https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 18 May 2026 00:23:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393562 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 12:11:50 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1393562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you have until May I voted "wait". From what you've said I think you're in a fine situation to see what else pops up.<br /> Personally, I wouldn't want to build a house and max out our budget, especially because I don't buy into a "forever" home. I literally know no elders who still live in the first home they purchased. Maybe they lived there for 20 years, but they still moved eventually. Also, I don't think you can find a "perfect" home - just think about your non-negotiables (which typically are location and neighborhood) Yards can be landscaped down the line, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393496 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 11:30:08 +0000 spaniellove 1393496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: It sounds like the 3+bonus room house could work in either scenario if you like it enough. You could use the bonus room as a bedroom/guest room for a few years and then whatever else after that. Do you feel like it has enough space for 2-3 kids and does the layout work for 2-3 kids, especially with one much older?</p> <p>If you don't go with either house, maybe you could figure out what you loved most about the "perfect house" and use that to guide your search. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393432 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 11:08:01 +0000 Ginabean3 1393432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say hold out for the perfect house! And definitely get prequalified so when that house does come up you can jump on it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393423 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 11:02:25 +0000 pui 1393423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: I would talk to them about it and see how long you can continue to stay there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393421 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 11:00:24 +0000 pregnantbee 1393421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely get prequalified. And I truly wouldn't buy a house you both don't love. As others said, I wish you could make a competing offer on the one you do love! Oooh and I love @pui: 's idea about going month to month after your lease term is up. That's what we did, and it worked out great. Was still good motivation to get out and buy a home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393412 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:57:56 +0000 marionberry 1393412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: yes technically we do but not for too long. They want to sell the house we're in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393393 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:45:58 +0000 pui 1393393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First, get prequalified, which you can do pretty quickly. </p> <p>Next, there will always be more homes. Trust me on this. This one house is not going to be the only house ever that is perfect for you. </p> <p>Do you have the ability to lease with your current landlord month to month and just give notice as soon as you find the right home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393390 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:42:48 +0000 808love 1393390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry Don't give up if this is IT. Find out what you need to do and give a competing bid. Things fall through (for bidders) for all kinds of reasons. If you are offering the same price, you could write a personal letter to the owners (delivered by your realtor) to give you an edge. That's what we did and got it.<br /> I voted WAIT because another dream house will eventually turn up....but given your time and movement limitations, it might be difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393386 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:41:41 +0000 marionberry 1393386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: She's 16 so yes it's 2 years. But she also has poor grades which could mean community college and her living with us for another 2 years, so at least 4. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393383 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:39:31 +0000 marionberry 1393383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: My mom is a mortgage broker so we know what we can qualify for. There were two reasons we were waiting a bit before actually proceeding with which you could wall me about since this post isn't gold. The new homes built here often get furnished and used as models to show home owners what they would look like. They're not manufactured homes. The builder has built tons of homes in our neighborhood and we walked through the exact home we would get yesterday so at least that isn't an issue. And finally, our lease doesn't end until May so we have some time to wait and they might let us go month to month if we asked but they also want to sell this home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393380 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:38:59 +0000 mlm2934 1393380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: how old is his step-daughter? If it is just an inconvenience on room space for 2-3 years, then resolves itseld, I wouldn't let that worry you on space for the long run in new house </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393371 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:33:21 +0000 marionberry 1393371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: @cherrybee: I loved finding out this information about building in England. What a great fact! I would LOVE to build a home but the thing we keep talking about is the fact that we'd get ripped off by building one. This builder wants $450k for what should cost about $375k here and that's still with things like laminate instead of wood floors. If we could find the right builder it would be a great option.</p> <p>To all of those who said to wait I think you're right. It's a gamble which I'm horrible with but maybe it will work out in the end.</p> <p>@spaniellove: DH wants to drive over to the house with the bad yard today. If I ignore that then there are 3 bedrooms and a bonus room. His dsd says she's moving to Iowa with her mom in June so if she does we have no bedroom issue but if she changes her mind then the bedrooms are full and we still plan to have at least one more kid so we'd end up taking the bonus room and making it into a bedroom. I wish I really knew if she was leaving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393353 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:20:52 +0000 yoursilverlining 1393353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you should first get prequalified so you know you're ready/able to make offers and know that there won't be any issues with you getting a mortgage.</p> <p>When you say "model", are you looking at manufactured homes only? If so, I would talk to them about your options for buying that model vs. Others. </p> <p>Im a big fan of building, but I would only select that option if you can compare estimates from multiple companies, and work with a company with great experience and completed homes you can see. I would also insist on actual expenses vs. "Allowances".</p> <p>The housing market in our area is very slow in winter, I wouldn't compromise and buy a place you don't both love. Can you extend your current lease at all? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393293 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 09:48:02 +0000 illumina 1393293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I know! Houses elsewhere in the World seem so much cheaper than the U.K.! Don't think it would convince me enough to emigrate though...the weather on the other hand might ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393130 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:31:47 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1393130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here, few houses are on the market in the winter. Once it gets closer to when school lets out tons will pop up. </p> <p>If you don't feel comfortable making a competitive offer, I'd try to wait it out if you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393105 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:05:41 +0000 Cherrybee 1393105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: I asked DH (because he is in the industry) and he thinks it's down to a number of reasons. </p> <p>- Cost of land. We have less available land here than in some parts of America (obv not NYC etc) so land is very expensive. </p> <p>- He thinks the planning laws are a lot stricter here. </p> <p>- Materials. If you watch Extreme Home Makeover or look online for homes in USA, it seems like a lot of the (OMG so gorgeous) homes there are made from timber. We build out of brick here - whether that's because of our weather or just tradition, you don't see many wooden houses here so it would be more expensive in terms of labour and materials. </p> <p>- Tradition. It's just not the done thing here in the way it is in the USA. </p> <p>I'd LOVE to build my own house. Actually, I'd love to emigrate. Oh my word, I've seen some amazing 5 bed 5 bath houses in Maine etc that are cheaper than my teeny tiny 3 bedroom house!! I neeeeed one!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393098 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 06:44:35 +0000 MapleMoose 1393098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted build your house because if it were me I'd want to choose the details and specifications of my forever dream home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393070 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:51:20 +0000 spaniellove 1393070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are things you can compromise on like maybe the yard, but not having enough bedrooms will really frustrate you, possibly to the point that in a few years you'll be wanting to move again. It happens! So I might suggest waiting for something else or looking into building. Or you never know, that other offer might not work out! And in the meantime it could help to get prequalified so you'll be ready to put in an offer. In the end I know you'll find your dream house even though this part is stressful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393062 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:37:27 +0000 Mrs squirreld 1393062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm I think if it's your forever home build what you want instead of trying to find it. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393061 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:37:06 +0000 illumina 1393061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: ugh, I know. I would love to build a house. Is it because the cost of the materials are so expensive here or is it land? Actually I don't have a huge imagination so I would probably be better buying something already standing! One of my friends is in the same situation as yours after they bought in 2007 right before the prices crashed. We still haven't bought because we have been unable to decide on where we want to live...and even if we did it might take us years to find something that was just right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393058 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:28:44 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1393058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's important for both people to be excited about the house, so I said wait it out for another option. When we were house hunting one day we saw 3 houses that DH and I both thought were ok, but by the next morning we had both fallen in love with different ones! We couldn't convince each other so we eventually gave up and kept looking for one we both loved, which happened a few weeks later :)</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393057 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:21:47 +0000 Cherrybee 1393057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm with @illumina: . It's strange that we both chose this option because it's very rare for people to build their own homes here!!! Maybe we're both just dreaming....!! </p> <p>The thing is, this house is going to be your forever house, right? It's not a starter home with a view to getting a house you love later down the line. This is the house your hubby will retire in - this is THE house. So don't settle for one you don't love or isn't in the area you want to live, for goodness sake! </p> <p>My BFF and her DH bought a house they didn't love with a view to making a bit of profit on it and then trading up. Well the bottom fell out of the market over here and they're now in negative equity. The schools around there are awful, the area is degenerating and they're stuck there indefinitely. My DH and I, however, waited. We picked a house not just in the area but in the street we had our hearts set on and we're happy to be stuck here! The house is a little small for my liking but we didn't have a build-your-own option. </p> <p>Do it! Build your dream house!! :heart: Squee! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393050 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 04:42:11 +0000 illumina 1393050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me I would build the house at the top of your budget. Though I guess my situation is a little different, but since SAH I've realised how important having a great, if not perfect, house is to me as I'll be spending so much time in it! Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393049 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 04:22:01 +0000 marionberry 1393049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsEmm: I thought about this too. Since we haven't been pre-qualified I'm not sure if we could get it done tomorrow morning to compete with the other offer. I honestly don't know the rules since I've never bought a home before. I have been leaning toward waiting but I'm not a patient person. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393047 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 03:51:38 +0000 MrsEmm 1393047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there a possibility of making a competing offer on the home you want? I'd say if not then wait for another home - don't buy a home you don't love. There are always other homes coming up and the next one might be even better. DH and I put in an offer on one house and were rejected because the sellers got a higher offer and we wouldn't match it. I was devastated at first but then we found another place that was bigger and less money so now we're happy and I hardly even remember the home we first wanted. You'll see everything will work out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-buying-troubleswhat-to-do#post-1393044 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 03:27:19 +0000 marionberry 1393044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have been looking at homes since we'd ideally like to purchase and move into a new home when our lease is up on our rental in May. We had found the perfect new home a few weeks ago and went to look at it and a few other models today. DH ended up liking another model but it has one less bedroom (which I think is a necessity) and the yard is pretty small. So we were leaning toward making an offer on the original home when we found out the realtor is getting an offer on that home in the morning. I'm devastated at losing my dream house but even worse I don't know what to do next. Settle for the other model I don't love? We looked at building a home with another company but to get the same quality finishes we'd be at the very high end of our budget. We can also wait and hope a better house comes on the market but we'd probably have to move cities and change lo's daycare because there are few that come up for sale in my town and more in the neighboring town.</p> <p>Help me with a decision. Any advice? </p>