Tips on buying a house

Betty · 06-22-2009, 10:42 AM

We're buying a house! Okay - that's jumping the gun a bit. We've been pre-approved. We're to the point of getting a realtor and going to look.

I'd love some tips on looking on buying a home. (You know how once you've done something, there are all those little things that you get from the experience but no one ever seems to tell you beforehand.)

I know we should get a home inspection done before buying.

What else do I need to know?

We're looking in the low cost area of Perris, Hemet and surrounding communities which put us closer to my work. Staying clear of Moreno Valley.

Snowflake · 06-22-2009, 10:49 AM

I think you should buy this one

Kevy Baby · 06-22-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betty

Staying clear of Moreno Valley.

That is a wise move

3894 · 06-22-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

I think you should buy this one

The "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" house in Highland Park, Illinois was recently listed for $2.3 million. With a Ferrari, that could be fun.

Betty, go to as many open houses as you can stand. You'll get a really strong idea of the market. After that, contact a realtor to take you around.

When you see the realtor, have a list of non-negotiable deal breakers. Of course, the realtor will not take your list seriously. You say "no stairs" and you even have a good reason for that, let's say. Your realtor will try to "educate" you that you don't really mean it. Same thing with price range. You tell the realtor X is your limit and next thing you know, you're being shown a Y or two "just for fun". Stand your ground.

Edited to add: I'm sure this isn't you but on those HGTV shows about buying property so many react to the paint, carpet, and drapes. They say something like, "Those walls go better with my sofa than the ones in the other house." Paint, carpet, and drapes can easily be changed out.

Moonliner · 06-22-2009, 11:23 AM

Get LESS house than you are approved for (cost wise).

Don't even think of getting anything other than a fixed rate.

Realtors work for the seller not for you.

mousepod · 06-22-2009, 11:25 AM

Don't just get a standard inspection. Get chimney inspection (assuming the place has a chimney) and sewer inspection. We actually fell out of escrow because a place we were buying misrepresented the sewer system.

scaeagles · 06-22-2009, 12:58 PM

It is a buyers market, more so in CA than elsewhere, I would presume. There are so few buyers out there that if you demonstrate even a small amount of patience you should get them to meet your offer rather than going back and forth with counter offers.

Betty · 06-22-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

I think you should buy this one

ha! That's just a bit out of our price range.

Betty · 06-22-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3894

The "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" house in Highland Park, Illinois was recently listed for $2.3 million. With a Ferrari, that could be fun.

Betty, go to as many open houses as you can stand. You'll get a really strong idea of the market. After that, contact a realtor to take you around.

When you see the realtor, have a list of non-negotiable deal breakers. Of course, the realtor will not take your list seriously. You say "no stairs" and you even have a good reason for that, let's say. Your realtor will try to "educate" you that you don't really mean it. Same thing with price range. You tell the realtor X is your limit and next thing you know, you're being shown a Y or two "just for fun". Stand your ground.

Edited to add: I'm sure this isn't you but on those HGTV shows about buying property so many react to the paint, carpet, and drapes. They say something like, "Those walls go better with my sofa than the ones in the other house." Paint, carpet, and drapes can easily be changed out.

So - open houses I can just show up for... but most listings I need to have the realtor make an appt. and stuff?

And it won't do any good for them to show me more then I'm approved for so that's no problem and I'm not afraid to tell them so. I'm not looking at houses "just for fun".

It's hard to see a house and not compare the flooring and paint to others - but it bears repeating that that's not a good reason to buy this house over that one.

Thanks!

Betty · 06-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

Don't just get a standard inspection. Get chimney inspection (assuming the place has a chimney) and sewer inspection. We actually fell out of escrow because a place we were buying misrepresented the sewer system.

Great tip! I've written that down. One thing we really don't want are sewer problems! ew!

06-22-2009, 10:42 AM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Tips on buying a house We're buying a house! Okay - that's jumping the gun a bit. We've been pre-approved. We're to the point of getting a realtor and going to look. I'd love some tips on looking on buying a home. (You know how once you've done something, there are all those little things that you get from the experience but no one ever seems to tell you beforehand.) I know we should get a home inspection done before buying. What else do I need to know? We're looking in the low cost area of Perris, Hemet and surrounding communities which put us closer to my work. Staying clear of Moreno Valley. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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06-22-2009, 10:49 AM	#2
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I think you should buy this one
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06-22-2009, 11:23 AM	#5
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Get LESS house than you are approved for (cost wise). Don't even think of getting anything other than a fixed rate. Realtors work for the seller not for you. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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06-22-2009, 11:25 AM	#6
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Don't just get a standard inspection. Get chimney inspection (assuming the place has a chimney) and sewer inspection. We actually fell out of escrow because a place we were buying misrepresented the sewer system. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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06-22-2009, 12:58 PM	#7
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	It is a buyers market, more so in CA than elsewhere, I would presume. There are so few buyers out there that if you demonstrate even a small amount of patience you should get them to meet your offer rather than going back and forth with counter offers.
	Submit to Quotes