This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

Ever seen one of those homes on hoarders? Front looks fine, then you go inside and there are boxes and tupperware boxes piled to the ceiling. Rooms you cannot enter all the way because there is so much stuff?

Well, this weekend I saw one. They had a person in every room (their older kids) holding back a dog each (5 dogs that I can count plus some they put in kennels). Holes in walls, nasty carpet, nasty everything. Dirty and clutterific.

We walked out and I said to my husband, that is the nastiest house I have ever seen.... I LOVE IT!!


Isn't that just horrible? I would so inspect the house closely for any roof leaking wall damage against walls we can't see and all. But if I got an offer on my house, I am so going back and bidding on that one.

It's funny how some houses just speak to us. I never imagined my new house would be that poopie. I guess what we think we want can change?

And of course it helps the house is priced low and I think they are open to neg.

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

I've seen it all! LOL. The good, bad, and the UGLY.

But I think it's great that you can see past it. So many buyers immediately dismiss a home based on how the current owners live... they can't see themselves living there. I was probably guilty of that when I was a house hunter myself. But you can miss out on a great deal. If you have the time, money, and desire to fix it up (especially if it's just cosmetics... stained carpet, overall cleanliness, etc.), then go for it!

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

That is a crazy story, but I can relate to some degree.

We saw a house that was in foreclosure...massive holes in the walls, footprints on the walls (?), strange pipes hanging out of ceilings, layers of dirt caked onto the windowsills (took me 2 hours to clean ONE!). Well, two years later, here we are living in it. It was perfect for what we needed at the time and fit our (extremely) low budget. It has plenty of potential and lots of space around it to expand, so sometimes these things really turn out to be diamonds in the rough lol!

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

No it's not crazy. We look at houses which was clean, dirty, and WTF.

What house we went for was the short sale, as is, dark apartment in the basement, smelled, dirty, hole in the wall ranch house.

What we saw was a updated the bathroom with jazzicci tub and new kitchen. Was those rooms clean no. Was there dirty dishes yes. Lol. They had Verizon. A big plus for me. Lol. An a big backyard for a hot tub.

So we did the Mike Holmes special. We had an inspectors, who took lots of pics and answer all my questions. Yes the house needed cleaning, animals smells, termite, updated plumbing, and electric. We took the basement down to the studs and rebuild. Remove all outside stairs and patio. Built all new with solar rails and some other stuffs and can't remember. Lol.

So everyone dream house doesn't have to be clean, but you have to have the vision to see it.

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

not crazy at all! my DH and I were in contract for a new home and it fell through because the builder could not get the permits to build on the land this was after being in contract for 6 month!

We started looking at houses again and I told my DH that I wanted to see a house that was on MLS (this listing only had a photo of the outside) But we loved the area. The house was listed 55k less then the same house in the neighborhood. The REA told me that the house was "tired" and are you sure you want to look at it

I said yes - the owners were an older couple and they moved out 6 month before. The house had a TON of stuff in it! Metal Kitchen Cabinets and we walked out of that house and I said I LOVE IT! I thought my DH was going to Because he loved it too!

We were able to negotiate because the house was on the market for some time and we got a GREAT deal we paid over 100k less then what other houses (same house) are listed for.

We closed at the end of December and we knew going in that it would be a lot of work - but I am so happy!! Our house looks AMAZING!!! I can't wait to move in. .

So NO you are not crazy! Good Luck!


edit for spelling!

Message edited 4/23/2012 2:13:57 PM.

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

Well, when I saw the house that I ended up purchasing I was like "what the hell am I thinking". There was SO much to do with a limited budget and I honestly didn't want to go through the headache of having to deal with contractors along with all the issues that would come with me purchasing. I did however need more space for my family...especially the children so we took a chance and purchased the house.

Now, I can honestly say that I am happy that I decided to move forward since we are in love with our home. The good thing about purchasing a house that is distressed is that you can basically gut it and build to your liking. Obviously, the price and other intangibles have to make sense but all in all if you have a vision and patience I think you can turn someone's junk into your treasure.

Good Luck.

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

We bought a house just like that (minus the dogs).

The previous owner was a hoarder and the house was insane—like it was straight out of the show Hoarders. We walked out and my husband said, "That was disgusting!" I said, "I know, but I love it!"

I knew that we could use the condition—and the fact that 99.9% of people who viewed it would turn around and walk right out—to our advantage. Luckily, my husband was willing to go along with me even though he was having trouble seeing it.

We got a great deal and now we have a beautiful house with brand new everything that I got to pick out myself.

I love my house.

People have a hard time seeing potential. Use that to your advantage!

Re: This weekend went to look at houses and saw...

Hey why not? If it's all just cosmetic stuff that can be changed especially if you're getting a great deal!