Home and Auto About to start shopping for my first house.

KcKing · 04-12-2010, 11:57 AM

I've been working hard on improving my credit over the last 18 months or so and finally was able to get things in order enough to be approved. This close to getting some of that Obama money I'm going to have to shop awfully quickly. For those that have recently gone through the process, when I'm walking through a potential home, what should I look out for? Besides excessive antifreeze, barrels marked J. Robinson, and the such? I read that cracks can be a result to foundation problems, are there any other things to check that'll maybe prevent me from buying a pig in a wig?

Thanks.
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Infidel Goat · 04-12-2010, 12:08 PM

Water damage: ceilings, walls, floors. Ideally the house will be on a slight crown so that water runs away from it rather into it...

When you do purchase a place, hire a good inspector and do the walkthrough with him. That will ensure he does a thorough job and will also allow you to learn a lot in the process. We received $3500 back off our purchase price because of assorted things our inspector found.

blaise · 04-12-2010, 12:16 PM

I advise getting an inspector that's listed as an engineer. From my experience they're more thourough. They'll cost you a bit extra, though.
Make sure you get the home warranty from the sellers (that's a given these days, really)
If the HVAC is older, make sure it's inspected very well. You don't want to replace that 6 months after you move in.
Think about resale value almost as much as you think about how you'll like it. Look at the actual floor plan of the homes and imagine your stuff in there, especially if it's vacant. Any problems that you see will be the same things buyers will see when you go to sell.
If you have kids make sure the schools your kids would go to are good. Even if you don't have kids, realize most other homebuyers will. That's also a huge resale issue.
And from my experience living in Olathe you want to check the drainage around the house. A lot of houses there either didn't use good enough soil or clay around the house when they were built and it eroded from around the house. More than a few houses have problems with the soil eroding from under the driveway or a sidewalk in the front. You can fix it with mudjacking or regrading, but look at the driveway and walkway while you're there at the home (if you're looking in Olathe or JoCo in general) Try and see if the sides of the driveway or sidewalk are separated from the ground because it might just be hollow under there in spots. Again, you don't want to be paying for something like that after you move in.
And make sure your realtor is there to give you input on the homes and not just drive you around and cash a check when you buy.

ToxSocks · 04-12-2010, 12:20 PM

Exciting. I can't wait till im in your shoes. Good luck.

blaise · 04-12-2010, 12:26 PM

We're (wife and I) in the process of buying a house, too. This will be our third because we have to move around quite a bit. I'm in the Dallas area now, though. You should be glad you're in Olathe. Finding a good house in that area is fairly easy, in my opinion. Most neighborhoods are good and safe. Nice sized yards. Good schools.

**bevischief** · 04-12-2010, 04:58 PM

http://www.homesandland.com/Real_Estate.html

Try this web site.

**DeezNutz** · 04-12-2010, 05:01 PM

Buy with the intention of reselling, even if you think you'll be there forever.

**doomy3** · 04-12-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I advise getting an inspector that's listed as an engineer. From my experience they're more thourough. They'll cost you a bit extra, though.
Make sure you get the home warranty from the sellers (that's a given these days, really)
If the HVAC is older, make sure it's inspected very well. You don't want to replace that 6 months after you move in.
Think about resale value almost as much as you think about how you'll like it. Look at the actual floor plan of the homes and imagine your stuff in there, especially if it's vacant. Any problems that you see will be the same things buyers will see when you go to sell.
If you have kids make sure the schools your kids would go to are good. Even if you don't have kids, realize most other homebuyers will. That's also a huge resale issue.
And from my experience living in Olathe you want to check the drainage around the house. A lot of houses there either didn't use good enough soil or clay around the house when they were built and it eroded from around the house. More than a few houses have problems with the soil eroding from under the driveway or a sidewalk in the front. You can fix it with mudjacking or regrading, but look at the driveway and walkway while you're there at the home (if you're looking in Olathe or JoCo in general) Try and see if the sides of the driveway or sidewalk are separated from the ground because it might just be hollow under there in spots. Again, you don't want to be paying for something like that after you move in.
And make sure your realtor is there to give you input on the homes and not just drive you around and cash a check when you buy.

This is very good advice. I am a real estate agent in Kansas City with Reece and Nichols. There are so many agents who don't do anything to help buyers or sellers. There are many, many benefits to having a GOOD agent in both the search for your home, the selling of your home, and also the negotiating process to make sure you get the best deal you can. Many people don't know that you can hire a buyers agent, which you don't pay for, and that person can make the process infinitely easier. All commission is paid on the seller's end, so as a buyer, you can hire a good agent to help you in the process and all it ensures is that you have someone working for you, instead of only the listing agent, who will not have your best interest in mind.

I sent you a PM, BTW, KcKing.

**Buehler445** · 04-12-2010, 05:14 PM

A few things to look at:

Water damage - Discoloration, stains, musty smells. If there is evidence of a leak, RUN.

Age of Heat/AC, water heater - Expensive to replace and efficiency has come a long ass way in the last 20 years.

Shingles - Make sure they are good. You don't want to replace them.

Carpet - If it is shit, ask for an allowance.

Look at neighbors - It can really hurt resale if you have a nice house in a slum.

Check the outlets - They need to be grounded. It wasn't code prior to sometime in the 70s.

Good luck.

**Rain Man** · 04-12-2010, 05:15 PM

Turn the faucets on and check the water pressure.

Also, when you're serious, walk down the street and knock on a couple of doors and tell people you're considering buying the house up the street and what do they think? They'll let you know if there are crazies living next door or if it's a great house other than the 12 times a day the fire engines go by.

**Bugeater** · 04-12-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I advise getting an inspector that's listed as an engineer.

Oh god yes, this. Many of these so called home inspectors are idiots that do nothing but complicate things for both the buyer and the seller.

Pioli Zombie · 04-12-2010, 07:59 PM

Make sure you find out if there are any level 3 sex offenders in the area. You don't want to move in and find out a Bugeater lives next to you.
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stlchiefs · 04-12-2010, 08:04 PM

You have to have the house under contract by April 30th. Good luck, but honestly I'm not sure if that's even possible. You may get lucky, but don't rush things and end up with a lemon just to get the credit. This is a really short timeline, especially if you haven't been looking or researching at all yet.

ChiefsCountry · 04-12-2010, 08:19 PM

Its always sunny and 70 degrees in Olathe.

Lono · 04-13-2010, 01:07 PM

Just missed out on our second house we have liked. I'm getting frustrated. Both times we go to put an offer in we find out the house we have liked sold the day before. This last one was a great deal. My wife is kind of mad at me, but I don't want to rush into something until we have it inspected and checked out. Still frustrating to lose this one though.

04-12-2010, 11:57 AM
KcKing Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Olathe KS Casino cash: $10004900	About to start shopping for my first house. I've been working hard on improving my credit over the last 18 months or so and finally was able to get things in order enough to be approved. This close to getting some of that Obama money I'm going to have to shop awfully quickly. For those that have recently gone through the process, when I'm walking through a potential home, what should I look out for? Besides excessive antifreeze, barrels marked J. Robinson, and the such? I read that cracks can be a result to foundation problems, are there any other things to check that'll maybe prevent me from buying a pig in a wig? Thanks. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 686

04-12-2010, 12:08 PM	#2
Infidel Goat Beer Sherpa Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: shackled in a cellar Casino cash: $3852493	Water damage: ceilings, walls, floors. Ideally the house will be on a slight crown so that water runs away from it rather into it... When you do purchase a place, hire a good inspector and do the walkthrough with him. That will ensure he does a thorough job and will also allow you to learn a lot in the process. We received $3500 back off our purchase price because of assorted things our inspector found.
Posts: 1,727

04-12-2010, 12:16 PM	#3
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	I advise getting an inspector that's listed as an engineer. From my experience they're more thourough. They'll cost you a bit extra, though. Make sure you get the home warranty from the sellers (that's a given these days, really) If the HVAC is older, make sure it's inspected very well. You don't want to replace that 6 months after you move in. Think about resale value almost as much as you think about how you'll like it. Look at the actual floor plan of the homes and imagine your stuff in there, especially if it's vacant. Any problems that you see will be the same things buyers will see when you go to sell. If you have kids make sure the schools your kids would go to are good. Even if you don't have kids, realize most other homebuyers will. That's also a huge resale issue. And from my experience living in Olathe you want to check the drainage around the house. A lot of houses there either didn't use good enough soil or clay around the house when they were built and it eroded from around the house. More than a few houses have problems with the soil eroding from under the driveway or a sidewalk in the front. You can fix it with mudjacking or regrading, but look at the driveway and walkway while you're there at the home (if you're looking in Olathe or JoCo in general) Try and see if the sides of the driveway or sidewalk are separated from the ground because it might just be hollow under there in spots. Again, you don't want to be paying for something like that after you move in. And make sure your realtor is there to give you input on the homes and not just drive you around and cash a check when you buy.
Posts: 22,188

04-12-2010, 12:20 PM	#4
ToxSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4054563	Exciting. I can't wait till im in your shoes. Good luck. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,561

04-12-2010, 12:26 PM	#5
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	We're (wife and I) in the process of buying a house, too. This will be our third because we have to move around quite a bit. I'm in the Dallas area now, though. You should be glad you're in Olathe. Finding a good house in that area is fairly easy, in my opinion. Most neighborhoods are good and safe. Nice sized yards. Good schools.
Posts: 22,188

04-12-2010, 04:58 PM	#6
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	http://www.homesandland.com/Real_Estate.html Try this web site.
Posts: 27,731

04-12-2010, 05:14 PM	#9
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2044734	A few things to look at: Water damage - Discoloration, stains, musty smells. If there is evidence of a leak, RUN. Age of Heat/AC, water heater - Expensive to replace and efficiency has come a long ass way in the last 20 years. Shingles - Make sure they are good. You don't want to replace them. Carpet - If it is shit, ask for an allowance. Look at neighbors - It can really hurt resale if you have a nice house in a slum. Check the outlets - They need to be grounded. It wasn't code prior to sometime in the 70s. Good luck.
Posts: 56,916

04-12-2010, 05:15 PM	#10
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3048491 VARSITY	Turn the faucets on and check the water pressure. Also, when you're serious, walk down the street and knock on a couple of doors and tell people you're considering buying the house up the street and what do they think? They'll let you know if there are crazies living next door or if it's a great house other than the 12 times a day the fire engines go by. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,663

04-12-2010, 07:59 PM	#12
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	Make sure you find out if there are any level 3 sex offenders in the area. You don't want to move in and find out a Bugeater lives next to you. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 11,077

04-12-2010, 08:04 PM	#13
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	You have to have the house under contract by April 30th. Good luck, but honestly I'm not sure if that's even possible. You may get lucky, but don't rush things and end up with a lemon just to get the credit. This is a really short timeline, especially if you haven't been looking or researching at all yet.
Posts: 4,160

04-12-2010, 08:19 PM	#14
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2048752	Its always sunny and 70 degrees in Olathe.
Posts: 49,755

04-13-2010, 01:07 PM	#15
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	Just missed out on our second house we have liked. I'm getting frustrated. Both times we go to put an offer in we find out the house we have liked sold the day before. This last one was a great deal. My wife is kind of mad at me, but I don't want to rush into something until we have it inspected and checked out. Still frustrating to lose this one though.
Posts: 811