response 5 of 87:

Jul 6 15:17 UTC 2000

see what  happens when you think?

response 7 of 87:

Jul 6 15:47 UTC 2000

I live right by River Lynne.  Are you looking somewhere between cross 
and Forest?  

response 9 of 87:

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.

response 11 of 87:

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.

response 13 of 87:

Jul 6 16:46 UTC 2000

that amityville house?

response 15 of 87:

Jul 6 17:02 UTC 2000

Pacific heights.

response 17 of 87:

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.

response 19 of 87:

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.  

response 21 of 87:

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.

response 23 of 87:

Jul 6 22:57 UTC 2000

BY THE GRAVEYARD?!

response 25 of 87:

Jul 7 16:44 UTC 2000

i took a peek at it last night...looks ok.

response 27 of 87:

Jul 8 01:36 UTC 2000

Most agents won't even show you property until you sign a buyers agent
agreement, unless you're talking to the seller's agent.

response 29 of 87:

Jul 8 05:09 UTC 2000

One question to ask is "Were there any events of a
spiritual, religious, or criminal nature that have
occured in this house or on its property?"  Its an
odd question, but you don't want to find out that
there was a notorious axe murder that occured there
30 years ago.  It might not freak you out, but it
might freak out potential buyers in the future.
"Are there any inplied easements or unusual deed
restrictions?" is another, don't wait until after
you offer to find out that your next door neighbor's
front driveway is actually on your property and you
'share' it because the original was sold to an apartment
next door (I rented at such a place once) or that 
you aren't supposed to sell to blacks (even though
illegal it might brand you a racist if you ever
are in an adversarial situation with lawyers).

Second the above, get a good 'home inspector' preferably 
not one recomended by the seller's realtor or even your
own unless you really trust him or her.  Unlike illinois
which recently changed its rules I believe in michigan 
'your' real estate agent is still an 'agent of the seller'
with a lot of attendant legal baggage none in your favor.
(If the seller colludes with agent to commit fraud, 'your'
'agent' has an obligation to the seller to go along with it.)
(Perhaps a more practical than legal description....)

Go back on your own and ask neighbors about the property
and current owner, they rarely have incentive not tell you
even the most outragious lies (which can then be used to
your advantage).  Visit the property 'off hours', at other
than times scheduled by 'your' realtor.  I personally know
one current owner who wished he'd been aware that under some
wind conditions his current house is under an approach of
an active commercial airport.  And I know another who 
wished she'd visited the property during normal weekday
business hours to find out before hand that there was a
'rock quarrey' that 'blasted' frequently (there is even 
a sign to that effect at the local movie theatre to that
effect).

In addition to looking at the local papers from crime stats
(these days web pages as well).  Track down the local 'cop
shop' and ask them about the neighborhood.  Being the first
one to buy from a seller in a neighborhood that is 'turning'
is not a good place to be unless you are very 'politically
correct' in what case it is probably poetic justice.

Be careful about 'buying too much' of a house.  By that
I mean much different than buying a 300K house where all
the rest in the 'hood are 50K.  I mean, do not put more 
down on the house than that what is necessary to avoid
'mortgague insurance' and avoid that like the plague.
If you have money beyond what is necessary, invest it in
tax free munis or IRA's as the higher interest you pay is
tax deductable (currently) and makes the 'real cost of
money' much lower than you might think.  Katie Geddes is
an expert on finances, ask her.

Get a lawyer as mentioned above, and again not one that
your or the seller's realtor says is pretty.  If Jim Reach
is still practicing in A2 area he's a good one (honest,
believe it or not, and a 'shark' at the same time).  In
addition to me own high regard, orange gopher's main squeeze
(the original 'whats-her-name' who told us about him) hated
to have him on the opposing side, said he was really irritating,
a high reccomendation in my book indeed..

Most of all, visit often.  Those 'minor little irritants'
that they all have may turn out to be major long after
'buyers remorse' kicks in.  Take friends whom you trust
along and ask them what they think.  In addition to
what the property does have that you want, consider what
it doesn't.  I once almost bought a property that didn't
have a basement (it was in a 'flood control zone' in A2
what ment there was a problem with flooding to me) and
'my' realtor held it up as a 'selling point'.  I needed
the cool of a basement to offset the summer heat for
my computers (more necessary then since it was before 
the age of 'home computing') and I almost ignored that
on account it was a great deal.  (also question why if
something is such a great deal the seller is willing to
let you in on it.)

Do not move too hastily.  Work with a realtor that is
willing to work on your time schedule.  I once had a realtor
tell me that maybe I ought to look for another as I
didn't seem to bite on the deals she was offering suggesting
that maybe there was a personality conflict.  (I thought
to meself what is she trying to push me into, but then
she took me to a place that she wanted to see, not sell
to me, and I ended up buying it.) (She may have been
very clever, but was very good, so much so she sold it
for us years later after having her daughter rent it for
awhile (long story)).  Do not be afraid to switch realtors
as they work for the sellers not you anyway (in michigan).


Finally, put it in writing, what is it about this house
and no others that you are making the offer on that is
so attractive?  Put it in writing, put it away for a week
without looking at it, and then ask yourself would you
like to publically defend your choice?  (indeed, the
item author might like to post more details and let
grex give input? just a suggestion.)  Why do you want
to buy this house as opposed to all the others on the
market.