Buying property

[Lindsey]

I guess that the thing is I will be paying to live either way... right now our duplex is $1125 a month for rent, with about 700 square feet of living space on our main floor for three of us. In comparison, the condo would be about $750 a month for a mortgage, with 910 square feet to myself And if I really wanted extra spending money, there is enough room for a roommate, although I would rather just be alone.
It is a lot of debt, I know that... but I am in debt for the next 15 years from college anyway. I guess the main thing is I can either throw my money down the drain by renting, or invest my money in something by buying.
I actually emailed a real estate agent this morning to try to schedule a showing. I'd like to at least see the place before getting too excited about it.

[Lindsey]

I just happened to be browsing some websites this morning and came across a new listing for a 780 sq ft split level in a great neighborhood on a 50x140 ft lot AND in my price range
It's a definite fixer upper, but has original oak hardwood floors under the ugly old carpet that could be refinished. It was built in 1912 but has a full height basement with a lot of windows. The basement walls have been reinforced over the years (I don't know if it's good that they have been reinforced, or bad that they had to be reinforced... future problems?) Anyways, the rooms are all huge! And the basement could possibly be finished (it is unfinished) and a third bedroom could be added... it is currently a 2 bedroom/3 bathroom home. I think 3 and 3 would make it more appealing to families when I decide to sell!
Lucky for me, my brother is an electrician, and my cousin is a plumber. The back yard is all rock, which I am not a fan of. I like grass! But one of my good friends from back home just happens to be a landscape architect, and her dad is a carpenter
I emailed a realtor to go have a look... I don't want to get my hopes up too high in case the house is beyond repair. It looks like an old man had been living there... The basement was used as a workshop and the house looks very cluttered. The master bedroom had a single electric adjustable bed. Maybe the man passed away and the family wants to get rid of the house as soon as possible (with the real estate market this slow, the low price would make sense) or maybe he was put into a care home... I'm just hoping the price isn't so low just because there is so much wrong!

[judy]

Good luck Lindsey!

[Lindsey]

The realtor just said they got 2 offers the day after it was posted and they accepted one of them.
But I did find another just down the street from my grandma's house... it's a much smaller yard, and there are no pictures of the inside, but it's a beautiful 1912 1-1/2 story house right across from the high school my dad used to go to The back yard has a 2 car garage with back alley access, and a nice sized garden.
This whole house-hunting thing is pretty exciting for me

[Blueyes]

Hold out for exactly what you want Lindsey! House hunting is a lot of fun, but it's also stressful. You are smart to look for something before you HAVE to have it

[Marilyn]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

The realtor just said they got 2 offers the day after it was posted and they accepted one of them.
But I did find another just down the street from my grandma's house... it's a much smaller yard, and there are no pictures of the inside, but it's a beautiful 1912 1-1/2 story house right across from the high school my dad used to go to The back yard has a 2 car garage with back alley access, and a nice sized garden.
This whole house-hunting thing is pretty exciting for me

This sounds much better than the last one. Let us know how it all works out!!! Wishing you the very best in your search!!

[Lindsey]

Thanks I'm going to look at the house tomorrow evening and probably two condos tonight

[judy]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

Thanks I'm going to look at the house tomorrow evening and probably two condos tonight

I was told today by some of my writing group friends that we don't call where I live
"the condos." We call it "the townhouses." It makes us sound fancier.

Keep us posted.