Disappointment today and more broadly

[mtbc]

I have something of a daily routine. Admittedly, I had difficulty getting to sleep last night so replaced my usual morning workout and shower with more sleep then a bath, which I hoped would make me feel better, at least warmer. Still, I've settled into various things that are now easily managed: what groceries to buy, cooking, washing up, laundry, etc. I am slowly accumulating a set of useful possessions, today including a saw to deal with some of the larger branches lying around the yard. Today's weather was beautiful, though rain is now moving in for the weekend so the firewood can wait.

My work time was unproductive today. I am having to learn things instead of doing things I already know, which requires more alertness and enthusiasm than I actually felt. Not feeling great this morning, I sorted out lunch early, in case I felt better after, then had a couple of things in the calendar that broke up the afternoon a little unfortunately. Tomorrow I should get more uninterrupted time to focus and perhaps I will get more done if I can get more sleep tonight.

I believe that the situation with the house is what weighs on me most. I am less confident in myself, having managed to buy a house that, unnoticed by the inspection, needs so much further work. Sure, it was recently remodeled (and priced accordingly), but so incompetently. I can't arrange my environment to fit how I want to live and what I want to do when various rooms still need work, currently the central living area and kitchen. It feels interminable and costs so many thousands of dollars, I am spending much faster than I earn it, and, on days like today, I don't feel worth my salary anyway. So, I suffer double imposter syndrome, both: can I be good at my work, and do I even have the life skills to use my inheritance wisely. Also, spring is coming and I will soon have to apply money and attention to the kudzu-choked tall trees, not that the inspection mentioned the kudzu.

I repeatedly review my situation and don't see how I can be doing better. My handyman is a competent all-rounder, charges at the lower end of hourly rates, and shows me what issues are then tries to find cheap, lasting solutions. A high fraction of what I am having them fix relates to preserving the house I have (sealing floors and counters, blocking water ingress, replacing rotting wood, etc.) or that should soon pay for themselves (adding insulation, filling gaps to outside air, etc.). I don't see much that I should have done or be doing differently. Perhaps not trust an inspector recommended by my realtor (not the seller's)? Have two inspections? The handyman's taking the time to do a decent job of things which, from this point, seems worth the investment as I do plan to stay here. However, I remain many steps back from where I had expected to now be, and where I am now is hardly comfortable.

Comments

[shadowkat]

If it makes you feel any better? My brother has had this experience with every house he's bought.
I think he ended up tearing out his kitchen and fireplace in the current one and redoing the whole thing - and this was after he declared it perfect when he bought it.

It sounds like you are doing the best you can under the circumstances - you did move during a pandemic, from Scotland to the US. That's kind of huge. And you hired able workmen.

I feel for you regarding work - I got little done today too - felt like I was spinning my wheels.

Ah well, I hope tomorrow is better.

[mtbc]

The following day was indeed better, thank you.

[wpadmirer]

Houses are just naturally pains in the butt. So it's certainly no reflection on anything you did that you have problems that need fixing. It's the way of houses.

You're dealing with a lot of isolation, so I think you should factor that into what you're feeling. Your family is far away, and you've got a new job.

You are doing well.

[mtbc]

Thank you. Yes, it would be easier if I could share the burden better. After the stress of the move from Scotland, I was hoping to take a breath and relax.

[lovelyangel]

Houses always have problems that aren't caught by inspections – and houses by their nature are money sinks. Still, do did seem to get a less than competent inspector. There's always luck in getting a professional, unless you've had previous experience with specific individuals.

Given a rough house, it's just going to take time (in order to spread out the expense) to get things up to snuff. Patience will help.

[mindstalk]

Sympathies. Does seem you have trouble catching a break.

A friend bought a house a few years ago. Turned out to have a big fungus infestation, and he's suing the company that didn't tell him about it. House wasn't sold as a fixer-upper but turned out to be. This in the L.A. area.

[mtbc]

Mmm, my handyman recently mused that he hopes there isn't mold in the walls. (Previously there were bad leaks.) I hope so too!

[mellowtigger]

It's amazing how much doesn't get noticed by inspectors. I don't really blame them, though. Especially when some issues become apparent only during special situations (like heavy sustained rainfall), it's difficult to know before the problem makes itself apparent. I'm still much too poor to fix all of the things wrong at my house, but I just hope to repair them before any serious (more expensive) damage is done.

[mtbc]

Certainly a few neighbors are clearly adopting interim fixes, such as a couple of layers of tarpaulin or plastic sheeting wrapped around the chimney.