Tips on buying a house

Ghoulish Delight · 06-22-2009, 04:03 PM

I don't recall when in the process we got it, but we got a years' worth of HOA meeting minutes to thumb through at some point. That was a good resource because it showed what the HOA was concerned about, how intrusive they were, and whether they were dealing with neighbor disputes well.

Morrigoon · 06-22-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I don't recall when in the process we got it, but we got a years' worth of HOA meeting minutes to thumb through at some point. That was a good resource because it showed what the HOA was concerned about, how intrusive they were, and whether they were dealing with neighbor disputes well.

Yeah, that's written into the paperwork too. They have a certain length of time to get the HOA info to you, and you have a certain length of time by which you have to approve of the HOA info and remove that contingency.

The main reason it's there is that if the HOA is not handling its finances well, that could have a serious, major impact on your property value and your personal finances. So you wanna take that seriously.

bewitched · 06-22-2009, 04:54 PM

I didn't throughly read the other posts, so sorry if I repeat.

You can look on http://www.realtor.com/ to see what kind of houses you like and what different houses in your price range feature. You may also find specific houses you want to look at prior to meeting with your agent.

Don't be distracted by the seller's personal style. Is the house truly awesome or does the owner just have awesome taste in furnishings?

Look at little inconsequential things that might bug you down the road. For instance, half of the rooms on our house have wall vents that are off center. I know that sounds minor but a lot of furniture and pictures look off center because of it. It drives me nuts!

Ask for utility costs for the prior year. A "great deal" might not be so great if you have to pay loads more in one house than a slightly more expensive but similar house.

Don't get discouraged and don't go look when you're in a bad mood.

06-22-2009, 04:03 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I don't recall when in the process we got it, but we got a years' worth of HOA meeting minutes to thumb through at some point. That was a good resource because it showed what the HOA was concerned about, how intrusive they were, and whether they were dealing with neighbor disputes well. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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06-22-2009, 04:54 PM	#3
bewitched 101% Yummy! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: I know Kung Fu. Posts: 1,413	I didn't throughly read the other posts, so sorry if I repeat. You can look on http://www.realtor.com/ to see what kind of houses you like and what different houses in your price range feature. You may also find specific houses you want to look at prior to meeting with your agent. Don't be distracted by the seller's personal style. Is the house truly awesome or does the owner just have awesome taste in furnishings? Look at little inconsequential things that might bug you down the road. For instance, half of the rooms on our house have wall vents that are off center. I know that sounds minor but a lot of furniture and pictures look off center because of it. It drives me nuts! Ask for utility costs for the prior year. A "great deal" might not be so great if you have to pay loads more in one house than a slightly more expensive but similar house. Don't get discouraged and don't go look when you're in a bad mood. __________________ ~Whitney Wondering about the future of Ellington Woodard's punk@ss sh!t.
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