Entries Tagged as 'comcast'

On Owning a New Construction

November 12th, 2008 · 14 Comments


Dad being funny when measuring windows for shades :: Logan Square, Chicago

I meant to write this down a while ago but never got to it. Been buuusssyyy. You know how that goes.

I just wanted to comment on my expectations on going buying a new construction versus something pre-owned. I went in thinkging that when you bought new that everything inside would be fresh and untouched and ready for immediate use, but the truth is that if no one has used it before then how do you know if it even works. For example, we didn’t have hot water for the first 3 days in our place because no one was living there to know if it was turned on correctly. Our laundry wasn’t operational for a week. We plugged something into a kitchen outlet and it just didn’t work. I’m sure they hooked it up and then never plugged anything in. Our door buzzers don’t work. Our tub is all nicked up. I don’t know why I thought when we moved into a new construction that everything would be perfect, as opposed to if someone had been using it and may have broken it. It’s like now we have to go turn everything on because we don’t know if anyone has ever tried before. (on a side note, does anyone know how a gas-igniting wood-burning fireplace is supposed to work?)

Also, not everything was finished in the construction when we moved in. Some has been done now, but not everything. And the whole place was covered in construction dust. Luckily our builder got a cleaning lady to come over and clean last weekend. We’re working with our developer to try to get everything fixed, but I don’t know… I feel kind of like naive because I thought with a new construction we’d have less issues to follow up with our developer on. Guess not. Also, when stuff is new… it’s tough knowing you’re the one who messed it up! That mark on the wall… that scratch on the cupboards.. that was YOU, dummy!

Anyway, I’m not saying I don’t like our place or am not happy with our purchase, I totally am. Just wanted to write this down. On Friday we’re supposed to get Comcast cable, finally. We’re not wired right and Direct TV won’t install. So long Sunday Ticket! When we were packing and planning at our old place, it seemed like the moving part was some sort of ending but really it’s just a new beginning of a long list of things to do and follow up on. And buy. I never before had to stand in front of 298 bathroom towel rack fixtures at Home Depot and decide which matched the faucets the most. Home Depot is a major money pit and is to be avoided at all costs. At least our cellular shades are all on order now and due in at the end of the month. Then we can take down those classy sheets that are hanging in the downstairs den windows! Upstairs we’ve just been exhibitionists. Without a television, we have eaten more dinners at the dinner table in the last 2 weeks than in the whole time we’ve known each other.. although a few times we were watching our shows on my little laptop using Hulu.


Before we were unpacked upstairs – Rachelle, Mom, Dallas :: Logan Square, Chicago

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Getting Settled

November 1st, 2008 · 10 Comments

I’m up kind of early and not motivated to start organizing and unpacking yet. Yesterday after we moved in we had a lot of house calls.

The Latino dry waller who worked on this building came by looking for our developer, David. He had 6 containers of homemade salsa that his wife made and I guess periodically he gives them to David because he knows how much he likes it. David wasn’t around, so he put the salsa in the fridge of the one remaining condo unit in our building, but not before giving me one of them, which was really nice. The dry waller had his adorable daughter with him. She was maybe 6 years old, but she wouldn’t tell me her name. Too shy. Me: “cómo te llamas?” Her: Blank stare.

Later on we went and ate at Taqueria Moran, a nearby inexpensive Mexican restaurant. I was hoping/dreading that this place would be good because we’ll be walking past it a few times every day. If it’s good, score! But then I’ll want to go all the time. I love Mexican food. Verdict? It was good. Dallas loved the carnitas. After lunch we went across the street to the Mexican supermarket. I wanted to get some good chips for the salsa we were given. Also just wanted to check it out. Loads of fresh produce. Hopefully it’s a good quality because it’s really nearby our place. Just looked, it got poor reviews on Yelp. We also stopped into Panaderia La Central, the Mexican bakery, that’s right there. I’d gotten sweets there one time with Jen and Jess when we first viewed the condo, but Dallas had never been. We didn’t get anything, but had fun looking.

Back to unpacking. The Comcast guy came over next to get our internet service up and running. Then the plumber came over to work on finishing up the steam shower (!!) and David the Developer (groan) came over to check in on things. At night, after trick-or-treating Chad helped us move a few more things that we didn’t trust with the movers. Looooong day.

Today we’re expecting to see David again. An electrician is coming over to finish up a few things, a cleaning person is coming over because there’s a lot of dust and dirt on things from construction still, and I think the painter might be coming to take care of some sealing on the stairs. Oh, and the Direct TV is getting transferred over today. My parents are arriving in a few hours to help us out over the weekend. On Monday we have “the trimmer” coming to finish up some things in the bedroom that we had the developer change in the last week before we moved in. Our place is 99% complete but there are still some things on a list that need to be completed with the developer. Hopefully he’s cool and follows through on all he has promised to finish working on.

Now that you read all that, I guess I can show you a few photos of the place! These were taken when I came over before the movers, so it was completely empty. The condo is two floors, like our last apartment was. On the top is the kitchen, dining room, powder room, and living room. The bottom floor is a den/rec room/second living room, spare bedroom that will most likely be an office, bathroom, laundry, master bedroom and master bathroom. We have a private patio space as well as a shared deck on top of the garage. Oh, and a parking space in the garage. Right now our bikes are parked there!

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