# I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, when he said, "I drank what?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 4, 2006, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366 "2006-06-04T08:42:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/21 "2006-06-04T19:44:30Z")
Since (thankfully) this thread is remaining civil and supportive, it would be best to move it to MPSIMS so it stays that way. Not that the subject is as all mundane or pointless but the Pit just isn’t the optimal place for the thread. Over it goes… ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/22 "2006-06-04T19:53:03Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Extricate yourselves from dealing with [Brent], as fast as possible. [/quote] If I’d previewed, I’d have seen that you’re already doing just that. Good on ya. > [@Weirddave](#): > > We asked [about renting the house we’re trying to buy until we can close on it], but the seller’s brother (a lawyer) advised him to not allow us to do that under any circumstances. Stupid fucking lawyers. I can’t blame him for this. (Of course, it’s easier for me, since I’m not in your position.) Once you become the seller’s tenant, all the usual landlord-tenant law applies, and even if you didn’t pay your rent from the get-go, it would take him months to get rid of you. Meanwhile, he can’t sell the house, and the market is softening. Or even if you’re perfectly good tenants (which you would be) but can’t get financing, he’s still in a position where he can’t really sell to anyone else until you either get financing or give up on trying and move out, and suppose the market goes south in the meantime? You could cost him thousands of dollars, and it’s not reasonable to expect him to take on risk on your behalf. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/23 "2006-06-04T20:27:20Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] I can’t blame him for this. (Of course, it’s easier for me, since I’m not in your position.) Once you become the seller’s tenant, all the usual landlord-tenant law applies, and even if you didn’t pay your rent from the get-go, it would take him months to get rid of you. Meanwhile, he can’t sell the house, and the market is softening. Or even if you’re perfectly good tenants (which you would be) but can’t get financing, he’s still in a position where he can’t really sell to anyone else until you either get financing or give up on trying and move out, and suppose the market goes south in the meantime? You could cost him thousands of dollars, and it’s not reasonable to expect him to take on risk on your behalf. [/QUOTE] Oh, I know that. No, what I asked, when it looked like the closing date might be pushed past the weekend we were scheduled to move, was if we could move our stuff into the garage that weekend as planned. I wouldn’t expect to do anything while waiting for the loan, the question was if after the loan was approved and the settlement date had been finalized if we could move stuff while waiting for the paperwork to be finished if a weekend delayed that process. I was thinking in terms of being forced to sign everything on a Monday instead of Friday as planned, but definitely after the deal had been finalized. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/24 "2006-06-04T20:34:48Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] We asked, but the seller’s brother (a lawyer) advised him to not allow us to do that under any circumstances. Stupid fucking lawyers. [/QUOTE] It was worth a shot. Remember, their lawyer is looking out for them. Upon reflection, it was a long shot. I now remember, when we bought our house in SC, the sellers thought the husband was getting into OCS. He was turned down, and asked if they could stay in the house for a month after it was sold, paying us rent, until they revised their plans. Our realtor advised against it, since they could trash the house and as landlords we would be on the hook for repairs. So we said no. Apparently this pissed the sellers off something awful, they refused to allow Ivylad to drop off some of our belongings on the day of closing, saying it was “against the rules,” 😕 and it made for a very chilly closing. I hope things work out. I would be on the phone (or in the office of the mortgage broker) first thing Monday morning. Now, be careful that you aren’t sucked into some variable rate mortgage with a pre-payment penalty clause. You don’t want to do something stupid out of desperation. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/25 "2006-06-04T20:37:09Z")
Oh, and as far as I know, shopping for mortgage rates does NOT affect your credit. After all, you’re trying to get the best rates, and most reputable lenders would know why you have several requests for credit, looking for a good rate. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/26 "2006-06-04T22:03:42Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] Our realtor advised against it, since they could trash the house and as landlords we would be on the hook for repairs. So we said no. [/QUOTE] How odd - when we sold our house in Orange Park, it was 2 months before my daughter’s graduation. The husband of the buying couple was deploying overseas, so his wife let us close, then rent back for the 2 months. We, in turn, let them put their stuff in the basement - in fact, they put their stuff there before closing because he had to leave. It was mutually beneficial - we paid their first 2 months’ mortgage and didn’t have to scramble for a super-short-term rental that would allow a dog. Neither realtor suggested any possible problems with our arrangement. **Dave** , I’m sure things will work out for you and yours - some day you’ll look back on this and, um, well, maybe you’ll laugh… Glad you’ve got family to take you in if necessary. I’m looking forward to your thread telling us that all is well. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/27 "2006-06-04T22:59:16Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] Oh, and as far as I know, shopping for mortgage rates does NOT affect your credit. After all, you’re trying to get the best rates, and most reputable lenders would know why you have several requests for credit, looking for a good rate. [/QUOTE] I was told this by a banker I found pretty trustworthy, and I think I’ve even seen it on my own credit report that I obtained during a year when I had occasion to be juggling a number of financial transactions. [http://www.midwestern.edu/content/lc412.asp](http://www.midwestern.edu/content/lc412.asp) > [@](#): > > Be mindful of credit inquiries. Inquiries that you make on your credit do not affect your credit history, but other individuals/companies that access your credit, affect your history negatively. Beware of businesses that may review your credit without your consent: car dealerships, apartment complexes, and life insurance companies. Excessive credit inquiries can distort a creditor’s perception of your financial well being. Therefore, keep credit inquiries to a minimum - no more than 4 or 5 in a year. Now, this does not mean you cannot shop around. There are ways of estimating your credit score, and most banks/brokers should be able to give you a rough rate estimate if you tell them the basics of the proposed loan and your credit score – without opening a credit inquiry. They, of course, have every incentive to go right ahead with an inquiry so as to get the ball rolling and get you tied up with them, but if you ask them not to do an inquiry, they shouldn’t. An extremely useful place to start for any mortgage/loan issue is: > **[Bankrate — Compare Mortgage Rates & Financial Products](https://www.bankrate.com)** > > Compare today's mortgage rates, savings accounts, credit cards, and more. Bankrate helps you find the best rates from hundreds of banks and credit unions — free, unbiased, and updated daily. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/28 "2006-06-04T23:04:29Z")
I can’t really do much but wish you good luck - you guys are **good** people and this shouldn’t be happening to you. My mother just went through a mortgage application too, and they made her jump through so many hoops. We spent a few evenings crying together, sure that everything was against us and she’d never get approved. Every time we fulfilled their demands, they wanted another document, more proof, something else. It was the worst stress we’ve ever gone through. But we finally got it. Keep hope, you guys. I’m sure things will work out, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/29 "2006-06-05T01:59:56Z")
I also can’t do much but offer good thoughts. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you guys. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/30 "2006-06-05T03:00:01Z")
**Gingy, Dave** , we’re here for you. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/31 "2006-06-05T03:31:27Z")
Dave, and Ginger, Read your email, Board addresses, right away. Tris ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/32 "2006-06-05T05:08:42Z")
_hugs tight_ ---
**Author:** ![Stillwell\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Stillwell\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stillwell_Angel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/33 "2006-06-05T11:04:11Z")
Wow. Not only do I feel bad for your situation, but your story scares the crap outta me because we are going through the same thing (bad credit from my divorce, thought we had no chance, found out we did, picked out the perfect house, etc.). Our house inspection is today, the appraisal later this week, with a promised closing date within 2 weeks or so. Since the beginning of this I have stressed that something like what happened to you would happen to us. Then I’d tell myself, nah, it wouldn’t have gotten this far in the process if it wasn’t all good. Now I’m freaking out again :eek: We are lucky though that my landlord is an old family friend and said he wouldn’t try to rent the house until we have our closing, but damn I’d be bummed if ours falls through like your’s did. I would keep trying with other mortgage companies. I agree with what someone said above, I know some people with horrible credit who were able to get a mortgage (ourselves included if this one goes through). Best of luck with all this!! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/34 "2006-06-05T13:06:21Z")
Add me in with everyone who had their fingers crossed for you. I don’t know what to tell you; I am not a lawyer or mortgage type, and everyone else has given you better advice than I could. Are you still getting the same house, just looking for a new financing deal? I wish you’d gotten the house in Parkville - we coulda been neighbors! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/35 "2006-06-05T14:51:37Z")
Thanks to everyone for your good thoughts and advice, and the emailed offers have been particularly heartwarming. However, we aren’t in dire straits and we have, in fact, decided NOT to take the deal from the broker if it comes through. Silly us; we assumed that when he said “you have a mortgage, buy a house” we actually thought it meant “you have a mortgage, buy a house”. I need to learn American. Bibliocat: We could be neighbours yet, and not have to schlep to White Marsh for coffee. Watch this space. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/36 "2006-06-06T08:26:07Z")
Again, thanks everyone for the kind replys. Heh. Man, was I down and drunk when I wrote the OP. It’s not all for naught, however, I’ve given the nonnies a lot to talk about. You should check out their thread, I’m the worst human ever to have a family. It’s hella amusing. The upside is that, as much as the dope has been wattered down to just another website and not the community it was 3 years ago, I still got an email from another doper offering to lend us the 6K we would need to get into the house. Man, you guys rock! I wasn’t looking for or expecting that, but it happened. Still, things have moved on. My dad called me last weekend and told me about a house a friend of his had for rent with an option to buy. Having nothing to lose, Ginger and I went to look at it. As much as our previous house was perfect, so was this one. A lilac bush, magnolia and maple trees in the fully-fenced, immaculately kept yard; and beautiful care taken in renovating the inside. It’s a cape cod, which we really didn’t want because most cape cods have a very small upstairs rooms, but this place has large upstairs bedrooms plus a full bath. When Brent fell through on Monday ( as it was inevitable he would ), we were able to smile and say “NP, Thanks for you efforts” knowing that things had worked out for the best. We have a beautiful house in Parkville, and that’s enough. Things have worked out. As for the nonnies? Suck it fellas. Sorry, but I’m not living in a box. Better luck next time. My OP? well, lets put it down to a combination of beer and circumstances. Hell, ther’s a song by Daniel Powter: Because you had a bad day You’re taking one down You sing a sad song just to turn it around You say you don’t know You tell me don’t lie You work at a smile and you go for a ride You had a bad day The camera don’t lie You’re coming back down and you really don’t mind You had a bad day You had a bad day I had a bad day. That’s in the past. \ The days from here on out look golden indeed. \ ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/37 "2006-06-06T11:23:33Z")
Fantastic. I’m so glad things have worked out for you guys. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/38 "2006-06-06T11:48:54Z")
Sounds like y’all came out of this with an even sweeter deal. Fan-damn-tastic! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/39 "2006-06-06T12:09:59Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] Again, thanks everyone for the kind replys. Heh. Man, was I down and drunk when I wrote the OP. It’s not all for naught, however, I’ve given the nonnies a lot to talk about. [/QUOTE] “Nonnies”? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366/40 "2006-06-06T12:33:33Z")
So are you back to Parkville? That’s great! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-thinking-of-the-immortal-words-of-socrates-when-he-said-i-drank-what/359366.md?page=3)