Home Question about buying a home

[Steel]

Your language is so much more positive in describing house 2. So I voted house 2.

Happy deciding!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/28/2009 2:51:38 PM
Author: Steel
Your language is so much more positive in describing house 2. So I voted house 2.


Happy deciding!

I know!! We are going to see house number 2 again tonight so we will have to decide. I have (sort of) come to the conclusion that even if we decide location is more important, I think we should hold out for a house that excites me. I don''t want to settle as we are not in a rush to buy.

As far as the neighbourhood of house 2, it is somewhere that I''d generally feel safe, but wouldn''t want kids out riding their bikes by themselves (as of now). There are some new condos going up a block and a half away (occupancy in October) that will drive the value of the neighbourhood up. I think the potential to make money is higher with house 2, but we are not only concerned with that. We want to love it.

As far as the living room goes, that is only the formal living room - there is a large family room in the basement or on the top floor that are both great for tv watching etc.

 

[ChinaCat]

October- My DH and I actually just went through a very similar choice. We had been looking forever and really loved the neighborhood of #1, but the houses in #2. In fact, sounds exactly like the city I live in, except our #2 was not walking distance to downtown.

We were pretty set on neighborhood #2, and then I got preggo. I was surprised by how much that changed our decision. Luckily, we held out and finally found a house that we love in the right neighborhood. It''s the only one we saw that we liked. Now I can''t imagine living in the other house in #2- but only b/c I have safety issues and I realized after the fact that as much as I liked house #2, I would be terrified to be there alone at night when DH travels. How sketchy is #2?

From your post, I think I would go with house #2. If kids hadn''t come up, we probably would have made the same choice. Also, you sound like you LOVE house #2.

Or I would wait and find something you love in neighborhood #1. Good luck!

Great pictures, btw, I think both look nice.

 

[Hera]

Keep looking and find a more suitable house in location #1. I really don''t understand why people say that 1600 sq feet is too small for a family. I think it''s quite cozy for a family and many times rooms can be re-thought and re-purposed.

For house#2, I would not want to take the chance that the location you buy into will become less than desirable for safety and property value. The interior design is very pretty for the house so try to imagine it without all of the staging and furniture. One car garage sounds pretty iffy, do you consider that you may buy a second car in the future?

 

[violet3]

I think location is a big deal, and for the reason people say that is for resale value - but i have to echo neatfreak on this one - seems like the second home is a pretty good location too! And i am going off the idea that i have lived in a little condo for a long time - i would love all the space of that beautfiul home #2!

Both homes are lovely from the pictures you posted, however - good luck!

 

[October2008bride]

Sooo we went again tonight to house #2 (which means we have seen both two times).

We still love it.

We decided that a) even if we don''t get house number 2, we are not going to take #1. It doesn''t excite me so we will wait. b) we are going to try and put in an offer on #2. We will be lowballing it so the chances are slim, but you never know.

If we lose it because they want more $$ or get more $$ from someone else, we can''t feel bad about that. We will offer what we can pay and see what they say.

Here is a picture of the front window from the living room. It is details like this that I love.

 

[October2008bride]

Here is the staircase from the main floor

 

[October2008bride]

here is the amazing bathtub!

 

[October2008bride]

And here is the hallway on the second floor to give you an idea of how long it is.

 

[violet3]

Date: 4/28/2009 10:44:59 PM
Author: october2008bride
here is the amazing bathtub!

Man, oh man, what i wouldn't give for a bathtub like that! And I LOVE the white subway tile all over that bathroom - that's my favorite look. I am glad you ruled out the first home - sometimes they have to just call you, don't they? Let us know how it goes!

p.s. the color palette in that house is amazing!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/29/2009 12:42:54 AM
Author: violet3

Date: 4/28/2009 10:44:59 PM

Author: october2008bride

here is the amazing bathtub!

Man, oh man, what i wouldn''t give for a bathtub like that! And I LOVE the white subway tile all over that bathroom - that''s my favorite look. I am glad you ruled out the first home - sometimes they have to just call you, don''t they? Let us know how it goes!


p.s. the color palette in that house is amazing!

I know! The bathroom is one of the things that sold me. I love taking baths so I freaked when I saw that.

In my eyes, someone with serious style sense decorated the place. It looks staged (it isn''t). With the exception of the second bedroom (powder blue) I don''t think I''d change anything for a long while. I''m not a huge fan of the burnt orange/rust colour in the den, but hubby loves it and I don''t care that much so we might leave it. If we get it haha.

I''ll keep you guys posted

 

[dani13]

OMG, October, I am IN LOVE with house # 2!!! Its sooooo GORGEOUS!!!! So many wonderful details that you dont see that often/ makes it so unique!
I'm coming to visit!!!!!!

Cant wait to hear what happens!!!!!!

Good luck!!!!

 

[Loves Vintage]

When was house no. 2 built? I would buy house no. 2 just for the woodwork around the windows and doors. Seriously. It is gorgeous.

 

[KimberlyH]

October, I so hope you get this house. I absolutely love it!

 

[October2008bride]

As per usual, we just found out there is another offer coming in.

Not looking hopeful.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 4/29/2009 10:19:04 AM
Author: october2008bride
As per usual, we just found out there is another offer coming in.

Not looking hopeful.

Sorry to hear that!

 

[musey]

Date: 4/28/2009 10:18:11 AM
Author: october2008bride
Wow - these really weren''t the responses I was expecting! I for sure thought everyone would say location location location!!

That''s actually precisely why I voted for #2! Close to downtown and transit? Up-and-coming neighborhood? C''mon!

Besides, you really seem to lean toward #2.

 

[Burk]

Date: 4/29/2009 10:19:04 AM
Author: october2008bride
As per usual, we just found out there is another offer coming in.


Not looking hopeful.

Oh no! Sorry! Please keep us posted!

 

[musey]

Date: 4/29/2009 10:19:04 AM
Author: october2008bride
As per usual, we just found out there is another offer coming in.

Not looking hopeful.

Boo! I''ll keep my fingers crossed nonetheless.

 

[Steel]

That other offer could be a phantom. Or if it is real they could be in a chain...or pending approval or anything.

I love the bathroom too. It is a pretty house.

Good luck.

 

[October2008bride]

I''m not sure - there were 3 offers (me being one) so we''ll see. We put in what we could afford, and won''t go a penny more.

Who knows - we really lowballed but maybe everyone else did too, or maybe they had more conditions etc.

Should know tonight. Will keep you posted.

Thanks everyone for the support so far!

 

[October2008bride]

We lost it.

 

[Steel]

Date: 4/29/2009 8:15:58 PM
Author: october2008bride
We lost it.

I am sorry honey.

Perhaps if you feel up to it you could send a note off to the Agent expressing your continuing interest? If it were me I would do that because offers fall through every day - people lose their jobs, get job offers in another part of the country, get preggo, get sick, their bank goes bust... So send a mail off and contact again in a month to see if it has exchanged yet and the month after etc. If it does fall through the seller will be keen to move once more.

Or you could just cast your net back and see what you catch?

Perhaps it was not meant to be. You can recreate that bathroom anywhere!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Sorry! The perfect one will come along!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/29/2009 8:33:22 PM
Author: Steel

Date: 4/29/2009 8:15:58 PM

Author: october2008bride

We lost it.

I am sorry honey.


Perhaps if you feel up to it you could send a note off to the Agent expressing your continuing interest? If it were me I would do that because offers fall through every day - people lose their jobs, get job offers in another part of the country, get preggo, get sick, their bank goes bust... So send a mail off and contact again in a month to see if it has exchanged yet and the month after etc. If it does fall through the seller will be keen to move once more.


Or you could just cast your net back and see what you catch?


Perhaps it was not meant to be. You can recreate that bathroom anywhere!

Thanks Steel and Tacori - we are pretty crushed but it is just bricks and wood right? We''ll get over it, I know, but it just felt so special.

Ugh.

Thanks to everyone though for supporting me through this! We tried and lost, but at least we tried, right?

 

[musey]

Date: 4/29/2009 8:15:58 PM
Author: october2008bride
We lost it.

Oh bummer!!

I''m excited to see ''the one'' when it comes along, though!

 

[Bia]

Sorry October.

It was a great house but another will come along, and that one will be even more speciaL--so much so that you''ll forget you even liked House # 2!

 

[kama_s]

That sucks, Octoberbride. I''m sure something else would come along your way soon, for all you know something nicer and in a better neighborhood.

 

[TravelingGal]

October, it was a beautiful house, but one thing I know about homes from looking casually for the last three years is that another lovely one will come along. And guess what, it will most likely be less expensive because prices are still falling. You''ll be in a better home for a better price, don''t worry!

 

[dani13]

Oh, October, Im sorry to hear that. But like others have said, another FAB home will come along that you be be EVEN MORE in love with than this one.....It will happen!! Just a matter of time!!!