Wish Me Luck!!!

[*NikkiBell*]

 

[NC Belle]

I'm scared to asked this, but...

Are you already planning your interior design changes (window treatments, flooring, paint, etc)?

I highly recommend have a savings account for household maintences/emergencies (ex. we spent in June-- $200+ for heat pump maintence plus freon (leak in coil), $90 for spider extermination since dh saw black widows in crawl space and outdoor storage).


When you get a contract---make sure to know which utilities to have accounts ready by closing/moving day such as water ( ).

 

[chaoscent]

Good luck, hope you hear soon. Penny

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm scared to asked this, but...

Are you already planning your interior design changes (window treatments, flooring, paint, etc)?

I highly recommend have a savings account for household maintences/emergencies (ex. we spent in June-- $200+ for heat pump maintence plus freon (leak in coil), $90 for spider extermination since dh saw black widows in crawl space and outdoor storage).


When you get a contract---make sure to know which utilities to have accounts ready by closing/moving day such as water ( ).

This house really needs very little done before move-in day. That's why I'm soooo hoping they accept the bid offer. To be honest, there's nothing stopping me from moving in in terms of what needs to be fixed or redone. Down the road, I'd like new wood floors in the living room and dining room and a new oven. I'm also hoping to paint a few rooms. None of this has to be done within the first year though, so I am pretty much set.

 

[NC Belle]

This house really needs very little done before move-in day. That's why I'm soooo hoping they accept the bid offer. To be honest, there's nothing stopping me from moving in in terms of what needs to be fixed or redone. Down the road, I'd like new wood floors in the living room and dining room and a new oven. I'm also hoping to paint a few rooms. None of this has to be done within the first year though, so I am pretty much set.

We bought new construction and we a great inspector who took pictures with his report plus gave a handy book. We had a builder redo some of the roofing nails because they were not long enough for the hurricane winds plus some other issues.

Do you have a yard? That can be additional expense like mowing, plant upkeep, and cleaning the siding. We don't have HOA here yet.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

It's not new construction, but it has been kept very well. It is a townhouse, so I don't have to worry about trash removal, snow removal, or keeping up with the front or backyard.

 

[Mish19]

Good luck!!

 

[Reifsy]

Good Luck!! Hope all goes well!

 

[MM32830]

Nikki,

Unless your offer is a great offer and the sellers are anxious to sell, chances are they will come back with a counter offer. At that point, you have 2 choices. Either counter with the original offer and hope the sellers accept it (they will if they are desperate enough to sell) or counter with an offer somewhere around halfway between your original offer and the price the sellers are asking.

As for painting, if you have time before moving in, I would definitely think about getting the painting done while the place is empty. SO much easier than after you move in. Painting is not very expensive and is so much less stressful when you don't have a room of furniture to deal with.

One last thing. Make sure you get the Good Faith Estimate before signing any contract. This is an estimate of all the costs involved in purchasing the property. As it's name implies, the estimates are provided in "good faith". They are only estimates but should be somewhat accurate.

Then, when you get your closing date, make sure you get a copy of the settlement statement at least a few days before you go to closing. This is will a statement similar to the Good Faith but much more accurate. Contest (question) everything that you don't understand. This is the only time you get to question any charges or costs.

Better yet (but unlikely you can get them) is to get a full set of the closing documents. You will be signing dozens of documents, many of which you will have no idea what they are. When you see them for the first time at the closing table, you will not feel comfortable asking questions and you will just sign them without knowledge of what you are signing. Best if you have read these over before the closing. Many closing agents can now supply you these documents via CD or email.

If you are nervous about the closing, consider hiring a real estate attorney. He/she will cost a few hundred dollars but could save you thousands if anything goes wrong.

Sorry for the long post. Buying houses can be fun and scary, all wrapped up in one bundle. Enjoy the ride!





__________________
Armand

 

[kab407]

Good Luck Nikki.

Having been where you are a year ago, it's going to be a fun, exciting and down right frustrating time. Hang in there. I also agree with the others if you can afford to paint and put in the new flooring that you want, do it before you move in. It will be cheaper (not being charged to move furniture) in the long run.

 

[Tink rules]

Good luck!!! & lots of these... (you're gonna need 'um come moving day!!! )

 

[mainegal]

Good advice here!

Those are the kind of thoughts that have kept me happily in an apartment for 25 years.

Big decision. I think you are doing it at the right time. I wish you all the best!

 

[chirurgeon]

Good luck Nikki.

Kim

 

[RutgersAlum]

BEST of luck, Nikkibell!!!!
Michele/RutgersAlum

 

[mom2knk]

Good Luck and lots of Pixie Dust headed your way!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!!!

I'm fully prepared for the counter offer because I know it will happen. What I won't stand for is the inflated price that they're trying to push. That's just not going to happen.

I did get an email from my realtor tonight. We shall see how things go tomorrow when we discuss a response from the seller's agent tomorrow morning.

 

[georgemoe]

<<<<< and >>>>>

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Best of luck, Nikki!

We're currently in the process of selling my late in-laws' home on Long Island. It's a volatile market out there!

 

[mom2knk]

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Good Luck... and sending another batch of Pixie Dust.

Mark