Buying house

[Cameo]

When buying your house did you go for the "new construction" type where you did not have to do anything to it (and ultimatley were not worrried abou the plumbing, heating, ect). But seem to be "cookie cutter houses" that are ment to be put up quickly.
or did you go for the "gently used" which was bulit in the last 5-25 years. Has been lived in, but not really worried about having to "update" anything, But have to sacrifice size.
or lastley did you go with the "victorian" things that are 30-150 years old that are full of old school character. Need a bit of tlc, tend to be less expensive and have larger rooms and living spaces..

We are troubled by these choices... I sway more twards the victorian that need tlc , he is going more for the new construction... seems the middle gently used is the comprimise we can come to.

[MarkM]

There is another way to convince the "other half" quite easily.
Ask him if he wants friends/family to stay over at times? The answer will be yes so you are halfway there....then ask if he wants to hear them closing doors and listen to them doing whatever they do at night (this cuts both ways ) new builds with stud work internal walls are all like this and most when you close the front or internal door vibrates around the whole house. Brick is always better, since you can put up shelves etc that you don't have to buy expensive special screws for and they will actually stay put unlike a lot of studwork walled properties.

[Muzikman]

Depends, can he fix the house if something should break? If he is not a handyman type person, I would avoid old. At the same time, a lightly used house is not 25 years old. a lightly used house would be between 5 and 10 years. If you buy a new house the value of that house goes up considerably after the first 5 years. This is because you WILL have problems with new construction. This is why usually a 5 year old house is more expensive than a brand new built house.

Also, even though they are cookie cutter houses, on new construction you can change things around (to a point) to suit your needs and or wants.

[Miscue]

Depends, can he fix the house if something should break? If he is not a handyman type person, I would avoid old. At the same time, a lightly used house is not 25 years old. a lightly used house would be between 5 and 10 years. If you buy a new house the value of that house goes up considerably after the first 5 years. This is because you WILL have problems with new construction. This is why usually a 5 year old house is more expensive than a brand new built house.

Also, even though they are cookie cutter houses, on new construction you can change things around (to a point) to suit your needs and or wants.

Yeah... like a dancing pole and disco lights.

[Muzikman]

cue, we really did not need to know you dress up like John Travolta and dance around a poll.

[SCpoloRicker]

Unavailable for questioning


Back OT: I decided to buy new. I had originally been planning on buying a "fixer-upper" and working on it over time. I'm glad I didn't.

I work fairly long hours, and I don't think I would have the time to work on the house. I'm also not the handiest gent on the planet. (never ask me to tech your gun. almost steelrat level here, folks)

My neighboors across the street bought an older 50s bungalo, and its coming along, but they are working on it every weekend. I didn't want to make that kind of commitment.

[Enraged Monk]

well, im talking with my bro about this..and when he bought the last house he wants to own (btw i live with him) he bought a brandnew house. Well not exactly brandnew but like 15 yrs old, and had been remodled twice...Plus, when we looked at the house it was owned by a husband and wife who both played instruments, so sound does not carry or rebound off of the walls, well maybe a little bit. So, in short buy our house!

[Cameo]

Depends, can he fix the house if something should break? If he is not a handyman type person, I would avoid old.

He is actually very handy, Put in a new bathroom and kitchen in his old townhouse, only getting help with the electric and plumbing. The carpentry stuff he did on his own... Always showing me the pics and stuff soo he seems to be very pround of his work..
I tend to be more on the creative side and love to do as much on my own as possible (don't always do it right but i try). I love the idea of on old victorian brick house. To me the possiblities are endless.
After talking with him this morning I semi convinced him more twards the older homes. Told him that when we first move in it wouldnt be such a shock if the girl and boy children put the artwork on the walls because we would be painting and so on anyhow.. Also told him that we could start with the main floor and the master bedroom and make them our own. Then after a bit of time work on the other rooms one by one. In the end have a beautiful space that our freinds and family could enjoy too.. Not to mention that there would be more room for his gameroom/bar/music room because we would not need the space for storage or a bedroom....
I think I have him convinced, if not a second tour or the 3 victorian houses with an actually blueprint set up of rooms just might help..Not to mention the fact that I called today for prices on furnaces,plumbing, windows ect...

Never knew that buying a house was soo much darn work...

[Muzikman]

A lot of the older houses do not have forced air furnaces but boilers. Hot water heat is a great way to heat a house, but it's also harder to air condition, so watch out.

The other problem with going old and fixing it up would depend on how much work it really needs. If it needs lots of work, you gotta make sure you roll the cost of the initial repairs into the cost of the house (ya ever see the movie Money Pit with Tom Hanks?).

[SCpoloRicker]

Never knew that buying a house was soo much darn work...

Wait till you start filling out all the paperwork...

/sign here, and here, and here, here too, initial, sign here, sign here, and here, and here, here too, initial, sign here, sign here, and here, and here, here too, initial, sign here, sign here, and here, and here, here too, initial, sign here, sign here, and here, and here, here too, initial, sign here,

[Lohman446]

Last house I bought I did with two signatures (and one was on the check)

[SCpoloRicker]

*shakes fist at Lohman*

Did you use a realtor or something? I did all my own research and financing, and it was a total pain in the neck. Seriously, I probably spent 8-12 hours filling out forms, meeting with loan officers, etc, et all.

[Lohman446]

I borrowed the money from a non-traditional source - had the check ready and told the realtor I was not going to sign more than once...

[Muzikman]

I borrowed the money from a non-traditional source

AKA...Loan Shark

Better make sure you make that payment, ya probably like having your knee caps

[Alley]

I have to go through 5 or six home closings a day....and I have to sign the checks too and my name is 22 letters long....... the horror the horror!!