I could cry..

[boywonder]

I too am a first time home buyer looking for a home. I commute about 60 miles to the Philly suburbs so the housing market where I'm looking isn't so heated. A lot of nice properties do last a fair amount of time. I found a newly built 2800 sf/4BR/4Bath/2 Car Garage on a 1 acre lot for 250k. I know I can make the payments, I just don't know if I want to. It's definitely a house to grow into. I'm just getting married in June and we're trying to find a house before then.



I agree with the poster who said he thought this was supposed to be fun. I've found it to be not even close to fun!

Join the first time homeowners' club. At this point and time, I am looking at 2 townhomes in the Chicago area. One is in a very prime location and is in a gated community. The pre-construction price is $140k. The other is in a nice location as well, but they want $40k more. However, both units have a 2 car garage which is a requirement for me.



I know what I am in for and realize that I am going to get writers' cramp (not to mention my bank account will be

) when all is said and done.

 

[boarderx]

Join the first time homeowners' club. At this point and time, I am looking at 2 townhomes in the Chicago area. One is in a very prime location and is in a gated community. The pre-construction price is $140k. The other is in a nice location as well, but they want $40k more. However, both units have a 2 car garage which is a requirement for me.



I know what I am in for and realize that I am going to get writers' cramp (not to mention my bank account will be

) when all is said and done.

A condo with a 2 car garage sounds pretty good to me. I would think about buying one if I could find any with 2 car garages. There are very few condo communities where I live. Good luck!

 

[KenB]

......... The pre-construction price is $140k. ...........

Be very wary of this price. It is a base price and you will receive "builder's grade" finishes and misc. materials. Most likely you will not be happy with them and will end up tacking on thousands of $$ for materials that you are not embarrassed to show your friends.



One of my best friends was in this exact situation 2 months ago. He had placed a down payment on the lot and then, weeks later, meet with the builder to finalize a floor plan. It turns out that yes the house could be built for the quoted price, but that they would not build it as such. The builder had figured on everyone wanting some of the most basic upgrades, so he ordered/purchased his materials accordingly. It was going to cost my friend more to build this house "custom" with lesser quality finishes and materials.

 

[imported_chewy]

Glad to see that I am not alone...



Well, been looking at homes since the home with the leaking oil tank. We came across a nice 4 bedroom, two bath home with a two car detached garage and just put in an offer today. Yeah, I have been anxious and sick for the last few days. Worries of what sellers will do or counter offer and coming to terms with what I will pay and accept from the home inspection.



The garage is great--plenty or room for tools and detailing gear. I hope this all works out because it is a lot of work. This is the first home that we really liked and appears to need very little. The hopes of heading to Sears or Lowes to get more gear came to a halt when I started adding up closing costs, moving costs, etc. Hope have enough to eat...but lucky to have enough wax for a couple of years!:xyxthumbs



Good luck to all of you are home hunting!

 

[boarderx]

That's great! Houses with detached garages are few and far between around here. That's a real plus in my book. Good luck with the offer and closing!

Glad to see that I am not alone...



Well, been looking at homes since the home with the leaking oil tank. We came across a nice 4 bedroom, two bath home with a two car detached garage and just put in an offer today. Yeah, I have been anxious and sick for the last few days. Worries of what sellers will do or counter offer and coming to terms with what I will pay and accept from the home inspection.



The garage is great--plenty or room for tools and detailing gear. I hope this all works out because it is a lot of work. This is the first home that we really liked and appears to need very little. The hopes of heading to Sears or Lowes to get more gear came to a halt when I started adding up closing costs, moving costs, etc. Hope have enough to eat...but lucky to have enough wax for a couple of years!:xyxthumbs



Good luck to all of you are home hunting!

 

[imported_chewy]

Bgruver:



Thanks for the support and best wishes to you and your upcoming wedding. I couldn't imagaine house hunting and having a wedding coming up--I'd be a wreck!



Hope to hear from the sellers by tonight--actually, if they are going to respond--it has to be tonight. I keep day dreaming of the garage and warm days washing and waxing--can't help myself. I have pleanty of driveway to do about anything I want to and the idea of being able to put a newly detailed car away in a garage is a dream--always had to keep any cars owned out in the elements.:bounce



Are you house hunting out in western Chester county? For the same money I am offering on this house--I could have gotten more out near Collegeville, Limerck and points further out. Just did not want the commute for my wife or I. My wife does a lot of driving and we just had to be closer to her work areas (she works with autistic children at various schools and residences).



Well, it will be a long day waiting to hear from my agent. I will be really disappointed if this does not work out...but will survive. Nice to have a place like Autopia to take my mind off things.:xyxthumbs

 

[boarderx]

Wow, chewy, I didn't even notice that you were from around the way. I'm actually looking up in the outskirts of Reading, Mohnton or Douglassville to be exact. The amount of home for the money is pretty good around here, compared to the Chester or Montgomery County areas. I commute to Blue Bell everyday - 60 miles one way. Give us an update if you get the house!

 

[imported_chewy]

Bgruver:



Okay--you are looking in the "outskirts". Good for you and yes you are going to get much more of a home for your money. I was amazed at some of the homes I found in the Pottstown area and in Berks county. That's a pretty good commute for you to Blue Bell. The home we put a bid on is in Jeffersonville. I liked the neighborhood--very conistent with nice wide streets and sidewalks. This is aslo one of the few homes I have come across with a two car garage--which is any Autopian's must! For some time now I have been drooling over the garage picks of guys like Brad and RedCar Guy.



I came across a couple of properties in the Blue Bell area, but both did not have cental air--something that we really wanted--and no garages



Waiting anxiously for a call--so I will keep you posted.

 

[imported_chewy]

:bounce Settled on the home this weekend!!! Got it for a great price and to make things even better, the owner is giving us the following appliances that are less than 3 years old: washer and dryer, 22 cubic foot refrigerator, small chest freezer, stove with microwave--PLUS all window treatments (all custom made) an entire wicker patio set for the Florida room and a one-year home warranty. The sellers are going into a new assisted living facility, so they need to settle in May to allow time for the facility to open. The date is fine with me and I will have nice warm weather to detail in my new two car detached garage.



I am saving every penny to get some new detailing stuff--lighting, a creeper, shelving, etc. To say the least, I am thrilled and can't wait to spend free time playing with the cars!!:xyxthumbs

 

[Brad B]

:xyxthumbs

 

[imported_BretFraz]

Be very wary of this price. It is a base price and you will receive "builder's grade" finishes and misc. materials. Most likely you will not be happy with them and will end up tacking on thousands of $$ for materials that you are not embarrassed to show your friends.



One of my best friends was in this exact situation 2 months ago. He had placed a down payment on the lot and then, weeks later, meet with the builder to finalize a floor plan. It turns out that yes the house could be built for the quoted price, but that they would not build it as such. The builder had figured on everyone wanting some of the most basic upgrades, so he ordered/purchased his materials accordingly. It was going to cost my friend more to build this house "custom" with lesser quality finishes and materials.

Jeez, if that's not bait and switch, I don't know what is. I would not have bought from that builder at any price.



I had a spec house built for me last year. My parents had one built for them 2 years ago and my brother had a townhouse built for him about the same time. All three of us had different experiences with their builders regarding upgrades and modifications.



I was severely limited in what I could upgrade. I was allowed ZERO modifications to the home design. I was limited to very simple choices on appliances, flooring, kitchen cabinets, etc. This builder simply would not allow any major changes to their plan. It was sort of "take it or leave it". I liked the house design and I got to pick the lot so I took it.



My parents and my brother had completely different experiences from me. The mods and changes to my parent's house was eight pages long. Everything from adding a bump-out for the big screen (requiring a roof redesign) to moving walls to eliminating closets to adding doors. After all that the house was still about $150K - base price was about $120K. My brother virtually redesigned the floor plan of his townhouse. He changed about 75% of the layout. He wanted a huge number of upgrades (door hardware, paint color, crown molding, home theater wiring, finished garage, fancy front door, etc). It boosted his price from about $190K to almost $250K. But the builders of both houses were willing to do the work.



Upgrades are great if you can get them and afford them. But things like location, local tax rates, local schools, shopping, etc are more important than a fancy kitchen to impress your friends. Worry less about them and more about getting a house you like at a price you can afford.

 

[boarderx]

Glad to hear that the deal went through! That has to be a load off of your shoulders. Congratulations!

:bounce Settled on the home this weekend!!! Got it for a great price and to make things even better, the owner is giving us the following appliances that are less than 3 years old: washer and dryer, 22 cubic foot refrigerator, small chest freezer, stove with microwave--PLUS all window treatments (all custom made) an entire wicker patio set for the Florida room and a one-year home warranty. The sellers are going into a new assisted living facility, so they need to settle in May to allow time for the facility to open. The date is fine with me and I will have nice warm weather to detail in my new two car detached garage.



I am saving every penny to get some new detailing stuff--lighting, a creeper, shelving, etc. To say the least, I am thrilled and can't wait to spend free time playing with the cars!!:xyxthumbs

 

[imported_chewy]

Thanks for your support Brand and Bgruver. Yes, it is a big weight off my shoulders. I was really going to be bummed if this didn't work out. I have the home inspection scheduled for next week, so I am anxious to get into the house again. Don't expect any big surprises--the owners have taken good care of the home. Will need to do some painting, but that's to be expected. I will be anxious to see what kind of shape the hard wood floors are in--in living, dining and all four bedrooms.



Will need to see how the garage is wired--I saw one outlet, but that needs to be improved. Also need more lighting and possibley a heater. I do have an extra 7500 BTU widow air condtioner that I can put in for the summer. I can handle the heat, but there may be a few days that I might want some relief.



I hope to purchase a digital camera in the near future, so I will post some pics as soon as I can.



:bounce

 

[KenB]

....... After all that the house was still about $150K - base price was about $120K. ........It boosted his price from about $190K to almost $250K. ......

Home prices from market to market amuse me. Housing in the DC metro area is astonishingly high. Our friends that are in other areas of the country must think we are living the high life, by what we paid, and then they see it and realize we are just the same as them. Just 2.5-3 times more expensive.

 

[DaGonz]

Chewy...Congratulations! :xyxthumbs



One thing that we didn't tell you, though...



While you think that you are the homeowner...the home actually owns you!



Just kidding!

 

[imported_chewy]

Gonzo:



No--I understand all too well that the home will own me. My wife already beat me to the punch and presented me with a list of things she would like to get for the house--for example--wants new cabinet knobs for the kitchen--found some stainless steel ones for $11.50/each. I about swallowed my tongue.



I told her the knobs fall into what I call a "desire" category. Then you have the "necessity" category--with things like a new set of DeWalt cordless power tools, at least 50 new MF towels, garage lighting, shop vac, etc. Needless to say, we will be seeking professional abritration in the near future.:argue .



The topper was that we both came to one another and suggested that the other needed to get more life insurance--something strange going on here...



:scared

 

[Scott P]

The topper was that we both came to one another and suggested that the other needed to get more life insurance--something strange going on here...



:scared

I think it's the "I won't be able to afford this garage if you kick the bucket" fear that you both seem to have. I told the same thing to my wife.

 

[imported_chewy]

Had my home inspection this week and it turned out great. The home is in very good shape. The only thing that needs to be addressed is the eletric service cable to the house--it is worn and has to be replaced. The house has all pine floors that have always been covered with carpet--so they should be in great shape. Found out that the sellers have lived in the home since it was built (42 years) and have taken very good care of it. The home inspector felt bad that he didn't find anything thing major--but it's just fine with me.



Have been traveling the isles of Lowes and Homedepot--developing my list of things I need. Now waiting to close in spring and start having fun in the garage:bounce

 

[imported_chewy]

That was my thinking as well. I had always heard that the power is your issue where it hits your house. Now, is this exactly where the service cable is attached to the house, or at the meter? Anyway--its the sellers issue, but I do hope that they can pass it off on the utility company.

 

[Scott P]

My inspection came through pretty nice as well. The only problems found were a leak in the water line coming in and a possible chimney problem. They fixed the leak and the chimney passed inspection.



We have 49 days until we close. This waiting game is the worst part. At least I have plenty or time to collect boxes. And, if we moved now, I'd have a hell of a mess moving stuff in single digit temps.