Officially Homeowners

It's official, Lyle and I own a piece of Belle Harbor!!! I'm not sure what we expected at closing, but only a small crew was present: Lyle and me, our attorney, the seller's attorney, the title agent and the bank representative. Paper swirled between the four of them and we signed everything our attorney passed over. In some states you're not required to have an attorney to buy a home. I have NO idea how we would have gotten through this process without one. Before we signed each document, he thankfully explained each sheet. In total, it took about two hours before we were on the road to go step foot in our new home! 

When we arrived at the condo, the builder met us with a bouquet of two dozens roses welcoming us. It was completely surreal standing inside and knowing it's ours. We're both over moon and I couldn't wait to tell people. We stopped at the Belle Harbor Diner for lunch and before the waitress could take our order I was already letting her know that we just bought a condo and would be neighborhood residents.

Our current apartment packed and we're moving tomorrow! A word of warning, our internet provider won't be able to set us up until September 30. I'm going to try to keep up the posts through the month, but it might be spotty. Next post?? From Belle Harbor, Queens!! 

Happy 1-Year to Where'sMy.House

I can hardly believe it, but its been one year since Lyle and I began our hunt for a community to call home. If you told me at the beginning of this exploration that we'd be closing on our family's first home tomorrow, I would have scoffed. I truly had no idea that the journey would lead us right back to where we started, New York City. I feel lucky and incredibly fortunate to be taking this next step with Lyle and I can't wait to move us, our cat Moosh and our future family's hopes and dreams out to the Rockaways! 

The past year has been full of exciting moments:   

At the end of the day Lyle called it, he told me jokingly to shut down the blog on the second weekend it was live. Belle Harbor was the very first neighborhood we toured. As we pulled away he said "exactly where we were is exactly where we want to be." He knew it before the journey even began. 

Although it feels like part of the story is coming to an end, not to worry! Where'sMy.House will continue over the next year, committed to the same principles it was founded on of defining our own family's American Dream. We'll just now be reporting from the perspective of home-ownership! As always, we invite you to take part in the journey with us, crib any lessons learned and have fun along the way. 

Family Vaca and a Closing Date... Wildwood, NJ

For as long as I can remember, Wildwood, NJ has been our family's vacation destination. Southern New Jersey might not be far, but it always feels like a significant getaway. 2015 was no different and a whole crew convened 'down the shore.' 

Night two, us cousins ventured up on the boardwalk. Game of choice? The Claw.

We celebrated my Mom's birthday with Oreo Cake, rides and a couple more games.

The trip wouldn't be complete without Nana hitting the slots in Atlantic City... 

... and a quick round of mini-golf at Duffer's. 

The icing on the cake was that we scheduled our closing date this week as well! After our walkthrough last weekend, we found out we'll make settlement on Monday, Aug. 31st!! We can't wait. 

FHA Approved!

We got word Friday evening that our condo has been FHA approved! Six months after contract signing, Lyle and I can finally move forward with finalizing our loan and setting the closing date. It almost seems to good to be true!! Friday night was the first time I actually let myself believe that this was the place our family would call our first home. We celebrated with Friday dinner at Sekend Sun, some Saturday motorcycle riding in NJ and a Sunday drive-by to check-out the new neighbors and see who's already moved in.

Under Construction... Austin, TX

I spent the first half of the week in the Lone Star State, hoping to win a new commission for my architectural practice. Prior to our team's interview we toured the Texas State San Marcos campus and took in what would be the new building site. 

Following the interview, I got to tour the University of Texas at Austin campus where my office currently has two buildings under construction. They don't look like much more than big holes now, but soon towering buildings will be put in their place. I can never quite grasp the enormity looking at renderings from behind my desk. Standing on the edge puts it in a whole new perspective. 

While I was traveling, people continue to move into other condo units in our complex! We continue to wait for FHA approval and have had to commission a second appraisal. Apparently our first expired after ninety days. Seeing other units with cars in the driveways and lounge chairs on the balconies makes it even more real. We're certainly feeling more excitement than ever before!!

Sitting Ducks

With all our FHA paperwork in, Lyle and I are just waiting. Our attorney has religiously extended our contract every few weeks and we're sitting tight while the Feds determine if our condo is worth backing.

Our excitement surged yesterday when we drove past the condo complex and saw multiple units are occupied! People are beginning to move in and we can hardly contain ourselves. I wanted to get out of the car and chat with our future neighbors, but didn't want to risk jinxing it. Until that paperwork goes through, Lyle and I have no assurances. We hope to get news in the next few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for us (and for interest rates remaining low)! 

Sun Soaking... NYC

Who doesn't love summer in the City? Lyle and I have been taking advantage of the sunny weather. Last Saturday? Blast from the past listening to the Gin Blossoms and G Love & Special Sauce. 

Sunday? Roller-Boogie Themed Party in Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

Today? Lazy days in the Rockaways. We got news this week that our condo charter has been approved by the City and people can begin moving in! All our paperwork has now been submitted to the FHA. Fingers crossed it'll be approved soon, then onto closing. For now we're just enjoying the beach amenities.

One step closer to the American Dream

Happy 4th of July!! As we celebrate the nation's independence, Lyle and I are also celebrating a little news regarding our own American dream. We learned this week that 16 of the 18 units in our condo complex received their Certificate of Occupancy. Now that the CofO has been issued, the condominium charter application can go to the City. Once granted, all-cash and conventional-loan buyers can begin to close. All good news for us!

All that said, we still need to be patient. Our FHA loan will only go through once the property has been approved by the Federal Housing Association. The seller can only submit that paperwork once the condominium charter has been enacted, and who knows how long it will take for FHA approval to be granted. 

Realistically? Could be up to six months. For now, we're hunkering down in Astoria and are confident it'll be worth the wait.

The NYPost agrees! 

Most interesting tidbit? Our condo development was featured! Meet one of our new neighbors, Chris Salmonese, a 30-year-old oil broker looking for a summer retreat.

We're extremely curious about who else will be in the mix. 

NYSCI: A Restoration... Corona, Queens

On Thursday, the New York Hall of Science celebrated its fifty year anniversary with the opening of the restored Great Hall. Originally designed by Harrison and Abramovitz for the 1964 World's Fair, the Great Hall was the main exhibit space then and is still drawing visitors today. Thursday's dinner threw props to the institution, the architect and the borough of Queens, but the highlight of the night was checking out the Connected Worlds exhibit now on display in the newly restored space. Visitors can control a virtual eco-system by routing water from the 15-foot high waterfall, plant seeds and watch full forests grow. My date, Lindsay, and I couldn't help but be mesmerized. 

Sale and Celebrating... Beacon and Mt. Kisco, NY

This Saturday we headed north for a day in Beacon followed by an evening in Mt. Kisco. Niche Modern was having their factory sale and although we didn't end up with a new light fixture, we did have a blast watching glassblowers and hanging out with friends. 

Other Beacon pitstops included The Hop, Ella's Bellas, Zora Dora Micro Batch Ice Cream and Paletaria, Bank Square Coffee House and Clay, Wood & Cotton.

Mt. Kisco provided the perfect setting for Rebecca's birthday celebration, with drinks at Pour Cafe & Wine Bar followed by dinner at Village Social. Does a summer day get any better??? 

Triple Crown Victory... Belmont Park, NY

The first Triple Crown winner within my lifetime and I was present! Young and old, rich and poor, party seekers and committed fans of the ponies, all came together in an eruptive moment of excitement as American Pharoah crossed the finish line. Our day at the racetrack with friends would have been fun regardless, but witnessing history being made put the cherry on the cake. It turned out to be a day that Lyle and I won't ever forget. 

The day started out rainy, but cleared up before the main event

The first Triple Crown winner since 1978, and then there were twelve

First of many visitors... Belle Harbor, Queens

Mom and Dad made a quick day trip from Harrisburg to NYC yesterday to check out the condo Lyle and I have been gushing about for months. A beautiful day for sightseeing, Belle Harbor didn't disappoint. Our first stop was to Jameson's Pub on 129th Street for a quick bite to eat before checking out the beach and the condo!

The purchase seems more real than ever now that someone else has seen it. We're crazy excited for the Certificate of Occupancy to be issued, FHA to approve the property and finally to move in! Who knows how long until everything shakes out, but I hear patience is a virtue. I'm happy to enjoy the summer (next weekend the Belmont!) and wait it out. 

8th Annual Memorial Day Picnic... Astoria, Queens

Eight years of Memorial Day picnics have not left me tired of the event! Every year Lyle and I get three-foot subs, make some cocktails and gather friends and family at 19th Street and Ditmars to enjoy the holiday weekend by soaking  up the sun. This year's picnic was a small gathering but no less fun. With three adorable kiddos, two energetic pups and Alton Brown's Cucumber Lemonade Gin Punch and Bobby Flay's California Rose Punch, the day couldn't have been any better.

Who knows? Maybe the 9th Annual Memorial Day Picnic will be at a different location... Belle Harbor, perhaps??

Lazy Sunday... Rockaways, Queens

Beach season has officially arrived! Sun bathers dotted the coastline and Lyle and I didn't miss out on the beautiful weather and soothing sound of the surf. We packed a Blue Apron picnic before heading out. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and dozing. Sunday time well spent. 

Birthday Bubbles... Valhalla, NY

Who knew that buying a completed new condo could be such a waiting game? This week we learned that none of the units in our new development have closed because a certificate of occupancy has yet to be issued. Once a COO is issued, presumably units will close and the condo charter will finally be enacted. Then, and only then, can our FHA paperwork be filed. Could be much longer a wait than Lyle and I anticipated. Nothing to do but hunker down and...

Blow bubbles! On Saturday we celebrated Chris's birthday at his home in Valhalla. Hot wings, waffle fries, Ullr and Cards Against Humanity followed puppy love and birthday bubbles. 

Springtime in the City... The New York Public Library

Spring always inspires me to take advantage of what New York City has to offer. Cabin fever prompts an adventurous spirit. Last week it was the cherry blossoms, this week I toured The New York Public Library. The Schwarzman Building, at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, is the epitome of decadence coupled with a sense of democratic welcome. Many were taking advantage of the weather and scenery by hanging on the stoop. I took one of the Library's public tours with Catherine Ortiz, a French woman with enough sass for the entire group.

Japanese Blossoms... Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Since moving to NYC, seeing the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been on my bucket list. Every year comes and I tell Lyle we're going to make a day out of it, and every April passes and we never go. FINALLY 2015 is the year! We bought two tickets to the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Festival and joined the crowds, cosplay and selfie sticks to get a glimpse of the blooming signal that summer is just around the corner. 

After the festival, we drove to Belle Harbor to check-in on our condo. More units had an 'Under Contract' sign on them than ever before, including ours!!! Although the contract has been in place for over a month, it felt so much more real to stand by the sign announcing to the public that someone has dibs on the place.

Looking forward to the day a closing date will be assigned! 

One step at a time

A rough week at work started lookin' up when we heard that our loan application continues to move forward! 

In addition to the condominium's FHA approval, we'll find out later this week if there are additional clarifications we'll need to address. Our dreams of a summer by the ocean seem more realistic every day!

Spring Storm... New Windsor, NY

For the first time this year, spring finally felt like it arrived in the NYC metro-area. Lyle and I took advantage of the sunny weather and spent the day at Storm King Arts Center. "Widely celebrated as one of the world's leading sculpture parks," it's been on our to-do list for years. Over one hundred sculptures are nestled in five hundred acres of landscape, it was the perfect activity for a day out-of-doors.

Before heading back to Queens, we stopped in Beacon to have an early dinner at The Hop. Pulled pork mac 'n cheese topped off the perfect day. :o) 

Eggs

Happy Easter (and Passover) from Where'sMy.House!! Lyle and I celebrated with two brunches in PA, one with friends and one with family.

As for the condo, we've gotten our loan application officially underway. For now we sit tight and wait. More to come!