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NS1976
My princess!
Member since 5/05 6548 total posts
Name:
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Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
For the first time ever, we are going to look at a 2 family home next Tuesday.
The realtor is meeting us there..problem is, what are we looking for? What are we asking? I have no idea where to start. Can anyone help me?
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Posted 11/9/06 1:34 PM  |
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nixy
LIF Adult
Member since 9/06 1575 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
I think the first thing is location, so if you know about the area you don't need to ask.
It depends on what you are looking for in the house. If you are not looking for a fixer upper then I would ask about the bolier, windows, roof, appliances, see how old/new they are. Any big ticket items that would cost a lot to replace....
Gas or oil heat if you have a preference.
School district, taxes, lot size.
drive around the house before you get there or after you leave to make sure you like the surroundings.....
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| Posted 11/9/06 1:59 PM |
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belladi
LIF Adult
Member since 9/06 1011 total posts
Name:
diana
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
Posted by nycchic24
For the first time ever, we are going to look at a 2 family home next Tuesday.
The realtor is meeting us there..problem is, what are we looking for? What are we asking? I have no idea where to start. Can anyone help me?
ask about parking for two family is drive way big enough, parking allowed on street, see if meters are split
co for 2 family filed
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| Posted 11/9/06 1:59 PM |
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NS1976
My princess!
Member since 5/05 6548 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
Well we already know the area pretty well..just not sure of the school district.
Also..this house is brand new, built 2006 so I would imagine everything is brand new, no one has ever lived in it before, which can be a good and bad thing I assume.
Any other questions or things we should focus on when taking a look? I dont want to look like we dont know what we are doing, which is the case! 
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| Posted 11/9/06 2:09 PM |
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nixy
LIF Adult
Member since 9/06 1575 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
If it's brand new the RE will talk alot b/c they will want to tell you about all the features.
I never looked at a new house, but i don't know if you could ask about the quality of the building materials, but a lot of times you can tell just by looking....
If its a two family you can ask if there are seperate electric boxes. Heat controls...
Message edited 11/9/2006 2:16:46 PM.
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| Posted 11/9/06 2:15 PM |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
Here's my standard email I send to realtors to get them started:
About Us: My husband and I are first time buyers. We are currently renting a secondary home that my parents own. We are not on a specific timeline. We can move in 3 months, 6 months or longer.
Our financials: We are pre-qualified and have between $XXX-XXX for the down payment. That includes closing costs. We are looking for a house under $XXXk (unless the taxes are very low). The $XXX-XXX range would be ideal.
Areas of interest:
Merrick
Lynbrook (Lynbrook SD a plus)
Rockville Center (but I don't think we can afford it)
Bethpage
Seaford
Bellmore
Wantagh
North Shore is also a possibility (close to LIRR in Nassau only)
Specifics:
A house that is in walking distance (10-15 minutes) from the LIRR is key so we don't have to buy a 2nd car.
At least 3 bedrooms 2 baths.
We don't have a specific type of house we are looking for. We really like Tudors and Colonials. The only type that we are not crazy about are ranches only because I grew up in one. But we won't totally rule them out.
No Capes unless there is a rear or front dormer
Updated kitchens and bath are a bonus. (We would consider a house if one or the other are updated, but not if both the bathrooms and kitchen needs to be replaced)
We'd like a house with a formal dining and living room with an additional more casual family room
We'd really like a finished basement
A fireplace would be a bonus.
The two agents I sent this to found it extremely helpful. You will also figre out what you like and what you don't like the more you go out and look at places. I am getting pickier as time goes by.
Hope this helps!
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| Posted 11/9/06 7:18 PM |
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Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses
Member since 5/05 15952 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
If it's new construction my first question would be, even before I saw it, what are the taxes?
Taxes are on new construction can run way, way over ten thousand dollars a year, often upwards of 20K or more.
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| Posted 11/9/06 8:23 PM |
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NS1976
My princess!
Member since 5/05 6548 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
The taxes are 3000 as far as I know.
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| Posted 11/10/06 12:40 AM |
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MelissaMac
Life is Good
Member since 6/06 2135 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Going to look at a home for the first time...help!
Good Luck! I would definitely find out about the school district. Also how much do houses go for in the neighborhood and block. Scope out what your neighbors are like. Ask why they are selling? (actually i think you said it's a new house right?)
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| Posted 11/10/06 6:26 AM |
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