks we DEFINITELY need to attend the stucco inspection and doesn't think the seller would have a problem with it. Amanda is acquiring the date/time/permission/etc.
• Austin’s uncle Terry was concerned about the roof – it had a patch. Our realtor got with his realtor and he said this:

Wendy, about 5 years ago, we had a very very windy storm and I noticed a lump in a shingle above the garage. I called a roofing guy out of the yellow pages to come check it out and he said it ONE shingle was trying to lift up, probably from the heavy storm. He removed that shingle and replaced a group of about 4 in that area and nailed them back down properly. I also had him check the rest of the roof for any issues and he noticed that the builder did not put 2 shingles around a vent pipe in the back of the garage and he installed those as well. So, the roof is fine. If you go look in the attic, you will not see any discoloration of the roofing plywood anywhere. It has never had a leak. The inspector will look at all of this as well, but there have never ever been any leaks of any kind. Thanks, Kevin

I LOVE OUR SELLER! I so hope it works out (I know – I’ve said this a babillion times). :)

Would it Be Weird to Have These in the Master?

I was thinking i'd love to have a mirror in the master - a large miror. Would it be odd to have like 6 of these smaller mirror put together? I would want them on the wall to the left. If not that - what should/could go on that wall? I know I don't want shelves... and I'm thinking the only furniture I want in the master (this master) is the bed with two nightstands/two lamps, the bench we have for the end, and then the armoir with the TV in it. That's it! Maybe a chair in the corner by the window with an ottomon and floor lamp (or just a chaise). I don't want furniture between the windows I don't think... and I don't know that a dresser would fit on that left wall. What do you think?

Here is the room:

Here are some rooms that inspire me:

I Have to Have These...

So for our bedding we've been using these scribble euro pillowcases from West Elm. We LOVE them, but once we got the bench for the end of the bed, the two patterns clashed. So I decided to use the scribble pillows in the guest room with the green/black, and am now in the market for euros for our master bedroom. I'm in love with burlap! So.... I found these at West Elm. I have to have them... but they're $40 each (for the COVERS). Crazy town! So i'm going to start watching them like a hawk - they will go on sale. I just know it! And I got a $25 gift card from them (design dollars) so that will help out - eek! What do you think? Reuben is going to LOVE those buttons...

edit to add: These are AWFUL in person - like little triangles. I do not want them!!

This Could Actually Work Out...

I keep reading this email from the seller to his agent over and over…

I know stucco has a bad reputation in general, but I can assure you that the stucco on the front of that house is top notch. Here are my comments in regards to the issues you raised:

1. The window sashes (7) total I believe are starting to fog up due to the seals leaking a tad and letting the pressure escape from the window. I contacted a company in Alpharetta (Window Medics International / a division of Sunshine Window Cleaning). Scott is the person I spoke with at 770-422-7405. He quoted me $125 per window sash to treat those fogged up sashes. This process he has is guaranteed for 20 years and he said he installs a small valve in the frame that releases the moisture while maintaining the RF value. He also said he has a cleaning process that cleans inside the thermo-pane glass. He said this is a much better option than pulling out windows and I agree.
2. The small hairline crack above the dining room window in the stucco was exactly like that 7 years ago when I bought the house. I had concerns about it back then myself and had a chance to speak to Rick Olson personally. My ex-wife used to tutor Rick Olson’s daughter and I had a chance to talk to him. He got up on a ladder and inspected it and told me that it was only a surface crack in the color coat. Basically stucco has a thick concrete type coat then a color coat that goes on over that and it is about ¼” thick. This color coat has the hairline fracture, not the thick underlying coat. I would have had this repaired, but he said matching the color would be tricky and said it was better to just leave it alone.
3. The stucco has been uncut, but when I had the landscape guy install all of the new pine straw last month, he put it up against the house very thick. I will take my rake and pull that straw back from the foundation so that sunlight shows the foundation. This will stop any chance of termites operating in the shade….The actual soil though does not come up to the concrete. If you take your hand and pull the straw back, you will see how thick it is….There are also lots of leaves piled up against the stucco….This is an easy fix…I will take care of this.
4. Allen at Northwest Exterminating in Alpharetta said he would gladly come out and go over the treatment that has been applied to the home and how the stucco was undercut. Not only was it undercut, it was filled with concrete in a slight angle where it meets the original foundation. This allows water to run down the stucco and drip on the ground at the base without rolling back to the underside. He seemed to have tons of knowledge regarding stucco in general since he is responsible for bonding this stuff.
5. I have not had any issues with this stucco…I have never seen any discoloration or humidity or interior paint discoloration or anything. It is supposed to be a solid product. The stucco that has ruined the reputation for stucco is EIFS. That is the cheap stuff used back in the 80’s early 90’s that had the class action lawsuits etc…..Hard coat was the standard after that period and the product I have is actually a hard coat with a few extra upgrades. Basically it has a better moisture barrier behind it and it hard coat over the top.
6. Another point, I have gutter guards installed all the way around the house, this keeps any leaves out of the gutters, A clogged gutter could send lots of water down the side of the house and cause issues with siding, brick or stucco, so that issue has been eliminated as well.
7. Also, I have no problem paying for a full stucco inspection from a stucco expert if that will help things. I am confident that there are no issues with the stucco…

Lastly, on a different topic….I have a garage door repairman there right now inspecting one of the garage door motors…he will be replacing that motor in the next couple of days and servicing that door. The other door was recently serviced, so both doors will be working correctly this week. The other door has new internal drive gears, so it is as good as brand new.
I love Kevin Duncun (the seller). I can’t believe this may actually work out…