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| General Discussion Please read our Forum Rules before posting Feel free to talk about anything and everything about money. |
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05-25-2009, 06:44 AM
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A teeny, teeny house...
...that is definitely below my budget and has everything finished inside. It is only 2 bedrooms and 1 bath (which stinks for resale), but it is in a nice neighborhood.
MLS I love the fact that it is move in ready... 
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05-25-2009, 12:41 PM
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$155,000?!! Our house was 10K less than that 10 years ago and it has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths plus it was brand new. Now it's only worth about 185K due to the RE fallout but still........The difference in RE prices all over the country is shocking.
__________________
Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
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05-25-2009, 12:46 PM
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It is small but looks like a nice place and hey it's below your budget that's great!
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05-25-2009, 01:43 PM
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asmom, my area is expensive. this house would be of different value depending on where it is.
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05-25-2009, 01:49 PM
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05-25-2009, 02:00 PM
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Yeah I don't think it is really to say what is cheap one place and more expensive in another. It is all totally up to the area.
This house is very, very cheap even though it is a two bedroom once bathroom. The house is also in a very good school district. That taxes are around $2,000 which is very low for this area... Overall, I think it is a good buy for me because it is ready to move into, it has a fenced in yard, it has a nice kitchen and bathroom and it is WAY below budget... I am going to see it this week with my realtor.
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05-25-2009, 02:40 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
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05-25-2009, 03:08 PM
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SAS, do you anticipate having children within the next 5-10 years?
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05-25-2009, 05:05 PM
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tifnglen, I anticipate to have children NEVER. lol
 I guess the major problem that I have with this house is the fact that has a lot of strikes against it when it comes to resale value. 1. 2 bedrooms 2. 1 bathroom 3. square footage 4. close proximity to other houses 5. hard to expand or add bathrooms unless I create and upstairs (which is $$$) But I think it might be perfect for me because: 1. Economical 2. Already updated 3. Gas Heat 4. Central air 5. fenced in back yard Maybe I should find something that is both great for me and great for resale
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05-25-2009, 05:08 PM
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You will know the right house when you see it. I know everyone says that but I can tell you that is the truth. Some houses you can see yourself in but once you find the right house you will know.
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05-25-2009, 06:02 PM
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05-26-2009, 02:53 AM
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Uugh, prices in my area are around $400k+
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05-26-2009, 06:43 AM
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With houses and cars, I don't understand the emphasis many people place on eventual resale value. Buy what you like and need and forget about what will happen 5 or 10 or 20 years from now.
__________________
Steve * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular. * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything? * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.
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05-26-2009, 08:33 AM
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I agree with DS. All weekend long on DIY channel there were these shows on, where people who planned to stay in their homes 10, 15, 20 years were remodeling. Then, a realtor would come and tell them what the resale value was after the remodel was complete. Who cares? You are staying the home! Make your house your house and don't worry about 10 years from now.
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05-26-2009, 02:57 PM
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You have to have some consideration for resale - helps you set a fair value. Would you buy into a declining neighborhood?
FWIW - 768 sq ft is really small. You should consider that you may accumulate stuff over time and need alittle space to grow. Also .11 acres is also a teeny lot. $200 a foot is outragous to me - I spent $91 a foot on new construction down here in the south. Ever consider moving south? Lots more for your money.
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05-26-2009, 03:11 PM
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I lived in a 700 sq ft house for a little better than 4 years. We were 2 people, a big dog, and 2 cats in that space--- but really, how much space can a single body occupy at any moment in time, hmmm? It was not bad- low maintenance, low heating and cooling costs.
That one looks like it has a nice sized kitchen, as did ours. I think that made a big difference for me in feeling like home. A house with a decent kitchen feels like a home, even if you don't cook a whole lot. In the 4 years we spent there, the only major complaint I had was having only 1 bathroom and 2 occupants. Not an issue until both people find themselves violently ill at the same time. If you plan to live alone, then that won't ever be an issue When DH and I were house hunting, it seemed like everyone would tell us we would "just know" when we found the right house. It was anything but that! We worked more from a list of priorities... had to be under a certain dollar amount, location was very important, a decent sized yard was important, and the layout of the house had to flow. When we found the house we ultimately bought, it was a mess, but broken down on paper, it was everything we were looking for (though requiring a lot of elbow grease). We changed what we could change in exchange for what we couldn't- like location and lot size. Good luck!!
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05-26-2009, 03:22 PM
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I can't thank you all enough for helping me out and giving me your opinions. I know that I am driving you all a little batty with my house shopping - but I don't have a lot of friends in real life to help me out with this.
Also, I am absolutely capable of choosing and buying a house on my own - but I love to hear other people's opinions. I made an appointment to see this house tomorrow night. My dad is upset with me because he keeps saying, "It is too small! You are wasting your time and the realtor's time! I told you that you just have to wait for the right house to show up!". He thinks I will never be able to sell it and will be stuck there "for 3 years"...well, I was hoping to stay there much longer than that actually. Well, I can find a nicer house for $180,000-$200,000...but you know what? Buying for around $150,000 leaves me with a miniscule mortgage and a little dollhouse that I can dress up. And although it is small - I think it is large enough to have someone else move in someday if I do end up in a relationship...
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05-26-2009, 05:40 PM
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I could not see indication of whether there is a basement. A basement can make a small place feel much bigger as you can store rarely used items down there. The closets are likely tiny. If you can put out of season clothing in the basement that will help. Large kitchen items, large hobby items, many tools, seasonal items and even cleaning supplies used weekly can be stored in a basement.
One "big" thing to think of is fitting in furniture. Today's furniture is huge compared to how much of it was made back when this house was built. I (small house owner) do much better buying my furniture from the "nearly antique" stores. It is fun to pick out furniture that is now unique in the market, and we have taken our time doing it, extending the pleasure of the search and acquisition foryears.  Hey, do I see a fence gate opening into the yard next door? If so, that probably means someone has been a very good neighbor--maybe even family to whomever lived in this house. If you find yourself really interested in the house, you might knock on their door and see if there is anything they'd like to tell you....I mean, if they have a gate between yards...
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05-26-2009, 08:42 PM
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I agree with your dad, it is too small. You have been suffering from the bug that gave you house fever for a LONG time now. It is great to have a place of your own, but the new will run out just like anything else. Better to wait for the right one.
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05-27-2009, 06:41 AM
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Joan,
This house does not have a basement. I am not sure about the fence thing...I will be sure to check it out tonight! I am thinking that if I can get the house in the lower $140's with sellers assist - it will be worth the buy (if I really love the interior of the home). I know you mentioned that you have a small house...may I ask how many square feet it is? I love the fact that a smaller home is more economical...
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