[maddog17]

make sure your finances are set. just because you got pre approved for a $500k loan doesn't mean you can afford it. that number doesn't take living expenses into account, just the mortgage. don't fall in love with the first house you see that may meet your needs. keep it in mind and keep looking, you never know. and ask a shit ton of questions to your realtor and or the sellers. get as much info as you can. if you have sticker points get it in writing too. like if you ask does the basement get water and they say no, get it in writing. if it does leak then you have some recourse.

 

[mandown]

Watch out for newer properties with Mello Roos attached to them. Hidden costs are hidden and costly.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Watch out for newer properties with Mello Roos attached to them. Hidden costs are hidden and costly.

One more reason not to live where the streets are paved with gold...

 

[SkaredShtles]

Oh - and get a tiny house.

 

[Westy]

Hippies in your neighborhood devalues properties. Never invite SS over.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Hippies in your neighborhood devalues properties. Never invite SS over.

This is spot on.

 

[Westy]

This is spot on.

It was a little harsh. There is always the back door, when it is dark, preferably disguised as hired help.

 

[eric strt6]

As the owner of my 4th house now and having worked 10 years in Fire and Rescue responding to all sorts of mishaps and stupidity I have a few thoughts. Never live at the top of a cliff or the bottom of one, those cliffs fall sooner or later. That nice creek? it will flood, what is uphill of your house for the next few miles..can it flood down to your house? Fire safety, proper clearance, good constuction, can you get in or out of the neighborhood in an emergency when everyone else is doing the same? taxes and fees what are they and are the current assesments set to rise over time to offset inflation, when and by how much? HOA's suck, nuff said. Pay to have a full home inspection do not trust the report by the "sellers guy". if you buy, get the insurance for the appliances like the waterheater, AC, Furnace it's cheap vs buying replacement big ticket items. Make sure the house is well insulated, if not use it as a price reduction barganing chip. Multi story vs single story. Stairs really suck as you get older and kids fall down them and rack up medical bills, oldies fall down them too.

 

[UNHrider]

Consider new construction, if available. Get to avoid a lot of problems created by other people that way. And any problems you do have to deal with are of your own creation.

 

[SkaredShtles]

It was a little harsh. There is always the back door, when it is dark, preferably disguised as hired help.

That sounds... uhhh... dirty. NTTAWWT.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Consider new construction, if available. Get to avoid a lot of problems created by other people that way. And any problems you do have to deal with are of your own creation.

Hardly - try most of the problems will be of the *builder's* creation. And don't underestimate it.

 

[Westy]

That sounds... uhhh... dirty. NTTAWWT.

Well, no one is going to have you over because of your personality.

 

[Da Peach]

Well, no one is going to have you over, because of your personality.

(redundant/fixed)

 

[wiscodh]

So with the impending change in career path and such, the Frau and I are looking for a white picket fence to buy, along with a house behind said fence. Have only lived in government housing or rentals for my entire adult life...am basically scared shitless.

Since I know not all of you live in a van down by the river or bong sheds behind Westys house...who has tips for house buying that the average idiot (Me!) would not think of.

Rep for the best tip...

navy federal credit union..... no pmi with 100% financing,

 

[Westy]

(redundant/fixed)

This makes me laugh every time I read it.

 

[stevew]

Oh - and get a tiny house.

why....just to shit in a bucket?

 

[Serial Midget]

the roof also can double as a bong shed.....this was revealed to me visiting my friend in norcal....star gazing from the roof is great....falling asleep on the roof while staring at the stars ain't half bad either.

the only other thing i have to add is land over neighbors....all day every day.

Growing up Colorado we would sit on the roof and watch the afternoon thunder storms develop over the mountains, occasionally we would be blessed funnel cloud formations which were pretty exciting in a time were your bike was your only entertainment.

 

[Serial Midget]

My only advice is to not pay for stupid stuff you do not need, think of bars in basements, outdoor cooking areas, high end finishes in small footprints. Fine if you want all that for yourself but why pay for someone else's dream?

LOCATION
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
Size of rooms
Size of cooking area
Size of family area
Garage, how many stalls and how large

No amount of high end finish will make up for a kitchen that is too small or the fact that your family needs 3 bathrooms every morning but you only 2...