Home and Auto About to start shopping for my first house. - Page 2

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.
Posted via Mobile Device

Stevie.Wonder · 04-13-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

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

..

Stevie.Wonder · 04-13-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Turn the faucets on and check the water pressure.

great advice in this thread. Folks remember the big, bad things
but often forget these details. Flush the toilets, too.

Dayze · 04-13-2010, 02:40 PM

make sure there are no aids trees on the property. it kills resale value.

**Rain Man** · 04-13-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

make sure there are no aids trees on the property. it kills resale value.

But it's good for keeping annoying neighbors at bay.

And you should remember the golden rule of homebuying: big yards seem like a great thing during the two weeks that you're buying, but not during the twenty years that you're mowing.

kepp · 04-13-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lono

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.

Our inspection came after we offered...as part of the conditional closing process.

dpg4zombie · 04-13-2010, 03:09 PM

I really liked the site www.Zillow.com

It uses google map pretty well.

Skyy God · 04-13-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

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.

Thought it had to close by April 30. Still, that's a hella tight window.

**fan4ever** · 04-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Never buy a two bedroom...and be realistic about your mortgage payments; peanut butter and jelly gets old fast.

38yrsfan · 04-13-2010, 04:45 PM

Make sure to have Les Nessman check out the basement and attic.

**alnorth** · 04-13-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

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.

Yep, when I bought my first house last year I did enough research to know that getting a buyer's agent was a good idea. Doesn't cost anything more, its just that the seller's agent is forced to split the commission.

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.

KcKing · 04-19-2010, 10:39 AM

Ended up putting in an offer, and signing a contract to purchase this one.

http://www.reeceandnichols.com/KS/Ga...44926067/print

Thanks for all the help everyone. There was some good advice that I put to use in this thread.

vailpass · 04-19-2010, 10:45 AM

A few tips from a guy who has been buying houses for 30+ years:

*Don't worry about your interest rate, you can change those at any time. At closing if they ask you if you want to buy points tell them yes please, may I add as many points as possible?

*Inspections are a waste of time and money.

*If you see something you like, rush right into it and get this whole pain in the ass house hunting thing over with. Tell your realtor "offer them 5% over asking price and I want an answer within 2 hours".

*Better yet, don't use a realtor or attorney. New home buyers like you bring a fresh view that will allow you to wing it.

*Don't worry about buying more house than you can handle. You'll be making more money soon, right? And if it goes south on you there is always obama there waiting to bail you out and save your from your own irresponsibility.

Pushead2 · 04-19-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcKing

Ended up putting in an offer, and signing a contract to purchase this one.

http://www.reeceandnichols.com/KS/Ga...44926067/print

Thanks for all the help everyone. There was some good advice that I put to use in this thread.

that house is really nice, good luck!

**Rain Man** · 04-19-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcKing

Ended up putting in an offer, and signing a contract to purchase this one.

http://www.reeceandnichols.com/KS/Ga...44926067/print

Thanks for all the help everyone. There was some good advice that I put to use in this thread.

I'm not an interior designer, but I have to note that the opening between the kitchen and the living room/den is a perfect spot for a fireman's pole.

KcKing · 04-19-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushead2

that house is really nice, good luck!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm not an interior designer, but I have to note that the opening between the kitchen and the living room/den is a perfect spot for a fireman's pole.

I was thinking of painting a goalpost around that opening, and kicking fieldgoals through there at the wife should dinner be late... Or perhaps having a Tony Gonzalez dunk competition....

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

04-13-2010, 02:40 PM	#18
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $3859358	make sure there are no aids trees on the property. it kills resale value. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,394

04-13-2010, 03:09 PM	#21
dpg4zombie Starter Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $9012775	I really liked the site www.Zillow.com It uses google map pretty well.
Posts: 150

04-13-2010, 03:56 PM	#23
fan4ever Supporter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $5204389	Never buy a two bedroom...and be realistic about your mortgage payments; peanut butter and jelly gets old fast.
Posts: 9,354

04-13-2010, 04:45 PM	#24
38yrsfan Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: In many minds, rent free. Casino cash: $9945667	Make sure to have Les Nessman check out the basement and attic. __________________ During the 75 season the Chiefs mascot Warpaint would circle the field after a touchdown. This prompted a great quote from long ago Raiders coach John Madden after the 42-10 loss at Arrowhead. "We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse."
Posts: 1,351

04-19-2010, 10:39 AM	#26
KcKing Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Olathe KS Casino cash: $10004900	Ended up putting in an offer, and signing a contract to purchase this one. http://www.reeceandnichols.com/KS/Ga...44926067/print Thanks for all the help everyone. There was some good advice that I put to use in this thread.
Posts: 686

04-19-2010, 10:45 AM	#27
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	A few tips from a guy who has been buying houses for 30+ years: Don't worry about your interest rate, you can change those at any time. At closing if they ask you if you want to buy points tell them yes please, may I add as many points as possible? Inspections are a waste of time and money. If you see something you like, rush right into it and get this whole pain in the ass house hunting thing over with. Tell your realtor "offer them 5% over asking price and I want an answer within 2 hours". Better yet, don't use a realtor or attorney. New home buyers like you bring a fresh view that will allow you to wing it. *Don't worry about buying more house than you can handle. You'll be making more money soon, right? And if it goes south on you there is always obama there waiting to bail you out and save your from your own irresponsibility.
Posts: 69,591