Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by weederr33

Kinda. Idk I'm new to this whole house buying thing. One of the houses was immediately knocked off the list because they told us someone put a cash offer in which means that's sold. Otherwise the other ones were only listed for less than a day. So hopefully I can have time.

sounds about the same then. i had an old-school italian realtor, that was high pressure about it--more his character than anything else honestly. every time he even showed me a house on paper he'd ask right away "do you like it!? better put an offer in on it right how! they're goin' quick!" there was 2 houses that sold in the 8 hours between the listing going live, and when i had scheduled the showing. he was constantly trying to get me to take days off work to look at houses. i just kept reminding him "unless you're buying it for me, i've got to work to make money to pay for this!" he'd chill out a little for a day, and then be back at the hard-n-fast sell.

if you're looking for something to fix up a little, you can take your time. current trend is "move in ready", so something that fits your standard isn't going to go with the trends and move very fast. it can work to your advantage a little, as every day it's on the market but not sold, the sellers are going to be a little more eager to be more flexible on pricing

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soundman98

sounds about the same then. i had an old-school italian realtor, that was high pressure about it--more his character than anything else honestly. every time he even showed me a house on paper he'd ask right away "do you like it!? better put an offer in on it right how! they're goin' quick!" there was 2 houses that sold in the 8 hours between the listing going live, and when i had scheduled the showing. he was constantly trying to get me to take days off work to look at houses. i just kept reminding him "unless you're buying it for me, i've got to work to make money to pay for this!" he'd chill out a little for a day, and then be back at the hard-n-fast sell.

if you're looking for something to fix up a little, you can take your time. current trend is "move in ready", so something that fits your standard isn't going to go with the trends and move very fast. it can work to your advantage a little, as every day it's on the market but not sold, the sellers are going to be a little more eager to be more flexible on pricing

The new tactic around here is for a realtor to put a sign up that says “coming soon” a week or two before they actually list the property. When the house actually gets listed and is for sale they already have a pile of random offers for amounts where the list price was not even known yet. This is how my son’s neighbour got $600k for a house that they listed for $350k.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The new tactic around here is for a realtor to put a sign up that says “coming soon” a week or two before they actually list the property. When the house actually gets listed and is for sale they already have a pile of random offers for amounts where the list price was not even known yet. This is how my son’s neighbour got $600k for a house that they listed for $350k.

They do that here too.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by soundman98

sounds about the same then. i had an old-school italian realtor, that was high pressure about it--more his character than anything else honestly. every time he even showed me a house on paper he'd ask right away "do you like it!? better put an offer in on it right how! they're goin' quick!" there was 2 houses that sold in the 8 hours between the listing going live, and when i had scheduled the showing. he was constantly trying to get me to take days off work to look at houses. i just kept reminding him "unless you're buying it for me, i've got to work to make money to pay for this!" he'd chill out a little for a day, and then be back at the hard-n-fast sell.

if you're looking for something to fix up a little, you can take your time. current trend is "move in ready", so something that fits your standard isn't going to go with the trends and move very fast. it can work to your advantage a little, as every day it's on the market but not sold, the sellers are going to be a little more eager to be more flexible on pricing

I'm open to both. I would like to have a little fixer' upper' because I like to DIY and love working with my hands. But at the same time, I did come across one house that was really nice, the only two catches are it's in an HOA and the CURB IS ALSO THE DRIVE WAY! It's one of those funky designs and it makes it very hard for me to pull my BRZ into the driveway

I decided not to get into that whole, 'let's make the move now!' and just go with the flow. I have till the end of July so I'm just taking my time. The last thing I want to do rush into something and hate it. We will see and I'll keep everyone posted. But Weederr33 is becoming a man.

Also my income increased by $200 a month so... yay!

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by weederr33

I'm open to both. I would like to have a little fixer' upper' because I like to DIY and love working with my hands. But at the same time, I did come across one house that was really nice, the only two catches are it's in an HOA and the CURB IS ALSO THE DRIVE WAY! It's one of those funky designs and it makes it very hard for me to pull my BRZ into the driveway

I decided not to get into that whole, 'let's make the move now!' and just go with the flow. I have till the end of July so I'm just taking my time. The last thing I want to do rush into something and hate it. We will see and I'll keep everyone posted. But Weederr33 is becoming a man.

Also my income increased by $200 a month so... yay!

Speaking from experience, even non-fixer-upper houses come with a long list of things that you will want to customize, or will soon need work. Nothing wrong with accepting known issues in order to get more house in a better location for a better price, but I can assure you even a perfect house is going to keep you busy enough.

I've never had a problem with HOAs but I seem to find chill neighborhoods.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

That's the thing I dislike most about modern Lego kits.

I see your point! That's a great comparison.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Speaking from experience, even non-fixer-upper houses come with a long list of things that you will want to customize, or will soon need work. Nothing wrong with accepting known issues in order to get more house in a better location for a better price, but I can assure you even a perfect house is going to keep you busy enough.

I've never had a problem with HOAs but I seem to find chill neighborhoods.

Women seem to instigate that a bit more though.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

Don't you just hate it when someone takes YOUR parking spot?
The wife got to work the other day and found this in hers.

That's the great thing about choppers. You can park them anywhere.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Speaking from experience, even non-fixer-upper houses come with a long list of things that you will want to customize, or will soon need work. Nothing wrong with accepting known issues in order to get more house in a better location for a better price, but I can assure you even a perfect house is going to keep you busy enough.

I've never had a problem with HOAs but I seem to find chill neighborhoods.

I like the HOA because there is a pool and it's gated. So that is nice. This house is also close to where I work on Post so that makes it nice.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by weederr33

I like the HOA because there is a pool and it's gated. So that is nice. This house is also close to where I work on Post so that makes it nice.

Easy to find out if they are a nasty one. Just find the name and go on Facebook. If they are a problem you will know quickly enough.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Easy to find out if they are a nasty one. Just find the name and go on Facebook. If they are a problem you will know quickly enough.

Did this and they seem to only care about the 'lawn' and parking. And of course the normal things like not having your boat sitting on the side uncovered. lol not that anyone out here has a boat.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by weederr33

Did this and they seem to only care about the 'lawn' and parking. And of course the normal things like not having your boat sitting on the side uncovered. lol not that anyone out here has a boat.

But how fanatical about lawns and parking. There are reasonable ones and some that are way out in left field. One my mother in law was with had a list of fines for about 30 lawn related infractions and a property manager that walked a beat and came out whenever a strange car showed up to patrol the situation. Actually walked around with a "ticket" book and everything. Cost you $20 if you placed a garbage can on the grass between the sidewalk and road. I put about an inch of the rental truck tire off the side of the driveway when backing in and they tried to fine her $100 and pay a $500 repair fee. There was zero damage!
She (and I) did not pay a penny.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But how fanatical about lawns and parking. There are reasonable ones and some that are way out in left field. One my mother in law was with had a list of fines for about 30 lawn related infractions and a property manager that walked a beat and came out whenever a strange car showed up to patrol the situation. Actually walked around with a "ticket" book and everything. Cost you $20 if you placed a garbage can on the grass between the sidewalk and road. I put about an inch of the rental truck tire off the side of the driveway when backing in and they tried to fine her $100 and pay a $500 repair fee. There was zero damage!
She (and I) did not pay a penny.

all the lawns have rocks in them and there is plenty of spacing on the drive way lol.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

That's the great thing about choppers. You can park them anywhere.

When you support the red and white, you can park wherever you want.