Need Advice

CelticGypsy · #1 02-10-2006, 02:33 PM

Anyone buy a home that you were not crazy about and regret buying? We are house hunting and have been scheduled to look at two houses this afternoon. Need some advice about older homes that will need the kitchen/bath and kitchen floor re-done within the first year or two. I am not crazy about the farmhouse kitchen look from the 50's Has anyone remodelled their own kitchen and how was the experience? I am just worried we will buy a home that I won't be happy with or stressed about all the work that will need to be done. We are renting now and are tired of that money just being thrown away. Just nervous about being stuck with a house I won't like. Thanks for any advice or suggestions on what to be careful for when buying a home.

HomerMcvie · #2 02-10-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticGypsy

Anyone buy a home that you were not crazy about and regret buying? We are house hunting and have been scheduled to look at two houses this afternoon. Need some advice about older homes that will need the kitchen/bath and kitchen floor re-done within the first year or two. I am not crazy about the farmhouse kitchen look from the 50's Has anyone remodelled their own kitchen and how was the experience? I am just worried we will buy a home that I won't be happy with or stressed about all the work that will need to be done. We are renting now and are tired of that money just being thrown away. Just nervous about being stuck with a house I won't like. Thanks for any advice or suggestions on what to be careful for when buying a home.

When you talk about the floors needing redone, do you mean down to the joists? I'm also assuming that you mean doing it yourselves. If so, I've done it to a couple of properties I've got. It's not that bad. After you tear the tile, or whatever, up, you just keep using prybars, to keep ripping up the plywood, or OSB. Of course, if it needs replaced, it's probably partially rotten, so it's gonna come up in little pieces(or dust, if it's OSB). The BIG thing I'd check on, before buying the house though, is making sure the joists are still solid, and don't need replaced. If it had just a bad place or two, that could be supported with just tacking onto the sides of the existing joists. IF multiple, entire joists need replaced, that could be quite costly, and I'd probably look for another house.
I actually love doing this kind of work. It's VERY satisfying when you're done.

JazmenFlowers · #3 02-10-2006, 02:56 PM

my first bit of advice is to get a great home inspection. if the wiring, plumbing, foundation and all that are in good shape and the rest is really just cosmetic or changing the layout of a room or two (and you like the floorplan) you shouldn't worry about it. as Homer says, renovating yourself is really exciting and fun. and having an older home that actually has character and neat little details is the best. my aunt just bought a house built in 54 and did a lot of updating and now it would probably sell for twice what she paid for it, but it really feels like home and looks fabulous.

so, get a great inspection to be sure everything is on the up and up and then sit down and draw out what you'd like to do to the house to make you happy and judge pros and cons and then decide.

EDIT: I forgot...be sure you read the disclosure to have in mind how old the water heater, roof, etc. are and also the pest control history. The last thing you want is to buy a house, fix it up only to have to buy a new heating/cooling system or something worse.

HomerMcvie · #4 02-10-2006, 03:06 PM

I only paid for an inspection on the first property I bought. I kind of followed him around, and saw everything he was looking at. I just did the same, by myself, after that. NOW, if I knew nothing about this stuff, I'd absolutely recommend an inspection. Like 10 years ago, mine was $300-350.
But, yeah, owning a home CAN be expensive. Roof's probably the biggest expense-it can be $2000-$5000, depending on what needs done(decking replaced?). Furnace can be replaced for as little as $1000. I had a new water heater put in last week for $400. Central Air unit runs about $1000.
When nothing's breaking, home ownership is great. When sh*t's going wrong, there's no landlord to call.....it's all you. But, no one ever got anywhere by not taking chances!

Lee · #5 02-10-2006, 03:50 PM

Oh yes, definitely, if you find a home that you are interested in, get a home inspection.

In the ten years that we've had our home (which was a modular home put together in the late 80's), we've had two water heaters, new dishwasher, & new washer & dryer & a whole new septic system installed. Just last year, our heat pump gave up & we had a new one of them installed, over $4,000.

Thank goodness for home equity. But still, our mortgage payment a month is lower than our rent payment was. You'll love home ownership!

Lee

skcin · #6 02-10-2006, 04:49 PM

We bought a little Cape Cod style house, built in 1948, that needed a lot of updating. Got it really cheap. Over the past 5 years, we have made a lot of changes & updates, and it's all been well worth it. It is now the way WE want it, and it's really satisfying doing the work yourself when you can. I would definitely get the home inspection, it can save you a ton of $$$ in the long run.

BTW - is it a good deal? One thing you don't want to do is pay a high price for a home that you know you'll have to immediately sink more money into.

The upstairs still had the 1960's wallpaper up, the first floor was last remodeled in the early 1980's. It. Was. Hideous. BUT - I saw past the peeling linoleum, the fake white brick backsplash, the worn out blood red carpet, the panelling, the plastic folding doors, etc. I KNEW that could all be changed, relatively easily and cheaply. I also focused on the high points - hardwood floors throughout, new furnace, 3/4 brick exterior, 2 car garage, full basement which is partially finished, ceramic tile bath. And room to EXPAND! Which we did.

The point of my boring post is that home ownership is a challenge, it can be stressful at times, but it is very rewarding. One of the best things I did. Just remember that looks can be changed to suit your taste. Concentrate on structure, charm & character.

JazmenFlowers · #7 02-10-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

Just remember that looks can be changed to suit your taste. Concentrate on structure, charm & character.

yep.

I hate when I watch House Hunters and they're all like 'oh, that color is horrible' or 'I hate the carpet' - shut up bitch, you can change it in a couple days...sheesh

skcin · #8 02-10-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

yep.

I hate when I watch House Hunters and they're all like 'oh, that color is horrible' or 'I hate the carpet' - shut up bitch, you can change it in a couple days...sheesh

I adore that show. Love it. But I am the same way! "So what, paint it you jerk!"

I love when it's a really, really nice house, and they'll bitch that the walk-in closet isn't quite big enough, or the granite counter are the wrong shade of beige.

JazmenFlowers · #9 02-10-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I adore that show. Love it. But I am the same way! "So what, paint it you jerk!"

I love when it's a really, really nice house, and they'll bitch that the walk-in closet isn't quite big enough, or the granite counter are the wrong shade of beige.

yep. did you see the one with the older couple looking to settle down in Vegas and they looked at houses that I'm sure cost clost to $1M and they ended up getting one of a golf course! I was like, bitches

skcin · #10 02-10-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

yep. did you see the one with the older couple looking to settle down in Vegas and they looked at houses that I'm sure cost clost to $1M and they ended up getting one of a golf course! I was like, bitches

YES! I think that was the broad who bitched that the walk-in closet wouldn't hold both of their things. That friggin' closet was bigger than my bedroom!

I wish they would give prices more. The do it once in a while, but mostly on the realy big houses. I want to know what the little cottages/bungalows go for in that area (which is usually CA, NV & AZ, I think.)

Have you seen Buy Me? Wait, is that the one? The one where the people & the real estate agent work together, figure out a price, then they show the open houses & sometimes the agent & the sellers fight? It's on HGTV, but it's a Canadian show. They show prices on there, which I like.

JazmenFlowers · #11 02-10-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

YES! I think that was the broad who bitched that the walk-in closet wouldn't hold both of their things. That friggin' closet was bigger than my bedroom!

yep...that's the bitch in question. they did seem really nice and in love, but I still hate them

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I wish they would give prices more. The do it once in a while, but mostly on the realy big houses. I want to know what the little cottages/bungalows go for in that area (which is usually CA, NV & AZ, I think.)

you and I would get along just fine!

I say the SAME thing all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

Have you seen Buy Me? Wait, is that the one? The one where the people & the real estate agent work together, figure out a price, then they show the open houses & sometimes the agent & the sellers fight? It's on HGTV, but it's a Canadian show. They show prices on there, which I like.

Yes...it almost gives me a panic attack. The last one I saw was the black-haired lady who wouldn't budge on the price, but her house was **** and she asked the realtor to cut his fee

!

I am in love with My First Place...especially the episode with the guy who bought the old Victorian house and had traveled the world yadda yadda yadda...he was H O T and his brother was even better. Sheesh...I'm sweating now.

CelticGypsy · #12 02-10-2006, 10:19 PM

This is very good advice

Thanks so much to all that posted!!! We went back today and looked at both houses and have gone twice through both homes already. The roof on both of them look good but we plan to replace them in a few years. One owner have already replaced the wiring and water heater in the house we are really interested in. Both have really nice yards and one of the properties have another lot that we could sell later if we need to. We are leaning towards the property that has the double lot and several fruit trees. We will make sure to get the house inspected if that is the one we choose to buy. We checked alot of things like foundation, the basement, ect. I am sure I drove my realtor nuts with all my questions today

Thanks again

seeker007nmss · #13 02-10-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I wish they would give prices more. The do it once in a while, but mostly on the realy big houses. I want to know what the little cottages/bungalows go for in that area (which is usually CA, NV & AZ, I think.)

.

In Las Vegas median house is around 300K. Townhouses go for around 200K. Condos around 175K. Thats in an average neighborhood. The priceier sections go for alot more. I bought mine in October 2005 and was offered around 17% more than what I paid for it 2 months later. It's just nuts......

JazmenFlowers · #14 02-11-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticGypsy

This is very good advice

Thanks so much to all that posted!!! We went back today and looked at both houses and have gone twice through both homes already. The roof on both of them look good but we plan to replace them in a few years. One owner have already replaced the wiring and water heater in the house we are really interested in. Both have really nice yards and one of the properties have another lot that we could sell later if we need to. We are leaning towards the property that has the double lot and several fruit trees. We will make sure to get the house inspected if that is the one we choose to buy. We checked alot of things like foundation, the basement, ect. I am sure I drove my realtor nuts with all my questions today

Thanks again

well good for you - it's an exciting time I know

and don't worry about the realtor - that's what they're there for

good luck and we want to see pics

skcin · #15 02-11-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

In Las Vegas median house is around 300K. Townhouses go for around 200K. Condos around 175K. Thats in an average neighborhood. The priceier sections go for alot more. I bought mine in October 2005 and was offered around 17% more than what I paid for it 2 months later. It's just nuts......

It blows my mind how much real estate is in other areas. Median home here is around $150,000 I think, maybe $125. I bought my house for $55,000 in 2000.

I could sell it for at least $90,000 now.