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.
18 Comments so far
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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
By Ashley on 10.23.09 12:58 pm | Permalink
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!
By Derek Jay Steen on 10.23.09 1:06 pm | Permalink
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.
By Melinda on 10.23.09 1:31 pm | Permalink
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!
By Jenn on 10.23.09 3:34 pm | Permalink
You’re a grownup!
By Alana on 10.23.09 4:21 pm | Permalink
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?
By Leah on 10.23.09 5:08 pm | Permalink
I got dibs on a bedroom. It can be Jamie’s bedroom when she visits.
By Jamie on 10.23.09 5:39 pm | Permalink
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.
By katelin on 10.23.09 6:30 pm | Permalink
Oh man. You and Jimmy are doing this together?!?!?! Im coming with a camera and beers, I cant miss this.
By Chris James Bitch on 10.23.09 10:01 pm | Permalink
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.
By Julianne on 10.24.09 10:56 am | Permalink
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
By Julie @ Wearing Mascara on 10.24.09 11:06 am | Permalink
Of course I’m selfish and don’t want you to move, but that house is gorgeous so I hope it works out!
By Jessica on 10.25.09 7:44 pm | Permalink
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By uberVU - social comments on 10.25.09 11:24 pm | Permalink
Now that’s a nice house. I hope it’s still available.
By phampants on 10.26.09 2:25 pm | Permalink
Gorgeous!!!
By Mermanda on 10.27.09 8:00 am | Permalink
oh wow, this is really nice. hopefully it’s still available by the time you guys plan on buying it. =)
By chinkygirlmel on 10.27.09 9:37 am | Permalink
[...] the house I posted about a few weeks ago? It was the second house we got to see and I pretty much fell in [...]
By Red Letter Haze » Blog Archive » On the road to buying a house: house hunting on 12.01.09 10:08 pm | Permalink
House Flipping aint the same as it used to be.
By ben on 12.06.09 8:48 pm | Permalink
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