Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Buy a House?

We have been renting the same house for nearly three years now. For awhile we were doing some house shopping and made a few offers, only to be outbid each time. Probably for the best anyhow. We eventually stopped looking for homes to buy, not wanting to get stuck.

Recently, a house about five doors down came onto the market after sitting empty for over a year. It was abandoned and went into foreclosure. The house has an identical floor plan to the one we are renting now, which we like, with the added bonus of a large garage and storage shed. It appears to be in great condition aside from needing some new windows, kitchen updating, fixtures, a bit of drywalling and paint.

It looks to be a great deal for an asking price of $84,900, down from 94,900 when first listed a month ago. It seems like one of those properties that could be completely updated and then sold for a bit of a profit a few years down the road.

Negotiating a selling price of, lets say, 79,900 and then the 8,000 home buying credit, it would be a pretty great deal. Of course, this would all be pending a good inspection.

We are going to look at it today. I will keep you posted!

Oh, and the yard has some serious potential and that is the most important part!

13 comments:

Sheila said...

Good luck! Hope you get it!

Debbie's Garden said...

How perfect that sounds. What you have and like, only better.
the good thing about a home needing improvements (in my opinion) is getting to pick what YOU want. A handman special is not for everyone though. Good luck.

Becca's Dirt said...

Sounds like a good deal to me. Hope they accept your offer.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

The yard with some potential,storage shed ... sounds like a good place for a gardener...
I am sorry, Michelle, to learn about your kitty. I am sure her long life had many happy moments.

Joanne said...

I agree with Debbie. Making improvements really puts your stamp on the home, connecting it truly to your own tastes, your heart. Sounds very exciting, the very best wishes!

Randy Emmitt said...

Michelle,
Sounds like a great deal! Get out there as that $8000 deal is over if you don't have a contract by the end of April.

That is about what our house cost 12 years ago. Last year we had it appraised at over 3 times what I bought it for. We did recently double the size of the house though.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

Sylvia (England) said...

Good luck, it must feel as though the house was waiting for you. I do hope it is really what you want and all goes through but if it doesn't there will be another house somewhere, sometime.

Best wishes Sylvia (England)

donna said...

I agree, the yard is the most important part. To heck with good electrical and plumbing:)

Fingers crossed for you.

donna

Roses and Lilacs said...

If it turns out to be the right house for you, I hope you are successful. Scary thing, buying a home:) But this one sounds like a good deal.

Marnie

Gail said...

Michelle, This is exciting...and it sounds like a good deal. The large garage and shed are important~for a gardener! gail

Skeeter said...

My vote is to go for it also! You can do The renovations and make it perfect for you. If you decide it is not the one for you later on, you can sell it and make a profit when the market climbs again. Being a home owner is exciting but a bit scary as well. Good Luck!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Home prices are lower than they have been for years. I would say if you're renting, now is the perfect time to buy. Values can only go up from here.