Buying a house ****ing sucks.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by BDj23

Tongie was all either methlab tier houses or 300k+. We haven't really looked in Bonner either.

I meant to say with Tongie addresses. It's been several years since we bought, but we are thinking of downsizing but I don't see much advantage in doing so, cost-wise. We bought our 4br, 3 ba, 3200 sq.ft. place for $207K with 5 1/2 acres and paved roads. I could easily get $400K for it today but where would we go? I have thought about buying land and just putting up a modular home.

[George Liquor]

Originally Posted by oldman

I meant to say with Tongie addresses. It's been several years since we bought, but we are thinking of downsizing but I don't see much advantage in doing so, cost-wise. We bought our 4br, 3 ba, 3200 sq.ft. place for $207K with 5 1/2 acres and paved roads. I could easily get $400K for it today but where would we go? I have thought about buying land and just putting up a modular home.

There was a modular home out by Baldwin in the middle of nowhere on almost 9 acres I wanted to look at for under 200k. But the wife said no

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by oldman

Have you tried houses around Tonganoxie or Bonner Springs? Some of those Bonner Springs addresses are in Leavenworth County and the school district is Basehor-Linwood.

Yeah, send your kids to school with the Tongie pig farmers.

[Shaid]

When we bought we looked at tons of houses over a couple of years. We weren't in a rush, wanted to find a good price and something that had what we wanted. Eventually we built. We went to a good mid-range builder with plans from a lower priced builder and said that they had that house available for 145k. The mid-range builder matched the price and had a lot of things included in their price that the low-end guy didn't, like Oak doors, molding, etc. standard. We'd have paid over 180k with the low end guy but got our house for 145k with all those upgrades, better quality framing, etc. and a half acre lot in town 5 minutes from my work. We finished the basement ourselves with me doing all the framing and sheetrock and hiring side guys to do the plumbing, electrical, etc. Only cost about 10k to finish the basement out. It could sell for 300k today, less than 10 years later. We had 6 months to sell our existing place after that because building obviously takes time. That allowed us the time to get our asking price.
My advise is simple. Don't be in a hurry. Shop like you are just looking for things you like. Don't overpay but if you put in an offer, make sure you lock that seller in. Don't be afraid to build. In my experience it can be cheaper. It absolutely was with us.

[oldman]

Something around Lawrence is going to be pretty high, just because Lawrence. K-10 is a racetrack for all the commuters. I don't know where you both work, but Ottawa is an option if Lawrence is a must.
The problem living in the country we've found is you don't have things like cable (meaning expensive internet and TV), good cell service, and you have to plan ahead for a grocery store/fast food run. You adjust, though.

[Coyote]

Meant to mention schools . Sorry. It’s in Sm South (Raiders) map for high school. Next to Blue Valley North for next HS boundary.I m not in kc area but have relatives there. http://nallhills.org

[Third Eye]

Originally Posted by Coyote

Meant to mention schools . Sorry. It’s in Sm South (Raiders) map for high school. Next to Blue Valley North for next HS boundary.I m not in kc area but have relatives there. http://nallhills.org

I mean, we’ll be flexible. It’s not like we are Shawnee Mission East or bust, but it’s our target at this point.

[Coyote]

Originally Posted by Third Eye

I mean, we’ll be flexible. It’s not like we are Shawnee Mission East or bust, but it’s our target at this point.

Well I would stick to it.It’s important. During all of my moves involving high schoolers, school selection drove all other considerations.

My wife and I locked down our neighbors choices only after dropping in unannounced to a high school during the school day.
It was amazing to see the differences between schools in the same district

[Discuss Thrower]

Consider writing love letters to the sellers if your agent lets you know it's not an obvious flipper or investment property. Not a fan of the concept myself seeing as it treads into violating Fair Housing laws but it supposedly works.

[George Liquor]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Consider writing love letters to the sellers if your agent lets you know it's not an obvious flipper or investment property. Not a fan of the concept myself seeing as it treads into violating Fair Housing laws but it supposedly works.

Tried it

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by BDj23

Tried it

Have you tried writing to say you intend to turn their house into a BDSM airbnb rental?

[displacedinMN]

During the last sell boom, people were walking up to houses and offering money to the owners to sell

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by BDj23

My wife and I are trying to buy a house. We've looked at several. Seven so far to be exact. We have put in offers on five. The last one we offered 5,000 dollars over their asking price. We still don't have a house.

What. The. ****?

This is truly an awful experience. Has anyone else ever had to deal with this kind of nightmare?

Sounds like I need to sell my rentals. Good to hear the market is good!

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Sounds like I need to sell my rentals. Good to hear the market is good!

I cant see why would want to have a rental in a city right now. Prices are good, free up some cash. Invest.

We are renting out the farm house. Pain in the ass.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

I cant see why would want to have a rental in a city right now. Prices are good, free up some cash. Invest.

We are renting out the farm house. Pain in the ass.

Yeah I'm about ready to do that. Get out of the game, lay low. But what to invest in that I can beat 8-10%?