Also, this is only our second house. I really don't want to go through buying 4 or 5 houses before we finally learn all the do's and don'ts and things we must have. For example, closet space is at a premium in our current abode. We want more of that. Our garage is too small. We'd like a bigger one. What else should we look for in your opinion? Here's your chance to sound off!
Please, we need your help. Submit comments to this blog. Whether you live in Dallas or not, tell us what you think about home buying. Here's some questions to get you thinking:
- What do you wish you had in your house?
- Real Estate Agent issues?
- What was something you learned your last home buying experience?
- Is there a best way to search?
- Foreclosures?
- Thoughts about finding neighborhoods?
- Warning signs to watch for in a neighborhood?
- Questions you wish you had asked?
- Exclusions or allowances?
Thanks~
4 comments:
Ok - well you asked! Here's what we considered:
*corner lot
*trees
*no alley's (or if an alley, at least you live on the corner and don't have far to drive)
*circle drive? good for company to visit
*pool? or yard big enough to have one?
*no major through street - you don't want the local fire dept to consider your neighborhood a thorough fare to major highway - don't laugh we had this prior
*side garage versus back or front - just looks better not to see the junk everyone keeps in their garage
*neighborhood school - would you send your kids there or do you still have to go to private school?
*3 car garage is nice - 2 for cars, 1 for boat? bikes? junk?
*at least 2 rooms downstairs (if you get a 2-story) - mommy won't want the baby upstairs alone
*big kitchen - you like to cook don't you?
Ok - now for the things to pay attention to when driving through the neighborhood
*kids playing outside? good
*granny walking her dog? good
*10 cars parked out front? bad
*heavy trash - the day after heavy trash pickup? bad
*buy a house in the summer - everyone's yard looks bad in the winter, but only the good neighbors will keep theirs nice in the summer
*HOA - neighborhood picnics? good christmas decoration rules? good security watch? good
I could go on and on, but who really cares? =)
I know a lot for sale just East of 75 off of Country Club Road in a great location in Lucas, Tx. You can build your own house exactly like you want it. I know the people who would be living next door. They have two great kids and they might even do some free babysitting for you in the future.
Biggest piece of advise is to stay 100% emotionally neutral. It's tough to do, but could potentially save you thousands upon thousands. Be willing to walk away from any deal at any time. Do not succumb to feeling pressured into making a decision because of time, etc.
Don't sign anything like a buyer's agent agreement. This way if you find a house on your own, you can negotiate that the seller's agent comes down on their commission.
Pay for the best inspector you can find with the best references regardless of whether or not the seller has already had the home inspected. Put on some old clothes and go through the whole inspection with him/her. See everything with your own eyes. Also, by going on the inspection yourself, it's much less likely that anything will be skipped.
When doing a final walkthrough, run the shower, dishwasher and washer all at once. We didn't do this and found out after we bought the house that water backed up in the basement when a lot of water was being used. The problem cost $2000. The solution was to completely change all the water lines out to the street. If you are looking for an older home (30 years or older) keep an eye out for really green areas in the yard and trees that have been cut down. Typically the previous homeowner will try chemicals which kill the tree.
Don't be afraid to ask the seller to do anything. Remember everything is negotiable. Ask for the seller to pay your closing costs. Heater is old, ask for a new high efficiency one to be installed. Ask for rooms to be painted, etc. All they can do is say no. Don't be afraid to counter-offer over and over (agents don't typically like this, so you have to stand firm).
If you have allergies and they have pets, require they pay for the air ducts, curtains, etc. to be cleaned.
If the curtains are ridiculous, ask for a substantial allowance to replace them all.
If you are garden/flower people and the yard is bare, ask for a substantial landscaping allowance because it is very pricey and time consuming to landscape a yard.
Be weary of any recently painted ceilings as it could be a sign of a leaking roof or mold in the case of bathrooms.
Cul de sacs are nice for many reasons and are worth the extra money if you decide to build. If you decide to build, whenever the builder says the house will be done, add 6-8 weeks.
Be very firm on when you want the seller's out and charge them rent if they want to stay longer.
When we sold our 1st house, we sold it in 12 days in a really horrible market because we:
Rented a POD and put all personal items (photos, religious items, etc.) which neutralized the house and made it seem more like a model home than where people actually lived (tons of work, but the results are worth it)
Emptied out all the closets, cabinets, etc. accept for the bare necessities which made them seem much more grand
Repainted the entire house neutral
Cleaned the windows to perfection and kept every single curtain in the house open
Bought tons of flowers and put them on shepherd's hooks all throughout the yard
Had an automatic coffee maker programmed when we knew the house was going to be shown with "to go" coffee cups and cookies so people would stop and stand in the kitchen for a minute because this was the best feature in our house. (highlight the best one in yours) At the closing, the guy laughed and said that's what sold the house. He saw 10 houses that day but remembered ours because he stayed put for a few.
Oh, and stay 100% emotionally neutral willing to walk away from any deal at any time. There will always be another house just as lovely. ;-)
You have received some really good advice so far. I only have a couple:
corner lot or cul de sac- both give you more privacy and resale is better, weather you resale in 5 yrs or 25.
3 car garage and a place for lawn equipment, etc.
floored attic space
premium heating/cooling and a water heater placed strategically. In our current home, we have one at one end of the house and it literally takes almost 5 full minutes to get hot water to the other end.
If you get a house with a pool, make sure the yard is big enough. Some houses just have a pool for the back yard. Your kids will probably want a fort or swings.
Large closets, a big kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, double ovens.
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. The seller wants to do whatever he can to sell.
Don't take it unless it's what you want. There's always another house.
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