Thursday, August 9, 2007

We took possession of the boat TODAY!

We are no longer homeless!

We're now officially live-aboard cruisers. We finalized the transaction today, and we now have posession of our new home. Tomorrow morning, I will check out of the hotel, and move aboard with the few things I have here. Susan will join me in a couple of weeks, after arranging shipment of our household goods from Scottsdale, selling my car, and a number of other tasks at that end.

I want to express our profound gratitude to our buyers' broker, Jim Guin, of AAA Yacht Sales in Melbourne, Florida. His experience, expertise, wise guidance, vast knowledge, and patience have made our boat search productive and successful. He ensured that this transaction ran like clockwork. Some of the services he provided to us were:
  • Helped us evaluate candidate boats
  • Provided sound advice on equipment, engines, generators, navigation equipment, etc.
  • Prepared offers and counter-offers to sellers' brokers, and negotiation skills
  • Recommended marine surveyors
  • Arranged survey logistics
  • Arranged haul-out logistics with the boatyard on short notice
  • Helped us evaluate the survey findings
  • Prepared the transaction closing statement
  • Recommended the Marine Insurance Carrier (Liability and hull coverage at great rates)
  • Arranged final wire transfer to seller's broker
Jim Guin is not only an excellent yacht broker, he is a true gentlemen, and operates at the highest ethical standards in his industry. We will enthusiastically recommend him to anyone interested in engaging a buyer's or seller's broker!

I'm pooped, and hungry. Time to eat, and then to bed! Tomorrow is a big day!

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