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Topic Starter |
Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Olathe KS
Casino cash: $10004900
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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
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#2 |
Beer Sherpa
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: shackled in a cellar
Casino cash: $3772493
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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: 1,729
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#3 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Plano, TX
Casino cash: $9999900
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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
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#4 | |
Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Casino cash: $4993539
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Quote:
I sent you a PM, BTW, KcKing. |
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Posts: 12,856
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Casino cash: $57156239
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Quote:
She actually managed to save me a thousand dollars in the negotiation by being a bit of a hard-ass to the seller's agent after the seller's counter-offer which looked a little high to me and I was starting to think about whether to take it or make an offer to my 2nd choice. (It was an inherited property that was on the market a while, so I imagine the kids were getting impatient and wanting the sale to get their money) She also insisted on getting an inspection before the sale and put in language making the offer contingent on a favorable inspection report.
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#6 |
Needs more middle fingers
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego
Casino cash: $3864563
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Exciting. I can't wait till im in your shoes. Good luck.
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Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever. |
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#7 |
Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Casino cash: $10004900
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Posts: 96
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#8 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Plano, TX
Casino cash: $9999900
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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.
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Posts: 22,188
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#9 |
....
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere Kansas
Casino cash: $8659352
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Posts: 27,731
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#10 |
PermaBanned
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Jouissance
Casino cash: $10011570
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Buy with the intention of reselling, even if you think you'll be there forever.
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Posts: 47,521
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#11 |
Supporter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Scott City KS
Casino cash: $1744734
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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: 57,035
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#12 |
NFL's #1 Ermines Fan
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: My house
Casino cash: $2748491
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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.
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I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit. |
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#13 |
Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Casino cash: $10004900
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Posts: 96
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#14 |
The Maintenance Guy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate
Casino cash: $6232680
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#15 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: olathe,kansas
Casino cash: $10004900
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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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