I really like this place a lot...

**momof1in150** · 05-06-2009, 06:16 PM

Do you have an agent? If so, then ask them to pull comparable properties that are currently listed and recently sold. Maybe it is overpriced and you could get it for less then asking - it is a buyer's market.

**ScrimpAndSave** · 05-06-2009, 06:21 PM

Yes, I did...and she said that it is priced correctly... Wah.

I love this one too! But the area is not so great.

MLS

**momof1in150** · 05-06-2009, 06:34 PM

You can't change the location so move on. It is the one thing about a property that you can change so make sure you like where you will live.

**ScrimpAndSave** · 05-06-2009, 06:39 PM

Yeah that is what I figured...i am still looking and I am not in a rush. I am hoping that at the end of the school year, more people put their houses up for sale...we shall see...

**destiny10** · 05-07-2009, 01:01 AM

lol. with the recession, nothing is impossible nowadays. plus homes are now half what they used to cost five years ago.

**momof1in150** · 05-07-2009, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by destiny10 View Post

lol. with the recession, nothing is impossible nowadays. plus homes are now half what they used to cost five years ago.

That is a broad statement. Not all areas of the country have been hit that hard. Where I live prices are down 11-20%. Buyers need to be educated on their local market and not use the national media as their guidelines when making local decisions.

**ScrimpAndSave** · 05-07-2009, 04:16 AM

Our home sales have recently gone up and although there has been a downturn, the job market has been pretty steady around here...we have not suffered like other areas of the country. Because of this, I feel as though I will be able to wait things out without the market suddenly "booming".

I would love to be eligible for the $8,000 tax credit though...

**Ima saver** · 05-07-2009, 05:19 AM

Location is most important of anything!!

**gamecock43** · 05-07-2009, 05:43 AM

you are eligible for the $8,000tax credit. It expires in December. I got mine on this years taxes, and it helped me tremendously. Helped put an entire new roof on my house.Just make sure you CLOSE before it expires!

**gamecock43** · 05-07-2009, 05:53 AM

I just looked at the place. It does look nice. In a "its a cape style house and every house you like is a cape." So tell me S&S, are Capes abundant, being the majority style house in your area, are there new constructions, split levels, bungalows, ranches and contemporaries- but Capes are in your price range, or are you just drawn to Capes and really like them?

I guess I am asking out of curiosity, but it does seem that your listings are all capes when they are SFH, and since they are capes- they seem to all have the same layout/features.

Since they have similar sq footage/similar room sizes/numbers/similar curb appeal, the stuff that differentiates are the "cosmetics" like Paint, cabinets, flooring and lighting. And that stuff is easy to change.

This house seems to have more "upgrades" than the last few houses. It has the nice cabinets and nice paint on the walls. But otherwise- it looks a lot like houses you have listed in your price range.

**ScrimpAndSave** · 05-07-2009, 05:57 AM

Capes are the cheapest single family homes...all new construction, splits, bungalows and everything else are over $200,000.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 05-07-2009, 07:29 AM

If you really love it, why not offer within your price range? Worse they can say is no.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 05-07-2009, 11:43 AM

Guess what! That house in your first link? You showed it to us once before. So I guess you are voting for it twice yourself.

I've been in a lot of houses like that first one. Honestly they look to me on the exterior like the houses that the song with the line about "ticky-tacky little boxes" was written about. But everyone I have been in is actually built like a tank with good solid foundation, solid walls, and solid floors. Oh, usually solid panelled doors, too that would cost a lot of money new these days. Not a squeak to be heard from their thicker than now-a-days hardwood floors. bathroom tiles that were meant to be there for the ages, not remodelled every 10 years. Inside they look just as charming, or eclectic, classic, modern, or "transitional" as the owners possessions and personality make them look. Kitchens and baths are often tiny, but many of us can learn to live with that. Windows might be an issue, even if they were "updated" in, say the 1970's.

Are you actually going out to look at any of these houses in person?

There is not much any of us can really say about a house posted online that is more than just a matter of personal taste. "I like it." "I don't like it." What do you think about the houses you post other than "I like it"? Can they accommodate having to store and plug in all of your music instruments? Do they have a place to put 25 pairs of winter boots near the front door if you wear boots every day? Is the bathroom private enough for you, or sunny enough for you? Is the driveway hard to back out of? Are there signs that water has been draining toward the house for the last 50 years? Will you be able to mow the steep hill by yourself, or be able to hire anyone to safely mow it? Is there roof shingle sand collected at the ends of the gutters suggesting that maybe the roof will need to be replaced soon, no matter how new the seller says it is?....All these are things that we on the internet are not likely to be able to see for you. Any house you link for us is going to charm some of us, disgust some of us, and be in between for most of us, as we can only view in its general appearance.

**ScrimpAndSave** · 05-07-2009, 12:19 PM

Joan, I totally hear you. I like the charm of the cape cods and feel like they are basically my only option since I really prefer to have a detached home. Anything else that is detached is pretty much out of my price range (whether it be a bungalow, colonial, split level, ranch, etc.).

I'm basically looking for the roof, windows and kitchen cabinets to be in decent shape. I don't mine renovating floors, countertops and bathroooms...also electric and plumbing can sometimes be an issue in these older homes. Lastly - I would like it to NOT be oil heat.

I don't hoard things and I am not a packrat...so since I am more of a minimalist, I am not totally concerned about square footage (although something over 1200 would be great).

And yes...I have gone to see about 20 houses in person...most of them end up needing more work then the photos show (of course) or I just can't deal with the actual layout of the house...and due to different load bearing walls the layout can't be changed.

So, my search is still on. I am going to stop by the second house on my way home from work. I'm not totally familiar with the area and the neighborhood might be ok. I have to talk to some people at work that live around there...

I really like this place a lot...