| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
|
Which house would you rather buy?
Hi there! First time buyer here and I have no clue what the he!l I'm doing. Learning slowly. Here are two houses that I'd love to get your insight on. Both are the same price
House 1:
-.75 acre plot with a large backyard
-fenced in outdoor pool and backyard
-well maintained
-desirable block
-attached garage
ISSUES:
-needs complete kitchen overhaul (it's BAD)
-upstairs carpeting (hall, 3 bedrooms) is buckled and disgusting and has NO hardwood under it. Not sure I can match the downstairs wood floors?
-does not have CO for outside addition (pool bathroom)
-taxes are 3k more than house #2
House 2:
-.4 acres
-everything in house is updated to the highest degree
-move in ready
ISSUES:
-On a main road (but set back), driveway is from main road though
-no true backyard - there is some useable space on sides of house and in the front
-not fenced in
-detached garage without CO
-house is slightly smaller than house #1
Which would you pick and why?
I have one 15 mth DD and a dog, if that helps.
Message edited 1/28/2014 6:01:02 PM.
|
Posted 1/28/14 5:56 PM  |
| |
|
DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
#1. You can't change location and main road AND no backyard are just no's for me.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 6:08 PM |
| |
|
peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Agh! Sorry I meant to hit number 1.
However, I think my real answer is to keep looking.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 6:32 PM |
| |
|
adeline27
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3121 total posts
Name:
Angela
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Couldn't not having the CO for the addition and pool cause big problems? Ignoring the CO issues I would go with house #1 property size and desirable area is important to me. I would though replace all carpeting and deal with the kitchen until mor money comes in to renovate.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 6:35 PM |
| |
|
justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Ugh - maybe I'll keep looking. I am obsessed with the inside of #2 and think fencing it in would really solve the usable space issue. But I picture my life in a home like #1. But 3k more a year in taxes and the renovations that need to be done are terrible.
This process blows!!!!!
ETA: To PP- not really sure how much not having CO can affect the sale. Any thoughts?
Message edited 1/28/2014 7:17:46 PM.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 7:16 PM |
| |
|
adeline27
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3121 total posts
Name:
Angela
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Just asked my brother who had a bad experience buying home with CO related issues he said keep looking!!
|
| Posted 1/28/14 7:40 PM |
| |
|
MomMom
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/10 428 total posts
Name:
hi
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
#1 but only with the CO !
We had a CO issue with our house but they got it within a mth. It's not always lengthy if an expeditor is used.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 7:52 PM |
| |
|
jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by DiamondGirl
#1. You can't change location and main road AND no backyard are just no's for me.
Ita - but make sure the price you budget properly for the upgrades when making an offer on a house. A kitchen remodel can cost 40k
|
| Posted 1/28/14 7:52 PM |
| |
|
Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
I would NEVER buy a house without them getting CO. I am currently going through grief for a stupid PORCH.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 8:27 PM |
| |
|
mama2charlotte
LIF Adult
Member since 7/12 1014 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
|
Which house would you rather buy?
When we were looking, our agent strongly advised against any homes without CO's. I would keep looking. It's a buyer's market. :)
|
| Posted 1/28/14 8:37 PM |
| |
|
ANR1211
My loves
Member since 2/11 2131 total posts
Name:
A
|
Which house would you rather buy?
#1 - you can't change location or lot size, but you can fix everything in the house little by little.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 8:44 PM |
| |
|
ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name:
K
|
Which house would you rather buy?
I wouldn't pick either I would keep looking.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 8:54 PM |
| |
|
MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
|
Which house would you rather buy?
Personally, I would keep looking. It does not sound like you love either house. Keep in mind that you can renovate the interior but you cannot change the location- co issues can be time consuming to handle especially if it turns out the work was not done up to code.
Message edited 1/29/2014 9:41:12 AM.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 9:19 PM |
| |
|
justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Thanks again everyone!!
I think we'll keep looking.
|
| Posted 1/28/14 9:40 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Honestly, it sounds like you don't have an agent and could use one! A professional who is more familiars with your personal circumstances could definitely give you more and better insight.
You will always get a lot more in terms of interior condition if the house is on a main road. I am sure location and property size is why house 1 is priced the same as house 2. There are always going to be trade offs and compromises when you buy a house. I don't know how long you've been looking and how well you know your target area, but it may be that in that specific area, with your budget, you will either have to get a house that needs work or one on a main road (or look elsewhere, maybe in a less expensive area). So "keep looking" may or may not be good advice!
I do agree that you need to consider that some thingss, like location and lot size, can't be changed, while cosmetics can. But keep in mind that an inground pool is not easily or cheaply removed, and only you know if that would work for you and your family.
I disagree that any planned renovations shoud be factored into your offer. House 1 may be priced right for the market, taking into account the work it needs. Or maybe not. But you can only know that if you are familiar with recent comps that indicate home values in the area.
Finally, I don't think that you need to steer clear of every house that has CO issues. Almost every house I sell does. If you are on LI, it's common. My own house had CO issues that had to be worked out as we went through the buying process. Sometimes, you should walk from a house if there are missing COs. But it depends on what the issues are and if the seller is willing to get the CO (if its a major item). But sometimes issues are minor and it's not a big deal.n even major things can be worked out if they are known upfront versus coming up at the 11th hour. As with a lot of things in real estate, there are a lot if grey areas with COs.
Good luck!
|
| Posted 1/28/14 10:49 PM |
| |
|
justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
Honestly, it sounds like you don't have an agent and could use one! A professional who is more familiars with your personal circumstances could definitely give you more and better insight.
I do have one. She has 20+ years of living and selling in the area which is great, but she isn't very proactive and has a laid back approach. It's a bit frustrating. Unfortunately, for the area we are looking into there just isn't much inventory right now. I think my DH and I need to just keep watching the listings.
I disagree that any planned renovations shoud be factored into your offer. House 1 may be priced right for the market, taking into account the work it needs. Or maybe not. But you can only know that if you are familiar with recent comps that indicate home values in the area.
House 1 is NOT priced right for the market according to the comps. It's been on the market since the summer and was built by the owner - hence the emotional attachment 
My DH and I are new to this process - this will be our first home. While we're trying to do the leg work
|
| Posted 1/28/14 11:55 PM |
| |
|
Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by ISpoilHim
I wouldn't pick either I would keep looking.
This
|
| Posted 1/29/14 6:14 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by justbeachy
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
Honestly, it sounds like you don't have an agent and could use one! A professional who is more familiars with your personal circumstances could definitely give you more and better insight.
I do have one. She has 20+ years of living and selling in the area which is great, but she isn't very proactive and has a laid back approach. It's a bit frustrating. Unfortunately, for the area we are looking into there just isn't much inventory right now. I think my DH and I need to just keep watching the listings.
I disagree that any planned renovations shoud be factored into your offer. House 1 may be priced right for the market, taking into account the work it needs. Or maybe not. But you can only know that if you are familiar with recent comps that indicate home values in the area.
House 1 is NOT priced right for the market according to the comps. It's been on the market since the summer and was built by the owner - hence the emotional attachment
My DH and I are new to this process - this will be our first home. While we're trying to do the leg work
I know it's frustrating! Inventory is tight in a lot of areas... a lot of my buyers are facing the same issues. If the home is overpriced because of the owner's emotional attachment, there's really nothing you can do. I always advise my buyers to just worry about what you can control, and seller's attitudes/realism isn't one of those things! But if you do like house number one (despite the need for updating and the inground pool), it doesn't hurt to make an offer (and you can make it contingent on them obtaining the C/Os, if that is important to you). The worst that happens is they get insulted and reject your offer. And then you don't get the house, but you wouldn't get it anyway if you don't make the offer.
And if your agent isn't being proactive, I would still go to her with questions about C/Os, or home values and that type of stuff. If she is experienced and very familiar with the area, she should be able to guide you through.
Hang in there!
|
| Posted 1/29/14 10:21 AM |
| |
|
jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by jams92
Posted by DiamondGirl
#1. You can't change location and main road AND no backyard are just no's for me.
Ita - but make sure the price you budget properly for the upgrades when making an offer on a house. A kitchen remodel can cost 40k
This, DH and I did exactly this (we made sure we got CO's - the sellers agent and lawyer hunted them down from the town)... Our kitchen reno is costing us in the neighborhood of $40-$50K, and we're not doing crazy expensive things.
|
| Posted 1/29/14 10:24 AM |
| |
|
Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by justbeachy
Hi there! First time buyer here and I have no clue what the he!l I'm doing. Learning slowly. Here are two houses that I'd love to get your insight on. Both are the same price
House 1:
-.75 acre plot with a large backyard
-fenced in outdoor pool and backyard
-well maintained
-desirable block
-attached garage
ISSUES:
-needs complete kitchen overhaul (it's BAD)
-upstairs carpeting (hall, 3 bedrooms) is buckled and disgusting and has NO hardwood under it. Not sure I can match the downstairs wood floors?
-does not have CO for outside addition (pool bathroom)
-taxes are 3k more than house #2
House 2:
-.4 acres
-everything in house is updated to the highest degree
-move in ready
ISSUES:
-On a main road (but set back), driveway is from main road though
-no true backyard - there is some useable space on sides of house and in the front
-not fenced in
-detached garage without CO
-house is slightly smaller than house #1
Which would you pick and why?
I have one 15 mth DD and a dog, if that helps.
For me personally, there's no way a home only on .4 acres would have enough of a set back from a main road.
Property size & location were the most important for us and we were willing to compromise on the house/updating as long as it was structurally sound, which is what we ultimately did.
|
| Posted 1/29/14 11:55 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Posted by DiamondGirl
#1. You can't change location and main road AND no backyard are just no's for me.
I agree!
|
| Posted 1/29/14 12:23 PM |
| |
|
babyfever24
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 3340 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
You'll never sell the house on the main road. I know from experience! I chose #1
|
| Posted 1/29/14 1:53 PM |
| |
|
LoriH
There's no place like home
Member since 8/07 4110 total posts
Name:
Lori
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
Neither would work for me. A main road was always something we stayed away from when looking both times we bought. We dealt with sooooooo many issues related to COs in this current house, there is no way I would deal with it again. If you go with the one that has CO issues, make sure they do not need a variance for the pool or other items because that will take much longer.
|
| Posted 1/29/14 8:44 PM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Which house would you rather buy?
No doubt, house #1. You can change and update the things you don't like over time but with the other house you can't ever change the location or add property.
I also wouldn't even consider a house on a main road to be honest, not with kids.
|
| Posted 1/30/14 7:44 PM |
| |
|
sj-girl
Happy Family of 4
Member since 5/08 5654 total posts
Name:
|
Which house would you rather buy?
If this was myself, I'd keep looking.
|
| Posted 1/31/14 10:43 AM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
