Joining the Home Buying Mess. Again.

"cmill189 - sans Volvo" (cmill189)
06/29/2018 at 13:08 • Filed to: None

Dirty Volvo and Jag for your time.

I bought my house 5.5 years ago. I was 25, single, and the market was slow. They took an offer far under list, paid my closing costs, paid for a warranty, and fixed everything I asked for. I have a garage that I’ve added 100amp service, heat, and even poured a new floor. It’s a small house but I’ve done all the work myself. Even as far as digging up and replacing my water service line. I’m probably going to do very well with selling it in this current market.

But buying the next? Ugh. We found something we both really like. It’s actually been on the market for a month without an offer. The problem is they want it listed too high, not the realtor. So it isn’t likely to appraise at that. There’s also the issue of solar panels with 30k remaining on the loan. The seller keeps saying it’s a lease but the contract says otherwise. An extra $200 per month for something that doesn’t actually provide any monetary benefit for a long time isn’t helpful.

Fun.

DISCUSSION (20)

Chariotoflove > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 13:39

Is your heart set on this particular one ? Because unreasonable sellers are a major headache.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chariotoflove
06/29/2018 at 13:41

i can second this. they are acting on emotion, not logic. The only thing worse is buying a fore closure. the banks just DGAF

Chariotoflove > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/29/2018 at 13:45

I mean, if they hire a realtor and then don’t listen to them, that’s a huge red flag.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 13:47

There will be other homes.

The problem is that it could be several months. Or in my case, five.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Chariotoflove
06/29/2018 at 13:49

I’m pretty good at keeping my emotions away from this home stuff. My girlfriend is also extremely level-headed and reasonable. It fits a certain set of criteria and will work within our budget. It’s the other parties emotions and financial decisions that are the problem. They seemed to have priced their home based on a neighbors home that’s currently under contract. They look similar and have similar updates but the neighbors home is 750 square feet larger, has a seriously cool basement setup, and a really nice deck.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/29/2018 at 13:51

A long time ago I almost went through with a short-sale house. What a pain. I cannot imagine dealing with a foreclosure .

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/29/2018 at 13:52

I was thinking of your seemingly unending home saga when I posted. This market blows for making sound and well thought out decisions.

Chariotoflove > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 13:54

A finished basement adds a lot to a house, and justifies a significant increase in asking price. They will either learn to come down to Earth and reduce asking or just get more bitter with time. Or maybe they’ll find someone who isn’t very savvy and is willing to pay what they ask (unlikely, but hey).

In the meantime, you’ll be moving into your new home (elsewhere) . Good luck.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Chariotoflove
06/29/2018 at 14:01

The one we’re looking at is finished as well, just not with a full wet bar and “ entertaining” area. Nothing has failed yet but I’m not optimistic. Time to keep looking for the magical oversized 2-car or 3-car garage and home that also works but is not half a million dollars.

Chariotoflove > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 14:09

Oh, how I would love a three car! As it is, we can’t put both our cars in the 2 car for all the other stuff we have, like bikes.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Chariotoflove
06/29/2018 at 14:22

It would really be ideal. Room for 2 fat Volvos, motorcycle, giant tool box, and all my other tools and garage stuff.

The current situation is a “2 car” in size but it’s only a single door (it’s really, really old). So that involves a lot of shuffling, even to get my bike out, and one car has to live outside.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 14:25

Well I’m not gonna lie. I mean, I know I posted a lot about it — but there was other stuff I omitted. Like... There were some dark days in there.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/29/2018 at 14:32

Kinja'd!!!

Chariotoflove > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 14:37

That’s us, but we have two doors, and I’m really kicking myself that we didn’t do a single door when we built it.

Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/29/2018 at 14:38

It got to the point for us that we could barely muster the will to keep setting up showings. Losing offer after offer really takes the wind out of your sails.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 14:56

I feel your pain. We’ve finally found a house we really like after 5 years of on and off searching. Now the owner won’t make a reasonable counter offer and wants 6% higher than even the best comps in the sub. Yeah, they’ve been sitting on it for almost 2 months now and haven’t dropped the price. Some people are just silly. But we can fit in our current home and the market will go dormant in about a month or two, so time will tell.

Don’t stress about it, make sure your offer is fair, and stick to your guns. Some people just can’t be reasoned with.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/29/2018 at 14:58

5 months, that’s nothing, try five years... started looking back before our first some was born and now we’re on to number 4 in a month or so. We’ve been super picky and kept within a tight budget, so we could’ve had a couple along the way, but didn’t work out. Fun times.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 15:00

Let them stew on it then. Put in an official offer at near what you are willing to spend and let them stew on it when they can’t get it sold. We’re in this situation right now with one, but we can wait.....

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Chariotoflove
06/29/2018 at 16:01

This 100%

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cmill189 - sans Volvo
06/29/2018 at 17:40

Many, many, things, feelings, and unfortunate events along the way that I would never share. And honestly, still haven’t shared with even friends or family.

It all worked out though!