On the road to being an adult: Buying a house.
Posted by Magdelyn on October 23rd, 2009. Filed under: I'm an adult-when did that happen?, life.In addition to planning a wedding, Chris and I decided it would be best for us (and our future family*) to move back to Pittsburgh to be closer to my family. We’re planning on the big move to happen around May when our lease is up, but depending on job opportunities it could happen sooner. If we move back in May, that gives us about 6 months to find (and buy) a house.
Our next trip back to Pittsburgh is for Thanksgiving so we’re planning on looking at some properties while we’re there. One in particular sparked my interest:
(all images snagged from Pittsburgh Moves since I haven’t been there yet to take my own)
It’s a 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom/2 half bathroom townhouse minutes away from my parents and about 12 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be for sale by the time we make a trip back to Pittsburgh so we can at least look at it.
I know nothing about purchasing a house, so I’ll have my dad in tow to help me out. The whole process seems overwhelming and scary. It’s not like renting an apartment; it’s a serious investment and you can’t just move out if you decide you don’t like the place anymore or your neighbors suck.
Any advice for a first time buyer? Any tips would be helpful!
*don’t get your panties all bunched up-plans for a family are still a few years off. So relax, I’m not jumping on the pregnancy wagon yet.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Good luck! We are starting (and when I say starting like just started last week) to think about getting a condo. We can share our struggles together
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Wow wee! That house is pretty! It looks as big as the homes my family (of four) have lived in throughout our lives; just to people in there would have lots of room to frolic!
I’d like to visit that house (regardless of whether you guys buy it) just to play around in that massive back yard!
How much would a house like that cost? I’ve been told anything outside a major metropolitan area in the USA is pretty darn cheap. Within about an hour radius of Sydney you’d be lucky to find a 2-4 bedroom house for under $500,000. A million dollar house is nothing special these days. It’s ridiculous!
I’m very picky when it comes to purchasing something that costs a pretty penny and thus tend to research it for months and months before buying. I imagine if I was looking to buy a house I’d be asking things like ‘How often would this railing need to be dusted’, ‘I wonder if I could paint this wall bright pink’, etc.
From someone who equally knows nothing about buying a house, I’d suggest making friends with your neighbours. There’s nothing more strange than awkward waves after living next to someone for 7 or so years.
Giddy luck on your quest!
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
My best advice to someone planning to buy their first home is to research, research, research. We didn’t do enough research on the costs of the repairs to our fixer upper and it bit us in the butt. Four years in we are still working on projects to fix up this house.
Look for issues with the structure (roof, siding, cracked foundation) and internal workings (plumbing, electrical, walls, ceilings, bath, kitchen, furnace). All these these tend to cost a fortune to fix (sadly I know from experience). Dad’s are great help here since they usually know what to look for.
Check out the neighbors places too. They are potentially your neighbors for the next few years at least, so watch for any potential problems. A realtor once told me don’t buy the best or worst house on the block because you will have a heck of a time reselling it.
If it isn’t required in your state, ask that your offer be contingent upon a professional inspection and hire someone to inspect the house if the seller excepts your offer. Check the costs to fix anything they find during the inspection before you make a final offer so you know what you are getting into and have an option to adjust your offer if you find bigger issues.
Good luck! It is scary but having a house is awesome and really rewarding after you make it your own.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Umm those floors are gorgeous! I definitely must come visit
I know nothing about real estate except for what I learn on Property Virgins or My First House on HGTV, sooo I won’t be much help. I’ll totally help you decorate though!
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
You’re a grownup!
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
That house look gorgeous! You should try to get on the reality show My First Place. I love that show and the couple always gets a free gift after they find their dream house. Like patio furniture! Who doesn’t want free patio furniture?
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I got dibs on a bedroom. It can be Jamie’s bedroom when she visits.
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
oh that’s so exciting that house looks amazing, hope you get to check it out. and yeah i know nothing of house buying either, so when that day comes parents will be brought along for sure, haha.
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Oh man. You and Jimmy are doing this together?!?!?! Im coming with a camera and beers, I cant miss this.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:56 am
How pretty! Here’s what I know about buying a house since I’m hoping to do the same in the next year: Save, save, save! Set up a high-interest savings account (I use ING) in order to put as much down as you can. Don’t skimp on the home inspection, its worth every penny and get a trustworthy inspector. Find a Realtor that you can trust and that understands your needs. Also, watch for those condo fees.
That’s what I know in a nutshell, hope this helps. Fingers crossed that they extend the home-buying tax credit which is set to expire soon.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:06 am
LOVE the house! Unfortunately, I too no house-buying experience. So, after this whole process is over I hope to see a blog post about how to do it
(from you) haha. xoxo
October 25th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Of course I’m selfish and don’t want you to move, but that house is gorgeous so I hope it works out!
October 25th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
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October 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Now that’s a nice house. I hope it’s still available.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Gorgeous!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 9:37 am
oh wow, this is really nice. hopefully it’s still available by the time you guys plan on buying it. =)
December 1st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
[...] the house I posted about a few weeks ago? It was the second house we got to see and I pretty much fell in [...]
December 6th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
House Flipping aint the same as it used to be.