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| Author |
Message |
slynne
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The House Buying Item
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Jul 6 14:45 UTC 2000 |
I just got approved for a mortgage. Now I have to find a house to buy. Of
course I cant afford the kind of house I *really* want but I think I can find
something I can afford that isnt falling down or in the ghetto.
So? I am wondering. Does anyone have any advice for me? Those of you who have
bought houses, what can you tell me? I mean I know the obvious things...find
a house inspector, pay attention to the prices of other houses on the market,
etc. But I am sure there are TONS of things I am not thinking about so please
please everyone share your experience buying a house and help me out. Thanks!
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| 87 responses total. |
jerryr
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response 1 of 87:
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Jul 6 14:51 UTC 2000 |
don't buy the very best house in the neighborhood, if the rest of the
neighborhood looks like crap and is likely to stay that way.
pay attention to traffic patterns. will the street be a freeway at certain
times of the day?
visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and night. and on
weekdays as well as weekends.
check back issues of the newspaper for crime report maps to see if your
neighborhood is a "quiet" one.
don't be afraid to ask potential neighbors about their neighborhood.
check to see if your potential neighborhood has an active neighborhood watch.
find out how far the house is from fire hydrants and fire stations.
check with city hall to see what building permits were pulled for the house.
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slynne
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response 2 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:05 UTC 2000 |
Good advice. I am planning to look at a house in Depot town. It is on River
St which can get kind of busy and it is near the train tracks. I think I can
live with that though. I like the idea of talking to the neighbors. Maybe I
will walk over there again with the dogs this weekend.
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jerryr
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response 3 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:13 UTC 2000 |
todd used to live on river, you could ask him
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willard
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response 4 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:15 UTC 2000 |
I thought tod lived in a van BY the river.
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jerryr
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response 5 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:17 UTC 2000 |
see what happens when you think?
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happyboy
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response 6 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:42 UTC 2000 |
there's a blue house with a deck in back for sale by owner
what was the other place down there?
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kewy
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response 7 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:47 UTC 2000 |
I live right by River Lynne. Are you looking somewhere between cross
and Forest?
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jmsaul
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response 8 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:50 UTC 2000 |
All of the things Greg says are good ideas -- but around here, you sometimes
have to put money down on a house the first day it goes on the market, or you
won't get it. Additional advice: realtors don't work for you, they work for
the seller. So do any assessors they recommend to you. Consider getting a
buyers' agent, and *definitely* find your own house inspector (I can give you
the name and phone of a really good one; email me).
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scott
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response 9 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:55 UTC 2000 |
Well, figure location is more important than the house. Houses can be
upgraded later a lot cheaper than buying a new house in a better neighborhood.
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kewy
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response 10 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:56 UTC 2000 |
Oops, posted before I was finished: Or the other side of Cross?
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stacie
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response 11 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:57 UTC 2000 |
Okay, this is how you get a house.
Find a house you like a lot. Don't worry if it is already occupied.
Start moving your stuff in, secretly.
Haunt the house, leave gross things all over, infest it with bugs.
Soon it will be all yours.
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stacie
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response 12 of 87:
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Jul 6 15:59 UTC 2000 |
I saw this in a movie. It really works. *nod*
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iggy
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response 13 of 87:
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Jul 6 16:46 UTC 2000 |
that amityville house?
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ric
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response 14 of 87:
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Jul 6 16:46 UTC 2000 |
lynne - definately make sure you're working with a buyers agent. Dont' just
talk to the listeing agent. Their only job is to represent the seller. They
are not working in your best interests.
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carla
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response 15 of 87:
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Jul 6 17:02 UTC 2000 |
Pacific heights.
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jerryr
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response 16 of 87:
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Jul 6 17:26 UTC 2000 |
however, sellers agents cannot lie about facts in answer to such questions
as: does this house ever get water in the basement (a question you should
always ask)
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jmsaul
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response 17 of 87:
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Jul 6 18:02 UTC 2000 |
But they only have to give you information they actually *know*, even if
they're obeying the law. They aren't required to find out information they
don't already know, they just can't lie to you about what they do know.
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n8nxf
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response 18 of 87:
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Jul 6 18:07 UTC 2000 |
If you don't know anything about construction, have someone you trust look
over the place for you. Personally, I don't care much for realtors and that
ilk. Have a lawyer look over the paperwork before you sign anything.
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jerryr
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response 19 of 87:
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Jul 6 18:56 UTC 2000 |
re: #17 if i ask that question of an agent and i get an "i don't know" in
repsonse, we're done, right then and there.
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johnnie
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response 20 of 87:
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Jul 6 20:09 UTC 2000 |
I'd second the advice about getting a buyer's agent, but make
sure you get a good one. Give them a test run before you sign
them up.
Also get a lawyer, and get one now, at the beginning of the process.
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tpryan
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response 21 of 87:
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Jul 6 22:00 UTC 2000 |
Keep in mind how much you will need to spend on appliances at
move in time. This can include refrigerator, stove, microwave, washer
and dryer. Having all those included with the house I got helped me
have extra cash at moving time. It's amazing how much you can spend
on little things, like shelving for storage, or an extra lamp or two.
Be ready to change the locks immediately. It doesn't matter
how much they say 'here are all the keys', you will feel better with
new ones.
Stop at the post office soon for a change of address kit.
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cyklone
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response 22 of 87:
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Jul 6 22:56 UTC 2000 |
Is this house by the new parking lot, Lynne?
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happyboy
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response 23 of 87:
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Jul 6 22:57 UTC 2000 |
BY THE GRAVEYARD?!
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slynne
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response 24 of 87:
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Jul 7 03:56 UTC 2000 |
Thanks everyone. You are all giving me good advice! yay.
This particular house is on River between Cross and Forest. It is closer to
Forest than it is to Cross st. I still havent been able to get in touch with
the realtor. Sheesh.
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