https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 02:04:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-882027 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:15:23 +0000 doodlepoodle 882027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: thanks! I emailed our agent and he's asking the sellers agent what the details to the contingency are. I'm trying not to get my hopes up... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881990 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:06:07 +0000 MsLipGloss 881990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: You need to know if it is a contingency with a kick out clause . . .your agent should be able to tell you.</p> <p>And yeah, our basement has super tall ceilings, windows, and a walk out/entrance to the back yard . . . but I still think about the boogie man when I am down there alone! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881719 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:55:06 +0000 doodlepoodle 881719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: @MsLipGloss: basement in Kansas are like an extension of your living space, so it would definitely not be a freaky basement :-) its walk out, daylight and that's where our family room, office, and spare bedroom would be. </p> <p> I have an update from our agent.A Apparently the offer was made with a contingency that the buyers house would sell. So for us that means that we can still view it and potentially make an offer, but I don't know what the specifics are when there's a contingency like that so I'm waitingfor to hear back from our agent about it. Does anyone know anything about this? Haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881190 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:54:51 +0000 MsLipGloss 881190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @chopsuey119, especially the laundry in the basement. (I am totally fraidy!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881185 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:53:23 +0000 immabeetoo 881185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: I hope so too? We just bought our first house, so my expertise is non-existent.. can you submit a.. letter of interest or something so the owners know someone else is interested &amp; maybe if it falls through, they'd just defer to you?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881062 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:13:55 +0000 chopsuey 881062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so tough!!!!!<br /> Laundry in the basement is such a PITA and would be a deal breaker for me! I'm a scaredy cat and wouldn't do laundry at night ever if I had to go to the basement to do it. </p> <p>If you don't have the money to build then I wouldn't build either. There are always extra costs that come up when you're building. So your 8k over budget is realistically 20k over budget. </p> <p>Okay just saw your recent update. :( Hope you guys find another house you like!!! Sorry! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881053 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:08:51 +0000 doodlepoodle 881053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: I told DH that I really hope the deal falls through LOL...:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881051 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:08:29 +0000 doodlepoodle 881051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: This is the most "switzerland" response ever and I love it. :) </p> <p>(Not that I don't love the opinions!) ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881048 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:07:29 +0000 immabeetoo 881048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: Yikes that stinks :( Maybe it will fall through?</p> <p>I'd definitely go for the existing house. From what I know of building new, it always takes way longer and costs more. So. much. stress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-881042 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:05:11 +0000 doodlepoodle 881042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>UGGGGGGH you guys I'm so bummed!!! :( I emailed our agent about the house today--it was listed on SATURDAY and it's already under contract. CRAPOLA. This is what we get for being so specific about the area we want to live. :( </p> <p>I'm so bummed you guys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880955 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:29:41 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 880955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another voice for the existing home if money is a concern. We just built and trust me when I say costs can skyrocket very, very easily! You upgrade one little thing, then another ... and then it alllll adds up. And yeah, window treatments! We were looking at a minimum of 3K for non-fancy stuff. We're DIYing some of it to save, but ugh. And that's just one of many costs when you move in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880944 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:25:01 +0000 littlek 880944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a new build and blinds are pricey and a must. Also, you can have issues with a new build as well as an older home, I don't think 2005 is old. I'm not going to vote because its such a personal decision, do what you think is best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880850 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:25:25 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 880850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: DAMNIT! I meant: I wouldn't** would.not.<br /> I can't type.<br /> I would not build a new home. I would buy.<br /> OK. there...phew </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880708 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:08:30 +0000 yoursilverlining 880708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would stick to your budget and get the existing home. </p> <p>We just put in window treatments (just white faux-wood shutters on the downstairs windows, white wood blinds in 3 bedrooms) and it was almost 6k, and that's with a "budget blinds" and nothing fancy at all. </p> <p>Then another at least 1k for a fridge and that's for nothing fancy either. </p> <p>A fence can easily run you 5k, and then the cost to remove trees, which could again easily be another couple grand. </p> <p>Now you are not talking 8k out of budget, but more like 20k off budget! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880673 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:48:44 +0000 doodlepoodle 880673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: no, financially we can afford it but because we only have one income on paper we are at the top of our mortgage ability. I could certainly live w/the floor plan, was just hoping for a more open concept. I mean, this is like 825383737a tines better than the house we are selling.</p> <p>@skibobrown: that's what I was kind of thinking. Idk how much it would cost but surely not THAT much. </p> <p>@TurtleDoves: your reasons are the opposite of your vote, my love ;-) </p> <p>I'm flabbergasted by how many of you read through my ridiculously long post!!! Thank you! Feel free to keep the advice and opinions coming ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880628 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:28:21 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 880628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't seen either place with my own eyes, but if this were ME:<br /> I would base my decision *mainly* on my sanity.<br /> I would want the option that is less stressful financially.<br /> I would want the option that would help my marriage, stress level, financial situation, now.<br /> I would go new build. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880621 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:26:39 +0000 skibobrown 880621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the existing home. If it's not perfect but you end up staying there for a long time, you could always renovate or knock out a wall between the kitchen and the rest of the living space in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880614 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:23:19 +0000 sunny 880614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like the existing home might work better for your sanity but would the floor plan work for you? I know you put it as a con.</p> <p>Also, is there any way the $8000 can be rolled into the mortgage? There are generally ways to do that. Or maybe you can get a personal loan as a stopgap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880604 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:19:43 +0000 doodlepoodle 880604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: thanks! I have to sit down w/DH and really show him how much more expensive it would be... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880603 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:19:32 +0000 LindsayInNY 880603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with the move-in ready/existing home. A lot of previous posters listed the reasons for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880597 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:16:38 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 880597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were in your situation, I'd go with the move-in ready home. All the cons you listed are things that are part of our house now &amp; they're not too bad. Personally, I couldn't wait that long and spend that much "extra" money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880592 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:16:01 +0000 doodlepoodle 880592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: 2 bedrooms up (master and 1 other) 2 bedrooms down. There's a family room down there and we would spend a lot of time down there, so it's not a HUGE deal w/laundry, just less convenient.<br /> @Bluebonnet: we wouldn't be doing them all at once but we are talking thoooousands...15k easily more than that...?<br /> @plantains: I've thought about them sharing! I thought people would think I was crazy w/2 other bedrooms but who cares what 'they' think, right?<br /> @oliviaoblivia: let's call it a pond LOL...no boats, more like fishing/paddle boats </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880560 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:04:05 +0000 oliviaoblivia 880560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you explain this lake access a little more. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880531 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:50:08 +0000 plantains 880531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From everything you wrote, I would choose the existing preperty. Too many variables with the new build, plus that whole moving trees etc sounds like a nightmare. Also, what happens if 4-6 momths becomes 8-10 months?</p> <p>Can you have the kids share a bedroom for a while until one is old enough to be on a diffrent level? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880530 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:49:41 +0000 Bluebonnet 880530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just based on budget, I say go with the existing house and don't build.</p> <p>You mentioned the new house is $8,000 more than your budget (up front cash, not money being rolled into a mortgage). </p> <p>You also mentioned multiple extra expenses including:<br /> - window treatments on an entire house<br /> - a new fence<br /> - tree removal<br /> - sod<br /> - refrigerator</p> <p>Have you priced out all these other expenses? Window treatments for a whole house is a small fortune by itself, not to mention all the other expenses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880514 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:43:19 +0000 HLK208 880514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: are the bedrooms in the basement or main floor? That's my deciding factor. If you only have J, then it's not a big deal though. The yard is such a nice thing to have and a fence is huge with a baby and dog. Laundry in basement is kind of a bummer (especially if you plan to get pregnant again). We had to dip into our savings significantly for our new build:( window coverings and appliances have drained us (at first). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880490 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:35:50 +0000 LuLu Mom 880490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From the sounds I would choose the move in ready. Since you only have 1 LO for now, you can both be on the same level and when/if #2 comes you can move the older LO upstairs, or have them share for awhile. 8K, plus all the other necessary things you need with a new home will add up significantly faster than you might realize causing the "dip" to be quite a bit. I say go with the budget friendly one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880476 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:30:07 +0000 doodlepoodle 880476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: thanks! It's upfront $$ :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880471 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:29:10 +0000 mrsjyw 880471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only have a quick second, but the 8,000 that you are overbudget... is that going to be part of the mortgage? Because if so, I don't think you'll notice a difference in your monthly payment! (However, if it is upfront cash/costs, then I see why the new listing is a better option!)</p> <p>If this is your FOREVER home, I say go with the option that won't have you wondering WHAT IF in a couple years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-buying-advice#post-880466 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:27:29 +0000 doodlepoodle 880466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: :-) I think you need TP anticipate am email from me!! Thanks for the advice...I'm thinking you're right, it's just looking seriously at numbers. The house was built in 2005. Not tooooo old. </p> <p>PS points to you for reading the whole thing lol! </p>