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The Kitchen Table

off to go house hunting

18 years ago

wish me luck. We have 12 houses to look at...

Moni

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Comments (23)

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
18 years ago
It's a buyer's market here. Good Luck.

Gayle
Zipper_TX
18 years ago
Good luck Moni, I will cross fingers and toes here.
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I had a great conversation with my bank today, through whom we hold our current mortgage, and with whom we will apply for this one. They said a letter of pre approval is good for 120 days. The banker said it is very easy to get it extended thereafter, they would just need to recheck our credit scores, and that there would be no more paperwork that we have to submit for the renewal of an additional 120 days. She mentioned having a client who is now on her fourth renewal! The banker encouraged us to get pre-approval for a higher amount that what we are looking for because she is confident we will qualify and it is obviously much easier to get a montage for a smaller amount than the pre-approval, but a lot of last minute work to apply for a montage that is higher. She sent me all of the paperwork to get started and said they would all be working from home next week if I had any questions. She said the biggest hiccup she sees now in the buying process is getting appraisers out to a property. But that is quite far down the road for us. I'm glad to have something positive to focus on by getting all of our paperwork together. I'm sure it might take longer than usual to get verification of whatever we may need from employers as HR departments seem quite slammed with organizing work from home capacities. Lindee Lee, I'm sorry for your Tenant and in turn for you too. I hope there is a lot of government support and forgiveness for both renters and landlords who need their rent checks. I just looked at the financial support net that England is rolling out. It is enviable and will keep their economy in much better shape.
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In Texas the norm is to pay an amount for an option period in which you can do your due diligence such as inspections and other things that will help you decide on going with that house or not. Normally I would suggest using this period to do that work, but in a hot market you are likely competing against bids that won't make use of that option period. Further complications is that I'm sure you have to be quick with an offer so would need to bring whomever would help you decide on the first showing even though it may not be a house you're even interested in so you would need to pay someone for that time as well. I think the person/persons that would work best in this case is an architect that has extensive remodeling knowledge and is used to dealing with contractors as they should have the ideas of what can be done or not and also have an idea of costs. However costs are changing quite often right now too so it is hard to keep up with the costs. Then you'd pay them any trip charges and their hourly fee. 2nd best choice would be a designer who is also well versed with working with contractors and remodeling that could do something similar to an architect, but depending on their skills/knowledge they may or may not have the same skills at making a house work. An architect at least has training in these areas and a designer would be based on their experience. Note I'm not saying a designer is not good as I know there are those out there that are way better than many architects too. Just that you need to consider these things when interviewing one to hire. 3rd would be to hire a contractor to go with you, but their design skills might not be there to provide advice on that end, or add a contractor and one of the above to go at all times. ETA: Also make sure the general style of the person you hire is something that is along the lines of your style. Most can work with other styles, but also tend to have a certain style they work best with.
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azzalea
18 years ago
Best of luck. We only looked at one and fell in love.

Well, one that we actually visited--I'd been checking real estate websites for over a year, before I found a place that was in the running enough to go through.

Be sure to start out with a low offer--it really is a buyer's market, most sellers are just happy to sell, they don't expect to get anywhere near what they're asking right not. And mortgage rates are rock bottom. Good time to buy, especially if you don't have to sell.
Cherryfizz
18 years ago
Moni, I didn't know you were moving! Good luck with your house hunting.

Anne
foggyj
18 years ago
Good Luck. You shouldn't have too much trouble now. Seems like any offer is being seriously considered.
glenda_al
18 years ago
Thinking about you, Moni!
okwriter
18 years ago
I don't envy you, Moni. Well, I guess I do in a way. It's always fun to look, but I'd hate the stress of knowing I "had" to buy something. Oklahoma hasn't seen the dramatic price decreases like many other areas of the country. Hope you find something you like!
grammahony
18 years ago
Good luck in your house hunting. I hope you find something you really fall in love with, and get a good deal on it.
Leslie
patti43
18 years ago
I'd love to go with you--I love looking at houses. Hope you have good luck today and get a good deal, too!
lydia1959
18 years ago
Good luck! I always liked house-hunting... sometimes DH and I would go to look at the model homes just for fun. :-)
jannie
18 years ago
Good luck, I'm told it's a "buyers' market".
glenda_al
18 years ago
Any luck????
OklaMoni
Original Author
18 years ago
Well, two stand out, but Jerry wants to look more. I just hate the two hour drive to go, and two more hours to come back, on top of the time spend looking.

I am wiped out for today. Need to get some beauty sleep. LOL

Moni
sue_va
18 years ago
Moni, have you checked those 12 out via the Internet? Most of the ads have a lot of info and pics. You might even be able to rule out some that way.

Don't overlook the FSBOs. That is how my DH and I bought our Dream Home.

Good luck!

Sue
OklaMoni
Original Author
18 years ago
Sue, we started with 68 online. Weeded them down to 23, and weeded out more, and ended up with 12 possibilities.

It really does make a HUGE difference seeing them. Only two are in the running now.

Moni
donnakt_gw
18 years ago
My DH passed away and the kids talked me into moving close to them..after a year I sold my house in two days so I had to find another house, only had thirty day till closing on mine. I looked on the internet..found one that looked ok and I bought it with out seeing it..It worked out pretty well but when I got here I found out that there was NO back yard..I've been here two years now..
whidbeykathy
18 years ago
When our DD and family were coming back, she looked at houses on the internet too. We talked (begged) them into letting us go see them before they put in any bid. The internet doesn't show a power station in your back yard,a obvious drug house; or a vicious dog next door lunging at the fence.
I would never buy a house unseen from the internet after that! Kathy
OklaMoni
Original Author
18 years ago
Well, we did it. Made an offer on a house. Now, we have to wait and see, if they take ours.

Meanwhile, I am off for a bike about. Will check in when and if I can.

See you all in two weeks.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do. LOL

Moni
hayjud_mn
18 years ago
Are you sure you didn't make an offer just so you could head out for a big bike ride!!! ;o)
OklaMoni
Original Author
18 years ago
Well, Judy, it is on the same house both of us liked last time looking. And no, not just because I am leaving. LOL, we could have picked right back up on looking when I get back. :)

After all, Jerry follows me next week.

Moni
sue_va
18 years ago
I hope you have found the house you were hoping for.

I saw the post from Gwanny2three about the cartridges so I checked my mailbox and there was mine! I don't check my mail box every day.

I put it in today and it is working fine. I was already getting the "ink is low" message. That was very generous of you. Since you are going away, I'll wait a couple weeks to send you a note.

Sue
okwriter
18 years ago
Moni, will you be in the Edmond area?
OklaMoni
Original Author
18 years ago
Yes, between 33rd and 15, just east of Bryant.

Off for my ride now.

Moni

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