House Buying Experience/Advice Please!

[Katalyst]

I found a house that I fell in love with and after 3 excrutiating weeks the huzbo finally allowed me to put in an offer to hold the house until he returns from Ottawa. Its pretty low $49,000 lower then the listing price but its a little less then what we can afford. The house has been on the market for over 3 months, the guy is moving to a different country and according to his agent and friends of ours who are his neighbour he desperately wants to sell. I'd appreciate any insight negotiating skills that you fellow home owners have to offer.The house needs new windows, a new roof in the very near future and the floors all need to be redone, the kitchen cabinets need to be replaced etc.

Any advice? Or should I just get out some beer and my rosary beads?

[Melody]

My advice is to check into the price of a roof replacement - very expensive stuff. Cost it all out in fact, and present him with the estimates. "I'm sure you'll move it anyway... eventually... but we're looking for a fixer-upper so we can offer you $_____ ... if you get back to us before the others do...".

[blainep]

Get a professional home inspection, use anything that is found as leverage !

Even if nothing else is found, the piece of mind knowing the house has a solid foundation is worth the money.

In the recent real estate rush in Calgary, alot of homes were sold without inspections done, alot of people are now wishing they had taken the time for one.

[Katalyst]

Get a professional home inspection, use anything that is found as leverage !

Even if nothing else is found, the piece of mind knowing the house has a solid foundation is worth the money.

In the recent real estate rush in Calgary, alot of homes were sold without inspections done, alot of people are now wishing they had taken the time for one.

I brought my friends husband with me who is an inspector. He was even on the roof, crawling in the attic, going through closets looking for mould.

He said roof will needs to be replaced as well as the windows. The house is a 150 Victorian origionally flooring which needs to work as well. I'm hoping all of this factors into my favor, but being from NY and not knowing a soul in any business and where to even look is a lil intimidating but I'm working on it. The huzbo is away in Ottawa and phone convo's are extremely short. Would the roofing companies have to go out to the house for an estimate? Stupid question I know but I'm clueless.

[blainep]

Yup, for pretty much any estimates you need, they'll have to look at the house to be able to give an accurate estimate.

[Katalyst]

Ugh the seller went back on his word. The real estate agent called this morning and said now he won't sign a contract until Monday because he doesn't want to cancel the viewings he has listed for the weekend. Meanwhile the seller was the one who asked me to put in an offer even a bad one was what he said. The conditions he asked for where make me an offer and I won't show the house to anyone else until I sit down with you and your husband and his agent. (my husband was in Ottawa until thurs) I killed myself trying to get a hold of my husband for 3 days to get him to say yes for an offer, my offer was the x amount for the house, no home inspection and no other viewings which is more then fair since its what HE asked for. :realmad:

So allthough I was very polite to the broker, I'm sure he could tell that I was upset. I am going to look at another house tonight...Ugh I hate all these games, I'm a person of my word and I guess sadly others aren't. I just have to vent cause he's away, I did however find two other houses on MLS while I sat here muttering and cursing under my breath...Yessshhhh it may only be 10 am, but I sure am ready for happy hour. Eh I guess I'll get over it and hopefully he won't have another offer. In the meantime I booked 3 showings for tonight with newer houses that need less work and that are bigger. Two I liked and I think was out of spite lol. Bigger basements mean more fish anyways... I know I'm taking this personally but my parents drilled into my head how important 'your word' is growing up, yet I'm always dissapointed when people go back on their word, I have no idea why.

[CACAdmin]

How frustrating for you! But little you can do about it I guess in that (I'm assuming) his was a verbal request for you to put in 'said offer'.

[Katalyst]

How frustrating for you! But little you can do about it I guess in that (I'm assuming) his was a verbal request for you to put in 'said offer'.
We were supposed to sign a contract tonight per his request and he decided he still wants to show the house and this weekend and then he'll sign the contract on Monday. I'm not into games and it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I jumped through hoops for this guy for the last 5 days, I'm trying to not let it get to me but I'm 99% tempted to walk away and wish him luck. Unfortunately I'm too honest and he knows how much I love the house, being too honest sometimes is one of my downfalls. :(

[CACAdmin]

Yup, I hate games too. Sounds like he is probably trying to hedge his bets to see if he gets a better off by showing the house this weekend... realizing how much you love the house and figures if he doesn't get a better offer you'll still be around. Who knows?! Best of luck! Maybe you'll find a new treasure in one of the ones you're going to look at tonight.

[Katalyst]

:POed: I was going to request a tantrum smiley but these ones will do just fine! :FishOnDaHead:

[Katalyst]

Hookay I put my big girl pants on and I'm done pouting...kinda.

Cause yanno what will make me feel better other then vodka..

A new fish! he he he

I think after all the drama I deserve one darnit. My new pleco's don't count if I can't see em right?? Ye gods I think I need to be restrained...

[traco1]

Too early for vodka, like you said, so a new sparkly fish in a tank would be consolation. You can use your husband as the hard baller if you decide to wait till Monday; maybe you can get the price lower due to all the hassle and ***%*# stuff you've gone through this last week!:laugh:

And there will be another dream home out there for you, it is just really, really hard to have patience, isn't it?

*pfffttt...... and they say we women change our minds, well now we have it proven here that the guys do too.:laugh:

[Katalyst]

But but but the house a deck and a small pond...I already have the retaining wall with a waterfall built over it in my head.

Its a 150 Victorian and it even has a workshop that my husband will never get to use because you see its really going to be my fish room.

It has my name written all over it!

My girlfriend lives around the corner she said she'll stand outside during the viewings pretending to be the next door neighbour with tourettes. :realmad: :chatterbox: :err:

[traco1]

:rofl: I can just picture that. And if you have everything of yours pictured already moved into this house, I hope there are no showings this weekend for the guy! Or if so, hope your girlfriend is a really good actress! Let us know how things go.

[Katalyst]

:rofl: I can just picture that. And if you have everything of yours pictured already moved into this house, I hope there are no showings this weekend for the guy! Or if so, hope your girlfriend is a really good actress! Let us know how things go.
I could always stand out there myself the way I feel right now I've been shouting obsenities all day long in between huffing and puffing lol I may even develop a tick before all is said and done...I'm going to be dissapointed for now and plan for the worst but I'll still be heartbroken if we can't get it. The house has been on the market for over 3 months and needs a lot of work that I'm willing to do so here's hoping the house gods smile down upon me. The house/town reminds me so much of the place I grew up in and it makes me so happy just to drive into the town. Unfortunately there aren't too many houses under $450 in that town so this may be our only shot until the work visa issue is resolved. Where I am now in Toronto is very isolate and most of the time I'm pretty lonely since the huzbo is away more then he's here and its only going to get worse in September. With Afghanistan looming it'd be really nice to have a good friend right around the corner. Afghanistan is gonna cost him a whole lotta fish.

Did I mention the pond? lol :;):

Oh and there's a pond....I swear they could sell me the porch and the pond and I'd be happy.

[Melody]

I'd walk. Anyone who deals like that doesn't deserve my money. I hope he gets stuck with the house after that crap. Chances are you're meant to find a better one.

[Katalyst]

I'd walk. Anyone who deals like that doesn't deserve my money. I hope he gets stuck with the house after that crap. Chances are you're meant to find a better one.
Yep I'm heartbroken but I'm thinking along those lines as well.

[traco1]

You may find one of the houses you're looking at this weekend might jump out at you too, with a different part of the house you could fall in love with. And ponds can always be built at any home.

Soooo, did you go buy a sparkly fish to make yourself feel a bit better? LOL

[Katalyst]

You may find one of the houses you're looking at this weekend might jump out at you too, with a different part of the house you could fall in love with. And ponds can always be built at any home.

Soooo, did you go buy a sparkly fish to make yourself feel a bit better? LOL

I didn't I sulked but soon I'm getting a pair of pretty fiddies from the Snail Whisperer...:swoon::red_dance::notworthy:

[Melody]

:laugh: And lots of them too!

[Katalyst]

I just found 4! They don't give me the warm and fuzzy feeling and not in the same town but they are 30 thousand less and some of them are 2 years old with HUGE bathrooms and rooms without slanted ceilings. It doesn't have the victorian charm but it also doesn't need $70 grand put into it either. I'm actually going to call the real estate agent he's using and ask him to show me the houses I just found. It may be juvenile but retribution will be mine! [Insert wicked cackle here] :POed::rofl:

[Katalyst]

Is it evil that I called the sellers real estate agent to show me a house around the corner from his house? Cause I did...I figured since I already know the agent and he lives in the area. He asked about the other house, I told him not to ask. lol I'm pretty over that house and just want to move on.

[Melody]

It is absolutely evil and he deserves it. Wave & smile at him, loudly ooooo & aaahhhh over the other house... perhaps you'll get a call this evening from him, begging you to take it. He sounds like he figures you're in the bag if he doesn't get a better offer, or that his showing it will increase your offer. Otherwise he wouldn't be so blatant about showing it to other people.

Here's a good excercise - reverse your research. Google like you're selling a house and get all of their evil little tricks!

[Katalyst]

It is absolutely evil and he deserves it. Wave & smile at him, loudly ooooo & aaahhhh over the other house... perhaps you'll get a call this evening from him, begging you to take it. He sounds like he figures you're in the bag if he doesn't get a better offer, or that his showing it will increase your offer. Otherwise he wouldn't be so blatant about showing it to other people.

Here's a good excercise - reverse your research. Google like you're selling a house and get all of their evil little tricks!

The other house is bigger has more bathrooms and doesn't need a new roof and a zillion other things like that one does.

Meh...

Usually most people can't figure out where I'm from unless I'm upset as I try desperately NOT to sound like Fran Dresher. Usually they guess Conn. today there's no mistaking the Brooklyn acct. .

I am going to take your advice Melody, thanks! I did the house buying thing totally backwards and was completely honest. The real estate agent was assuring me he's a nice guy, I said he didn't want to know what I thought of him. Meanwhile I'm the calm rational one in the relationship...He still thinks I'm going to sign the contract on monday, [Gomer Pile] SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE! [/Gomer Pile] I told him not to bet the farm on it. I get to see the house around the corner from it tommorrow.

[Melody]

Nice guy alright - when your commissions depend on him. :rolleyes: Tell the agent that after seeing all of the work that has to be done, you might consider paying HALF of what he's asking. Maybe he'll advise him to bring the price way down if he wants to move it so badly.

[CACAdmin]

Shall await to hear what the house you're looking at tomorrow is like... who knows, maybe that one is your dream home... and you can tell this guy to go you-know-where.

[traco1]

Kathleen, nice to hear you found a couple of other places that interest you. Definately do a drive by and wave (whole hand wave, please):laugh: as you go to check out the other one near him.

[Melody]

LOL Oh yes, the full royal wave is a must!

[Katalyst]

LOL Oh yes, the full royal wave is a must!

I was thinking a partial wave with one specific finger leading the way!

Thanks guys!

[Katalyst]

Well guess who didn't get any offers?

[Katalyst]

Shall await to hear what the house you're looking at tomorrow is like... who knows, maybe that one is your dream home... and you can tell this guy to go you-know-where.

The house I looked at today...Was missing a few 'minor things' according the agent.

These small things were: toilets :wideeyed: , heat in all the bedrooms upstairs, not to mention the water damage EVERYWHERE.. But the worst was the basement it looked like Smeagol's Cave (Lord of the Rings). I'd be scared to leave my fish down there. :Worried:

The agent asked me what I liked about the house, I said the front door as I'm exiting it. :rofl:

[traco1]

I am amazed at what goes on the market sometimes and the prices asked for them.

[Katalyst]

I am amazed at what goes on the market sometimes and the prices asked for them.

Can you imagine? In the $330 range for no heat and no toilets!

[Melody]

Go DIRT cheap! Sounds like there's lots of houses around that are cheaper and need far less work. He'll either take it or you'll end up better off. That's what I'd do anyway.

[Katalyst]

Go DIRT cheap! Sounds like there's lots of houses around that are cheaper and need far less work. He'll either take it or you'll end up better off. That's what I'd do anyway.

I am....Its actually a booming town and prices are skyrocketing which is why we're trying to get this one...But if we can't, c'est la vie and we'll move on.

[Melody]

Its nice when its going that way, then its a real investment. More than a few people here got rich by buying at the beginning of a hot market. We've had house values jump by a hundred thousand dollars in a year or two, with no work done on them.

[Katalyst]

Its nice when its going that way, then its a real investment. More than a few people here got rich by buying at the beginning of a hot market. We've had house values jump by a hundred thousand dollars in a year or two, with no work done on them.

I was told after we get the house, we could then work on starting a family. So really the house means many different things to me. Its the house that I always imagined owning and never thought I could afford and probally still can't but if we can get it, it'll be an amazing opportunity.

[Melody]

Well when you start a family, dibs on the fish that you won't have time for...lol.

[Katalyst]

Well when you start a family, dibs on the fish that you won't have time for...lol.


The bad news for you is that's been my plan all along. The good news is I've been looking at Doug's strains on an off now for a week and hope to order a trio or two but am waiting to see if I'll be moving soon or not. So hopefully I'll get some pretty babies which of course will lead to this..

Stressed out Katalyst email to Melody #602: OMG can I send you 1524856789789 guppies? I don't know what to do!

:Surrender: :rofl:

[Melody]

LOL And when you're old and the babies are becoming teenagers like mine, I will send you back copious amounts of creatures to fill the void.

Being a good hobbyist friend is a lifetime commitment.:;):

[Katalyst]

LOL And when you're old and the babies are becoming teenagers like mine, I will send you back copious amounts of creatures to fill the void.

Being a good hobbyist friend is a lifetime commitment.:;):

Awww thanks Melody, you are a gem that's for sure! Anyone who thinks otherwise send my way...:yes: That's what keeps me coming back! Now off to sign my life away!

[traco1]

Kathleen, you can't go wrong with Doug's fish. I just got a trio from him and they are gorgeous! But I did have a hard time choosing just one trio, good thing I limited myself or I'd have gotten at least two other strains. lol:laugh:

Housing and children next, a perfect next step. And hopefully, you'll be able to keep at least one tank for quiet time and enjoyment when the little ones are sleeping.:;):

[Katalyst]

Kathleen, you can't go wrong with Doug's fish. I just got a trio from him and they are gorgeous! But I did have a hard time choosing just one trio, good thing I limited myself or I'd have gotten at least two other strains. lol:laugh:

Housing and children next, a perfect next step. And hopefully, you'll be able to keep at least one tank for quiet time and enjoyment when the little ones are sleeping.:;):

One tank???? he he he I don't think that's possible...You see I have this disorder, I'm sure you've heard of it. MTS Multiple Tank Syndrome. Fish tanks in some ways are like potato chips you can't just have one! Plus this house has a pond!

Thanks for the well wishes though Barb! So which trio did ya choose???? And where are the pictures????? I'm still reading into guppies and think I'm going to get a few males from the lfs just to make sure I can't kill em off!

Just praying this guy will take what we can offer.

[Katalyst]

Ye gods I just signed my life away....Or at least I put in an offer. I'd appreciate you guys crossing your crossables for me.

Gah....I feel ill..

[traco1]

Aah, the first emotions of purchasing your first house. We've all got our fingers crossed for you.

[Melody]

:StPaddyGold:Crossing & wishing and sending you good vibes! I would have offered a dollar just to PO him, but I wouldn't end up with a house. :laugh:

[Katalyst]

:StPaddyGold:Crossing & wishing and sending you good vibes! I would have offered a dollar just to PO him, but I wouldn't end up with a house. :laugh:

I have a feeling I won't either...The house is way overpriced, and just because he lives in a highly desired area I'm not willing to eat all the things that are wrong with it for the price he wants. I need to sink about 50-60 grand into the house and trying to be fair I asked for about 39 grand off the house. He just countered only 10 less then his asking price. He can keep his house and maybe next month when everyone else is away at the cottage and no offers come in on his house that he'll figure it out.

[Melody]

I think that's wise. You've got good instincts and a good head on your shoulders. Anytime that my gut has said no and I did it anyway, I've regretted it. I think you can do better, and as was mentioned, with a fraction of the repair costs, you could dig an awesome pond at another location. Plus you can do it as you can afford to, whereas a roof you have to do when it needs to be done.

[Katalyst]

I think that's wise. You've got good instincts and a good head on your shoulders. Anytime that my gut has said no and I did it anyway, I've regretted it. I think you can do better, and as was mentioned, with a fraction of the repair costs, you could dig an awesome pond at another location. Plus you can do it as you can afford to, whereas a roof you have to do when it needs to be done.

Thanks its hard because I am so emotionally attached to the house but I'll move on...I just may be bitter and dwell for awhile. But I do promise to stop talking about it...Soon! lol We have until Friday to reply to his counter offer.I'm so tired of being bullied, the agent called right away asking me to go over my list from me of all of the things I 'imagined' to be wrong with the house. Kinda hard to imagine water damage and a billion other things. Of course 3 more couples want to see the house that he had to turn away until Saturday and that's when I lost it. I finally said, well I have a feeling you'll be showing it to them on Sat. I'm tired of this you can speak with my husband on Thursday and he'll take our bottom line or he won't but I'm done. And the huzbo has this eerie calm/scary way about him its funny to me, but everyone is else is just pretty afraid of him. (Cept me, I'm way scarier lol)

[Melody]

Good 4 U! Probably figures you're just some dumb chick who will give in because he has a pink mirror in the house or something. :mad: Coming down 10G's on a house is nothing, even on a reasonably priced one - its almost a given. He certainly isn't acting like someone who wants to move it.

Tell him he's right about your imagination, because you can picture him very clearly with a house shoved up his behind!:laugh: Now THAT'S creative thinking!

[Katalyst]

Good 4 U! Probably figures you're just some dumb chick who will give in because he has a pink mirror in the house or something. :mad: Coming down 10G's on a house is nothing, even on a reasonably priced one - its almost a given. He certainly isn't acting like someone who wants to move it.

Tell him he's right about your imagination, because you can picture him very clearly with a house shoved up his behind!:laugh: Now THAT'S creative thinking!

<3 Priceless!

[Melody]

ROFL And she can draw it too!

[Katalyst]

ROFL And she can draw it too!

You should see the way I make reservations!

[CACAdmin]

I shall keep my fingers, toes, etc. crossed that the house you get (whether it be this one or another) turns out to be all you ever dreamed for. Best of luck! Shall await the news when you have some.

[CACAdmin]

Well, are still managing to keep your sanity through all this? Has the agent bugged you again or did he actually listen to you when you said you were done talking and he could talk to your hubby when he got home on Thursday?

[Katalyst]

Well, are still managing to keep your sanity through all this? Has the agent bugged you again or did he actually listen to you when you said you were done talking and he could talk to your hubby when he got home on Thursday?

Newp he's called a few times, there are times I look at the caller id and think to myself 'that's the best 4 bucks I spent all month'. I'm not answering, I'm done with houses, I was just shown a house that was a grow up house! And they had the nerve to not mention that in the listing or on the phone. I arrived walked in gagged at all the mould and walked out. We're talking wrecking ball to fix that one. Our contract with the other house expires at midnight on Friday, we'll be putting in our final offer sometime tommorrow.

In the very least I'm looking forward to getting the house or moving on, thanks for checking in on me. I'll keep you posted. I was trying to cut back on the whining for at least one day.

[hp10BII]

I betcha this wouldn't be the last house you would ever buy. You don't need to swing for the fences and hit a home run on a home purchase thinking that "this is it!"...so no emotional buying!! Hold fast, trust your instincts and you'll be fine. Good luck.

[Melody]

Now THAT is sound advice!:yes:

[traco1]

Nah, we don't view it as whining. And better to vent, rather than hold it in. What are fishy friends for, heh?