Oh well(butrin)

The asking price is $189,000 but the place needs a new kitchen and new bathroom so I bid $165,000; they countered with $175,000; I countered with $168,000; they’re offended.  So.  Do I a) stump up to $175,000 or b) counter with $172,000 and see where we are or c) tell them to come back to me if they don’t find a buyer at their price?

Pros: 

• big (around 825sf vs my 670sf);
• top floor so no one above me;
• corner unit with windows on both sides;
• the picture of the dining area which is what I would convert to my office/second bedroom is what sold me on the apartment.  I can see how I’d redo that corner of the apartment and I see green walls like I have now (maybe a touch brighter) and a convertible sofa against the short wall, my computer desk, and then dividing the space from the rest of the apartment, a glass wall of 2 fixed panes and 2 sliding doors.  The glass wall would be draped so anyone staying over would have privacy but otherwise the drapes would always be open to let in all the light.

Cons:

• It’s a one bedroom that has to be converted to two (see plans for glass wall above);
• the bathroom and kitchen need to be completely redone so that’s about $20,000 right there; don’t know the cost of the glass wall.  One of the radiators would have to be moved to accommodate the glass wall. 
• Because it’s on the top floor, it would be extra hot in the summer; I’m not too worried about the cold of the winter because heat rises - but since it’s a bigger building than what I’m in now, the deck between floors is concrete so I don’t know how much heat would travel. 
• It’s all electric (which I have now) and Con Ed told me the current occupants average monthly bill for the last 12 months was $299 and their most recent payment was $187—but they’re a family of four (2 little kids) so their consumption is probably higher than mine would be. 
• Parking is a crap shoot; there’s a garage in the building but it doesn’t accommodate many cars and so there’s a waiting list; there’s a small lot in the back but it’s not big enough so parking could be on the streets—the lot in back is reached by walking outside the building.  I would ask for a key to the garage.

So I’m on the fence.  I think, most likely, I’ll tell them if they don’t find a seller, to come back to me and we’ll talk.

If I let this apartment sit, I get to stay in therapy which is good because - well, just because.  I like my therapist (we talked about the parking thing at the apartment and she said she asks her dead aunt dot for help when she’s looking for a spot and so I asked her to ask Aunt Dot to intervene for me too when necessary.)  And we’re making some headway on the weight/food/mother thing; we’re nowhere near resolution but closer to understanding.

Had my annual physical last night and my blood pressure was 130/84 and my weight was under 200.  I told her don’t tell me the number but if it’s over 210 to shoot me; she said it was under.  I said 209? and she said under 200.  I didn’t ask any more.  She gave me scripts for the hydrochlorothiazide (12.5mg a day—it’s a water pill); blood and urine tests; and reminded me I’m due for a colonoscopy in January.  And I got a flu shot.

Next month I go to the psychiatrist for my quarterly medication evaluation.  I think I’m going to be one of those people who are on wellbutrin for life.  That’s ok.  I can deal with it.  I asked my doctor last night about toxicity and she said from all she’s read and knows, it’s safe.

And there you have it.