Tell me today is our day!

[moonstone523]

We have been looking at houses religiously for the past month and watching the market for the past year. Well just an FYI it's slim pickings out there and things are moving fast. We've put offers on homes that have had multiple offers after only days on the market. We tried to see home after they've been on the market for a day, and they already are under contract.

Well I hope today is our day. We have two homes to se tonight, both came on the market in the past two days, one just came on the market last night. I've asked our realtor to bring a contract with him for one of the homes and Dave and I will fill in our offer price and sign shortly after viewing the house if it's a go.

Fingers crossed that someone doesn't beat us to the punch. I can't wait to be moved and settled and I hope it's before Samantha comes.

Please let this be the ONE!

[amellis2]

FX for you!

[aegis2005]

Good luck!

[lauren9317]

Today is your day! GL

[scjb143]

Good Luck!!

[alzi]

I hope this is it!!!

[sara76]

You already know how much I hope this is it! Like really really!

[tashaandsage]

Good luck!

[jen812]

Good luck. I didn't realize the market was so hot down there now. I hope one of these are it for you!

[sara76]

Jul 10, 2012 10:51:41 GMT -5 jen812 said:

Good luck. I didn't realize the market was so hot down there now. I hope one of these are it for you!

That makes me optimistic that mayyyybe one day we will be able to sell ours for a fraction of what we put into it. Starting to work on curb appeal this summer (??)

[moonstone523]

Jul 10, 2012 10:54:43 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Jul 10, 2012 10:51:41 GMT -5 jen812 said:

Good luck. I didn't realize the market was so hot down there now. I hope one of these are it for you!

That makes me optimistic that mayyyybe one day we will be able to sell ours for a fraction of what we put into it. Starting to work on curb appeal this summer (??)

Yeah, well, I wouldn't call this market a come back. Our home will probably never, ever, ever, go back to anywhere near what my H bought it for. I'm normally optimistic, but I'm not going to even go there.

Since there aren't a lot of booming new builds, I'm seeing homes in established communities that are nice and well priced go like hot cakes. It's absolutely crazy.

I see the same families looking at new listings the night they come on the market time and time again. I'm like, "oh hi. you again?!"

I'm feeling lucky today though.

Come on home.... Is it 5 yet?

[sara76]

True, def not a comeback. It's a new day we are living in, the asking prices won't be what they used to be for a long time, if ever in my life. At least I think we can get it off our hands if we need to. I'd be willing to lose a little in order to not have to deal with renting it when/if we ever leave the area or upgrade to a bigger/better home. The fixer uppers are getting snatched up for next to nothing and redone, bringing my property value back to somewhat respectable. We only bought 3-4 years ago though. People who bought during the boom, forget about it.

[sara76]

The house next door to us sold for 90k. They gutted it 100% and are making it brand new for another 60k. 150 for a pretty much brand new house. Not too bad. We paid 165 and put 30 (about) into it. I'll be thrilled to just get what we owe. But I'm talking several years down the road.

[jen812]

I think we bought at a good time. We've only been here a couple of years & other houses in our community are selling now for about $20K more than we paid & without any upgrades/updates. I hope it keeps going up.

[alzi]

Jul 10, 2012 13:15:51 GMT -5 sara76 said:

The house next door to us sold for 90k. They gutted it 100% and are making it brand new for another 60k. 150 for a pretty much brand new house. Not too bad. We paid 165 and put 30 (about) into it. I'll be thrilled to just get what we owe. But I'm talking several years down the road.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MOVE EVER. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.

[moonstone523]

Jul 10, 2012 13:27:45 GMT -5 alzi said:

Jul 10, 2012 13:15:51 GMT -5 sara76 said:

The house next door to us sold for 90k. They gutted it 100% and are making it brand new for another 60k. 150 for a pretty much brand new house. Not too bad. We paid 165 and put 30 (about) into it. I'll be thrilled to just get what we owe. But I'm talking several years down the road.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MOVE EVER. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.

SERIOUSLY.

[moonstone523]

Update. So saw two houses on the same street. One I liked, one I didn't

H couldn't go, so he is going back tonight to look at the one. I feel like its such a big decision.

Pro
Nice street
Guarded neighborhood
Pool
Nice upgrades
Excellent, perfect, move in ready condition
New paint in and exterior
Dedicated office
Built ins
On golf course?
Great windows, open view

Cons
No real backyard so lucky wouldn't get a fenced in yard
One neighbor doesn't keep their house up ( ie they need a power washing)
We look into said neighbor's lanai from ours though not the house AND the have "stuff" in the lanai that looks crappy (yeah, I've got high standards when I have to look at your shit for the next 20 years). <- easily fixed with growing shrubs (this hoa is weird about fences and there isn't much yard at all to even build one.
The price is significantly higher than 2 out of 3 homes for sale on the same street (thought significantly nicer). We just don't want to overpay for that street.

Are these cons deal breakers? Not sure. I do bitch now about the lack of privacy at our house and how lucky doesn't have a fenced in yard. Atleast with this house in question the neighbors can't look in the house- house, just the lanai part.

I know something on "the list" has to give, and the con list isn't SO bad. Ahhh... I need H's help.

[jen812]

Is this your forever home? I know it sounds silly, but the fact that it wasn't possible to put in a fence would be a major turn off for me. That's a must for my next home. The other things wouldn't be a huge deal to me. Annoying, yes, but not a deal breaker.

[sara76]

I'm a big fence girl too, especially because I hate my neighbors to the right. But it's true, you can do amazing things with hedges these days

[moonstone523]

Jul 11, 2012 9:29:37 GMT -5 jen812 said:

Is this your forever home? I know it sounds silly, but the fact that it wasn't possible to put in a fence would be a major turn off for me. That's a must for my next home. The other things wouldn't be a huge deal to me. Annoying, yes, but not a deal breaker.

It will probably be the next 20 year home, so yes, a forever home as far as I see it.

The fence thing is annoying and I've always told Lucky in our heart to hearts that our next house will have a backyard for her. I mean we could put a fence in, under their strict regulations I'm sure, but she would have like 10 inches of yard. She doesn't pee in backyards though. She requires a walk to pee and poop, so it's not like I could put her back there and she would pee and come back to bed. No she demands a walk and holds her pee forever.

So the fact that we have a big lanai we could get away with. She just likes to look outside and keep tabs on what's going on.

So again, not a deal break persay. maybe.

ETA: And there are no "privacy fences" here. They must be 4 feet high, made of the same material and covered with a hedge. The regulations are out of control.

[sara76]

Can the hedges be higher that 4 feet?

[sara76]

Does it have front porch? I loooove the houses in Westchase with front porches. I want a swing!!

[moonstone523]

Jul 11, 2012 9:42:21 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Does it have front porch? I loooove the houses in Westchase with front porches. I want a swing!!

No it doesn't have a front porch. We've looked at some like that, but H doesn't like how they are really close together with lots of cars on the street. Man, we are picky house buyers. LOL

[moonstone523]

Jul 11, 2012 9:41:38 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Can the hedges be higher that 4 feet?

I saw a hedge that was, so I'm hoping yes. But there seriously is a damn regulation on everything.

[amellis2]

Jul 11, 2012 9:34:48 GMT -5 sara76 said:

I'm a big fence girl too, especially because I hate my neighbors to the right. But it's true, you can do amazing things with hedges these days

I'm thinkin' Alice in Wonderland-inspired. Yes?

[jen812]

Jul 11, 2012 9:48:29 GMT -5 moonstone523 said:

Jul 11, 2012 9:41:38 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Can the hedges be higher that 4 feet?

I saw a hedge that was, so I'm hoping yes. But there seriously is a damn regulation on everything.

I know you're anxious to buy, but it sort of sounds like this isn't the place for you. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't want to compromise too much on a house that's your forever home. Are you going tobe able to deal with the HOA restrictions for 20+ years?

[moonstone523]

Jul 11, 2012 15:33:41 GMT -5 jen812 said:

Jul 11, 2012 9:48:29 GMT -5 moonstone523 said:

I saw a hedge that was, so I'm hoping yes. But there seriously is a damn regulation on everything.

I know you're anxious to buy, but it sort of sounds like this isn't the place for you. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't want to compromise too much on a house that's your forever home. Are you going tobe able to deal with the HOA restrictions for 20+ years?

Actually, despite the hoa being strict, we like that

Coming from a neighborhood where hoa does nothing and thins have tanked, we'll take
Rules and regulations.

[jen812]

Jul 11, 2012 16:55:54 GMT -5 moonstone523 said:

Jul 11, 2012 15:33:41 GMT -5 jen812 said:

I know you're anxious to buy, but it sort of sounds like this isn't the place for you. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't want to compromise too much on a house that's your forever home. Are you going tobe able to deal with the HOA restrictions for 20+ years?

Actually, despite the hoa being strict, we like that

Coming from a neighborhood where hoa does nothing and thins have tanked, we'll take
Rules and regulations.

Ok, good. I'm getting really sick of the rules & regulations in my neighborhood & we've only been here a couple of years. Some of the rules are just stupid. MH joined the board to try & change things. He just gets more frustrated seeing/dealing with all the bs.

Just looking out for you.

[moonstone523]

Okay. We are passing on that house. Crappy neighbors and no privacy are two things we can't change and two things we're trying to get away from now. Back to the waiting game.

[jen812]

I know you'll find the perfect home, just give it time. It'll have everything on your wish list & then some.