Furnishing

After walking around both Ikea and Value Village today and getting a bit overwhelmed, I thought I should start to plan what I need to buy so I can start looking for specific deals.

I might be getting ahead of myself, but I could be moving in within ten days or so. The original settlement date was March 31. The bank seems to be able to get it done by then or so, but then there will be an additional hold-up while I wait for the Baltimore City Employee Incentive Grant to come through. I'm not sure how other folks manage it, mostly because I just don't get how the incentive is supposed to work. However, I apparently will be getting $3750 ($3000 + $750 for it being a Healthy Neighborhoods house) from the city at closing; however, the incentive (which is fashioned as a 5-year loan that decreases 20% every year, so that it's forgiven if you live in the house for 5 years) is holding up the closing by up to two weeks, because we'll only be waiting on the grant to come. They're going through a massive re-organization right now at Baltimore Housing, and the lady in charge of the grant is out sick for a long time, so that might also be what is holding it up and adding even more red tape than usual. It's still a lot of money, so hopefully it'll be worth it. The long story short, though, is that the organization selling me the house will be letting me move in early - via a pre-settlement deal. It's not a certainty, but the kind woman I am working with says she's "sure we can work something out regarding a pre-settlement move-in date." So, I'm hoping that means it happens around the original date of March 31. (Besides, they're going to call the police on me otherwise... I keep stalking the new house by parking, walking around the yard, picking up trash, peer in the windows, etc.)

Anyhow, this has got me excited, and, as I pack and pack and pack here, my eyes and mind are on the future house, and how I'm going to set it up. This is what I'm thinking now:

Living Room

Have halfway decent couch.

Need coffee table, end table, bookcase, chair, nice rug, and nice big plant. It's so bright and I think a plant is just what it needs.


Kitchen/Dining Room

Have kitchen table (antique, from friend)

Need 4 kitchen table chairs, 2 bar stools, rug. Would like wine rack.

Basement Rec Room

Have elliptical machine, weights, and clunky TV

Need small couch, futon, or a couple of chairs.

Office
Have computer/desk.

Need rug.

Bedroom

Have bed and rug.

Would like to upgrade bed (or at least get a headboard/footboard). Need dresser (have been using plastic dressers for years).

Den/Guest Room/Library

Have lots and lots of books and CDs.
Need bookcases, large futon, Rug, coffee table, chair, possibly flat panel TV to mount (I'll have help to mount the week of move-in.)

So, to prioritize, I think it would look something like this:

1. Large futon

2. 4 kitchen chairs

3. 3-4 rugs

4. bookcases

5. TV

6. 2 lounge chairs

7. dresser

8. bed upgrade


I don't need it all at once, obviously. However, I am excited about the housewarming party, whenever that might be.

I'm going to be doing a lot of Craig's Listing!