How do you choose a home?

[Sonya]

DH and I are trying to get into a new house before the baby comes. (We'll see about that!) We have looked at everything w/in our price range in the areas we want to move in to. We found one house that we both agree we like really well. However we have to wait to bid on it until our house sells. Now that we are forced to cool our heels I'm having 2nd thoughts about this house. Assuming the house is still there for us, how can I decide?

It has the big kitchen and dining area that we wanted very badly. The master bedroom is a good size and the laundry opens up right off it! (I really like this) There are 2 living rooms, one upstairs with a fireplace and one downstairs for the kid to play in with no worry about people seeing all his toys. There is even an office downstairs for DH so we can lock away the computer until Little Thor is old enough to know that PB&J's don't belong in the CD drive. It's 2 blocks away from the elementary school and in a great neighborhood. The decor is pretty much what we would have done and the house is in great shape, just 7 years old. We would be doubling the square footage of our house now.

HOWEVER, the kids rooms are very small. The yard is really really small. I've never lived in a place where all my neighbors could see in my backyard before. And as all the houses are 2 stories a privacy fence won't do much good. I love to garden and there wouldn't be much room for this. I look at my huge backyard now and the tons of daffodiles I have now and think divide that by 4 and that is the little space I would have. 2nd, there is no storage space, really. There is a little room for the water heater and some closets but that's it. We are used to our ranch with a full basement and can 't imagine where you store everything in a split level! (no attic space) I'm in a panic about this but DH says we will just have to get rid of stuff.

Anyway, now that you have read my novel, what do you think? How can I decide? There is really not much else out there but I still wish I could find my dream house. We will be there for the next 20 years probably. I guess all I can do now is wait, pray, and the answer will come. In the meantime, I'd really like to hear what you all think!

 

[becka]

I just had a gut feeling with our house and then we waited.

We looked at a house that we both really loved at first but we gave it a few days before deciding to make an offer and I was really glad that we did. I started having doubts about all kinds of things and it was keeping me up at night because I was worried we would make a mistake with that house. DH and I talked it over and we both just had too many reservations but we were still hesitant to let it pass because we were afraid we would not find anything else we liked as well.

Well about 2-3 weeks later we looked at our current house and while we both feel in love with it we still gave it a few days and came back to look at it twice before making an offer. After the offer was accepted I kept waiting for those same worries we had with the other house but they never came so I took that as a good sign. We have been here for just over a year and I think we made the right decision. I do wish there was more storage space but other than that we are thrilled.

 

[Sonya]

becka that's what I'm hoping will happen to us too. But there doesn't seem to be much more out there! I hope more new houses come on the market soon.

With our 1st house I knew as soon as we walked in the door. The woman who lived there was French and there were French things everywhere. Also the rooms were painted yellow, my favorite color. (And of couse the house was in the best shape we had seen!)

 

[disykat]

Oh, to have the luxury of waiting! Dh and I try to give every decision time - but the housing market here doesn't allow it. When we bought our house several years ago, houses in our price range were going so fast we lost out on two that we offered on. This one went on the market in the late afternoon, we saw it a 9 am and had purchased it by noon. They had another offer right after they accepted ours. Scary!

Here you do your neighborhood research first so you're ready to act and then make an offer with a contingency regarding successful inspection. I've been looking on-line at houses in the midwest and it seems like they stay available longer - hopefully that will make things easier this go around.

We made a list of all our needs and our wants - very specific - and carried it with us. This house was only missing a pantry and is too close to the neighbors on one side. It had everything else on our list so those weren't enough to keep us from buying.

 

[snoopy]

We own 4 homes, 1 of which we live in, and 3 that we rent out.

The first thing we consider when buying a house is if its structurally sound. It helps that my BIL is an architect, and he was able to give us good feedback on the homes we chose. We also selected home inspectors (and paid extra for) that were willing to do things like get on the roof to inspect it thoroughly and get in the crawl space to fully inspect the structure.

Secondly, we would then consider the school system and the safety of the neighborhood.

Lastly, I worried about cosmetics. I would consider the size of the home and how comfortably we could all live in it, especially given the fact that my kids would grow bigger and need more space. I wrote down what things were most important to me (hardwood floors, lots of windows) and the things that weren't as important to me (fancy appliances, other modern conveniences like big bathrooms, jacuzzis, decks, etc.). I would try and picture my furniture in the rooms of the homes we looked in, and how it would all fit in. With every home we've bought, I have made a list of what changes would need to be made immediately, and what changes I could make over time, and then weighed the pros and cons.

Good luck with your decision! Buying a home and having a baby is exciting stuff, but stressful at the same time!

 

[RUDisney]

We were obligated to another house and backed out because the owner's wife started pulling crap with us over it. There was a house that my DH often drove by and we thought it would be well out of our price range, but we called anyway.

As soon as I walked into the bar room, I knew that we had found our home. We like to entertain and where better than at a 14 foot bar in a room of its own?!? I was really sold when I saw the rest of the house. It has 13 rooms, (including 5 bedrooms,) and 3 full bathrooms. Our only fear was how much was it going to cost us to heat this house. The first year it was a bitter cold winter and it only cost us $1,100. It is our first house. At this point, I know I'd be very fussy about buying a "used" house. I know what I like and don't like about the house we have and I'd want the best of all worlds, so we'd probably build.

Just remember, everything happens for a reason. If this is the house for you, then everything will fall into place. If it's not, then you'll be able to find the right one.

 

[Beauty]

It was hard for us because both my mother and grandmother live with us. We also made a list of things that were most important to us,

1. There has to be separation between where John and I sleep to where my mom, J.C. and my grandmother sleep.
2. We had to have at least 4 bedrooms.
3. A big back yard, fenced (for our dogs)

Of course neighborhood and such were also important. Actually the house we bought ended up being the first house we looked at, from the outside (looking at a realtor book) and then the first we looked at with our realtor. I feel in love instantly and it had everything we wanted. We looked at about 7 or 8 more homes in a lower and higher price range and nothing compared to this house.

I agree with "you just know its right" we did.

 

[jel0511]

Well, when searching for our current house, I made a list of priorities of what the house HAD to have. Here is an example of my list:

1. At least 3/4 of an acre of land
2. At least 3,500 sq ft
3. At least 4 bedrooms
4. At least 3 bathrooms
5. A basement or bonus room

This list actually goes on and on... But, just make a list of the things you ABSOLUTELY require and go from there. I also look at the condition a house is in, if it's dirty, I'm out of there. I also don't take the decor or color of carpet too much into consideration, because all of that can be replaced and knowing me will even if I like it!! If none of my "requirements" are met, I don't even go look at it, usually my realtor helped weed out the ones I didn't like. I'm actually thinking of a list like this, because DH MIGHT get transfered to Tampa, so we're looking on the net just in case. Our number one priority there, TWO levels!!! Do you know how many houses in Florida are only one level... I don't think I could live without stairs!!!!

 

[aprincessmom]

I agree with Snoopy. The first things I look at structural integrity and the "bones" of the house.

Structural integrity because you don't want to be jacking the house up to remedy foundation issues a year after you buy it.

"Bones" because the bones of the house can overcome any decorating or layout faux pas when it comes time to remedy the problem. Look at the house for its potential if you had the time/money/inclination to make it even more of what you want.

Location is the next key because even though you think you'll live there forever, chances are you won't and it's better to be in a good location with less house than in a bad location with a lot of house. Good schools, community amenities, ease of transportation (commutable distances for work/play), and safety are main things to look at.

Then look at the "things" that make it your ideal home -- is it all hardwood flooring? Are the flower beds already established? Is the laundry in the basement or upstairs by the bedrooms? If the first two things check out, you can overcome any deficiency in this last piece.

 

[janette]

The most important thing for us was probably location after the standard of how many rooms etc.

We didn't even look at any houses that were on major streets or places that we weren't happy with. I also agree that the cosmetic things are the least important. It's not hard to paint and do cosmetic updates. Changing the structure is not easy.

We looked for about 6wks before finding our house. It isn't on a circle like our last house but the street is only a block long so it is very quiet. Since we are on a corner we have a very large yard, most of it backyard and that is really nice for the kids. We have a huge playground but would still be able to add a pool and other things with yard left over.

I didn't like any of the wallpapers and so far I've repainted the kitchen and one of the bathrooms.

 

[denisem]

Originally posted by RUDisney
Just remember, everything happens for a reason. If this is the house for you, then everything will fall into place. If it's not, then you'll be able to find the right one.

Amen! Can't count the times I felt I passed on my "dream house" only to find a more suitable one.

As far as backyards: I went from 1/2 acre to condo. I miss my flowering shrubs, but found you CAN make more of a "splash" in small scale landscaping, and much more economically/dramatically.

Storage space: that's a tough one, and more personal. One of my homes had no basement (a staple here in the midwest!), and I found it liberating because I was forced not to keep as much STUFF (as compared to my current 2,000 sf basement full of STUFF that hasn't come out of boxes in 8 years!). There are creative solutions for STUFF. Attractive storage units, etc. in the kid's playroom, under the beds, hard to access corner cabinets in kitchen, etc.

BTW, I LOVE my laundry off the bedroom area (it's soooo convenient!), but found my choice of a new front-loading washer with AGGRESSIVE spin-cyles is more suitable for non-frame home construction...

Good luck and best wishes!

Denise < --- continually planning my "dream home" and know that even with my experiences I'm not likely to hit on it the first try

 

[CamColt]

We werent really looking, but came across a house being built with almost everything we had dreamed about...It was a new house, split level, on a cul de sac, in my hometown, right around the corner from my parents, and the list goes on. While we fell in love with it immediately, once we started the process, of selling our old house, suddenly everything we had there seemed pretty good. I had second thoughts, and this was our dream home. So I think its normal to have 2nd thoughts.
In the end it all worked out for us, and I absolutely love my house, and neighborhood. We have wonderful neighbors, and Ive never regretted moving here. Well, excpet when we have to pay almost double the mortgage payment every month.

 

[Lynn CC]

We built ours 20 years ago with thoughts that it would just be a starter house. Over the years we put on 3 additions and have added a lot of character inside and out. Now we love our house and won't part with it.
It sounds like you are quite partial to yours too. Have you thought of an addition for extra space? Its usually much more economical than starting over with a new mortgage.
Good Luck!

 

[Pembo]

Sonya-We too are in the process of looking. In our price range there isn't a whole lot that I like. I say trust your gut feeling.

First I look at the neighborhood, if I don't like the area, forget it. In the area we are looking, there aren't a lot of sidewalks. This has me very bugged. I want a sidewalk. Also I don't like corner lots and busy streets.

Then I look at the style of the home, sq. ft. and bedroom size. We live in a split level and I'm not real fond of it. No storage space. I really want that full basement.

If I can find the right price, in the right neighborhood, and the house feels right...I'll be very happy.

Right now my biggest concern is selling our house! 3 weeks on the market isn't a long time but I'm so impatient.

Good luck to you and lets keep a support thread going.......

 

[Sonya]

Well thanks everyone. We have gone through the initial thought of is the house sound, etc, and were just worried about the cosmetic aspects of the house.


However.


The house now has a contract pending and it's not our contract. So I guess my worring about that house is over. Now I just have to find my dream house!

 

[Pembo]

Hey Sonya where are you in KC? My dh was from the KS side, Prairie Village.

 

[tstobb]

If you do find one & fall in love, you can make an offer with the contract contingent on the sale of your house.