It's really cute inside and has nice curb appeal! Is the only bathroom upstairs (sorry glanced quickly)? Do you have kids? If so, that might be a pain, but I think it would work!
No pics of bathroom, which is a red flag to me. I just eliminated a house I looked at because the only bathroom was on the first floor and that can be hard to deal with taking a shower downstairs, etc.
I don't have any children. Maybe someday...
I would need to ask about the feasability of adding a second bathroom anyway with a contractor, since that's like the number one thing I'd need to eventually rent it out or sell it or heck, live in it long term.
As an owner of an old house, I think it's gorgeous. If you do decide to buy, you'll need to get a great home inspector. I would ask the neighbors about parking - if it really is easy to find a spot, or not. I would also find out from the neighbors about snow removal - it's a huge issue in on-street parking situations that they plow again a few days after a big storm once everyone goes back to work. (Mine was fine until my city got cheap and stopped doing it, so people keep stealing each other's shoveled out spots and I had to shovel out 4 different ones the last time we had a storm.)
Do you know what a parking chair is? Maybe that's a Pittsburgh thing? You put out a chair to save your spot...respect the chair, haha.
I will definitely ask. I know some Nesties here live in that boro so they'd know about the snow removal best.
I love old houses and am only really looking at old houses or new townhouses. I can't afford a standard ranch or bigger house that's newer.
In the older suburbs of Pittsburgh, I would say a garage is not common and street parking is the norm. I want a garage, but in an older house, I probably won't get one. Maybe a detached one could be built somewhere way down the line. It's not ideal, but not a dealbreaker in this part of town.
This particular suburb, this part of it, the houses can be tight together there. To me, it does look like there is a driveway of some sort to the left of the home? But I'm not totally sure on that.
I haven't seen it in person yet. I can't go to the area until the end of February, so I am having my sister and my agent look and rule out anything that's a "heck no!" before I get there.
I do think the living room looks small and the rooms are tight. I have that on my list of things to ask. Kitchen layout is SUPER awkward.
Will you be commuting to the city every day? The paint jobs look poor to me, but maybe it's just the photos. Certainly not enough of a deal breaker to not take a look at it. I am not super familiar with the area, but I think it is ok.
Nope, I work from home, but what I do does involve going to the city sometimes (wedding photographer) but certainly not every day, maybe twice a week. I also go to Greensburg, etc, and my roommate's job is about 20 minutes from this place too.
I hate the paint jobs too. But I figure, you nearly always have to paint.
It's not bad at all. I'd want to know why the stove is electric when the house lists "gas" as a ulitiy. Definitely have an inspection. Outside of that, it's pretty cute. Weird window treatments and some paint that need to be updated but in the scheme of things that's nothing. Do you have an information on the basement? Also see if your inspector could give you an idea about how diffcult it might be to add a bathroom or half bath if you are there for a long time. Same for a dish washer. It looks like there is a spacein the cabinets for it next to the sink in the picture. Also I didn't see if it was zoned so you could work from the house or where you would have clients visit you there.
That was sort of a ramble of random thoughts but it has potential to be a good fit.
I think the stove is electric based on where it is---there may not be a gas line there. I noticed the dishwasher thing--so weird.
Any home would have a thorough inspection, yes, and places look so different in the photos than in real life.
As far as zoning, this area is definitely mixed residential and commercial (coffee shops, funeral home, I can't remember what else, etc) so I would have to check that out.
I think it is cute. What is the neighborhood like?
I know we have some ladies here that live in that suburb, so hopefully they can weigh in. This neighborhood is, overall, average. Very, very safe.
Maybe there are some rundown houses around there, it's the older section of town, and some things are outdated. But there are also some nice homes in the neighborhood. It's definitely the way more affordable portion of the school district, which is considered to be very good.
Cons---it's far from the city of Pittsburgh.
Pros--the property tax is WAY cheaper than Allegheny County.
I don't like the kitchen layout (looks awkward to me) and I wish there were two bathrooms, and the decorating isn't my taste but that's paint.
If your husband works at a theme park, you don't need the Seaworld passes. You can go to the theme park in which he works for free (well, there are restrictions, but you know)...
Busch Gardens is too, too far away for you if you live where I think you do (Orlando area more than Tampa, right?) I know you bring your food, but what about parking there or at SeaWorld, and the gas to get there and the wear and tear on the car---it's a full day trip for me and the drive back is like 2 hours.
So I'd skip that Seaworld pass for now.
I think other than that, you are doing okay.
We do get into Disney for free. However, we can only go 16 times a year an it's subject to block out dates. For example, we were blocked out of Magic Kingdom from the first week in December to February 22 of 2013. I know I said "only 16 times" and that sounds completely ridiculous to the majority of people, but we go there a lot. We don't spend full days at Disney because of nap time and my husband working.
The SeaWorld pass includes free parking. There is also a free shuttle bus that takes pass holders and paying guests to Busch Gardens. We always take that. We never drive ourselves.
I'm a Disney passholder myself (well, I was, I let it expire as I am not in the position to afford it right now even though I make 3x what you make and don't have a kid or spouse), so I do know about the blackout dates. They are reasonable. I never had a problem working around them, planned carefully, and really looked forward to our trips.
You're telling me that, multiple times a year, you are getting on a shuttle bus at Seaworld and going to Busch Gardens across the state with an infant? Doesn't that take like the entire day out and back?
I was a Disney passholder and, if we made it out 5 times in a year, we considered that a decent amount. That's plenty---how much entertainment do you need? I guess I work too damn much though.
There's not that much to do at Busch Gardens or Seaworld that you need the annual pass. Just saying, as a Florida resident...
Also, if your husband works at Disney, then can't you work there too...what about at the call center or the cruise line over in Celebration? Your husband and you could work the schedule out to have different shifts.
Also, you know if you are Disney, you can get signed in...
I have a cheaper park alternative for you too---get the after 2 water park passes. There's your entertainment and it's like half the cost!
I understand that this is the OP's only entertainment but she can go to Disney for free.
I apologize if I'm posting too much. You ladies really are the wisest people I have in my life regarding all things financial and real estate. I really appreciate all the advice I've been given here over the years.
Anyway, I know nothing about buying a house. I do have a buyer's agent I found through a recommendation from a friend. I'm getting pre-approved. I am also still keeping my eye out for rentals and have had my sister/roommate looking at places as well---she's seen two places in the past week, both within the budget, but also one place was in pretty bad shape. (The other was fine and is on the list for now).
My buyer's agent and my family will have to look at places for me and narrow them down if I decide to buy. I will then take a weeklong trip up to check things out further. If I rent, this won't be possible---I'll just take whatever my sister thinks looks good (we will have to move fast on a rental since we haven't found much).
This house is in a good school district (not a concern for me, but a concern for resale or rental in the future). It doesn't have two bathrooms like I wanted and the back of the house isn't to my tastes (compromises, compromises), but what do you think? It's under my budget. Just wondering if I should put it on the list for them to see or if you think it looks rough just from the photos--definitely needs some work, but what doesn't?
All opinions welcome! I have some other places I want to show you ladies too--I know some of you are Pittsburgh people and would know these areas better than me.
If your husband works at a theme park, you don't need the Seaworld passes. You can go to the theme park in which he works for free (well, there are restrictions, but you know)...
Busch Gardens is too, too far away for you if you live where I think you do (Orlando area more than Tampa, right?) I know you bring your food, but what about parking there or at SeaWorld, and the gas to get there and the wear and tear on the car---it's a full day trip for me and the drive back is like 2 hours.
How big are y'alls places that you can stockpile everything?
My house is pretty small, so I only buy the bare minimum. Like if there's a huge pack, even if I know I will use it all (but it will take a long time), I still buy the smaller size. Just less cost outlay at the beginning and less to store.
You all would be horrified in that I *use* the shampoos and conditioners and soaps from the hotels. Use them right up, every bottle, the days I come home from the hotel. I have zero brand loyalty to toiletries.
However, this no stockpiling at all often leads to realizing I'm out of deodorant or contact solution when I'm heading out to work or something, which is very disorganized.
So now, if it's getting low, I write it down. I'm super low maintenance though, I don't use a lot of things besides shampoo (any kind will do), razors, deodorant, and makeup (and it lasts me like a year--I buy it every birthday).
Do you have any advice for teaching a dog to not get things from counters/tables/couches? Any videos on YouTube for things that might work? How do you correct the dog if you don't catch them fast enough?
I told my mom I'd ask for her here...her newly adopted five year old lab is so sweet and knows some commands and is attending basic obedience training. She is potty trained and crate trained.
She knows: sit, stay, down, wait, easy (for a soft mouth to take food or pills--she was quite rough when first adopted), heel, paw, other paw, "kennel," and they're working on "release" right now. She doesn't get on furniture without getting the signal that it is okay, but she *will* put her paws up on furniture/counters in order to steal an item she wants.
This is a new challenge for my mom because the last lab they had (who passed) was a real sweetheart and picked up training very fast (she would respond to just facial cues even), but you have to work with Reilly (their newest lab) a little more.
She takes food from counters if you leave the room for just ten seconds. She won't ever take it in front of you--and she can leave a plate undisturbed completely but eat everything on it when you leave the room.
She also ate a bag of chocolate coins left on an end table (she was fine--the vet said it was a non-harmful amount), "stole" a stocking from on top of a mantle and played with it before getting caught, she's grabbed something from the trash a few times, taken yarn from a basket on top of a couch, and just recently, she took a snowman soft decoration from their TV stand to play with.
She likes food, stuffed/cloth items, and anything that makes a crunchy noise. She has plenty of toys and receives daily exercise. It's always something she takes that she has shown *no* previous interest in ever--you're not even aware she knows it is there such as the snowman, the stockings, the yarn. Anything that does tempt her is put away out of sight.
Thanks in advance for the help, ladies! I don't think obedience training (the basic class) is going to address this this round---that would be further down the line, I believe, so hoping to get some homework from this crowd to help my mom until then.
What's wrong with Morning Glory Rd? Is that something inappropriate?
Admittedly, if the name was really bad, I wouldn't not buy the house, but I might consider knocking a few thousand off what I'd normally pay. I have a business and I feel so unprofessional telling people to send the checks to "Nipple Way" or "Anus Drive" or something.
I was thinking about that. I'm sorry to ask such a stupid question, but I've been a lifelong renter. When you add insulation, does that involve tearing down walls and things, putting holes in, having to re-do plaster (home is plaster not drywalled)? Or do they blow it in from the attic?
We just did the attic and a bit of the crawl space. Rented the blower from Home Depot and did it ourselves. Helped a lot.
If you do the walls that put tiny holes to blow it in. Either removing the molding or you would want to put some up after. Or so I was told by Home Depot. We didn't feel the need to go that far.
Oh, that's excellent. I didn't realize I could DIY that---it doesn't sound that hard and I could probably have some family help me if needed. I didn't really understand this because the only houses I've lived in haven't had the blown in insulation, just like insulation that's pink in the walls.
I was thinking about that. I'm sorry to ask such a stupid question, but I've been a lifelong renter. When you add insulation, does that involve tearing down walls and things, putting holes in, having to re-do plaster (home is plaster not drywalled)? Or do they blow it in from the attic?
Mine is brick over some kind of block...it's 113yrs old. I live in CO & the house is over 3k SF. My gas/electric bill (no a/C) is between $150-420/mo. This month was $300 but natural gas is very low right now. We are home a lot & keep the thermostat at 72.
Yes, this is what it is! It's terra cotta blocks and then over them is brick...this was popular in the 1890's until 1930's, I believe.
Have you have any problems with them? Any thoughts?
Do you feel your home is poorly insulated? (For example, my college apartment was very poorly insulated---it was 900sq feet and our heating bills were $300/month...but we could tell it was poorly insulated because the walls were like paper thin).
This home is 2200 sq feet---it's almost too big for me. I know the average gas bill in my future home county is $86/month. I try to keep my heat on like 62 degrees or so to save money. I'd be home all the time too--I work from home.
I'm looking at a few houses for rent and to purchase. I don't think the "Real Estate" board on here gets many hits.
One of the houses I like looks like solid brick, but the agent says it is brick over terra cotta, and that in his experience, that means little insulation and high heat bills.
I did some Googling and don't see that mentioned as a problem on some of the old house websites.
Anyone have experience with this? The home is 100 years old and large, so large utility bills could be a concern, but I have to compromise someplace, so just looking for your thoughts!
I'm a photographer and that's just how it is. I work 80 hours a week. When my husband was alive, we were like two ships passing in the night. Well, not really, I'd work from home after he went to sleep.
All of these houses are within our price range- I haven't seen any in person yet, but just wanted to know what you think or which ones you like better! Just started looking tonight.
I *love* shopping for houses vicariously. I didn't read any of the other comments to avoid influencing myself. I have a certain style of home I love and, keep in mind, I don't know where these are located. Here's my thoughts:
House 1 (tan house with big porch):
LOVE this house. My jaw dropped---I should move to Iowa if 100k gets you this!!
LOVE the windows above the interior doors.
Dislike: 1. black registers on white trim 2. small (for the room size) ceiling fans--I'm not a ceiling fan fan 3. cheap closet doors in basement 4. weird patch on basement floor (not sure what this is) 5. Black outside of bathtub (I otherwise love the tub) 6. Back view of house looks like it isn't as fabulous as front
Comments: Is it just two bedrooms? Garage? Off-street parking? Is it 1.5 or 2 bathrooms? Will a Jack and Jill be annoying to you? (We had one growing up and you had to make sure to lock both doors and then remember to unlock them)
Dislikes: 1. Outside/exterior of the house. Too flat for my tastes. 2. Don't like mailbox. 3. Don't love the spacing of the windows in the front and that would be hard to fix. 4. Kitchen fixture and kitchen ceilings look low. 5. Again with the tiny ceiling fans throughout whole house. 6. Weird black window in living room 7. Basement lighting 8. Tiny trim in wood 9. Fence is not really something I like 10. Master looks small 11. More money than House 1
Comments: Well cared for, 3 bedrooms instead of two, how is the closet space?, what's the back of the house look like?
House 3, split level
I like this house in general. Lacks curb appeal but very nice inside. Love the view of the front door when it opens. Paint and wood floors are beautiful. Like the kitchen. Like all the windows. Bathroom is fine.
Dislikes: 1. Lacks curb appeal to me (too flat/needs more three dimensional elements) 2. I am not crazy about the interior doors that are wood-look. 3. Not crazy about how the trim goes from wood and tiny to white, with a white register along the wood trim 4. Stove is older but serviceable. 5. Bedrooms appear small. Dislike the trim in the bedrooms and one bedroom wall looks a bit dingy. 6. Basement is interesting---don't like the light feature and am unsure about the paneling. 7. Yard looks a bit unkempt
Comments: Are there photos of the second bathroom?
In general, I'd rank it HOUSE 1 (tan with big porch), HOUSE 3 (split level that looks nice inside), HOUSE 1 (rancher with big backyard).
Now I'll go back and read everyone else's thoughts on the house!
I'd sign again...I faced that decision earlier this year and signed again. If you started looking in September, found the right place right away, and had to close fast, it would still give you a month or two overlap to move, paint, fix things, etc.
Is there a penalty in your lease or can you leave early?
I had some ideas...I think you are doing great for being in med school as a married lady and a mom!
Try a SAHM for after school care, this sounds great. If after school is $500/month, it's $125/week, or $75/kid.
For fast meals, I too have trouble with this. I started getting Schwan's grocery delivery (I'm in Florida too) and it is GREAT. You take something out, microwave it, you are done. I love it and it has helped me tremendously.
You mean for an application for rent/mortgage? I think you have to have three years of history and I don't. But for just general budgeting reasons, yes. I was hoping to save that money for my retirement and to eventually buy a home someday, but that day might be now.
Good lord, I was never asked for three years of income history when applying for an apartment.
Really? Because I'm self-employed, I have to bring in three years of tax returns or pay a year rent upfront. I also may be able to show a bank statement with the money in there as well.
In the past, my husband was able to just show an offer letter from his company with the annual salary on it as a regular employee.
Some apartments, *every* renter/roommate has to make 4x the apartment rent to be able to move in. I think I've even read that some of the ladies here on MM require that for their apartments.
The whole process has been kind of a turn-off. "Do you have pets?" "Do you have kids?" and "Where do you work?" are the three questions you get before you can even talk to them about the place further.
You mean for an application for rent/mortgage? I think you have to have three years of history and I don't. But for just general budgeting reasons, yes. I was hoping to save that money for my retirement and to eventually buy a home someday, but that day might be now.
Could you purchase a property and not have a roommate? That way your sister's commute would not be a concern? I know it's good to have her for emotional support but it sounds like it may be difficult to find something suitable for both of you.
Probably not---I don't have a roommate right now and it's really stretching me financially. I do hope she finds a better job someday. I don't really like living alone---I get lonely.
I was thinking about you today and your situation. My heart goes out to you. I had an idea (sorry if this has already been discussed in previous threads): Who watches your child (and soon to be new baby) while you are at work?
Is your DH healthy enough to watch your daughter and you guys can save on daycare?
When people ask "How can we help?" it is so hard to tell them what you need. I'd say "We need a better daycare option---do you know if anyone would be willing to watch her?" Sometimes church groups, etc, do this to help.
I'm embarrassed to say that, about 3 years ago, I got into this a little bit. I'd spend like 2 hours a day entering contests. Barely won anything (free movie ticket, a few other small things). Years back, I won some amazing Steelers tickets at a local business.
It's sort of like Extreme Couponing.
I also got into this in HS with scholarships---I'd enter ANYTHING. I got maybe like 3k total, until I lucked out and got a GREAT one that covered my tuition for 2 years!
Evander Holyfield was on the plane train in Atlanta with me. I did not know who he was, and he didn't have more than maybe 1 friend/handler with him. Someone asked for a photo and he posed for it but not *with* the person, just a shot of himself in it. Seemed nice enough. (I only know who this is because he stood right behind me on the escalator going to the train, everyone was staring at me, and I thought there was something on my face or something until I heard someone shout who it was!)
This is what scares me about buying a house in Seattle. Oh yeah, and the price of the houses.
That shit blows.
OMG, this is shocking...what in the world? Is this a Seattle-specific problem? Is this "can't use the plumbing until we get this fixed" or "you need to do this someday" kind of a problem?
If I were in your situation with $375K cash available, I'd buy a property in cash. Your sister could rent from you...
Is there backstory I'm missing that makes that not make sense?
Mainly, I'm scared. The money is invested for me and has to last a long, long time. It was life insurance money.
Also, with home interest rates being like 3-4% and earning 6-8% on my money, I wasn't sure if using a large chunk of my cash reserves was a good idea or if a mortgage would be the way to go.
My monthly income sucks, while my assets are okay. I have to be so tight and careful on the day to day.