I haven’t written a lot about the house hunt because I am exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, existentially, laterally, longitudinally, grammatically.
But the hunt, it rages on. It has gotten very serious. I have spent many many hours online and on the phone and in stranger’s houses, writing down numbers and percentages and trying to make my brain understand things like closing costs and PMI and taxes and pre-paids. It’s not all about touring houses and falling in love with cute kitchens and spacious master bedrooms. I haven’t really fallen in love with any house I’ve looked at yet, even though everyone keeps saying that when I find The One, I’ll know. I’m not so sure that that’s how it will go down for me. You guys, this is me. I am skeptical of everything. I hedge bets. I look at things and say, “You’re functional. You’ll do.” I don’t dream big when I dream on a budget. And I don’t think there’s anything unreasonable about that, either.
I don’t think I should say a whole lot more about it right now because I’d like to play my cards somewhat close to the chest. I will say, though, that I am grateful for a dad who will haul his ass up onto a roof to tell me what’s what. The man is a hell of an ally to have on my side.
I looked at over 100 houses. By the time we found this one, I’d probably seen close to 150. Not even kidding, you can ask Kathy T., who was my real estate agent and who somehow did not kill me.
For me, it wasn’t so much a glorious shining moment of “you are the one!” but more like in Babe when the farmer is all “That’ll do pig, that’ll do.” I saw this house and I walked through being all “Yep, that’ll do.”
And I could not be happier with it. Find something that pleases you, even if it doesn’t sweep you off your feet and that will be great.
Agreed 100%. If you make a decision with stars in your eyes, you won’t be making the right decision. Ideally, find a couple of houses that fit your criteria, then negotiate your best deal possible. You will create your happiness after you move in — and without dealing with leaks, structural issues, drainage problems, roof repairs, etc. etc. etc.
I’m doing the same thing in Nashville, and have heard all the same lines. The only things I fall in love with are things that are livable for a very cheap price tag. My problem is, it’s hard not to love something you can live with for super cheap. I’ve having a hard time getting my broker/parents to understand where I’m coming from. I say, if you’ll make a return on an investment and don’t mind putting work into something, buy something you can rework into something you love. Good luck! And thank your dad every day. It’s nice having someone who can point out roof/foundations problems.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable, either. I think it’s wise not to dream big for your first house. Once you’ve owned one, and you fix it up and let it appreciate and work for you, then you can start to dream big. If you wish. There’s nothing wrong with living in a cozy, small house for your entire life.
That’s funny that Megan commented here, because I’ve been thinking of both of you a lot in the past weeks. I see you both going through the same ups and downs with house-hunting, but I have this great feeling about what you both will find.
And then I better get invited to two housewarming parties, dammit!!! :D
House hunting and your wedding are two of the most stressful things you will ever endure and it’s not you, it’s them. Every man and his dog has an opinion and advice about what to do and how they did it and consequently how you should do it. You may lose your mind trying to chase all the details and paperwork down and this is where a realtor can help. You need to know enough not to be an idiot(which you do) and then you need to rely on a realtor to help coach you through the rest(and they should). If you’re not getting that kind of supportive vibe from your realtor-switch. I knew some general house traits that I wanted, I soon learned a lot of house traits that I did not want and with a creative realtor who thought out of the box and off the map, we found it and eventually made a great deal on a house. I’m willing to bet that you have a good handle on the financials, some definite ideas about what you like and very little time to actually hunt. Don’t let it stress you out, everything will work out and you will love it-if not live there for 5 years and sell it or rent it or burn it for the insurance money.
1. That block is probably too far west. Go to the next block or east of Cooper.
2. Watch for roof rats. Seriously. Not squirrels; roof rats. Look them up and avoid thousands of dollars in repairs. If there are holes in the eaves or the roof, avoid. If trees hang down to within six feet of the roof, avoid. If there are droppings in the attic, avoid avoid avoid.
I had similar stress when I was house-hunting. I kept thinking, “this should be fun.” Instead, it felt like a second job. I looked at everything in my price-range in Midtown (20 something houses).
Then, I upped my price range.
I knew my house was “the one” when I first walked in. But, it wasn’t a clouds-parting epiphany kinda thing. It was more about the neighborhood and that the house had the right floorplan for me and my boyfriend (we need our own spaces).
You’ll find the right house. Just be patient. There are new houses coming on the market all the time.