Pretending My Way to Adulthood

[affreca]

We've gotten the married part out and the job part (at least for lawnchairof the way, so we've started on the property owning part. First big step was securing a pre-approval letter from the bank (don't worry, we're cheapskate paranoids with math, so it is something that shouldn't get us in trouble). Next step was going to an open house for our favorite prospect (otherwise known as the purple house). Told the realtor what we were willing to pay, and told it was to little (by the owner. Realtor claims to agree with us that the owner is asking to much, but the realtor might be trying to get this one sold as it has been on the market for almost 6 months).

So we decided to get our own realtor. We get to meet with her tonight. We'll see. First house she suggested is outside what we're willing to pay. I don't want someone who keeps trying to upsell me. I know how much we can afford. And the house is one I used to know. In my childhood neighborhood, where a friend from elementary school lived. I want to tour it, even if I don't want to buy it.

Comments

[frith]

When I was house hunting, way back sometime last century, like 1990, I eventually had three agents on the go because the one I started out with was not delivering. I was looking for something I could afford that was preferably within 30 minutes by bicycle from work and that had a minimum of one acre of land. I did a lot of rummaging through house listings on my own too.

On the news today there was mention that the best deals right now are second-hand houses, not new buildings. I don't trust brand-new buildings anyway. With old stock you've had time for flaws to show up, like cracked foundations, sagging floors, moldy bathrooms, leaky roof, short circuits...

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I have no desire to buy a new home. They're built with crap materials these days, and won't last. We looked at one year old house (it was on our way home), and the interior doors didn't close. After a year! Also, I'm picky about neighborhood. Around here, all the new houses are being built in new neighborhoods, and all look the same, and are further from the core of town. Finally, I don't trust new houses. The purple house may be in the river valley, but I figure if it survived the last big flood before the levees, it should be good even if the levees fail.

I doubt we're going to find one with an acre of land we can afford (lots of profs want to be gentlemen farmers, so it drives up that market). Part of what attracts us to the purple house is that it had 0.8 acre of land, which is crazy big in this town.

[frith]

Garden party! Tell them that if they throw in a robotic lawn mower they've got a deal. ^_^

Check to make sure the shingles are properly installed -- another LJer was inspecting houses for hurricane damage in Texas last summer and found several in which the plastic strip over the sticky part had not been removed before the shingles were installed. In fact, you should have the house inspected by a pro before buying. I had mine checked top to bottom by an architect and his approval was part of the purchase contract. $100 well spent.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

If I remember right, around here structural and roof inspection are required to insure the house, which is required for the mortgage. Even if it isn't, I'd do it. I know I don't know enough to spot damage (well, other than the holes in the sofit).

Are there roombas for you lawn? There should be.

[frith]

Robomow? Yes, you can has: http://www.friendlyrobotics.com/

[lisichance.livejournal.com]

Getting your own realtor is a good idea. Sometimes bureaucracy sucks, but sometimes having that extra link in the chain can get you a much better deal.

I find it weird that anyone with their house on the market that long would balk at lowering the price- unless it's over mortgaged and your offer would not pay back their mortgage.

If you ever decide you want to branch out into owning rentals, I'll sell you my rental house. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that after working full time in a rental house office, going home and doing more of the same isn't fun.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

We don't have anything against buying a house that has been a rental, it just has to fit with all the other requirements we're looking for (3 bed, 1 1/2 bath, large yard and in our price range and not about to fall down).

My theory is that the owner was originally planning on flipping the house to make money, and feels our offer doesn't cover the work she did. However, she only got halfway through the work (downstairs is pretty nice, but the upstairs needs to be repainting and one room needs floor work and possibly plumbing). I'm trying to forget about it because I'm partially in love with the house and need to be strong about what I'm willing to pay.

[lisichance.livejournal.com]

My rental is too big, then. Plus, the yard is too small. Ah, well.

What price range are you looking for? And is there a specific area of town you're looking in?

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Size is the minimum we want (i.e. slightly better than we currently are living in), but yard is the biggest want. Purple house has more room than we currently need (enough that we would have been willing to have a roomate), but it has 0.8 acre of yard (huge).

Our price cap is $150 K, though we'd prefer something around $130 K. We're not picking about neighborhood, though would prefer not to be in the burby parts of town. I want a house that doesn't look exactly like the neighbors.

[verminiusrex.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Stick to your budget, beware of any realtor that wants you to sign an exclusive contract especially if they keep trying to upsell you, and remember that there are plenty of houses on the market right now so there is no real rush (at least I don't think you are in a rush).

Owning your own home is great, until that strange moment of realization that when something breaks, there is no landlord to call and get it fixed.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm not in a rush, but lawnchair wants to buy while the interest rate is low.

Currently, we call the landlord to tell her something's broke, call the repairman, and send the landlord the bill with less rent the next month. Works better than she tried sending over her son's spermdonor's brother to fix stuff.

[verminiusrex.livejournal.com]

Keep the name of the repairmen when you get the house, reliable people are hard to find. I currently have a good plumber and roofer.

[annamatic.livejournal.com]

We're beginning to consider buying a house too. Yay adulthood! (at age 33 and 36 respectively, :P)

[queza7.livejournal.com]

Off-topic, but I got your gardening book in the mail yesterday. Is next Tuesday ok for a drop-off at costume group, or would you like it sooner?

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Tuesday is fine.