Buying a house is nerve-wracking!!!!

[SacredCow]

So I've been renting since I got divorced in 2005.... After Katrina, the market here in BR was not appealing to me, plus I needed to polish up my credit and get some other affairs in order. THEN, I got complacent with renting- it's just so much easier when maintenance issues are someone else's problem! THEN, a friend went through bankruptcy and it helped him out tremendously to have a roommate to share his expenses....

But now I'm officially looking, and the thought is seriously freaking me out. But I'm hopefully going to see a house this week that is really along the lines of what I want- Something mid-century that still retains some of the charm, but has been updated enough to have the creature comforts.

Here's the listing:
http://www.cjbrown.com/RLNet/Listings/ListingDetails.aspx?listingid=1174221&list=N

I really want the house and my own space back, but I don't want the responsibility of it...

:scared:

[flvegan]

1. Yes, it is. Nice house, BTW.

I love the exposed beam ceilings. Nice sized lot, too. Good luck!

[SacredCow]

5. thanks....

it reminds me a lot of a friends house, in the same subdivision. It's still early in my looking phase, so I can't justify getting too attached to a particular house.

[AlCzervik]

2. i like it, i especially like the kitchen, good luck, let us know how you make out.

[SacredCow]

6. Thanks...

:hi:

[mikeytherat]

3. Cool looking place!

Love mid-century!

mikey_the_rat

[SacredCow]

7. So do I....

My ex and I had looked in an much older area of town- houses from the 20's and 30's but ultimately she decided that she had to have a brand spanking new house (with absolutely zero charm). Now, that area is WAY out of my reach, financially (we could have made a fortune if we had bought when we were looking). But no matter- I dig all things mid-century, and have a good many furnishings that will really fit the look!

[lost-in-nj]

4. really cute house

I love the little garden!!!
and the screened porch looks neat!!!

good luck!!!!


lost

[SacredCow]

12. I'm not sure what I could do with the screened porch...

In south Louisiana, I'd probably get a month or two per year of use out of it (too hot in the summer, cold and/or damp in the winter). But depending on the structure, I may be able to close it in as a sunroom or something. Or close in part of it, and hang some grow lights in the remaining part to grow herbs and veggies year-round. Who knows?

Thanks!

:hi:

[MajorChode]

8. You may already know this, but....

A good pre-buy inspection (in addition to the termite inspection) can give you a lot of peace of mind.

It will cost around $400-500, but should consist of at least the following inspections...

1) Electrical

2) Appliance (including HVAC)

3) Foundation

4) Roof

5) Plumbing

Many times the inspection will pay for itself because it will identify items the homeowner must repair before the sale.

[SacredCow]

13. I think most if not all of that is required by my lender....

And I know a couple of inspectors personally, so I will surely be taking that route!

:hi:

[MajorChode]

16. Usually the lender required inspection is not very comprehensive

...and generally just involves the structural nature of the house. The lender really doesn't give a crap if your stove is faulty or your water heater is about to go out or the HVAC is on its last leg. YMMV.

[SacredCow]

17. Could be....

I'm selling some other property to finance this, so I may not have to take out a loan at all. The lender I'd use is a small, local credit union and I seem to recall the loan officer saying that they insisted on a much more comprehensive checklist... I could be wrong, though- it's a heckuva lot of info going through my head right now!

[KitchenWitch]

9. I am sure you have thought of this...

But I suggest getting a Home Owner's Warranty. For us, it takes a little of the stress of home ownership away.

We pay about $40 a month, and if anything breaks (water heater, furnace/AC, household appliances, plumbing, electrical, etc.) all we have to pay is $60 for the service call.

[AlCzervik]

10. excellent advice.

[SacredCow]

14. Yeah, that's a possibility....

I'm actually fairly handy with tools (for a gay man! :rofl: ), but for the AC alone it would be worth it!

[KitchenWitch]

20. Hey we took advantage of it for our washing machine last March

The service guy had to come out three times. Only cost us $60.

[montanto]

11. Wow, great place! Good luck.

[SacredCow]

15. thanks!

:hi:

[harmonicon]

18. why buy a house then?

What's the point?

[SacredCow]

19. Lots of reasons....

I hate throwing my money away on rent, when I could be building some equity. I'm putting up with it now because it's helping a friend, and it's FAR less than I'd pay to, say, an apartment complex.

I don't really want to continue living in someone else's house, where I can't have peace and quiet when I want it. I love my roommate to death, but he's chatty at times.

I need more space- I've got furniture and stuff stored in various places and that needs to be taken care of (and I don't want to move it any more than necessary)

[harmonicon]

23. makes sense

[Callalily]

21. Very nice house.

And I love the sun porch and back yard.

Wishing you good luck.

[SacredCow]

24. I'm liking that deck, myself.....

Where my grill would live!

:hi:

[Raven]

22. Nice! Get a home inspection. It will ease your mind. n/t

[old mark]

25. The best advice my father ever gave me was about buying a house.

He says that if you really love it, buy it - you will love it more over time, and you will gladly struggle to keep it if the need arises.
If you don't love the house, don't buy it because you will come to hate it. I have found this to be true, and it is my ONLY guideline to buying a house, or even a car or any spendy object.

This is probably the only worthwhile advice my father ever gave me, now that I think of it.

mark

[SacredCow]

26. Interesting advice- Thanks!

I don't look at cars too much of the same way, though- I wouldn't struggle to keep any car!

[mnhtnbb]

27. Good advice. Let me add that you will know the minute you walk in

whether it feels like home. If it doesn't, keep looking. Don't let your head dictate. Yes, the numbers
have to be right, but they can be right for any number of houses. You want your house to feel like
home the minute you walk in.

And one other thing, don't let easy to change things like paint color affect your decision. If you think
you need to make structural changes, then think twice. If you resent doing the work, you'll end up disliking the house.