House Shopping [Archive] - This Board Rocks

VA49er

01-29-07, 05:06 PM

How many did you look at before making an offer? Was it love at first sight or just ... well, it's a house?

We looked for about a month and a half before we even saw anything we were interested in. We probably looked at 2o houses before we bid on the one we actually got. Not really love at first sight, but it had most the things we wanted, square footage, fenced in back yard, good school zone, etc so we jumped on it, as did three other bidders.

builder

01-29-07, 05:10 PM

When I bought my condo, I bought because of location and little else. I looked at a couple houses and figured in the costs of remodelling and went with the condo. I got burned on that deal and really want to do it right this time.

kshead

01-29-07, 05:13 PM

We bought new. It was take it or leave it.

builder

01-29-07, 05:43 PM

We bought new. It was take it or leave it.

Was the market that tight when you bought?

Trace

01-29-07, 06:44 PM

All I can say is you'll know the house when you see it.

builder

01-29-07, 06:47 PM

All I can say is you'll know the house when you see it.

Well then I've already seen it. :woot:

But I really do need to look at a couple others.

Trace

01-29-07, 06:48 PM

Well then I've already seen it. :woot:

But I really do need to look at a couple others.

You'll go back.

builder

01-29-07, 06:52 PM

You'll go back.

Yeah. I know.

If I can see myself living there, I think it's a good fit. But I often have problems with objective thinking when it involves something I want. So, I'm taking my lesbian to make sure I don't have blinders on.

Trace

01-29-07, 07:22 PM

Yeah. I know.

If I can see myself living there, I think it's a good fit. But I often have problems with objective thinking when it involves something I want. So, I'm taking my lesbian to make sure I don't have blinders on.

Screw the lesbian, take a home inspector.:newsmile50:

builder

01-29-07, 08:16 PM

Screw the lesbian, take a home inspector.:newsmile50:

That comes later. I don't have any friends who are home inspectors.

VA49er

01-29-07, 09:47 PM

That comes later. I don't have any friends who are home inspectors.

Home inspectors can be useless. I two two to inspect my townhouse before I sold. One said I needed to make $3,000 worth of repairs, I refused and the deal fell through. The next inspector said I needed to only make $400 worth of repairs. I had done nothing in between inspections. I agreed and closed in one month.

builder

01-29-07, 09:52 PM

I know. The inspector that checked my condo completely ignored the damage at the backdoor caused by water. But he did tell me I had to tighten the upstairs toilet. It wasn't loose.

Derbygal

01-29-07, 11:36 PM

UGH. I've been hunting my beach house for over a year now. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, I can't count how many I've seen inside and out. Land, trailers, condos, townhouses, stick built homes...I've already worn out one realtor and am working on driving my second realtor into the asylum now. Even I have come close to throwing in the towel several times, and I believe I would have if I wasn't so damned stubborn.

Finally toured one I really liked 2 weeks ago, good size piece of land, minutes to the beach, good foundation, no maintenance issues, well taken care of, one owner, and half furnished (which I didn't need but oh well). Five days later I went to make an offer and found out that we couldn't get financing on it because they wanted 20% down instead of the usual 10%. Bah. Back to the drawing board. :(

builder

01-29-07, 11:42 PM

I found a bunch of properties that I really liked. Most have doublewides or singles. The loan I'm getting won't qualify any of those. So, I have to look for real houses on land that I can remodel to make what I want instead of building it. That doesn't leave a lot. But I have found one that I've seen. If the inside is even close to something I can make my own over the years, I'll sign the papers. I just want to see a couple other options before I make that decision to make sure I'm not overlooking something. Just can't wait too long.

Trace

01-30-07, 08:48 AM

Home inspectors can be useless. I two two to inspect my townhouse before I sold. One said I needed to make $3,000 worth of repairs, I refused and the deal fell through. The next inspector said I needed to only make $400 worth of repairs. I had done nothing in between inspections. I agreed and closed in one month.

So in other words you screwed the buyer.

HollyB

01-30-07, 08:51 AM

builder

01-30-07, 09:13 AM

Can't you just buy land, and then use a trailer while you build/

Not according to the mortgage people. I've been approved for what I want to spend and a little more. But because I'm self-employed, we're going with a loan that won't let me buy anything manufactured. I'm okay with that for now. Especially if I find a house I really do like.

Southern_Yankee

01-30-07, 09:23 AM

One Saturday morning, all hung over, she drives me to this place I've never been before...a new neighborhood under construction. We drove up one street and down another looking at different models already erected. :clown7: We went back to the office, looked at some books, picked out what we wanted, put down a deposit and moved in 9 months later...watching it being built along the way. :bigok:

DaveW

01-30-07, 09:35 AM

one day. my wife thought buying a house was like buying shoes. Couldnt go home with nothing.

builder

01-30-07, 09:37 AM

one day. my wife thought buying a house was like buying shoes. Couldnt go home with nothing.

At least she doesn't need as many houses as she needs shoes.

Wonder Woman

01-30-07, 09:55 AM

one day. my wife thought buying a house was like buying shoes. Couldnt go home with nothing.

Must explain how she ended up with you too. http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

DaveW

01-30-07, 10:00 AM

Must explain how she ended up with you too. http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

jealous?

Wonder Woman

01-30-07, 10:05 AM

jealous?

terribly. :laugh1: :rotflmao: :rolleyes:

solarte1969

01-30-07, 10:07 AM

back to the topic...

Builder, we looked at 6-8 other places before finding this house. We went through our criteria (style of home, schools, location for work etc), and came up with where we are, but we also had to like the house too. The others we looked it missed the cut for a number reeasons--didn't like it, bad location, etc...

gridfaniker

01-30-07, 12:25 PM

Must explain how she ended up with you too. http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

pretty much owned

builder

01-30-07, 12:45 PM

pretty much owned

Not yet. I need to make an offer first. :sponge:

Fred

01-31-07, 09:12 PM

When I was ready to move to Asheville, my house in Morganton sold fast and I had to find a new place soon. I told the realtor I needed something "small, new and in the middle of town." He showed me 2 houses and I picked this one. I was moving in 3 weeks later.

What's going on with the house in Albermarle?

builder

01-31-07, 09:14 PM

What's going on with the house in Albermarle?

The chimney is falling down and the house is done up to Jesus with panelling, but I love the property. And I can see myself slowly remodelling a 1992 house. Beats living in a trailer on a gravel road hands down.

Gonna try to see a couple more in Salisbury, but I know they won't compare.

HollyB

02-01-07, 07:55 AM

Sorry Muff....

Is that a river next to the property? How many acres? :drool:

Playa

02-01-07, 08:01 AM

That's a tree.

Trace

02-01-07, 08:03 AM

That's a tree.

Actually, I think it is an asphalt creek.

builder

02-01-07, 08:06 AM

Actually, I think it is an asphalt creek.

That's the road. 25 houses on that 1.5 mile loop. Houses are about 300 feet apart from each other with trees all between them. The property is 2.5 acres. The house was built in 1992. Foreclosed on in Oct 2006 due to non payment on a $45,000 equity loan. :newsmile49:

Playa

02-01-07, 08:08 AM

It will be scary out in the middle of the woods.

HollyB

02-01-07, 08:08 AM

That's the road. 25 houses on that 1.5 mile loop. Houses are about 300 feet apart from each other with trees all between them. The property is 2.5 acres. The house was built in 1992. Foreclosed on in Oct 2006 due to non payment on a $45,000 equity loan. :newsmile49:

:brickwall: I'd pass on it then.

builder

02-01-07, 08:09 AM

It will be scary out in the middle of the woods.

Nah, only white people live in this neighborhood. :rofl:

Trace

02-01-07, 08:25 AM

Cool house, nice property. Good Luck.

builder

02-01-07, 08:30 AM

Cool house, nice property. Good Luck.

Thanks. Trying to get an estimate on repairing the chimney. Just found a company in Durham that does it without removing the chimney. The foundation is sinking and causing it to pull away from the house. Seems to me the chimney was added after the house without a proper foundation. Gas logs, so the chimney isn't even "real".

Trace

02-01-07, 08:43 AM

Thanks. Trying to get an estimate on repairing the chimney. Just found a company in Durham that does it without removing the chimney. The foundation is sinking and causing it to pull away from the house. Seems to me the chimney was added after the house without a proper foundation. Gas logs, so the chimney isn't even "real".

Any inside pics?

Trace

02-01-07, 08:52 AM

I like the high ceilings and the stone fireplace. That fixture on the stairwell needs to go too.

builder

02-01-07, 08:58 AM

I like the high ceilings and the stone fireplace. That fixture on the stairwell needs to go too.

Dude....I've get a rash whenever I touch shiny brass.

HollyB

02-01-07, 09:05 AM

even with the door painted red? :yamyam:

No river, no buy. Love the door red though.

Trace

02-01-07, 09:07 AM

On the right. Is that a stone shelf? or part of the floor?

builder

02-01-07, 09:13 AM

On the right. Is that a stone shelf? or part of the floor?

dining room floor. It's some awful, yet expensive vinyl tile. It's apparent that whoever did the interior of this house had no idea what they were doing. They ripped out a 6' vanity in the upstairs bathroom to put in a 3' sink base and top. And there's some kind of hanging light fixture that belonged to Shoney's on Woodlawn Road about 12 years ago.

builder

02-01-07, 09:17 AM

No river, no buy. Love the door red though.

There's a pond across the road. And Morrow Mountain State park, Lake Tillery, and Uwharrie National Forest are all within about 10 miles or less.

Trace

02-01-07, 09:55 AM

dining room floor. It's some awful, yet expensive vinyl tile.

Ick. If it was stone that would be cool.

Trace

02-01-07, 10:11 AM

Yeah, but no. I can imagine the whole downstairs with hardwoods matching the kitchen cabinets. New countertops, new stainless appliances, new stainless backsplash. Current, and my condo kitchen that I loved. Just big enough to have the same feeling.

Cha-ching! But they say upgrades in the kitchen are a good investment.

builder

02-01-07, 10:16 AM

Cha-ching! But they say upgrades in the kitchen are a good investment.

New fridge - $700
New Stove - $600
New dishwasher - $600
New lighting - $200
New flooring for downstairs - $1000 if I install it myself.
backsplash - $15
Countertops - $500 for laminate $2000 for granite. Honestly, I prefer laminate. I just don't think the house is suited for more stone.

I think I would take out the large cabinet too. Install a bar/island for eating and some lower storage space.

I'm pretty handy when it comes to building things, obviously. Most of the work I would do myself just so I can maintain the same level of consistency that I require throughout the house. Realtor told me based on what I talked about yesterday, I could easily add $20k to the value of the house.

The chimney repair is the main cost that I can't do myself.

builder

02-02-07, 01:11 PM

Making an offer this afternoon. :guitar:

HollyB

02-02-07, 01:21 PM

Making an offer this afternoon. :guitar:

:fan_wave2: Good Luck!

builder

02-02-07, 01:37 PM

:fan_wave2: Good Luck!

thanks. The offer is really low. Almost 20k below tax value, but the house needs a little work. It's also been on the market for 88 days with only 3 showings.

outofstate

02-02-07, 01:43 PM

I love the looks of the house's location and I really like your stainless steel ideas for the kitchen. I think how the house sits back in the woods though is its biggest selling point. I can just imagine how pretty it will look in the summer when everything is green. Do you like working outside too?

builder

02-02-07, 01:52 PM

Do you like working outside too?

Yeah, but I am just no good at it. :bounce:

outofstate

02-02-07, 02:09 PM

builder

02-02-07, 04:48 PM

Alright smartass...........I got the point. Those are beautiful pics. If I ever move down there now I know who to contact for advice on outside plants and flowers! I know my way around the garden up here but your growing season is a lot different than ours. Some of the plants I saw in your pics would never survive here.

Here, in the red clay hills of NC, Petunias, Salvia, Elephant Ears, Cannas, Stargazer lilies, that's what I have the best luck with. All full sun or part shade. Now, I have to learn how to grow plants that get NO sun. :flower:

Honeygirl

02-02-07, 10:37 PM

I love it! I think it's got great potential and you'll love the aspect of doing it up - hell, you've got the talent for it. Good luck with the offer - :rotwerd:.

builder

02-05-07, 01:53 PM

The offer has been made and signed as of 11:45am. Let the negotiations begin.

:cussing:

ThisBoardRox

02-12-07, 05:42 PM

i've only been apartment shopping before but i've seen some really terrible places for some really high prices. it's amazing what they'll charge for an awful basement apartment in the "cool" neighborhoods. but when i first saw the place I'm out right now it was surely love at first sight. signed the lease the next day.

Lainey

02-13-07, 01:13 PM

Off topic here...and you're surprised?

Seriously. I have either the same stove or very similar. My question to you is, how did you keep that little grove that runs along the cooktop cleaned out? I wish I had known what a pain that was before I purchased my stove. I keep a soft brush in the drawer and sweep it out daily.

builder

02-13-07, 01:16 PM

mine had a little rubber gasket around there. The stuff you use to clean the ceramic cooktop was always getting trapped in there. Toothbrush. That was what I used. And yes, it was a pain in the ass, but less than cleaning out electric burner pans.

builder

02-24-07, 08:44 AM

The offer has been made and signed as of 11:45am. Let the negotiations begin.

:cussing:

21 days, 2 mortgage brokers, 9 houses looked at. Still, no solid agreement on anything. Submitting a new offer on my first choice Monday. Probably submitting an offer on my second choice by the end of the week if the first one doesn't go through.

Here I am all ready to pack and move the fuck out of this apartment. I feel like I've put most of my life on hold waiting and waiting.

piece of advice: avoid even looking at a foreclosure if you want an easy home buying experience.

Elric

02-24-07, 01:15 PM

21 days, 2 mortgage brokers, 9 houses looked at. Still, no solid agreement on anything. Submitting a new offer on my first choice Monday. Probably submitting an offer on my second choice by the end of the week if the first one doesn't go through.

Here I am all ready to pack and move the fuck out of this apartment. I feel like I've put most of my life on hold waiting and waiting.

piece of advice: avoid even looking at a foreclosure if you want an easy home buying experience.

What happened to the one with the chimney that needed repair? No word or negotiation from the owner(s) after all this time?

QueenCityHillbilly

02-24-07, 01:27 PM

piece of advice: avoid even looking at a foreclosure if you want an easy home buying experience.Preach it. Just heard back Thursday on a house I put an offer in a couple of days before you did. The banks are in no such hurry.

builder

02-24-07, 02:20 PM

What happened to the one with the chimney that needed repair? No word or negotiation from the owner(s) after all this time?

One broker told me he could not get the house financed due to the chimney. So I started looking at other houses. During that time I did some research, found another mortgage broker and will be making a new offer on Monday. The new offer will include the repair costs in escrow to be completed after closing. If the inspection shows no other major issues, I'll take it. I like the property so much that I'm willing to put myself through this. Not to mention buying a house with almost $20k in equity sounds like a good idea to me.

Everytime I submit an offer, the bank takes between 3-5 days to reply, not to mention they don't work weekends or holidays. I was hoping to close at the end of March, now it's looking like mid-late April. Ugh.

Elric

02-24-07, 02:59 PM

One broker told me he could not get the house financed due to the chimney. So I started looking at other houses. During that time I did some research, found another mortgage broker and will be making a new offer on Monday. The new offer will include the repair costs in escrow to be completed after closing. If the inspection shows no other major issues, I'll take it. I like the property so much that I'm willing to put myself through this. Not to mention buying a house with almost $20k in equity sounds like a good idea to me.

Everytime I submit an offer, the bank takes between 3-5 days to reply, not to mention they don't work weekends or holidays. I was hoping to close at the end of March, now it's looking like mid-late April. Ugh.

That was a great looking house and location. Getting it will be well worth the trouble of dealing with the brokers and bankers. With any luck you;ll look back 5 years from now and have a good laugh at the shit you went through to get the one you wanted.

builder

02-24-07, 03:08 PM

That was a great looking house and location. Getting it will be well worth the trouble of dealing with the brokers and bankers. With any luck you;ll look back 5 years from now and have a good laugh at the shit you went through to get the one you wanted.

I sure hope so. If it hadn't been a foreclosure, I'd be on my way to closing. But the bank refuses to fix the chimney, but will make price concessions.

I've talked to several people including a foundation repair company. The problem is fairly common in this part of the country. Red clay soil dries out, chimneys move, house stays put. Repair costs range from about $1500 to $3000. Way more if the chimney needs to be removed and rebuilt, but at that point, I'd just say tear the fucker down and give me a gas log insert for the fireplace.

The critical part of the deal is the appraisal. It has to appraise for more than the sale price plus the repair. I'm confident it will. Tax value is about $20k more than the offer price. It's the cheapest house in the neighborhood. The lot sizes range from 2.4 acres to 12 acres. This one is the 2.4acres. The land alone is worth $19k.

I deleted all the pictures when I was pretty certain I wasn't going to get it. Now....who knows. Maybe by Friday I'll know for sure. If it's meant to be, it will happen. If not, I've found a great bungalow that I like a whole lot too, just no land to really speak of.

builder

02-24-07, 04:16 PM

Preach it. Just heard back Thursday on a house I put an offer in a couple of days before you did. The banks are in no such hurry.

I think this time, I have more of my ducks in a row. I'll present the offer with full approval for the loan. All I will need to do before closing is sign the papers. The appraisal will be done within a week of the offer being accepted. In case it doesn't pass muster, I'll have just enough time to do all this again on another house before my lease ends.

I never knew it would be so long a process on a foreclosure. I've found another one I like better than the bungalow, but no way am I gonna chance going for another foreclosure.