Hello All from San Antonio, TX. I just got a bid for the Carrier Infinity 17, 4 Ton Unit, Carrier coil and the Infinity Control Panel,no duct work required, installed from a national store chain. After the Carrier $1000 cash back and a $500 credit from CPS our local Utility Co., the bid came to $9600.00 Wow, I had no idea Ac would cost so much, but I'm told this unit is one of the best. I had another guy tell me he could get me a tax credit on the same system, but according to the last guy I spoke with, you can't get a Tax Crdit on a 4 Ton system, It just won't qualify, he said I need to get a certificate to be sure if I'm told they will qualify. Question; Is this a resonable bid? It's hot here in Texas, maybe I should down grade, but I'm thinking the more efficient Infinity 17 would make up for it in the long run? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I'll keep reading the other posts to see what I can learn. Thanks!

You already said that you were going to repair the roof. So don't worry about that part of it. But, you should use the roof repair as leverage... never give anything up unless you get something in return, or at least try. The buyers do not know that you are willing to do the repair, so use it to get something that you want... probably a higher price. Your list price is $248,000. They are at $228,000 minus the $5000 closing costs. if you both give in the same amount, ($12,500) you end up at a net of $235,500. Is this acceptable to you? If so, then it should be an easy negotiation. If you need more, than you and your agent need to negotiate harder. (Use that roof replacement as leverage) If your agent did his homework and educated you thoroughly, you should already have the comps in hand from when he listed the place... it's only been 18 days. Doesn't matter what the buyer throws at you. In fact, you can throw those above comps at them sometime during the negotiations. Most of the time, I call my seller after I have emailed them the offer. We then go through the offer term by term, over the phone. Congrats on an offer so quick and good luck.

Aww...Judy, I'm so sorry. As someone who has gone through a divorce and someone whose children have also experienced it - it's rough, I know. I now know why my DM called me everyday to make sure that I was okay! I watched my DD just grow more and more unhappy and skinnier!! (And she was the one who finally filed for divorce.) My DM said I turned from night to day after I divorced and remarried. She said she had no idea that I was as unhappy as what I was until she saw the "old me" come back and my DD was the same way. If your DS has been going through this for six months he may also feel a sense of relief when it is all over for him. Sleepless nights and the thought of your spouse with somebody else are rough on a person, I know. Don't have a lot of advice except just be there for your son and grandkids. Spend a LOT of time this summer with the kids and reassure them that they are loved and that life will go on. It'll be different and it'll be hard for awhile, but they'll be okay. It's hard to see dreams go awry for people you love, isn't it!? ((Judy and family))

I'm in Switzerland this week for Xmas. I arrived too late in the month to see the Xmas market in the small town I'm visiting, I was in Lucerne yesterday and they had a market but I didn't spend much time there, we spent more time walking along the lake. Today we drove a little over an hour to Colmar, France to see their Xmas market. it was crowded, very, very crowded, but it was a beautiful, mild day so we expected that. It was quaint little wooden huts selling all the usual stuff you can buy in the shops, very few unique or handcrafted items. There was a majority of food stalls - chocolate, wine, bakery items. It was a wonderful day even if I'm not a shopper. eta: Obviously, I don't have any problem not being home for Xmas. I am spending time with family on this trip but not my everyday family. I don't stick to many traditions, I like to mix things up and have new experiences.