Appraisal

Raise your hand if you knew there were this many hoops to jump through to purchase a home! The latest hoop that I successfully navigated was the home appraisal. The home appraisal is where the bank that's lending me the money ensures that the home is actually worth enough to cover them if I were to fail to pay. From what I understand the appraisal almost always comes in right at the contract price, since being too far off either way raises a lot of flags. Of course, that isn't to say if there is something flag worthy they don't raise a flag.

In more interesting news, I got a visit from my brother and his family. My nephew is stationed in CT although he is supposed to be reployed somewhere else sometime soon. We met in Charlestown (my brother was particularly impressed that people actually say Charles-town instead of charleston, since people in Massachusetts love saying things oddly) and had lunch at the Warren Tavern. Apparently it's been around since before the Revolution. Although considering the low ceilings and how long it took to get a table, I think one visit is enough.

We also went to see Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution. It's quite something that the Constitution is the oldest commisioned ship at sea. I kind of wonder what the oldest ship at sea might be, I forgot to ask on the tour. Apparently the limey's have a commisioned ship that's older but it is permanently dry-docked. I did ask how much of the ship is original, afterall, being in 33 battles, even if you win them all, will take its toll, the answer was 10-15%, apparently the keel and not much else.

Ah... it's good to be back someplace with some history. Although I realize that Boston has nothing on a lot of European cities, it has a distinct edge on just about anywhere in the Americas.