I need input on choosing a house

Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 05:11

If someone out there is actually reading this "boring" blog, I'd really appreciate some input. As I mentioned in my previous entry, I drove past a couple houses yesterday morning. Now I don't know if it's the strong dream of living away from things and having a place for Taffy to play without leashing her all the time or if it's the "rebellious" side of me but...... House number one ($64,900 adn taxes are $890)has 2 bedroom 1 bath and a finished loft that can be used for another bed. Laundry is main level (HUGE plus) and a nice 1/2 acre yard. The 1 car garage needs help - in terms of a bulldozer LOL. It's level, semi urban area yet out of town. Conventional sewer, point driven well and 200amp electric. 40gal gas hot water heater, gas heat, newer siding and the roof looks in good condition. Ample garden space, corner lot with a hay field across the road. It was built in the 1960's and from the pics, looks in good condition inside. The bacement is poured. House number 2 ($79,900 and $1,480 taxes) has 4.88 acres that are level to rolling - prettiest I've seen in a long time. House is much older looking, wood siding that needs paint, older windows that probably need replacing, It has a drilled well and a holding tank for septic. Washer/dryer but I'm not sure where, 3 bedrooms and one bath, a propane tank, and a two car garage that again has wood siding in need of paint and a fairly decent roof.  I haven't seen the inside or up close view yet. I do favor the one that needs work in spite of my parents strong insistance that the other house is better. Now, what are your thoughts on older homes, holding tanks and such. I'm not planning on farm animals except maybe chickens to keep the tic population under controle. I'd love a milk cow but I need a lot of education on it's needs and such. I don't want to jump into a responsibility I'm not ready or qualified to handle. Anyway, how would you all choose. Now I know about looking under sinks, how to check windows, I guess, how much work would you be willing to do? It may sound silly but I'm curious. I think if the foundation is solid, plumming and electric are up to date and sound, roof is good and bacement is dry most anything has potential. What are your thoughts??

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Posted by gokings13 on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 07:14 - Link

We prayed.
When my dh and I decided that it was time to move out of our neighborhood, we started praying.
The Lord is Good.
We had 'our ideas' as to what we wanted, and the Lord delivered us abundantly more!

Buying and selling a home is a huge decision. That is not one I would make in my own power!!
Laura

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Posted by CarolinaWren on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 07:52 - Link

Well, if you're concerned (and rightly so) about responsibilities you may not be ready for, keep in mind that an older home that needs work or updating is going to keep draining your bank account. I know - we've been doing it for almost 5 years!! I don't know if hiring a house inspector is standard out your way but it is here in New England; they can find so much more than you can on your own, unless you are just willing to check things out on your own. But there's lots of hidden things an inspector can check for that would be difficult for the buyer - the sills, bug damage, dry rot, etc. As much as 4+ acres would entice me personally, if you don't have plans for livestock, the more updated house on the smaller lot might be the better choice.
By the way, that house in NH would sell for almost $200K and have taxes in the $3k/year range!!! I'm coming out your way!!!! :)

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Posted by mc2rwe on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 06:38 - Link

I will offer my 2 cents here and say that I agree with the prayer. In everything I think we need to ask God's help with our decisions, however, after that... pay for an inspection. For the $150 - $200 that it would cost it is invaluable. It is also an incredibly valuable bargaining chip. You can then go to the table and say this this and this are wrong and will cost me XXXX amount of dollars to fix. Owners more then likely know this and then you can usually offer lower then what they are asking.... hope this helps.

Kat