Help! Repost from LIW

I am new to LIF, but have been on LIW for a while. I noticed this board gets a good amount of traffic so I figured I would ask some advice here..

DH and I are currently living in Franklin Square in a mother/daughter with his Grandma. She owns the house and charges us pennies for rent. We are able to save a lot living here.

We have been looking for homes since the summer. I would love to live in Rockville Centre, but it is out of our range. Lynbrook i my more realistic choice, and since we are not in a rush I have been very selective at where in Lynbrook I would like to live.

Recently a home was put up for sale, within our price range in the section of Lynbrook in which we would like to live. We went to see it, and it was small. 7 room colonial (I love colonials), 3 brs, 1.5 baths. But every room is small. However, the yard is large, and there is room for improvement in the future. It is a nice starter house.

We decided to put in a LOW bid. Our agent contacted us this weekend to ask us if we wanted to offer more, because the sellers would like to sell to us since we have more to offer as a downpayment. So, we upped the bid a little bit.

In the meanwhile, DH's grandma tells us that she doesn't want us to leave. Perhaps we can buy the house from her. DH offers her an amount, and she says she'll think about it.

Well, the agent calls us back asking if we will offer more, and the house will be ours. DH tells his gram and now she is allegedly seriously considering selling us the house.

Here are the factors: I would prefer to live in Lynbrook, but if we buy gram's house in Franklin Square I can spend the same money and basically have a mint condition house after repairs. Gram says she is almost sure she will sell to us, but needs more time. I do not have more time, as the people in Lynbrook are awaiting my response. I would be very happy owning either house, however I do not want to wait and end up not owning anything.

This is really driving me crazy and I need some advice. I do not want to force Gram to sell, as it is her house, but I kind of need a decision from her.

HELP! TIA!

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Can you get Gram to put something in writing stating that she will sell it to you after XX amount of time? If God forbid something happens to her before she sells to you, that could be a problem if there is nothing in writing. Be honest with her about your time frame, I am sure she will put it in writing for you if you all have a dialogue.

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

I didnt get my free therapy this week from you!! And we both posted on the home board!! How funny!!!

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

We'll have lots to talk about!!

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Call me crazy but i t hink the fact that she is "iffy" right now would bother me tooo much to wait.

If this is something that she wants then i think she wouldn't be iffy...She would be more adament about it.

If it were me, i would give her a FEW days to decide what she wants. I would also tell her that if she says Yes and decides to sell, it must be put in writing ASAP. Because i think that she might say yes under pressure and recant later....

So i guess ultimately i think i would go for the Lynbrook house...

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Where in Lynbrook is the house???

I grew up on tottenham road in Lynbrook. I went to Valley Stream schools (Dist 24). My mom worked in Lynbrook highschool. I know everything about Lynbrook. I lived there for 32 years.

If you have any questions at all about the area, please ask.

As for your dilemma. If the house is in Lynbrook, with Lynbrook schools (District 20), I would jump on the lynbrook house, and bid again. District 20 is a top rated school district. Lynbrook is a good area. It is a village so they have some wierd laws, like no parking on the street between 3 and 5 am, or else your car will be ticketed, but other than that and a few other wierd rules, it is a great town. I enjoyed my child hood there. Even though I did not go to Lynbrook schools, I received a great education at William L Buck School and Valley Stream South High.

Scott

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

I would move...there is no better feeling knowing you own your own home...plus I dont like the idea of someone being able to hold anything above your head...and with her still there...are you REALLY going to feel free to do what you want to the house?? I understand she doesnt want you to go but explain to her that you wont be that far way...just my thought...

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

I would bid on the Lynbrook house. I don't know your family situation but other family members could get involved with the grandmother selling the house. Technically it would effect other people's inheritances etc. She probably just doesn't want you to leave.

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

I would not buy your grandma's home. I am sure she likes the company and it is really convient for her to have you there. But, as another poster said, it could cause a lot of problems within the family and I am not sure if she would be happy if you started to renovate anything. I think it would be better to purchase the other home.

Re: Help! Repost from LIW

Thank you all so much for your help and suggestions. I actually had my DH sit down and read what you all wrote (he thinks I am crazy for posting things online) but he actually appreciated your insight and I think we are close to making a more informed decision that we are both comfortable with.

THanks again so much!