Home Improvement Thread

[Silentom]

Never saw that one before.

This was the ****:

[NTP66]

Never saw that one before.

This was the ****:

I loved that game. Between that, DXBall2, and Virtual Pool Hall, I was set.

[dodint]

Yeah, I played the hell out of that too.

Now, about mac's floor.

[Silentom]

He'll need a drain in every floor.

[dodint]

Imagine the possibilities.

[NTP66]

Speaking of, the contractor sent out by my insurance company came to the same conclusion as the roofer who inspected the damage for emergency services (tarping the roof), so that's good. Now I have to wait for him to argue with the adjuster on the estimate to make sure everything being requested is approved.

[robbiestoupe]

Not sure if home improvement related, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm looking to cancel the PMI on my mortgage. Presently, I'm at 85% loan ratio. That's based on the cost of the house at the time I bought it vs. what I owe today. I know the house has appreciated in the 2.5 years I've lived there, but probably not enough to push me to the 76% or whatever it is the bank wants to drop PMI (I believe the rules are different if you ask for them to drop it vs. the 80% required by law).

The kicker is I just had new windows put in. Most websites say I can expect to reap 70% of the cost of the windows back into the cost of the home. If I make that calculation, I'm close to 80% loan ratio. If I figure my house has appreciated 3.5% per year since I bought it, I'm at a 73-74% ratio.

Does anybody have experience with this? I'd rather not drop the $400 for the reassessment if the bank's assessors won't take into account the new windows. Is this something they will notice? I'm not even sure the assessors will be asking me questions. I remember when I sold my old home, they did the assessment with nobody home.

[NTP66]

Not sure if home improvement related, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm looking to cancel the PMI on my mortgage. Presently, I'm at 85% loan ratio. That's based on the cost of the house at the time I bought it vs. what I owe today. I know the house has appreciated in the 2.5 years I've lived there, but probably not enough to push me to the 76% or whatever it is the bank wants to drop PMI (I believe the rules are different if you ask for them to drop it vs. the 80% required by law).

The kicker is I just had new windows put in. Most websites say I can expect to reap 70% of the cost of the windows back into the cost of the home. If I make that calculation, I'm close to 80% loan ratio. If I figure my house has appreciated 3.5% per year since I bought it, I'm at a 73-74% ratio.

Does anybody have experience with this? I'd rather not drop the $400 for the reassessment if the bank's assessors won't take into account the new windows. Is this something they will notice? I'm not even sure the assessors will be asking me questions. I remember when I sold my old home, they did the assessment with nobody home.

You can request it at 80%, but I don't think the lender has to actually pull it automatically until it hits 78%. I'd be interested to know how it works out for you if you go through with it, though. I'm going to be petitioning my lender to drop my escrow account sometime in June, and I'll still be within the 2 year window since my last appraisal that I may not be forced to have another one done before they make their decision.

[robbiestoupe]

You're right about the first part NTP, just didn't feel like typing it out. What's this 2 year window thing you are talking about? Does this mean I can petition to have them drop PMI for the next 2 years without having to pay for another appraisal? If that's the case, I may just go with it. At least I'll know where I stand.

[NTP66]

You're right about the first part NTP, just didn't feel like typing it out. What's this 2 year window thing you are talking about? Does this mean I can petition to have them drop PMI for the next 2 years without having to pay for another appraisal? If that's the case, I may just go with it. At least I'll know where I stand.

It's nothing official, but I read somewhere that lenders may not require you to get an appraisal if you had one within 2 years. I have no idea if that's true or not, and plan on asking the lender myself when the time comes. I do know that you have to make the request in writing, so as far as I'm concerned, if all it costs you is a stamp to see what can be done, it's worth it. If they tell you that you need to have a new appraisal done, you can go from there.

[Silentom]

NSFW, obvs.

[slappybrown]

silentom's redemption tour continues, as anyone who posts JB tracks gets a thumb up

[Silentom]

I'm ashamed that it took me so long to remember that bit.

[columbia]

NSFW:

[robbiestoupe]

You're right about the first part NTP, just didn't feel like typing it out. What's this 2 year window thing you are talking about? Does this mean I can petition to have them drop PMI for the next 2 years without having to pay for another appraisal? If that's the case, I may just go with it. At least I'll know where I stand.

It's nothing official, but I read somewhere that lenders may not require you to get an appraisal if you had one within 2 years. I have no idea if that's true or not, and plan on asking the lender myself when the time comes. I do know that you have to make the request in writing, so as far as I'm concerned, if all it costs you is a stamp to see what can be done, it's worth it. If they tell you that you need to have a new appraisal done, you can go from there.

In talking to my bank, even for early cancellation of PMI they will only require a 80% loan to value. I've heard banks wanting something closer to 75% for early cancellation. This will probably be a slam dunk for me.

I also did all the communication through email, no stamp required.

[mac5155]

Should I put some sort of epoxy or coating on my new garage floor?

[CBear3]

Yes...and no
I wish I had, but some of the projects I’ve done in the first six months I think would have scarred it. Lawnmower engine changes, construction projects, etc. But then again I’m clumsy.
I still want to do it once things settle down a bit and I’m no longer constantly rearranging the garage or piling things I don’t want to put in the house yet without sorting

[mac5155]

Rust oleum makes a nice affordable kit. I'll probably go with it..

[CBear3]

Yep, those were what I was looking at as well. You can even buy aftermarket chip mixes instead of theirs if you want something more unique. Somewhere I found a good black and gold mix I liked.

[mac5155]

I just want to do it for longevity more so than looks.

[dodint]

Hey, mac has a flooring question.

[CBear3]

I wanted it purely for vanity

[mac5155]

Hey, mac has a flooring question.

Go buy another car

[dodint]

I wanted it purely for vanity

Same.

[NTP66]

Rust oleum makes a nice affordable kit. I'll probably go with it..

I have it in my garage.

I just want to do it for longevity more so than looks.

Define "longevity". Mine is less than 8 years old and is chipping badly, along with constant damage that salt does to it during the winter. I would not expect a day more than 5 years out of the kit before you need to re-do everything. This is why I'm going to have a company come in and actually install a true epoxy flooring in my garage next spring.