Sova Chat Thread ver. II
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From: local courts ...
Good luck, Cory! I hated house hunting... eventually just settled on new construction. Then realized I didn't want it, canceled contract, lost $2k deposit, and then went back to renting!
VIVA LA RESISTANCE!
VIVA LA RESISTANCE!
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ellicott City MD
i totally disagree with you cory... the more you can look at, the better.
right now, it's a buyer's market, so even if you have a lot of houses in your price range that meet your criteria, take a look at each and every one of them. take a notepad, and write down the pros and cons as you go along.
think long range too (i.e. "Do I want to live here for a long time?"), as who knows when the economy will pick up, as well as the housing market.
don't f---in' settle on something that you think you'll be happy with. pick the one you know you'll like. if you have second thoughts on it, go with your gut feeling, and walk away...
since you're using a realtor, make that MF'er earn his %. and if the one you're using totally sucks ass, let me know and i'll give you my BFF's number.
when you find that house you want, and the time comes for the inspector to inspect the house, make sure you can be present for it. some of these "inspectors" may take shortcuts, so you may be told that everything is OK with the house, when it might not be. make that MF'er get up on the roof and inspect it. not just peep over the top of a ladder and "visually inspect". you'll be paying for the inspection, make sure it's done.
and F--K new construction! these MF'ers nowadays use crappy materials and cut corners like a MF'er. get something that's been around for a little bit, so the house has had time to settle, and the owners had time to fix all of the little issues that may have arisen. i'll never buy new construction ever again.
/end rant
right now, it's a buyer's market, so even if you have a lot of houses in your price range that meet your criteria, take a look at each and every one of them. take a notepad, and write down the pros and cons as you go along.
think long range too (i.e. "Do I want to live here for a long time?"), as who knows when the economy will pick up, as well as the housing market.
don't f---in' settle on something that you think you'll be happy with. pick the one you know you'll like. if you have second thoughts on it, go with your gut feeling, and walk away...
since you're using a realtor, make that MF'er earn his %. and if the one you're using totally sucks ass, let me know and i'll give you my BFF's number.
when you find that house you want, and the time comes for the inspector to inspect the house, make sure you can be present for it. some of these "inspectors" may take shortcuts, so you may be told that everything is OK with the house, when it might not be. make that MF'er get up on the roof and inspect it. not just peep over the top of a ladder and "visually inspect". you'll be paying for the inspection, make sure it's done.
and F--K new construction! these MF'ers nowadays use crappy materials and cut corners like a MF'er. get something that's been around for a little bit, so the house has had time to settle, and the owners had time to fix all of the little issues that may have arisen. i'll never buy new construction ever again.
/end rant
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,508
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From: VA
Thanks for the words Eric. We looked at the house, and this one definitely wasn't for us. Our Realtor is a family friend, and as of right now, is doing this for funzies free of charge. We are constantly looking online, in different areas, and writing down ones that seem appealing. The Realtor is telling us to take our time look at a few at a time (since there are so many) and narrow it down. We refuse to just settle for something. We are not in that big of a rush. When we find the right one, we will know it. I'm just an impatient person. Luckily, the woman can keep me organized and focused.
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: md
^^ what he said.
There's a lot of really good advice above. I used to work around the industry. A lot of really good people, and a lot more seriously sketchy people. Same goes with houses.
Most residential neighborhoods have 3-5 models and then various options. There are only so many layouts for houses based on their foot print.
In addition to what's above:
1. Consider resale value. the rule applies- buy the smallest house in the best neighborhood... not the most expensive house in the cheaper neighborhood.
2. Location, Location, Location. Resale plays into this, but you are ultimately paying for location - and school districts.
3. Identify needs vs. wants. Everyone has a wishlist a mile long that they think they absolutely need to have.. but if you are honest, you will identify the things that are really necessary (MBR on first floor, MIL suite, Upstairs laundry.. basements. etc) and it'll make shopping easier.
4. Interiors can always be udpated.
There's a lot of really good advice above. I used to work around the industry. A lot of really good people, and a lot more seriously sketchy people. Same goes with houses.
Most residential neighborhoods have 3-5 models and then various options. There are only so many layouts for houses based on their foot print.
In addition to what's above:
1. Consider resale value. the rule applies- buy the smallest house in the best neighborhood... not the most expensive house in the cheaper neighborhood.
2. Location, Location, Location. Resale plays into this, but you are ultimately paying for location - and school districts.
3. Identify needs vs. wants. Everyone has a wishlist a mile long that they think they absolutely need to have.. but if you are honest, you will identify the things that are really necessary (MBR on first floor, MIL suite, Upstairs laundry.. basements. etc) and it'll make shopping easier.
4. Interiors can always be udpated.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Virgnia
Eric, some great advice!
It's funny you mention the whole new construction thing. My wife did not want anything brand new. Her dad has been a carpenter for a very long time, and always told her about how new houses nowadays are just built with such crappy materials. And the fact that contractors just don't put in the attention to detail like they used to.
The house we bought, was built in 1985, and has had PLENTY of pricey updates(floors, windows, siding, etc.). So yeah, you can definitely get an older house that looks very "new".
It's funny you mention the whole new construction thing. My wife did not want anything brand new. Her dad has been a carpenter for a very long time, and always told her about how new houses nowadays are just built with such crappy materials. And the fact that contractors just don't put in the attention to detail like they used to.
The house we bought, was built in 1985, and has had PLENTY of pricey updates(floors, windows, siding, etc.). So yeah, you can definitely get an older house that looks very "new".
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 7
From: VA
Originally Posted by leadfootgirl,Jun 25 2010, 08:00 PM
^^ what he said.
There's a lot of really good advice above. I used to work around the industry. A lot of really good people, and a lot more seriously sketchy people. Same goes with houses.
Most residential neighborhoods have 3-5 models and then various options. There are only so many layouts for houses based on their foot print.
In addition to what's above:
1. Consider resale value. the rule applies- buy the smallest house in the best neighborhood... not the most expensive house in the cheaper neighborhood.
2. Location, Location, Location. Resale plays into this, but you are ultimately paying for location - and school districts.
3. Identify needs vs. wants. Everyone has a wishlist a mile long that they think they absolutely need to have.. but if you are honest, you will identify the things that are really necessary (MBR on first floor, MIL suite, Upstairs laundry.. basements. etc) and it'll make shopping easier.
4. Interiors can always be udpated.
There's a lot of really good advice above. I used to work around the industry. A lot of really good people, and a lot more seriously sketchy people. Same goes with houses.
Most residential neighborhoods have 3-5 models and then various options. There are only so many layouts for houses based on their foot print.
In addition to what's above:
1. Consider resale value. the rule applies- buy the smallest house in the best neighborhood... not the most expensive house in the cheaper neighborhood.
2. Location, Location, Location. Resale plays into this, but you are ultimately paying for location - and school districts.
3. Identify needs vs. wants. Everyone has a wishlist a mile long that they think they absolutely need to have.. but if you are honest, you will identify the things that are really necessary (MBR on first floor, MIL suite, Upstairs laundry.. basements. etc) and it'll make shopping easier.
4. Interiors can always be udpated.
We have a list of needs/wants.
I need a garage, and central heat & A/C. Everything else is really negotiable.
We are trying to stay around where her new job starts in September. It's at a brand new elementary school, and it just so happens that the closer you want to be to said school, they more you have to pay.
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From: 7 CITIES VA
Originally Posted by C Ory,Jun 26 2010, 09:05 AM
Thanks.
We have a list of needs/wants.
I need a garage, and central heat & A/C. Everything else is really negotiable.
We are trying to stay around where her new job starts in September. It's at a brand new elementary school, and it just so happens that the closer you want to be to said school, they more you have to pay.
We have a list of needs/wants.
I need a garage, and central heat & A/C. Everything else is really negotiable.
We are trying to stay around where her new job starts in September. It's at a brand new elementary school, and it just so happens that the closer you want to be to said school, they more you have to pay.