Replace our realtor or are we at fault (1st time home buyer)?
Uday Maripalli
4 years ago
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Comments (10)
GN Builders L.L.C
4 years agoRelated Discussions
I KNOW our Realtor thinks we're nuts!
Comments (15)Tinker if this is what you want to do, I say go ahead. You have outlined your situation and it sounds like you understand full well what you're getting into. That said, a couple of stories: We have lived in the same neighborhood for 15 years. We rented for about 6 or 7 years, then started to house hunt--only in our neighborhood. We found THE house. We bid higher than reasonable and were confident we would get it, and didn't. It was bought by a developer for 30% more, who reconfigured the antique house so that the lot could be split and added two really ugly condos. We were aghast, and I can't believe I still have to look at that thing every day (we pass it on the way to dd's school). It was the best thing that ever happened to us, because we learned that you can lose your dream home, and life goes on, and unbelievably, better dream homes came along. We bid on 3 more "dream homes" in our neighborhood, getting a little more cocky and skeptical every time. I live in the fifth house we tried to buy, 4 years later, and we're very happy with it. We got a great deal, and it's head and shoulders above the first house we went for. So, as much as this house speaks to you, keep in mind, other houses can still do that too. I recommend taking 48 hours and looking around in some other places, with a different realtor. Look on craigslist--you will see things that don't show in mls listings. I have a friend that was house hunting in two of the most expensive towns in our area, my modest mid-range town wasn't even on her list. But she stumbled on a listing in Craigslist, and now has twice as much house, just as good a commute, and far better schools than she expected. Before you commit to this house, think outside the box. Heck I wish 2000 people like you would descend on Galveston, TX and invest in those crumbling victorians. Or Brunswick, GA. Just look at this: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-Detail/817-Egmont_Brunswick_GA_31520_M63142-27459 or this: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-Detail/815-Albany_Brunswick_GA_31520_M60146-44621 I'd buy the second house just to get a tree like that. Finally, if you are open to spending that kind of money on preservation, from a stewardship standpoint, it makes more sense to spend the money on a house that won't be torn down when you move on. Could you look in a more historic district where these types of homes are valued? If you can live with the idea of your work being undone, then I guess you're ok, but knowing with certainty that the work I put into my house would be ripped up would drive me nuts. But that's just me....See MoreWhat should we expect from our realtor?
Comments (14)clamsgirl - I would sit down with your listing sheet and really scrutinize it as if you were a buyer. Then I would think about all the good qualities and facts that dont' fit on that sheet and write it up to leave in the house during showings. Not all agents are brilliant. Not all are terrible. Most are somewhere in the middle - reasonably competent. Its up to you insist on things you'd like done to a higher standard (within some modicum of reason) As for getting showings, do they have signs up at cross streets? I guess in this market, seeing how you've obligingly lowered your price I would counter with -well I want to trying every marketing trick out there - ask for flyers, cable spots whatever. Personally I think - JMO- people might be taking more time to buy these days with so much inventory to look at. I'm in a, not sure whether I want to buy, maybe if the right thing comes along, have some time, situation. I don't want to waste a realtors time having them show me lots of stuff - I look for houses on the MLS then drive by. I also search for Open Houses of houses I might be interested in. That way I get to see them without wasting a REA's agents time. That's just me. I don't like feeling obligated. (That feeling of well they've shown me 20 houses and I guess I have to buy something now). So I would ask for an open house but only if they are going to plan and advertise it well - if they do it relunctantly and don't then its a self-fulfilling prophcey(sp) of open houses not working. Try not to time it so every in town is at some other big event. My realtor said Open Houses didn't typically sell houses in my old area but everyone did them anyway and so did she (not sure why considering her thoughts on the matter) and of the 12-15 people that actually set foot throught the door 75% came during an open house. The buyer initially saw it at an open house. FWIW...See Moreon pins and needles-1st home offer
Comments (34)we did it! we arrived at a price we are very happy with and close in 30 days. basically, the seller said this is our lowest price, and were ready to sit it out all winter and not go below that number. we said ok, but you pay closing costs. they moved down another $5000 and said however we get there, that is the number. we happily accepted and will hopefully be celebrating christmas with our 14 month old in our first home! we really loved this home and have not seen anything like it for even close to the price we got it for. luckily we did not have to risk threatening to walk away, because we really did not want to, and still got the seller to move significantly from the list price. all in all, not too painful, even for someone as impatient as me... thanks for all the insights and strategies and positive wishes........See MoreSuccess! We sold our historic home w/o a realtor.
Comments (10)Thanks, everyone. We're in the craziness of packing now (closing in 17 days) but I am constantly thinking about how sad I will be to leave. I quit my job to spend "a couple of years" working on the renovation and that was in 1987! It's my baby, and although I look forward to a new, less maintenance, house I will miss this one an awful lot. Cpartist, my husband and I told everyone who asked to look at the house that we would only show 2 people through at a time and they all understood. I guess that we were lucky, we weren't suspicious at all of anyone who came through-- they all seemed to be nice, "normal" people. :) The new owners asked that we inactivate the website after they signed the sales agreement, and we did, but here are a couple of photos. The front of the house: The back with gardens (pond is off to the left): Living room: Dining room: Bath: Master bedroom: We actually had someone come through who told me that she always hated wallpaper, but loved ours. :) I took apart every single window and restored it, taught myself how to wallpaper and faux finish (the stained-looking woodwork is actually painted), and did a million other jobs. We also hired to replace the roof, rewire, replumb... oh, what am I going to do with myself in a new house?!?! ;)...See Moremelle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
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