Very Special Thread Of Real Estate Randomness

[Gayla]

There are no emoticon requirements for this thread.

Let the randomness begin.

[dixie]

Have you been to lovelylisting.com? It's certainly random... :|

[SassyLeo]

http://redwoodcitizen.com/RealEstate/Photos/weird-house.jpg

[SassyLeo]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpiuL1xREts/SgB0yGI-C1I/AAAAAAAADkQ/Elq0WCJbkDA/s400/funny-picture-1019479403.jpg

[SuperFemme]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9kYG6ZlgOAs/SQtAc4JVYJI/AAAAAAAAFNU/CAb2WFUWb10/s400/funny-real-estate-sign.jpg

[dixie]

perfect for a crazy cat lady wannabe like myself...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/cathouse2.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/cathouse1.jpg


wonder if it comes equipped with this?
http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab270/katelynwashere12/Funny%20Cats/cat18.jpg

[Gayla]

The ugly wallpaper in The Ugly Wallpaper House. Also, please note the red counter tops in the kitchen.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs105.ash2/38598_114912561894976_100001286972150_108973_80475 25_n.jpg

[betenoire]

I have some questions.

There is a house that I have been watching the online listing of but can't decide how interested I am in it. There are some things that I would like to know before I even bother to go look at it.

The house has a separate entrance to the basement, and the listening says that the basement has a livingroom and recroom - but no mention of a bathroom. What I want/need to know is how bathroom/kitchen ready the basement is. Like, how much plumbing is down there? Will I have to break through concrete flooring for any reason?

What -exactly- should I ask the Real Estate guy when I email him? I know NOTHING about buying houses and even less about home renovations, so I don't even know where to start.

[SuperFemme]

http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/P/K/2/palin-realtor.jpg

[MrSunshine]

http://redwoodcitizen.com/RealEstate/Photos/weird-house.jpg



This is the House that Crack built.

[betenoire]

Superfemme - see, when they put down the price I really hope it DOES mean stupid and desperate!

Gayla - I could SO rock that red countertop.

Dixielady - I have JUST the pregnant cat for you! Shipping address, please.

[MrSunshine]

The ugly wallpaper in The Ugly Wallpaper House. Also, please note the red counter tops in the kitchen.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs105.ash2/38598_114912561894976_100001286972150_108973_80475 25_n.jpg


Counter tops? I can't see past that wall paper.

[dixie]

ugly wallpaper house could have been ugly paint house...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/oontzoontz2.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/oontzoontz3.jpg

[SuperFemme]

The ugly wallpaper in The Ugly Wallpaper House. Also, please note the red counter tops in the kitchen.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs105.ash2/38598_114912561894976_100001286972150_108973_80475 25_n.jpg

http://www.nevadacounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ugly-house-sign.jpg

[MrSunshine]

I have some questions.

There is a house that I have been watching the online listing of but can't decide how interested I am in it. There are some things that I would like to know before I even bother to go look at it.

The house has a separate entrance to the basement, and the listening says that the basement has a livingroom and recroom - but no mention of a bathroom. What I want/need to know is how bathroom/kitchen ready the basement is. Like, how much plumbing is down there? Will I have to break through concrete flooring for any reason?

What -exactly- should I ask the Real Estate guy when I email him? I know NOTHING about buying houses and even less about home renovations, so I don't even know where to start.

Ask if there is access to plumbing/electrical etc... down there

[dixie]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/castle3.jpg

[MrSunshine]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/castle3.jpg


then ask yourself this. do I wanna play barbie the rest of my life or fuck?

[dixie]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/bavinger1.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/bavinger2.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/cdsilv1/bavinger3.jpg

[dixie]

then ask yourself this. do I wanna play barbie the rest of my life or fuck?

um...i guess my sarcasm wasn't as apparent as i thought... :|

[Gayla]

I have some questions.

There is a house that I have been watching the online listing of but can't decide how interested I am in it. There are some things that I would like to know before I even bother to go look at it.

The house has a separate entrance to the basement, and the listening says that the basement has a livingroom and recroom - but no mention of a bathroom. What I want/need to know is how bathroom/kitchen ready the basement is. Like, how much plumbing is down there? Will I have to break through concrete flooring for any reason?

What -exactly- should I ask the Real Estate guy when I email him? I know NOTHING about buying houses and even less about home renovations, so I don't even know where to start.

Yay! Questions I can answer! :)

Ok, first off, the person who's name is on the listing is the person who listed the home for the homeowner. He works for them. He will answer your questions and be very nice to you and would go show you the house but his loyalties will always be with the home owner. Find someone to represent you. Preferably someone you know or who a friend can recommend. A buyer's agent works for you. Their commission is paid by the the seller so it doesn't cost you anything.

You can email the listing agent and just ask him what you asked above - is there a bathroom or any plumbing in the basement for a future bathroom / kitchen. He should be able to tell you that. Expect that he will ask if you'd like to set up a time to go see the house.

I'll add some stuff about general starting points in a different post. :)

[betenoire]

Yay! Questions I can answer! :)

Ok, first off, the person who's name is on the listing is the person who listed the home for the homeowner. He works for them. He will answer your questions and be very nice to you and would go show you the house but his loyalties will always be with the home owner. Find someone to represent you. Preferably someone you know or who a friend can recommend. A buyer's agent works for you. Their commission is paid by the the seller so it doesn't cost you anything.

You can email the listing agent and just ask him what you asked above - is there a bathroom or any plumbing in the basement for a future bathroom / kitchen. He should be able to tell you that. Expect that he will ask if you'd like to set up a time to go see the house.

I'll add some stuff about general starting points in a different post. :)

Thanks Gayla, i really REALLY will love you forever if you tell me what to ask and what answers I want to hear.

[SassyLeo]

Love this: http://www.100abandonedhouses.com/

[Gayla]

I was actually just reading some things a few days ago written by an agent in Ontario. The process seems very similar but they call things by different names (and add extra vowels, of course).

In general, the first step would be talking to a mortgage lender or bank to get preapproved for a mortgage. From what I can tell, the process there is similar to here but much more extensive. Preapprovals happen before you put an offer in on a specific property and are used to help you decided how much you want, and can afford, to spend.

The next most important step is finding an agent to work with. Personal referrals are always best but you can just call a real estate office and ask to speak to an agent. Agents that represent home buyer's are paid via the seller at closing so it doesn't cost you anything to use their services when you're buying a home. Each state, and country, has different requirements when representing clients in a real estate transaction but the basic commonality is that the agent represents you and has your best interests in mind during the transaction.

A good agent can help you find a good mortgage broker. They can explain all the ins and outs of how to buy a home, help you find a home to buy and coordinate everything all the way through closing. They will work with the other parties involved and, basically, let you know what you have to do through out the process.

So first step is really - Go find a good agent!

[turasultana]

NY is a 'buyer beware' state. I don't think we have buyer's agents or at least not as a rule. I bought my place off craig's list from the seller.

[betenoire]

I was actually just reading some things a few days ago written by an agent in Ontario. The process seems very similar but they call things by different names (and add extra vowels, of course).

In general, the first step would be talking to a mortgage lender or bank to get preapproved for a mortgage. From what I can tell, the process there is similar to here but much more extensive. Preapprovals happen before you put an offer in on a specific property and are used to help you decided how much you want, and can afford, to spend.

The next most important step is finding an agent to work with. Personal referrals are always best but you can just call a real estate office and ask to speak to an agent. Agents that represent home buyer's are paid via the seller at closing so it doesn't cost you anything to use their services when you're buying a home. Each state, and country, has different requirements when representing clients in a real estate transaction but the basic commonality is that the agent represents you and has your best interests in mind during the transaction.

A good agent can help you find a good mortgage broker. They can explain all the ins and outs of how to buy a home, help you find a home to buy and coordinate everything all the way through closing. They will work with the other parties involved and, basically, let you know what you have to do through out the process.

So first step is really - Go find a good agent!

Thanks, Gayla. I'll be doing that as soon as I find out what's going on with this overnight position that I'm after. :) I do know that one of my part-time coworkers who averages about 20 hours a week got pre-approved for 130k, and that even now as a part-timer I work more than she does so I can expect around/at least the same amount as my limit. BUT I also know that I don't want to spend nearly much - I'm aiming for under 110k.

[Gayla]

Thanks, Gayla. I'll be doing that as soon as I find out what's going on with this overnight position that I'm after. :) I do know that one of my part-time coworkers who averages about 20 hours a week got pre-approved for 130k, and that even now as a part-timer I work more than she does so I can expect around/at least the same amount as my limit. BUT I also know that I don't want to spend nearly much - I'm aiming for under 110k.

It's fairly common, at least here, for a preapproval amount to be higher than what you actually want to spend. The mortgage person can also help you figure out a price range that will keep payments where you want them and things like that.

One question I get quite often is about preapproval letters. It's become fairly standard to ask that a preapproval letter be included with an offer to purchase and buyer's are concerned that the seller will see the total amount for which they have been approved. In reality, the finance person will write the approval letter for the amount of the offer so even if you have been approved for a larger amount, it doesn't "tip your hand" in the negotiating process.

[betenoire]

One question I get quite often is about preapproval letters. It's become fairly standard to ask that a preapproval letter be included with an offer to purchase and buyer's are concerned that the seller will see the total amount for which they have been approved. In reality, the finance person will write the approval letter for the amount of the offer so even if you have been approved for a larger amount, it doesn't "tip your hand" in the negotiating process.

Good to know. :)

I hate that I can't pick my Dad's ear about this, cuz that's generally pretty fun for me. But he's not good with buying houses. He can put a new roof on my house for me and renovate a bathroom - but he can't tell me what to ask or what to expect.

Fun fact - my father is OBSESSED with steel roofs. OBSESSED. Seriously. He drives around and points out houses that have them. He's made it perfectly clear to me that it does not matter how new the roof on whatever house I end up with is - in fact he'd prefer that the roof need replacing. Because he wants me to have a steel roof and he and his buddies are going to put it on for me. I don't argue.

[JustJo]

Fun fact - my father is OBSESSED with steel roofs. OBSESSED. Seriously. He drives around and points out houses that have them. He's made it perfectly clear to me that it does not matter how new the roof on whatever house I end up with is - in fact he'd prefer that the roof need replacing. Because he wants me to have a steel roof and he and his buddies are going to put it on for me. I don't argue.

I'm with your father on this one. :) I have a steel roof on my house and love it. My old roof used to form giant icicles (I mean like 8 or 10 feet long and as big around as a person). With the steel, all it takes is a day or two of sunshine and all the snow and ice melts and slides off so I never get the giant icicles, and I don't have to hire the snow removal guys either.

It is louder when it rains though!

[betenoire]

I'm with your father on this one. :) I have a steel roof on my house and love it. My old roof used to form giant icicles (I mean like 8 or 10 feet long and as big around as a person). With the steel, all it takes is a day or two of sunshine and all the snow and ice melts and slides off so I never get the giant icicles, and I don't have to hire the snow removal guys either.

It is louder when it rains though!

My parents have a steel roof also, which my father and his pals put on. I've never noticed that it was louder in the rain - but I might just not be very observant.

They're also pretty sturdy. :) Where my parents live there are a lot of mature trees that tend to fall over or have large limbs break off. During a really bad storm the tree in the neighbors yard broke in HALF and landed on my parents roof (and on their Kia). The Kia was totalled but the roof didn't so much as scratch. Yay!

Plus they're usually made from recycled materials...which makes them green. I like stuff that's green. You just wait - I'm going to be one of those people who keeps rain barrels for watering the lawn with. I look forward to it.

[JustJo]

My parents have a steel roof also, which my father and his pals put on. I've never noticed that it was louder in the rain - but I might just not be very observant.

They're also pretty sturdy. :) Where my parents live there are a lot of mature trees that tend to fall over or have large limbs break off. During a really bad storm the tree in the neighbors yard broke in HALF and landed on my parents roof (and on their Kia). The Kia was totalled but the roof didn't so much as scratch. Yay!

Plus they're usually made from recycled materials...which makes them green. I like stuff that's green. You just wait - I'm going to be one of those people who keeps rain barrels for watering the lawn with. I look forward to it.

Wow! I knew they were sturdy, but that's pretty wild.

Best of luck with your house hunting. I was trying to sell my house here but finally gave up. Everyone seemed to think that central NY had the same boom that Florida and Arizona did (wrong!) and wanted to offer me a ridiculously low price. I said heck with it and am renting the place out instead....hassle, but I'm not interested in giving it away.

Right now we're in the middle of short sale buyer's hell...great house, and will all come good in the end, but a big slow hassle right now.

[betenoire]

Best of luck with your house hunting. I was trying to sell my house here but finally gave up. Everyone seemed to think that central NY had the same boom that Florida and Arizona did (wrong!) and wanted to offer me a ridiculously low price. I said heck with it and am renting the place out instead....hassle, but I'm not interested in giving it away.


I've been hearing a lot of that lately.

Actually, there was an article in the local newspaper here about how shitty it is for sellers right now, especially where I'm living. Houses in Sarnia are actually -cheaper- now than they were 3 years ago when I moved here. To top that off, according to the article, a few summers ago there were -maybe- 400 houses for sale in Sarnia during the month of august...this year there are 3x that and -nobody- is buying. People are getting lowballed left and right and some people are selling at a loss because they are so desperate to get out of their mortgage. I guess that's just another symptom of the bad economic situation right now.

I watch the listings pretty religiously because I really want to get out of my apartment and get into a house. And it's true - houses just aren't selling. There is one house that has been for sale since I moved here. SINCE I MOVED HERE which was just over 3 years ago. That's insane.

[Gayla]

We had a metal roof put on the house I used to live in and I was kinda bummed that it didn't sound that much different when it rained. A bajillion years ago, I lived in a very tiny house that had a tin roof on the porch and it was wonderful in the rain. But miserable any other time!

[Blaze]

I think this is a fixer-upper. But I would love it here!
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww25/englishwitch/largest_treehouse002.jpg

[betenoire]

Houses I'm grooving on (this week)

Separate entrance to basement, great yard, possibly owned by a hoarder (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9687053&PidKey=-1473464611)

Love the inside, hate the outside. It needs a proper porch BADLY. Big yard, though. (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9746776&PidKey=-2081515315)

Oh god! It's like a dollhouse! Love! The tub is great, but something -needs- to be done about the awful toilet and vanity. Also - wood panel walls in the family room = gross but fixable. (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9787631&PidKey=1023838032)

[JustJo]

I've been hearing a lot of that lately.

Actually, there was an article in the local newspaper here about how shitty it is for sellers right now, especially where I'm living. Houses in Sarnia are actually -cheaper- now than they were 3 years ago when I moved here. To top that off, according to the article, a few summers ago there were -maybe- 400 houses for sale in Sarnia during the month of august...this year there are 3x that and -nobody- is buying. People are getting lowballed left and right and some people are selling at a loss because they are so desperate to get out of their mortgage. I guess that's just another symptom of the bad economic situation right now.

I watch the listings pretty religiously because I really want to get out of my apartment and get into a house. And it's true - houses just aren't selling. There is one house that has been for sale since I moved here. SINCE I MOVED HERE which was just over 3 years ago. That's insane.

Yep...it's crazy. Luckily I bought an inexpensive house 9 years ago, so I'm fortunate in that I don't have to sell. If I did, I'd be screwed. The only offers I've had barely cover what I paid 9 years ago and the improvements I made.

The house we're buying has been on the market a little over 3 years. I can't even imagine how that feels. Mine has been listed since February...and I'm giving up for now. Maybe in a few more years... It's a good time for you to be buying though. You should be able to get an awesome deal.

And amen to what Gayla said up there ^ about pre-approvals. My experience has been that banks have consistently approved me for amounts that I know I couldn't afford. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I've never gone anywhere near what they said I could spend...and it's saved my butt financially a couple of times. I know a lot of people who are mortgaged to the hilt...if someone gets sick or loses a job or anything, they're in trouble. That just feels too scary to me.

[betenoire]

And amen to what Gayla said up there ^ about pre-approvals. My experience has been that banks have consistently approved me for amounts that I know I couldn't afford. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I've never gone anywhere near what they said I could spend...and it's saved my butt financially a couple of times. I know a lot of people who are mortgaged to the hilt...if someone gets sick or loses a job or anything, they're in trouble. That just feels too scary to me.

Yeah, I hear that. There is no freaking way I'd be willing to spend as much as the bank will tell me I can afford - the bank is clearly an idiot. I'm hoping to keep my mortgage+taxes+utilities around what I'm paying now as a renter.

[Soft*Silver]

I paid $11,500 for my house. Its 100 years old and nothing cosmetic has been changed in it since the 1950s. However, all new windows, plumbing and electrical work has been done. Its paid off and its nice not to have a mortage over my head. I have 1700 sq ft living space and a 2 car garage.

A house up the block from me is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Pristeen shape. Move in condition. Everything is newer inside than my house. Its expected to sell for $5000.

I live in a nice neighborhood. I live close to not so nice neighborhoods. Its a good school district.

[Gayla]

Houses I'm grooving on (this week)

Separate entrance to basement, great yard, possibly owned by a hoarder (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9687053&PidKey=-1473464611)

Love the inside, hate the outside. It needs a proper porch BADLY. Big yard, though. (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9746776&PidKey=-2081515315)

Oh god! It's like a dollhouse! Love! The tub is great, but something -needs- to be done about the awful toilet and vanity. Also - wood panel walls in the family room = gross but fixable. (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9787631&PidKey=1023838032)

Oh god, that vanity. And is that one bedroom pink? :| I still like the first one best. But the porch on the doll house is cute. Do homes up there just not have fireplaces? Or did I miss them?


Here's (http://gayla.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=76099881) the house the chicken pictures came from. Love everything about it except the tiny little kitchen.

[betenoire]

Oh god, that vanity. And is that one bedroom pink? :| I still like the first one best. But the porch on the doll house is cute. Do homes up there just not have fireplaces? Or did I miss them?


Here's (http://gayla.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=76099881) the house the chicken pictures came from. Love everything about it except the tiny little kitchen.

The hoarder-house has a fireplace, although that might be a falsie. Most of the houses I dig are pretty specifically "war time" style homes, and they tend to not have fireplaces.

War Time House layouts (http://wartimehouses.com/the-homes/the-designs/)

Another War Time Houses link (http://www.nowhouseproject.com/aboutHistory.php)

Wow, that's a crazy nice house you linked up there. A little big, though. (Did I mention that I like my houses TINY?) Is that painted over wood panel in the bedroom?

[Gayla]

The hoarder-house has a fireplace, although that might be a falsie. Most of the houses I dig are pretty specifically "war time" style homes, and they tend to not have fireplaces.

War Time House layouts (http://wartimehouses.com/the-homes/the-designs/)

Another War Time Houses link (http://www.nowhouseproject.com/aboutHistory.php)

Wow, that's a crazy nice house you linked up there. A little big, though. (Did I mention that I like my houses TINY?) Is that painted over wood panel in the bedroom?

No, it's just painted over bead board. That's the "lower level" (we don't call it a basement!) which is currently staged as a master suite with an almost attached 3/4 bath.

I usually like small houses best, too. Since my dad was a builder, we always lived in these rambling kind of places where we had to actually go find each other if we wanted to interact. It sort of creeped me out when I was young and didn't feel really safe.

[Waldo]

Love this: http://www.100abandonedhouses.com/

I knew it was Detroit before I flipped to the third photograph. I could not believe the houses that were just walked away from - all shapes, sizes and stages of disrepair. Shame.

[betenoire]

I knew it was Detroit before I flipped to the third photograph. I could not believe the houses that were just walked away from - all shapes, sizes and stages of disrepair. Shame.

Detroit hurts my heart.

[Waldo]

Detroit hurts my heart.

Word. Hopefully it's only temporary and this dark time will provide an opportunity for amazing renewal in the coming decades. Sadly, Michigan is not really known for forward thinking any more.

[SassyLeo]

I knew it was Detroit before I flipped to the third photograph. I could not believe the houses that were just walked away from - all shapes, sizes and stages of disrepair. Shame.

I know. It's the really old ones that get me :(

Detroit hurts my heart.

Yes :(

[Gayla]

I read something a little while back about a couple of groups that were trying to do somethings in Detroit. It was something along the lines of just closing down subdivision that had a high rate of abandonment and turning them back into rural/agricultural land. It was an interesting concept that, at least on paper, seemed viable.

[betenoire]

Word. Hopefully it's only temporary and this dark time will provide an opportunity for amazing renewal in the coming decades. Sadly, Michigan is not really known for forward thinking any more.

I dunno. 40 years of being fucked over by shady Mayors and police is a long time. It's hard for me to see hope when the people in power are the people who created the problem.

Plus, honestly, any solution that federal/state government would probably come up with would likely end up displacing many of the people who live there now - and I don't want to see that.

Anyway. Off to work.

[Waldo]

I dunno. 40 years of being fucked over by shady Mayors and police is a long time. It's hard for me to see hope when the people in power are the people who created the problem.

Plus, honestly, any solution that federal/state government would probably come up with would likely end up displacing many of the people who live there now - and I don't want to see that.

Anyway. Off to work.

To be fair, Chicago was an amazingly corrupt city for much of the 20th century. You could certainly argue that it still is and I wouldn't bet on a dog in that fight, but with the right alignment things can improve. I'll still hope.

[Gayla]

So since it's my very special thread of real estate randomness, I get to tell you random real estate stories!

I've had a number of buyers ask me if they really need to do a home inspection and my answer is always yes. Inspections are paid for by the home buyer. Often buyers are trying to keep their out of pocket costs as low as possible so while they may try to get away without one, I don't recommend it. Up until this week, my advice has always been theoretical but now I have a real, live story of why home inspections are so important!

A few weeks ago, a nice couple came through the ugly wallpaper house during one of my Sunday open houses and, hypnotized by my amazing powers of persuasion, decided that I should help them find the home of their dreams! A few days later, we found one they liked, submitted an offer and the offer was accepted. The next step is a home inspection.

They didn't ask if an inspection was needed because the house had been built in 1945 and could have had some issues. Little did we know the amount of those issues!

A normal inspection on a home of this size takes about 3 hours. The inspector goes through all of the major systems of the house, takes pictures, points out things to the buyers, makes sure stuff works like it should, etc. This inspection took twice that long and the majority of the problems were things that couldn't be seen just by walking through the house.

There were major issues with the electrical systems, the foundation, and water in the crawl space. He found significant damage from termites and carpenter ants. He found old asbestos tiles in the attic, live electrical wires behind the stove in the kitchen and plumbing problems in the downstairs bathroom. Everywhere he looked, that we wouldn't have, there was a problem.

Needless to say, they will not be purchasing this house. The $350 they spent on the inspection may have just saved them tens of thousands of dollars in future repairs.

[Gayla]

This is my current dream house. Clicky Clicky (http://gayla.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=35346084)

http://dist-cache.windermere.com/pics27/ImageStore.dll?id=7ABEC02F8693BAA7&w=400&h=300&rev=2&bg=FFFFFF

[Sachita]

Yep...it's crazy. Luckily I bought an inexpensive house 9 years ago, so I'm fortunate in that I don't have to sell. If I did, I'd be screwed. The only offers I've had barely cover what I paid 9 years ago and the improvements I made.

The house we're buying has been on the market a little over 3 years. I can't even imagine how that feels. Mine has been listed since February...and I'm giving up for now. Maybe in a few more years... It's a good time for you to be buying though. You should be able to get an awesome deal.

And amen to what Gayla said up there ^ about pre-approvals. My experience has been that banks have consistently approved me for amounts that I know I couldn't afford. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I've never gone anywhere near what they said I could spend...and it's saved my butt financially a couple of times. I know a lot of people who are mortgaged to the hilt...if someone gets sick or loses a job or anything, they're in trouble. That just feels too scary to me.

I havent used Realtors in many moons but I've bought and sold many properties. My place in Adirondacks, the suggested listing from the one Realtor I did contact was a lot lower then what I got.

anyhow, when i decided to sell my place in Florida it was with 18 acres and unique property. I cant tell you how many were all over it. After 4-6 months of contracts people couldnt get loans for I decided to only do pre-approval, which worked but in the end they decided (the bank) they didnt want to risk rural property that size in the everglades. To make a long story short I finally just said CASH. You must have and prove you have the cash. I was sick of spending so much time showing and giving tours. A guy comes in and buys it cash.

The place I have now I found myself and did seller financing for the first few years then refinanced. In todays real-estate market I would search for seller offers. Get lots of pics, ask the right questions, locate the county GIS maps and reports, see what the value is, taxes, zoning and any permits that had been issued. Compare properties next to it and close by. This is easy to do once you know where you're looking.

Buy a place that is structurally sound. Hire companies that do nothing but inspect. What are they called again? brain clutter. It's like 200 bucks but if you get to the point of offer you'll want this for sure. Then take your time fixing it up and building equity, if thats possible today.

lol- ok final tip, always buy something you know you can afford worse case scenario. Don't rely on two incomes to pay for a house.

[betenoire]

I'm still semi-casually looking. There are three within walking distance of my work that I think look interesting/promising.

0.60 miles from work (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9846993&PidKey=-1162167365) - I really dig that it has a loft bedroom

0.22 miles from work (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9882147&PidKey=1627477998) - I kinda hate corner lots, though

0.20 miles from work (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9846997&PidKey=-1157702729) - this is my favourite of the 3. LOVE the kitchen!

[Medusa]

I'd love to tell some stories about the houses that Jack and I viewed while looking for a house in California. :)

I'll start with a little blurb about a house that was completely FULL of trash, dirty diapers, broken glass, and rotting food and the yard has FOUR broken down cars, a chicken coop, and about 100 mounds of trash piled all over the place.

It was built in the 70s, was next to an abandoned lot full of garbage, at the end of an industrial complex, and 2 blocks from railroad tracks.

They wanted over $400,000. :|

[betenoire]

I'd love to tell some stories about the houses that Jack and I viewed while looking for a house in California. :)

I'll start with a little blurb about a house that was completely FULL of trash, dirty diapers, broken glass, and rotting food and the yard has FOUR broken down cars, a chicken coop, and about 100 mounds of trash piled all over the place.

It was built in the 70s, was next to an abandoned lot full of garbage, at the end of an industrial complex, and 2 blocks from railroad tracks.

They wanted over $400,000. :|

God, how much does a NICE house cost in California??

My parents bought their house from the bank, the previous owners has been foreclosed on. I guess the previous owners had been renting it out or something - because there is NO way that people who actually owned the house would treat it like that.

They had a tonne of work to do. There were dirty needles and human feces on the floor, huge holes in the wall, graffiti, etc. Trash everywhere. They had to get these biohazard-ish suits to wear when they went in to clean it up. They got it for next to nothing, though - and since they did all the work themselves they didn't really have to put THAT much money into it. New flooring, drywall, and paint was really all that it needed. Well - that and removing of all the gross stuff.

My dad must really love my mom. My mother wanted that house for 10 years before they bought it - it was down the street from where me and my sister went to school and every time she went by she'd slow down and stare at it. When the house started to go to hell she'd rant for hours about "how could anybody treat that nice house so badly?" I guess when they found out it was for sale though the bank they went and looked at it and my dad was like "oh HELL to the no" but eventually gave it because it was mom's dream home.

It's actually a wicked cute house. Brick bungalow in an older neighborhood. Lots of trees. Too big for my tastes, though.

[Hack]

I live in Michigan. Granted, I don't live in Detroit, but I spend a lot of time there for work and for fun. I live 90 minutes to the west of the city, to be honest.

Ask most Michiganians about Detroit and you will get a lot of different reactions. Mostly, though, you will hear "it's not that bad."

Yes, a lot of asshat mayors in recent years (with the possible exception of Dennis Archer). A lot of police corruption, true.

And while there are entire sections of the city that are all but abandoned, there are also amazing, amazing parts of the city:

1. The Cultural Center District. The DIA is one of the best art museums in the country. And the African-American History Museum is superb. Not to mention the Max, home of the Detroit Symphony.

2. The Stadium District -- Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers) and Ford Field (home of the hapless Detroit Lions) have spurred a strong resurgence in bars, restaurants, etc. I think there will be more good things to come.

3. Campus Martius Park -- an extraordinary public space in the heart of downtown, with the nearby Compuware Building, which has to be one of the most amazing high-tech office buildings I've ever been in. Campus Martius was recently named the top urban park in the US.

4. The Riverfront -- a lot of hard work has gone in to keeping the Detroit Riverfront PUBLIC, and not pimped out to office buildings and other private development. I'm very proud to have a small role in this through the William G. Milliken State Park, Michigan's first urban state park -- a 31-acre oasis in an urban setting, which is now connected to Eastern Market (another amazing Detroit institution) by the DeQuindre Cut, an amazing walking/jogging/biking trail that connects to sectors of the city. Oh, and by the way? The Detroit River is cleaner than ever thanks to a lot of cooperative environmental remediation. There are now people canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the river all the time. There is a healthy, diverse fishery in the river.

5. Mexicantown -- a buzzing neighborhood filled with great, authentic restaurants, bakeries and shops.

6. There is a thriving arts and music scene in Detroit. There are amazing bookstores. And most of the suburbs offer something cool as well.

I like Detroit. Yeah, it has that gritty feel to it, but the people are real, the food is diverse and good (some of the best Middle Eastern food in the country). There are more than 100 languages spoken in the city, indicative of its multi-culturalism. Don't write it off just yet. Detroit has lots of wounds to heal that go back to the race riots in the 1960s (if not further), but it is not quite down for the count.

Proud Michiganian,
Jake

[dixie]

http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/28e820d1-6608-47a8-8410-5ac669af3f471.jpg

[jenny]

So since it's my very special thread of real estate randomness, I get to tell you random real estate stories!

I've had a number of buyers ask me if they really need to do a home inspection and my answer is always yes. Inspections are paid for by the home buyer. Often buyers are trying to keep their out of pocket costs as low as possible so while they may try to get away without one, I don't recommend it. Up until this week, my advice has always been theoretical but now I have a real, live story of why home inspections are so important!

...

Needless to say, they will not be purchasing this house. The $350 they spent on the inspection may have just saved them tens of thousands of dollars in future repairs.


I absolutely agree that inspections are essential; unfortunately, although I had one done, it didn't tell me what I needed to know. If the inspector could have looked behind the walls, he would have seen exposed electrical wires, cut beams, and all sorts of things that he would have warned me about. He couldn't see that stuff, however, and found some minor issues with the house I was buying, and so I moved ahead.

Four years later, during bathroom renovations, the beginnings of the problem became evident, when the ceiling was taken out and the beams up to the main joist were exposed -- and they'd been cut, then sistered with 2x4s. Under the shower pan was an exposed outlet. (Yes, an outlet, in the floor, under a shower. Go figure.)

Long story short, a builder who I've known for years came over, pulled some walls down and recommended that I get my kids out of the house if we had more than two inches of snow, because the roof was completely unstable. We planned a "remodel" which really was a complete rebuild, and seven weeks later, knocked the house to the ground.

What. A. Disaster. In taking down the house, we found things that were horrifying, and frankly, it's amazing the house didn't go up in flames prior to the demolition. Frayed, barely connected electrical wires running through the walls. Beams that were cut and didn't reach the joists they should have been attached to. No subflooring at all in the living and dining rooms -- just hardwood laid on beams, over a crawl space. (No wonder it was impossible to keep the house warm in the winter!!) The front wall of the house wasn't attached to anything at all -- literally, it was just sitting on the dirt... but that fact was hidden by the front porch. The list goes on and on...

I'm lucky... I now have a very safe, comfortable home, and nothing awful happened to my family. And of course, I can't blame the home inspector, as he clearly stated that he couldn't guarantee anything he couldn't visually inspect. So yeah, absolutely get a home inspection -- I wouldn't buy a house without one. But beware... there may be hidden issues you don't have any way of knowing about!!

[Gemme]

This is my current dream house. Clicky Clicky (http://gayla.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=35346084)

http://dist-cache.windermere.com/pics27/ImageStore.dll?id=7ABEC02F8693BAA7&w=400&h=300&rev=2&bg=FFFFFF

We have similar taste. I absolutely adore that home and Organic said I could buy it if I won the Lottery! :clap:

I'd invite you over for :tea: and :sushi: if I did.

[jenny]

Real estate porn for old house lovers:

http://www.historicproperties.com/

[Queerasfck]

DIY cabin in the woods, for the low, low price of 57K. Only 130 square ft. but it has a little patio. Check out the slides (http://www.sunset.com/home/architecture-design/how-to-build-a-small-cabin-00418000068536/).
And it's only about 6 hours from Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland!


http://img4.sunset.com/i/2010/08/cabin-exterior-front-0810-l.jpg?400:400

[Waldo]

Real estate porn for old house lovers:

http://www.historicproperties.com/

The only house on there in Denver is in my neighborhood. Less than a mile, right down the street from me. I pass it regularly. It's lovely but I don't think they'll get their asking price. They really over-improved for the neighborhood. Some of the details in the house are utterly stunning - but really the sort of thing you do only if money is no object and more often if you plan to stay in a house forever.

[Hack]

Real estate porn for old house lovers:

http://www.historicproperties.com/


Holy cow, the old Loeb School in Charlevoix, MI is on there for $259K, which is an utter steal for that part of Michigan. That's where the rich and famous hang out and play, including John and Patsy Ramsey, of JonBenet fame.

[jenny]

Holy cow, the old Loeb School in Charlevoix, MI is on there for $259K, which is an utter steal for that part of Michigan. That's where the rich and famous hang out and play, including John and Patsy Ramsey, of JonBenet fame.

Just went and looked at it... soooo cool. I fall in love daily with different houses on this site!!

[jenny]

Ohhhh, wow. My cousin just messaged me on Facebook to tell me that our grandmother's fabulous old home is on the market. My grandmother died about 6 years ago, and hadn't lived in the house for about 10 years prior to that... but I have such incredible memories of spending time in this home as I was growing up...

*sigh*

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Montclair-Twp_NJ_07043_M63918-21816

[Gemme]

Ohhhh, wow. My cousin just messaged me on Facebook to tell me that our grandmother's fabulous old home is on the market. My grandmother died about 6 years ago, and hadn't lived in the house for about 10 years prior to that... but I have such incredible memories of spending time in this home as I was growing up...

*sigh*

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Montclair-Twp_NJ_07043_M63918-21816

It's beautiful!

[betenoire]

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=10002287&PidKey=1838005521

If you look passed the awful paneling in the kitchen (and I think that paneling actually looks kinda cool if you paint it), passed the industrial superthin shitty carpet, the lack of stove, and the fact that I'm pretty sure this house is a foreclosure...and this house has wicked potential.

[Gayla]

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=10002287&PidKey=1838005521

If you look passed the awful paneling in the kitchen (and I think that paneling actually looks kinda cool if you paint it), passed the industrial superthin shitty carpet, the lack of stove, and the fact that I'm pretty sure this house is a foreclosure...and this house has wicked potential.

It's cute. And the price is very good. I kind of reminds me of the ugly wallpaper house but probably just because they both have the same white siding on the outside and may have been built around the same time. Do all the houses in that area have the same white siding or just the one's you like? Or just the one's that Shana sells because her current listings all kinda looked the same?

The notice posted on the front window says "foreclosure" to me even though I can't read it.

Stoves can be easy to find for cheap. Pull that icky carpet out and lay down some laminate. Paint. Poof.

[betenoire]

It's cute. And the price is very good. I kind of reminds me of the ugly wallpaper house but probably just because they both have the same white siding on the outside and may have been built around the same time. Do all the houses in that area have the same white siding or just the one's you like? Or just the one's that Shana sells because her current listings all kinda looked the same?

The notice posted on the front window says "foreclosure" to me even though I can't read it.

Stoves can be easy to find for cheap. Pull that icky carpet out and lay down some laminate. Paint. Poof.

All of the houses in the neighborhood that I want to live in (called "the tree streets" - cherry, elm, pine...you get the picture) have that same siding. Except sometimes it is blue or yellow. :) That's actually the very specific style of house that I like, that size and from that era. Which is why I'm always posting houses that look almost exactly like that.

Yeah, the white notice in the window TOTALLY screams foreclosure.

When the listing first went up it was 7k more than what it's listed at now. Those fuckers want to sell and they want to sell badly.

I find out some time next week if I get to keep the full-time position that I'm in. If I get to keep it, I'll probably be starting the process cuz I really like the idea of that house. If I don't get to keep full-time then I'll stay in this stupid apartment with no outside space for the time being.

[cara]

A few years ago, I was working hard to save money for a down payment on a place in Seattle. Got pre-qualified for a loan and even spent a few weekends with a realtor looking at condos. But the First Home Buyers loan I was expecting (it was a house key loan) fell through and I basically gave up. It's the primary reason I don't have a car right now--I was trying to save for the down payment and knew I wouldn't be able to afford the car after buying a place and paying for a mortgage. Anyway, my question is this and it really has nothing to do with everything I just said, but I'm random tonight and this is a special thread of real estate randomness so I'll ask anyway: my parents think it's crazy for a single person to want to own a house, but I don't want to live in a condo. I want land and a teeny tiny little house in the middle of nature. Do you think that's possible? Or just plain stupid.

:stillheart:

cara
who is way too hyped up on sugar and is queen of run-on sentences at the moment.

[Gayla]

I don't think it's crazy or silly and I think it's very possible. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else right now - with interest rates as low as they are, it's crazy and silly not to buy right now if you can.

As for the house vs condo thing, condo sales right now are hard and I don't see that changing any time soon, so it would be very easy to buy a condo but probably very difficult to resell a condo in the future. You have a much better chance of getting your money back out of a house than you do back out of a condo. Not to mention, with single family home prices as low as they are, why share walls if you don't have to!

We were talking about interest rates the other day (well, as we do most everyday because they are still freakishly low) and my lender sent me some info about how it can take as little as $44,000 of annual household income to qualify for a $250,000 mortgage. If you're even thinking about thinking about buying at some point in the future, it's a good time.

[cara]

I don't think it's crazy or silly and I think it's very possible. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else right now - with interest rates as low as they are, it's crazy and silly not to buy right now if you can.

As for the house vs condo thing, condo sales right now are hard and I don't see that changing any time soon, so it would be very easy to buy a condo but probably very difficult to resell a condo in the future. You have a much better chance of getting your money back out of a house than you do back out of a condo. Not to mention, with single family home prices as low as they are, why share walls if you don't have to!

We were talking about interest rates the other day (well, as we do most everyday because they are still freakishly low) and my lender sent me some info about how it can take as little as $44,000 of annual household income to qualify for a $250,000 mortgage. If you're even thinking about thinking about buying at some point in the future, it's a good time.

Thanks, Gayla! Just gotta get my confidence back under me and back on track savings-wise. This whole moving to Tacoma thing has really rattled me in a way I wasn't expecting.

:stillheart:

[FR]

-its very interesting to me seems alot of us are looking for a home -even in this economy and because of it. i have been looking for a home for a year and a half. i have not found anything yet. i have about 3 or 4 areas im looking-cali and pacific northwest example. my experience with agents has been terrible. and i swear if i see one more house with purple carpet im gonna puke. its difficult when ur like me -somewhat hanicapped and have certain things are a must i guess. good luck to us all.

[betenoire]

-its very interesting to me seems alot of us are looking for a home -even in this economy and because of it. i have been looking for a home for a year and a half. i have not found anything yet. i have about 3 or 4 areas im looking-cali and pacific northwest example. my experience with agents has been terrible. and i swear if i see one more house with purple carpet im gonna puke. its difficult when ur like me -somewhat hanicapped and have certain things are a must i guess. good luck to us all.

If the economy wasn't what it was I probably wouldn't be looking at all. Houses just are not selling at the moment (at least not where I live) and it's brought the prices down considerably. Even houses that would have gone for 130 this time last year are now listing at 110.

[JustJo]

my parents think it's crazy for a single person to want to own a house, but I don't want to live in a condo. I want land and a teeny tiny little house in the middle of nature. Do you think that's possible? Or just plain stupid.

:stillheart:

cara
who is way too hyped up on sugar and is queen of run-on sentences at the moment.

Hey Cara,

I've been a single mom most of my adult life, and I've owned my own little houses with a little yard kinda place for most of it as well. I say absolutely go for it if you want to and can. There's no reason why a single woman shouldn't own a house.

Heck, with the market what it is, I just closed on a short sale in Florida. The process was a total 7 month long nightmare, but the end result was great.

Good luck to you!

[Gemme]

A few years ago, I was working hard to save money for a down payment on a place in Seattle. Got pre-qualified for a loan and even spent a few weekends with a realtor looking at condos. But the First Home Buyers loan I was expecting (it was a house key loan) fell through and I basically gave up. It's the primary reason I don't have a car right now--I was trying to save for the down payment and knew I wouldn't be able to afford the car after buying a place and paying for a mortgage. Anyway, my question is this and it really has nothing to do with everything I just said, but I'm random tonight and this is a special thread of real estate randomness so I'll ask anyway: my parents think it's crazy for a single person to want to own a house, but I don't want to live in a condo. I want land and a teeny tiny little house in the middle of nature. Do you think that's possible? Or just plain stupid.

:stillheart:

cara
who is way too hyped up on sugar and is queen of run-on sentences at the moment.

If you know you're going to stay in WA for a few years, and manage to save up enough money, then ABSOLUTELY buy a house. The feeling of homeownership is a sense of pride that is not easily duplicated. You get to decorate everything like you want (as a singleton), get to plant a garden (if you have a yard or get sunboxes for your windows), have much more privacy (no more hearing your neighbors get their groove thang on!), and have more space (yanno, for crafts 'n stuff).

:)

[betenoire]

If you know you're going to stay in WA for a few years, and manage to save up enough money, then ABSOLUTELY buy a house. The feeling of homeownership is a sense of pride that is not easily duplicated. You get to decorate everything like you want (as a singleton), get to plant a garden (if you have a yard or get sunboxes for your windows), have much more privacy (no more hearing your neighbors get their groove thang on!), and have more space (yanno, for crafts 'n stuff).

:)

Plus I got nosey and looked at listings in Tacoma, and there's like a huge spread in terms of price. I bet you could find something adorable in the neighborhood you want that would be comparable in monthly cost to whatever it is you're paying in rent right now. :)

[cara]

Plus I got nosey and looked at listings in Tacoma, and there's like a huge spread in terms of price. I bet you could find something adorable in the neighborhood you want that would be comparable in monthly cost to whatever it is you're paying in rent right now. :)

you rock! :) i don't like Tacoma. my lease is up in 1.5 years, but if i buy a place before then, i won't need to worry about a bad rental history from bailing on my lease. i will move back to Seattle or down to Portland or to my dream city of Port Townsend before buying a house or living in Tacoma again. even though i love my apartment and neighborhood. ;)

:stillheart:

[Gemme]

you rock! :) i don't like Tacoma. my lease is up in 1.5 years, but if i buy a place before then, i won't need to worry about a bad rental history from bailing on my lease. i will move back to Seattle or down to Portland or to my dream city of Port Townsend before buying a house or living in Tacoma again. even though i love my apartment and neighborhood. ;)

:stillheart:

Port Townsend is absolutely gorgeous.

[cara]

Port Townsend is absolutely gorgeous.

Agreed! :)

[dixie]

I think it's just the cutest! :D

http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/tuktuktuk.jpg?w=500&h=2229

[tuffboi29]

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs466.snc4/49134_100000885466339_6468105_n.jpg

Could you imagine trying to sleep next door to theses guys? :|

I have to.

[FR]

i have been looking for a house for a long time-just cant seem to find what i need. i hope to find one soon. i am curious as WA and OR ar on my list -what is special about port townsend? how close of a commute to seattle? etc.

[dixie]

http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/treehouse_of_mystery.jpg?w=500&h=674

[dixie]

http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/funny-real-estate-futuristic-bathroom-is-swivelly.jpg

[jenny]

I'd like to convert this to a private home. How cool would that be??


http://www.historicproperties.com/detail.asp?detail_key=malyn162

[Heart]

This thread reminds me, I had a "Tiny House" thread on the old site....

Here's a link for tiny houses resources:
http://www.resourcesforlife.com/small-house-society