6/29/2008
Hope is becoming reality
My house (I'm trying to get used to the fact that this is set to be my new house and not just a faint hope!) had a great inspection on Friday! There are a few things that need addressed but I fully expected that. The huge tree next door burrowed under the foundation at one point. It looks like that has been addressed but we might still need to have someone take a look and make sure its not growing again. Plus one more detail to check on Monday. Once that is done we'll send my laundry list off to the seller to negotiate they be fixed. Up until now I kept thinking something was going to happen and the deal would fall through. As I sat in the house on Friday and measured rooms and windows I was more and more at peace that it really is a great little house. I am thankful for God's provision in all areas of my life. The stress is ebbing away.
6/24/2008
Panic!
So I accepted the Sellers counter offer on the Taylor St house. You'd think this would make me super excited but its really just created a lot of panic for me. I made the offer the second day it was on the market and I didn't go to low and in the end I'm paying almost asking price for the house. So its a good house with a lot of space for me and it seems to be in good shape. So why am I panicking?! Maybe its because I made the decision so quickly and its not the cute little doll house I had assumed I'd buy. But those little doll houses are just that, little!
I can logically talk myself through the fact that I'm getting a good house. It has good bones, tons of space, the yard is cute and it has the garage I wanted. So what's my deal?! I think its just the panic over committing to such a big financial transaction for the first time. I am committing to this house for quite a few years and I'm just praying its a good investment and that the neighborhood will go up in value like I'm predicting it will.
People say oh you just know its the house. But I didn't just know. I know its a good house and it meets all my requirements and I think it will be a good house. But maybe I'm just not in love with it yet. I think if I'd come close to losing the deal I'd feel differently. And you all wonder why I'm not married... Seriously people I think I have commitment issues.
I can logically talk myself through the fact that I'm getting a good house. It has good bones, tons of space, the yard is cute and it has the garage I wanted. So what's my deal?! I think its just the panic over committing to such a big financial transaction for the first time. I am committing to this house for quite a few years and I'm just praying its a good investment and that the neighborhood will go up in value like I'm predicting it will.
People say oh you just know its the house. But I didn't just know. I know its a good house and it meets all my requirements and I think it will be a good house. But maybe I'm just not in love with it yet. I think if I'd come close to losing the deal I'd feel differently. And you all wonder why I'm not married... Seriously people I think I have commitment issues.
6/21/2008
This is it!
So yesterday I just hit the point where I said this is it! This is my last day to look for houses! I'm so tired of it, who knew this could happen? I thought it would be so fun. But really its a huge ordeal of compromising and agonizing over what to go for and what to leave behind. God and I had a chat and unless something fantastic came up I was going to make an offer on the for sale by owner house by the bike path. Its cute and I could move right in. But being next to the bike path and the freeway and the new Max line (not cool)!
So we go out with Cheryl (Erin joined me today) and we saw some bad houses and some nice condos (If it was just me I might have considered one but they are two small for two and no garage!). Then we even saw some fantastic town homes but they were all the way in Gresham. Which would mean my commute would be just as long as it is now. Something I wanted to avoid. So I'd have gone for that one for sure if it wasn't for location. If I didn't work in Beaverton but rather downtown it would be just right. You'll see why when you look at the pictures.
Essentially God gave me a good three other options that were really nice and the FSBO by the bike path was less and less appealing. So then as we are back in the office and Cheryl is printing me some stuff on the town homes (which are super cheap for what you get) she sees two new houses on the market in the Montavilla area that went on the market yesterday. We get excited because both look promising and so we extend our time to go see them. We saw a cute 50's ranch on Taylor and then a very cute and well decorated dollhouse on Alder.
The house on Alder was decorated in my style for sure. It even had a gas fireplace! But the electrical panel is the old fuse panel type and the siding is definitely needing replaced at some point. Two nice big expenses. The house is small though 770 sq ft. We discussed how it would be perfect yet again for one person, but over that and you will be a little cramped. Small, small closets still. It was difficult not to be sucked in by the cute factor (check out the pic's and you'll see why).
On SE Taylor there was a cute ranch style 50's house. Its in a very quiet part of Taylor (in the middle between 82 and 92 so perfectly placed). Looks small and cute but then you go in and there is a huge addition out the back. It has three bedrooms and two baths and its in my neighborhood! Its got a newer looking roof and the siding is in good shape (cedar shake). The electrical panel looks more updated and there are fabulous decks already built off the front and back (Trex). Downsides are it needs vinyl windows but I now know how much it costs to do this and its not so scary (but does take money), the baths were last done in 1978 I'm sure so they need updated but they are by far nicer old baths. The kitchen is the only downside. It is cabinets from essentially the year the place was built and doesn't have much appeal. But its livable and has a lot of potential.
Cheryl walked in and was so excited when she saw it. Its all the things I've been wanting even if it looks like grandma's house right now. She told me not too mess around and make an offer! Essentially its a 3 bed 2 bath with nice updates, money one's like roofing and decks) for the same price as all the others I looked at! We think its a little under priced already, which is GOOD for me. So I am making an offer today! It has great potential. The space alone means it will appreciate very nicely and I can only make it more updated and better. Pray, pray, pray! I want to just have it all be over with. At least the picking part.
Check out the pic's on dropshots. The MLS number is 8061964 if you want to go check it out.
So we go out with Cheryl (Erin joined me today) and we saw some bad houses and some nice condos (If it was just me I might have considered one but they are two small for two and no garage!). Then we even saw some fantastic town homes but they were all the way in Gresham. Which would mean my commute would be just as long as it is now. Something I wanted to avoid. So I'd have gone for that one for sure if it wasn't for location. If I didn't work in Beaverton but rather downtown it would be just right. You'll see why when you look at the pictures.
Essentially God gave me a good three other options that were really nice and the FSBO by the bike path was less and less appealing. So then as we are back in the office and Cheryl is printing me some stuff on the town homes (which are super cheap for what you get) she sees two new houses on the market in the Montavilla area that went on the market yesterday. We get excited because both look promising and so we extend our time to go see them. We saw a cute 50's ranch on Taylor and then a very cute and well decorated dollhouse on Alder.
The house on Alder was decorated in my style for sure. It even had a gas fireplace! But the electrical panel is the old fuse panel type and the siding is definitely needing replaced at some point. Two nice big expenses. The house is small though 770 sq ft. We discussed how it would be perfect yet again for one person, but over that and you will be a little cramped. Small, small closets still. It was difficult not to be sucked in by the cute factor (check out the pic's and you'll see why).
On SE Taylor there was a cute ranch style 50's house. Its in a very quiet part of Taylor (in the middle between 82 and 92 so perfectly placed). Looks small and cute but then you go in and there is a huge addition out the back. It has three bedrooms and two baths and its in my neighborhood! Its got a newer looking roof and the siding is in good shape (cedar shake). The electrical panel looks more updated and there are fabulous decks already built off the front and back (Trex). Downsides are it needs vinyl windows but I now know how much it costs to do this and its not so scary (but does take money), the baths were last done in 1978 I'm sure so they need updated but they are by far nicer old baths. The kitchen is the only downside. It is cabinets from essentially the year the place was built and doesn't have much appeal. But its livable and has a lot of potential.
Cheryl walked in and was so excited when she saw it. Its all the things I've been wanting even if it looks like grandma's house right now. She told me not too mess around and make an offer! Essentially its a 3 bed 2 bath with nice updates, money one's like roofing and decks) for the same price as all the others I looked at! We think its a little under priced already, which is GOOD for me. So I am making an offer today! It has great potential. The space alone means it will appreciate very nicely and I can only make it more updated and better. Pray, pray, pray! I want to just have it all be over with. At least the picking part.
Check out the pic's on dropshots. The MLS number is 8061964 if you want to go check it out.
6/13/2008
What to do, what to do?!!!
So we found out the house I first put an offer in on Alder was still available this week and they would consider my counter offer. I went back through today and my agent's husband came through also to give us an estimate on some of the things I'd want done on the house. I really just wanted to find out what it would cost to update the kitchen a little, convert the garage room back to a garage and possibly retexture the walls and ceiling in the living area. A lot of work, but all of it doesn't have to be done right away.
I also had my roommate Kara come and look through with me too. So it started out ok, but then as we went it got worse and worse. The garage conversion back is the least of my issues. The windows they put in the addition's bedroom aren't the right size and turns out they aren't legal either. They need to be bigger and I'd probably need to put in a door in the room. I don't mind that because I wanted a door out to the back yard anyway, but its just the tip of the iceberg.
The furnace is blocked in by a wall so you can't even get in to it to service it. There is also not enough return air coming back to the furnace so its probably working overtime which is never good. I think this is something we'd need fixed, and the all ripped out but I don't want to pay for it. The next big ticket item is the roof. I knew it might need replaced and I was hoping it would be an easy fix, but it actually has to be stripped all the way down and because Shake is underneath (why oh why do people do these things) it would need plywood laid down and then reshingled. That's not cheap, at least 10k.
I also had my roommate Kara come and look through with me too. So it started out ok, but then as we went it got worse and worse. The garage conversion back is the least of my issues. The windows they put in the addition's bedroom aren't the right size and turns out they aren't legal either. They need to be bigger and I'd probably need to put in a door in the room. I don't mind that because I wanted a door out to the back yard anyway, but its just the tip of the iceberg.The furnace is blocked in by a wall so you can't even get in to it to service it. There is also not enough return air coming back to the furnace so its probably working overtime which is never good. I think this is something we'd need fixed, and the all ripped out but I don't want to pay for it. The next big ticket item is the roof. I knew it might need replaced and I was hoping it would be an easy fix, but it actually has to be stripped all the way down and because Shake is underneath (why oh why do people do these things) it would need plywood laid down and then reshingled. That's not cheap, at least 10k.Oh and all the window's are random which I knew before but some of the vinyl windows need replaced because seals are broken. So there are not only cosmetic fixes that are needed but some bigger repairs too.
So comes the decision... If I can get the price down or the furnace and roof replaced as part of the deal I would consider going ahead. I just don't know if this is going to be a money pit. The yard is beautiful. It has good space with the bonus room. I like the layout of the house. I can live with the kitchen for a few years if I get the dishwasher and disposal put in and bit of paint will help a good deal.
I think the little yellow house was really the solid house. I am praying that somehow they decide to reconsider my offer on it. My agent is going to check in again with the sellers. They took the house off the market officially but perhaps they'll reconsider and work directly with us. So prayers would be good! There is someone who will look into the furnace next week and give us an expert opinion on it. Hopefully God will make it clear to me what to do or if there is another house I should be waiting for. I feel like I can't wait forever because Kara needs a home to move into and the rates aren't steady now and I don't want them to go up.
I don't know...
I don't know...
6/09/2008
Two strikes...
So I found out today that the second house I placed an offer on (Yellow one on Morrison) is tied up in the owner's divorce and they didn't even counter my offer but instead are taking it off the market. So annoying! I mean if they weren't serious about selling they shouldn't have had it on the market. I am bummed because I had really just felt it was the one for me.
So now I am back to the drawing board. I feel like I've seen every house out on the market in my price and target area. The two I placed offers on I'd be totally happy with, but no luck. Now I am struggling to figure out if I pick something that I passed up already. But if I passed it up already maybe it should just stay out of the running? I'm a little depressed and tired of looking. I know though that God has affirmed to me this weekend that he has a plan for me. So now comes the patient part. This is the part I struggle with the most.
So now I am back to the drawing board. I feel like I've seen every house out on the market in my price and target area. The two I placed offers on I'd be totally happy with, but no luck. Now I am struggling to figure out if I pick something that I passed up already. But if I passed it up already maybe it should just stay out of the running? I'm a little depressed and tired of looking. I know though that God has affirmed to me this weekend that he has a plan for me. So now comes the patient part. This is the part I struggle with the most.
6/04/2008
Decisions are so hard!
I found a little house I liked this weekend. It needs a few things done on it, but it has good space for the price and the updates it needs I think I could do over time. I was all set to go take a second look this weekend and make an offer. Well my agent calls me today and says someone else has made an offer. So began my dilemma and push to make a quick decision.
I have been praying about the house and I know God has the right one for me, but which one? How will I know this is the one? I'm such a quick decision maker usually, but this isn't something I can just take back to the store if I don't like it. Its a big investment and a huge financial step. I talk with my dad and mom every few days and its been so fabulous to bounce it all off of them. I also have many people praying for me on this issue too which is so very comforting. So I felt confident that I should just take the plunge and make an offer. I have to do it sometime and if I don't I might regret it later (I'm still regretting not making an offer on Grandma's house though it would have been a ton of work). I figure the worst they can do is turn it down, and then I'll have confirmation this house wasn't for me. I made the offer pretty close to what I was planning already and I think its fair. If they take the one then they take it.
So now comes the waiting game. I am not in the best position here being the second person to put an offer in so I'm not banking on getting a yes. I just feel peace about this though I am sure I'll be disappointed if I don't get it. Its hard when the thing in front of you "right now" looks like the best idea/option you have and then it doesn't work out, it can be devestating really. But I am confident that God has something good in store for me even if I don't see it right now. He will protect me through this and if its a bad decision to buy this house I am trusting him to close the door. He's done it before and I trust he will do it again.
So how do you all deal with these kinds of things? I think I'll make a new poll for this (check it out on the right).
Pictures are on my dropshots links of all the houses this weekend. My top three were the one above on Alder, a cute little yellow cottage on Morrison, and a nicely landscaped house on 85th.
I have been praying about the house and I know God has the right one for me, but which one? How will I know this is the one? I'm such a quick decision maker usually, but this isn't something I can just take back to the store if I don't like it. Its a big investment and a huge financial step. I talk with my dad and mom every few days and its been so fabulous to bounce it all off of them. I also have many people praying for me on this issue too which is so very comforting. So I felt confident that I should just take the plunge and make an offer. I have to do it sometime and if I don't I might regret it later (I'm still regretting not making an offer on Grandma's house though it would have been a ton of work). I figure the worst they can do is turn it down, and then I'll have confirmation this house wasn't for me. I made the offer pretty close to what I was planning already and I think its fair. If they take the one then they take it.
So now comes the waiting game. I am not in the best position here being the second person to put an offer in so I'm not banking on getting a yes. I just feel peace about this though I am sure I'll be disappointed if I don't get it. Its hard when the thing in front of you "right now" looks like the best idea/option you have and then it doesn't work out, it can be devestating really. But I am confident that God has something good in store for me even if I don't see it right now. He will protect me through this and if its a bad decision to buy this house I am trusting him to close the door. He's done it before and I trust he will do it again.
So how do you all deal with these kinds of things? I think I'll make a new poll for this (check it out on the right).
Pictures are on my dropshots links of all the houses this weekend. My top three were the one above on Alder, a cute little yellow cottage on Morrison, and a nicely landscaped house on 85th.
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