tale of 2 houses (really really long)

staycee · November 2010

we went to look at 2 on Saturday. I hate that I can't decide which I like best, or even if either are right and maybe we need to nix both and continue looking.

There are of course, pros and cons to each. They are both the same price.

#1 Okay neighborhood. 2100 sq.ft., 4 bedrooms (however, one bedroom is connected to the master by an open archway - so really 2 bedrooms and a Master with a sitting area or office attached). Really good size rooms though. 3 very large baths (for the area), average kitchen - not spacious in the least, indoor laundry room, decent size dining room, nice living room (all hardwood floors BTW), and an area that looks like it once was a patio but is now an enclosed "family room". Plenty of room to be a playroom for kiddos, park things like the stroller, and set up my treadmill). Overall a nice place. Nicer than we've seen so far. The major "Cons" to this house - super small lot. Lot total is only 6,000 sq.feet. The backyard is almost non-existant (because of the added on Master, and added on family room area). Also, this is a short sale. Our realtor said it would be longer process and the bank may not approve the price it's listed at.

#2. Nice neighborhood. 2200sq ft. Large 10,500 sq.ft lot (almost double the other place). HUGE back yard. The major con, is the house in general. 6 bedrooms - however, they are TINY. The "master" would barely fit our bed and only our bed (we still have 2 dressers, and 2 nightstands that would not fit). The master only has a small sliding door closet - I need a roomy walkin. Disgusting carpet throughout most the house (only kitchen and dining have been recently improved). Barely any cabinet space. The kitchen was nice but very limited in counter space. Living room was nice and big and very open - the nasty filthy seafoam green carpet was really bringing it down. They also had an area that was once a patio and was now enclosed. (It was gross. Filthy. Concrete garage like floor, missing chucks out of the crappy drop ceiling, and reeked of cigarette smoke in there only - DH said he would demo this area and reopen as a nice patio). The entire back of the house was questionably added on. There was a "grandma apt" - just a room with attached bath behind the living room. It was sketchy looking. DH doubts there are permits for any of their added stuff. Basically, this place would need lots of interior work - starting with floors and paint, then possibly taking out walls to expand rooms or adding onto rooms such as the master. But there is potential there and DH is handy at that kind of crap. Plus the yard space is amazing! This one is a standard sale that already fell out of escrow once and is just now back on the market.

I'm torn. DH and I both like house #1 better (although he isn't thrilled that the 4th bedroom really isn't a bedroom), but neither of us really like the location or the backyard smallness. But #2 may be crappier overall to start, but man, you just don't come across yards that size around here at all. He said we can always add/change the house, but you can't add to the lot. So for this he's leaning toward #2.

Dr.Loretta · November 2010

I wouldn't touch a short sale with a 10-foot pole.

The second house sounds like too much of a mess, unless you really think DH would come through with updates in the very near future.

I'd keep looking.

staycee · November 2010

Dr.Loretta:

I'd keep looking.

that's I guess where I am leaning since neither really makes me happy. LOL.

but the whiney part of me wants to pout that we really need a house and there are so few in our price range. :::cries:::

kimarino13 · November 2010

I would keep looking. You want to be in a good neighborhood.

Stacy092306 · November 2010

My brother had a great short sale experience. He closed in 2 months, and the bank accepted the price. But I think that is insanely rare. Our realtor told us to avoid short sales unless we have 9-12 months to sit around and wait and hope the bank approves it. There is a short sale in our neighborhood that has been waiting on bank approval for 14 months!

I am a yard person. That is the #1 reason we have our house for sale now. (DH bought this house with the horrible yard before I knew him.) There is no place to go hang out, for the kid to play, and for the dog to run. If you really want some sort of yard, even if it ends up being smaller, I would wait for a house with a yard.

It sounds like house #2 has a yard you love, but not much else. If you are up for all the work and think it would end up being something you would love in the end, it might be for you. If you think it would never be the house you wanted, you should probably keep looking around.

If it were me, I would probably keep looking.

staycee · November 2010

well, luckily time isn't an issue. We plan to rent our condo out - so it's not like we are selling and need to find a place ASAP. We just really hate our small condo living room, lack of yard, and neighbors. We do have the luxury of taking our time to find the right house.

(but I'm still going to whine and pout Stick out tongue )

shotzie · November 2010

I'd keep looking. Sounds like you'd be making major compromises either way. While compromising comes with house buying, I really think you could find something you like a lot better. I'd only go the short sale route if I loved the house. And even then, I'd keep looking because they take forever and seem to usually fall through. Good luck!

HazelEyes730 · November 2010

I think I'd keep looking. I'd really want to love the house even if it needed work.

I've had 2 friends buy short sale houses and had no problems at all. One was nice and quick, the other took awhile. Overall though it was a good experience for both of them.

OCW2010 · November 2010

I'd be ok with #2 if the price was REALLY right and if you know that you guys are the type that would put in the time, effort, and money into this place over the years.

My #1 priority for a house is location though. I wouldn't bend on that one.

GL S!

Want a personalized experience?

tale of 2 houses (really really long)

Re: tale of 2 houses (really really long)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards