House hunting!

[slj84]

The new owners are over at the house tonight, so I'm guessing all went through on their end.  Darn it Oh well, its not to say that house was perfect.  The inside was nice but they never upkept the outside and never planted a yard. Also had vaulted celings so heating bill could of been high.  Kinda been playing around with the idea of building too.  I would love to go that route (Waynes homes has a layout exactly how I want it), but by the time you pay for the house, land, clearing the land, ect ect. It may not be a great route for me right now. 

My only concern is i'm being offered a awsome interest rate and i'm afraid if I take too long i'll loose it. 

Oh I would love buy my parents house ;p I tease them all the time that they have been wanting to downsize into a ranch and I adore this house, but I'm apparently unconvincing They would like to get a smaller house, but they also love the neighbors and the location so I can't see them moving anytime soon.  I also tried to convince my dad to buy my a huge house that is way out of my price rangel) (And way more house then I need but beautiful, he told me to find 289,000 people to give me $1 and I'm good to go Silly parents.

As for looking over every detail.  My dad comes with me to each house I look at,  he's great at looking at things that I would miss like that.  He noticed the cracks in the basement and the places in the cealing that was repainted becaues of leaks. Hopefully soon something will work out.  There is another house down the road from here, but it doesn't have a garage which is a big thing for me.

[zabe77]

That's so cool that your dad is coming along! It's so helpful to have someone experienced to come along and look for things you might not notice.

kiwimlp, I squealed so long at the SW collection, the realtor ran downstairs likely with the sad hope that I had found something super awesome that would make the sale!

[prettypony55]

We bought a HUD home for our first house and ended up replacing the foundation walls. (among other major things) I like out house, but this is not out forever one. We have been looking here and there at homes, and I am super nit picky!! We have learned the hard way. Like for instance roofs. They claim to have a new roof put on, ok great! Did they remove the old one or shingle over it? How many roofs were on there? How did the decking look, did they replace any? Was there ever any leaks? Who replaced it? You and your brother on a weekend, or a roofing company I can call and that has a gaurentee?

I will never ever ever buy a house with any kind of foundation wall issues. I dont care if it inly has a tiny little itty bitty crack. Nope! We once looked at a house that someone drove a car through. Also, look at the neighbors of a home your looking at? Drive around the neighborrhod at various times of the day. Ask the neighbors about the people who are selling the home. Did they have crazy parties every night? Did they maintain the house well?

My husband and I figured things out for ourselves. I like our house and it suits us fine for now.But, we put a ton of blood sweat and tears, and a boat load of money into it.

[slj84]

Those are all great thing to look for pretty pony, and that's why my dad tags along  He has built enough things and bought enough houses to help me see the difference between a pretty house that's hiding things that I wouldn't see.

Sunday im trying again.  It's a rather dull looking ranch with no garage, basement or air condition installed and it would be a short sale.  The inside looks really nice and had a nice open layout.  I'm hoping if I like it, see if I can get a contractor out to see about adding a attached garage if I can get the price down on the house.  The basement wasn't something on my must have list and the AC can be added if I find I need it.  Looking at the pictures, I might be able to add a garage making the house a L shape, and using the current entry point as the garage entry.  I would have to see about moving the entry to the house, which all depends on the layout of the house itself. 

I think if I can do the changes I would like within my budget I could turn it into a nice looking little house.  It's down the road from my parents so I know the neighborhood, has a nice piece of land with it and doesn't really have neighbors right next door.  So I'm crossing my fingers on this one and hoping if I do like it the bank wants it out of there hands because I think without a garage it's going to be s hard thing to sell in this neighborhood.

[Novavelle]

the very first house we saw, I fell in love with, and the people weren't budging on price (and asking about 25k more then market value) so I had to let it go, but after about 10 we found one (same builder) and they accepted our offer... I love my house I'm so glad I didn't over pay too!

[Mori_LeStrange]

Kinda been playing around with the idea of building too.  I would love to go that route (Waynes homes has a layout exactly how I want it), but by the time you pay for the house, land, clearing the land, ect ect. It may not be a great route for me right now. 

Ohhh you could build a Victorian mansion! With lots of wrought iron fencing and gargoyles! Yes that would be the perfect house. I have a feeling a future roommate would love that house. 

[banditpony]

I'm sooo picky, I can't imagine house hunting. I am somewhat lucky that I plan to buy my childhood house (when my dad is ready to sell). It's got lots of land for animals + large area for garden, is in a good location, a deck that overlooks lots of pretty land, large basement, nice layout (Though it is tiny), is away from the road, good schools... ;O;* I can't imagine anywhere else.

[lochnessmomster]

I'm sooo picky, I can't imagine house hunting. I am somewhat lucky that I plan to buy my childhood house (when my dad is ready to sell). It's got lots of land for animals + large area for garden, is in a good location, a deck that overlooks lots of pretty land, large basement, nice layout (Though it is tiny), is away from the road, good schools... ;O;* I can't imagine anywhere else.

Sounds lovely! 

[slj84]

Yes Mori! You just pay for it and we are good to go :p   

[Mori_LeStrange]

Ok!..... Can I borrow some money?

[StoryDreamer]

Open all cabinets and closets and doors. Pay attention to water spots, wood floor condition etc. Find out about average taxes, etc.

[slj84]

Ok!..... Can I borrow some money?

Nope I'm buying a house (well hopefully sometime in the next 10 years :p)

Open all cabinets and closets and doors. Pay attention to water spots, wood floor condition etc. Find out about average taxes, etc.

Good suggestions!  The last two owners have stayed, I feel so awkward going Into strangers houses and just opening there closests and cupboards.  Hopefully the one today won't be there.  This is the one that I would be having a contractor look at to see about adding a garage and moving the front door if I decide I like it.  Crossing my fingers on this one!


UPDATE: Loved this house, going tomorrow to put a offer in on it to start the process, Dad is pretty sure we can put that garage on it no problem and maybe even a little front porch, but I am going to get in contact tomorrow to set up for a contractor to come out and take a look before we get to far into the process.  When I first started looking I thought nope not going to touch that house, but now I'm looking at it more of a house that I get to plan more of what I want the outside to look like!  Will be a long time from start to finish on it for the whole buying process but I am okay with that!  It has a beautiful kitchen, a nice sized master bedroom with a really nice walk in bathroom and a walk through closet (Not walk in, I guess it longer and a little wider then a normal closet but not a full walk in closest). Instead of a basement, it has a walk up attic which all the more I would need.