It's official. We are looking for a house! So Joe and I have been searching and driving by houses for the past month or two. But yesterday, we actually went out with a realtor, spoke to several lenders and went inside a couple for our first few showings.
I am so excited about having a house. I get to paint what I want. I get to put things on the wall, number of holes be damned! I get to plant stuff. And most importantly Rufus (my awesome little black civic) can go inside a real garage!!!! (He is totally stoked by the way!)
I must admit I am also scared to death. Houses are expensive. Interest is rediculous. And nevermind the fact you think everyone is going to take you for all your worth (because in some small way, they really are...). But we're motivated...lease runs out in January. Now wouldn't that make a fine birthday gift?
So we're looking around Grapevine/North Richland Hills at the moment. So get your search engines going and let us know what you see! I mean the faster you find us our dream home, the sooner the "Happy New House" party will be! =)
13 comments:
I picked up a booklet of house listings last week. I've pored over every page, but each listing either has the price or location, but never both! So, it's really not helpful unless you call the realtors, which stinks.
I'm glad you've gotten a realtor. That seems like a good way to go for the first time out.
We're not sold on this guy just yet. He was a recommendation from one of Joe's friends. It's hard because you have to sign your life away to one of these guys for at least three months or so and they get 3-6% of whatever you buy. And if you don't have much more to offer me than getting us into the houses I already found online...I just don't know.
We're going to talk to the guy that sold Sarah and Joe's g-parents their house and see if he has any more insight for us.
www.trulia.com is very cool because it is like google maps but with house listings. then you can go to look at more details of the house. Happy hunting!
Congratulations...and,yes,a new house would make a GREAT birthday gift! I got one for my birthday in 2003!! HAHA
A house is a big deal, but a wonderful blessing. It's something you can start preparing for now by saving all that you can. The better your down payment, the better off you'll be. Mortgages are still not really considered bad debt...but debt is debt and never any fun. However, painting walls is definitely a perk! A lawn is a perk. But then again, I wouldn't trade being able to clean on a Friday afternoon in an hour or two the entire apartment and calling it a day. Definitely look into several folks to see who's really someone who's priorities are the same as yours. My sister bought a house that needed some repairs. Some people don't like that. Do you want a beginner home, or something you will be in for the next 20 years? All things to consider. In other news--you can deduct the mortgage interest and property tax and is well worth it if you do early on in the year (vs. Dec) per Tim the tax man. ;)
Flower Mound is always looking for two more lovely residents...we loved our realtor by the way. His name is Brian Felley and he is with remax. He helped us look at homes from downtown Dallas to here. We also love looking at the ebby.com website. The map with the houses is great, you should check it out.
I am excited for you both, it is so great to own your own place!
Yep, we've been saving for a while and, sicne the lease is almost up we need to look.
I need a house. I need a yard. I need trees. I need a cat and a dog.
As far as type of house, something that's good investment that we'll stay in for a few years, and that may need some repairs. For those that don't know, Joe is amazing. He and his dad pretty much gutted his sister's house and made it look amazing!
Ebby and Remax are my favs of late, and now with trulia, I am just too overwhelmed! =)
Sounds like you're on the right steps to being Leanna, Home Owner. The fact that your hubby is a hands on guy, fix it ups (or minor fix it ups) would be so fun. My sister & her hubby built a deck that connected with their above ground pool. It looks awesome now and something they can feel proud of. Took awhile...but well worth it.
You can have my cat and dog.
Well, I guess the dog isn't mine to give away. :-P
I know a dog you can have, too, but between Bailey and Sam the Great, you'd have your hands full!
PS--Aren't we so nice to pawn off our problem children on you? Take it as a compliment that we know you're the one who could love them back into the well-adjusted animals they should be. :)
As I'm reading this, Bailey is flailing himself into John's chair, causing it to spin while he grabs on for dear life. And now he's off again, I can hear his scamper on the tile floor... then a yeowl, he must've spotted another shadow or dust bunny to attack.
See what kind of entertainment he can provide?
Yes, you two are aweful! Can't wait to tell my crazy psycho pet stories too!
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