don't get too excited, it's not like we are even anywhere close to purchasing, or looking into purchasing, our first home... BUT- in the playing around that i do online, i have realized something- boyfriend and i have
very different perspectives on what our first home should be like.
out here in cali, the housing market is out of control. even though it is a "
buyer's market" right now, housing costs are still extremely expensive. a run down, looks like shit house, is still over $500,000. so when i look at houses online, i'm looking at ones that don't look like crap. and boyfriend insists on looking at the ones that look scary. he says that our first house should be a fixer upper. i totally agree with this, but i don't think that it should cost a ton of money to fix it up. and if it does, then we should just buy the nicer house that needs less fixing up.
am i wrong in wanting a house that actually looks decent? i don't think we need a brand new house at all, but if the price difference between a nicer house and a piece of crap house is under $100,000- i would rather spend more to get the nicer house that will require less money and time to fix.
boyfriend makes me feel like i shouldn't want something nice. he tells me that i am not thinking in reality. but my reality does not include moving into a dump for my first home. i will not move blake into some house that looks terrifying and gross. like i said before, i'm not insisting on a brand new, top of the line house- but what is wrong with wanting something decent??? am i totally not thinking realistically? what was your first house like?
Labels: boyfriend, random thoughts
My next house was brand new, which was great, but it cost a fortune to put in window coverings, landscaping in the mud pit of a backyard, and a fence and deck.
By the third house, we knew we wanted something in good shape and relatively new, and we ended up with a house we love, and the only thing we had to do was have a barn built, but that's because we a buttload of dirtbikes that needed a place to live.
luv u jenn...
Tammy
I think it depends on if you're handy or not. If you are and can do a lot of the labor, it might be cheaper to do "fixer." But it has to be in a good neighborhood - which probably isn't going to happen for the money savings. :) Just my two cents.
The funny thing is, after house shopping for awhile, we absolutely hated most of the houses we saw because they were so damn ugly - one person's upgrade is another person's nightmare. So in the end we really wanted more of a fixer upper (although I'm with you - it can't be a dump), something that still had the basic lines of the house that we could design to our vision. We love our house now, because it absolutely reflects who we are.
But seriously, I have to agree with you. If it's just a matter of a few cosmetic fixes, that's one thing. Too many fixes are likely to just stress you out and take a lot more money to fix than you think. Plus, there are a lot of little things that homeowners need that really add up in cost. You'll need a lawnmower, more furniture, shelving, all the things that you don't need in an apartment. So my suggestion is not to buy too much of a fixer-upper.
No.
So much stress and money and time wasted, I would not do it again.
Go for the newer home! They also tend to have a better re-sale value. I am in real estate and have had my share of selling both, and now it seems more buyers are wanting a newer home. Good Luck!!
Look at it as saving yourself some fights and resentments! Get the nicer house! :-)
Just my humble opinion. Don't tell boyfriend I said that, though.
Our first house was in a crappy neighborhood but was the only affordable house we could find and it was brand new!
It really is a buyers' market right now. Our second house was initially listed for over $100k more than we paid for it! It's not new, so it definitely needs work. But I agree with norcalgirl28 - unless you guys fix up your new home BEFORE you move in, it'll never get done. So make sure you choose a house that you'll feel comfortable in.
I would've lived in our first house (location-wise) forever if I could. But we outgrew it with the 3rd child (and possibly we just outgrew it. period.). It was a typical, 2 year-old, nice house with no crazy upgrades (we did all that in the 6 years we lived there but I consider it maintenance more than anything else -- things like tile floors, paint, landscaping, decks and fixtures). Similar situation with this house, only it's bigger.
Just go easy, and you will know what you want when you see it and all the components fall into place. That's all I can say -- also, I can't imagine doing this AND planning a wedding, you're amazing!
Carrie
all i know is, my friends who have renovated their houses have been VERY stressed out and tired during the process. so it depends on if that's worth saving a hunk of change to you.
i think norcalgirl28 brings up good points. once you move in, you won't get around to actually doing stuff. well, you might, but it will be a while. aimee also brings up a good point -- how much labor can y'all do on your own? because THAT is what will save you bucks. the materials don't cost ALL that much.
and alison brings up the excellent point of location. never underestimate the importance of location!!! being in a good school district is key. alison also brings up your near future and your lifestyle. excellent points.
gosh, you have a lot of smart readers....then again, i am biased.
i'm thinking that you need to determine what kinds of fixing you are willing to do. tile, carpet, countertops -- these are all relatively cheap and easy to do. but when you start getting into your electrical system or your plumbing or more structural things, then you might want to just go ahead and buy something newer. it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle and expense.
OH, and make sure you get a FLAT LOT. you will HATE a slanted driveway/yard more than you know!!! take it from me. i am speaking from experience. i didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but it IS.