Community› The Bump Message Boards› Parenting
Parenting
New Discussion

TTM about house shopping

RondackHikerRondackHiker member
in Parenting
Calculating finances for the next few years we realized that it's more worthwhile to buy and resell than it is to rent anything pricier than we have now. We will need more space. We were hoping to swing it, but we're realizing that with 950 square feet and the layout of our townhouse, it'd be really cramped with two kids and a beast of a dog. Our lease is up in June. We'd like to move then and open the townhouse for our landlords to rent to a new resident. The husband works with dh and they're great and so we'd like to help them by letting them rent to another resident. So, when do we start looking? When should we try to buy? Do you guys have apps or websites you recommend for house hunting?


image image
Report Reply to Post

Re: TTM about house shopping

  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    Thanks! I'm half excited, half terrified. Because of a cluster of colleges and high poverty around here, the rental market is expensive, and homes sell really cheap.


    image image
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • MaebbMaebb member
    We liked Redfin and Zillow. They're both not as reliable as MLS, but they're easy to search and filter, and you can get a good idea of what you're looking for and what's available in your price range. They have websites and apps. We ended up buying a house that is not perfect (our realtor kept saying over and over that we'd have to compromise somewhere), but it is in an awesome location with great neighbors, and we're so happy here. Make a list of your absolutely must-have items and then things that would be nice but are not deal-breakers.
    Report Reply
  • klondikebarklondikebar member
    I would start looking now. The perfect home may be available if you can swing keeping your lease. If sellers are anticipating it taking a while to sell their home, they may have it on the market well before they are able to move out and you can negotiate your move in date. It doesn't hurt to start looking to get a feel for the homes available in your market.
    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/60/2a/1e602a4261a90b9c761ebe748b780318.jpg    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/47/2c/07/472c076006afed606241716dd0db828a.jpg 
    Report Reply
  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    CrashIntoMe1 said:

    I'd start now and go to as many open houses as you can while you figure out what type of house you want. Obviously, you know the basics, enough bedrooms, a couple of bathrooms, etc., but find out if you want open floor plan, 2 stories, finished basement, work shop space, 2 car garage or just a carport...lots of things to take in.

    Oh crap. I hadn't thought about that.

    Our list of requirements when looking at rentals has always been:
    -allows 80 pound dogs
    -2 bedrooms
    -washer/dryer hookup
    -in price range

    And really, only the first one was the deal breaker.

    Now we'll have to pick shit.


    image image
    Report Reply
  • klondikebarklondikebar member

    It's easier to list what you don't like vs what you do want. Start there. Then make a list of everything you loved about previous homes. You can find checklists online that will include items you may not have thought about.

    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/60/2a/1e602a4261a90b9c761ebe748b780318.jpg    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/47/2c/07/472c076006afed606241716dd0db828a.jpg 
    Report Reply
  • MrsCodeMonkeyMrsCodeMonkey member
    You got great advice here. I will add that Trulia has an app for searching. You can also pick up an old fashioned real estate pamphlet at the grocery store.

    There might be a lot more listings in a few months. We're waiting till Spring to list ours. Definitely check out an open house and get some ideas. Also, you'll need a real estate agent. Ask your friends for recs.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
                                 
                               photo photosig3_zps92919c91.jpg Just said good bye Sept. 19th (MMC at 12 weeks)
    Report Reply
  • Spin313Spin313 member
    edited December 2013
    I'd start by making a list: must haves, would be nice items, and deal breakers. Consider what area you want to be in, how much you'd like to pay, and how flexible you want to be.

    Start looking online first...use Zillow, and see if your area has an open MLS site. Once you've looked around and seen what's available, find a real estate agent to help you with financing and showing you properties.

    We bought our house two years ago and really did most of the work ourselves. We found almost all of the houses we wanted to see and our RE was more of a tour guide. But he was great with the negotiations, and very helpful with a network of home professionals (ie: recommendations for plumbers, carpet cleaners, electricians, etc).

    Good luck!
    image
    image

    Report Reply
  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    Thanks guys!

    You've given us a lot of good tips and things we hadn't thought of.

    This is all really new to us.

    We looked some last night... Wow, there are some nice houses under 175 or 200 thousand.

    We'll work on the lists and pre-approval and move from there.


    image image
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"