So as I mentioned before, I've been looking for a house to buy, so I can stop throwing money down the drain on rent... I'm also in the arts, which translates to being relatively poor... These are two conditions which lead to looking for homes on the low end of the market... That in turn translates to one of several things... 1) move in to a ghetto 2) move in to a run down place and fix it 3) move in to some place further out, and deal with a commute...
Well having done option 1 for a while, that was right out... I've done option 3 as well, and that sucks... Leaving option 2... So I've been looking at places that need help... Let me give you an example... The first place I checked out actually had no roof... That is the level at which I started considering things...
The last place I checked out, and am now consequently buying (yay!) was one of the more "unique" places I've seen... Structurally, everything seems ok... It's listed as a one bedroom ranch, with a full basement... Just about right for me... The first time I looked at it, I was so overwhelmed by the clutter in the house, I immediately wrote it off... It took me 2 weeks and several other houses to stop and think about it again... I remembered seeing certain furniture in the place under the piles of clothing, and assorted crap... That furniture eventually started giving me the idea that perhaps the place wasn't so bad... Hell I could actually stand in the basement, rather than walking stooped over...
So I went back with my parents in tow to look again... The place was still a chaotic mess... There are unfinished home improvement type projects here and there that haven't been worked on in ages (dust tells a wonderful tale). I took measurements in all the rooms that time, so I have a solid idea of size now, and I'm pleasantly surprised...
Here's the catch... If these people hadn't been absolute slobs about their place when they were trying to sell it, they could have gotten at minimum $25000 more for the place... More likely $35-40000 more... As it was, I got them to back $20000 off their asking price... This house is selling for $30,000 less than the house that didn't have a roof...
All they had to do was clean...
They didn't...
I win!
wow! good for you. being a homeowner is the best, and worst thing ever. it's fun to do everything you want, and sucks to be responsible for everything at the same time. a good homeowner's warranty can be your best friend - especially for the major things. we've had a brand new airconditioner put in for $50 + $200 haul-off fee....thanks to that damn thing.
again - congrats!
lizard.