Any tips for a first time home buyer? (Louiville area)

[JD7.62]

The wife and I decided to pony up and buy a house. These days it seems the rent for a decent apartment is no different then the mortgage for a decent home. Plus now is the time to take advantage of everything offered.

Weve got some in savings but we dont want to wipe it all out for a downpayment, we want at least a 3mo cushion in case something happens. So we figure we can do about $10K down. Not much but better then nothing I suppose.

We want to buy a house that is in our budget NOW. Even though my wife will be an RN in a year from now, we still want to buy what we can afford with our current income vs our projected income in a year, again as a little cushion.

First I have to ask this. We found a home we REALLY like. Problem is, its a repo and needs some major work. We havnt had a professional inspection done yet but will. We can put 30-40K on top of the asking price and still be in budget. Is it a smart idea to buy a rehab as a first home?

Anyother tips or suggestions? Dos and donts? Pros and cons of a fixer upper?

Figured Id ask some of you with MANY more years of experience on me.

[psprowler]

The wife and I decided to pony up and buy a house. These days it seems the rent for a decent apartment is no different then the mortgage for a decent home. Plus now is the time to take advantage of everything offered.

Weve got some in savings but we dont want to wipe it all out for a downpayment, we want at least a 3mo cushion in case something happens. So we figure we can do about $10K down. Not much but better then nothing I suppose.

We want to buy a house that is in our budget NOW. Even though my wife will be an RN in a year from now, we still want to buy what we can afford with our current income vs our projected income in a year, again as a little cushion.

First I have to ask this. We found a home we REALLY like. Problem is, its a repo and needs some major work. We havnt had a professional inspection done yet but will. We can put 30-40K on top of the asking price and still be in budget. Is it a smart idea to buy a rehab as a first home?

Anyother tips or suggestions? Dos and donts? Pros and cons of a fixer upper?

Figured Id ask some of you with MANY more years of experience on me.

The idea of buying a fixer upper seems novel when you are looking, but remember you will be committing a lot of time to doing the repairs. That translates to a long honey-do list and less fishing time. Plus you'll need to be somewhat of a handyman.

[JD7.62]

Her side of the family owns a home construcion company they do pretty much everything but foundations, major plumbing, and electrical so hopefully we could get a good deal with them for things like the roof if needed.

I can dry wall, paint, tile, lay carpet and other "easy" DIY stuff.

Fishing time...did I mention this property backs into the stocked neighborhood pond?

[wishniwasfishn]

Her side of the family owns a home construcion company they do pretty much everything but foundations, major plumbing, and electrical so hopefully we could get a good deal with them for things like the roof if needed.

I can dry wall, paint, tile, lay carpet and other "easy" DIY stuff.

Fishing time...did I mention this property backs into the stocked neighborhood pond?

Thats all I would need to make my decision!

[JD7.62]

Thats all I would need to make my decision!

Had the bro in law come out today to look at it. Its a no go. He estimates 50-70K to fix up. Major water damage from leaking roof, foundation is sinking and cracking severely, half ass attempts such as laying tile on top of old tile by the previous people who tried to fix it up...in other words its a mess. No wonder that the house was first listed at 180K and is now listed at at 80k!

Its frustrating, our budget really limits what kind of house in the area we want that we can get.

[flippinstick]

Take your time something will come to you....remember its a 15-30 year commitment so dont jump on the first thing you see because you really want to buy a house.

[JD7.62]

Getting discouraged. Nothing in our price range seems like a place I want to raise my family.

To top it all off we looked at houses online in my dream area (Pensacola, Navarre, Ft Walton, Gulf Breeze Florida area) and the houses are CHEAP compared to here. I have family in Gulf Breeze, Navarre, and Ft Walton and go there several times a year and know the area well and this is no lively Shively type area and the homes are so nice but so cheap that you couldnt even buy in Shively for the price!

The market must have CRASHED there. Im talking 5 year old houses 4br 2 full bath, 1,800sqft in very nice communities with all the fancy smancy bathrooms, closets, and kitchen stuff the wimmen like just 15minutes from Pensacola Beach for a price that couldnt get you a 3br 1ba 1,100 sqft 35 year old house in Fairdale!!!! Grrr!!!!

[DJD]

Yeah the market in Florida took a major dump. Asking price on my buddies home in Titusville dropped from over 300K to a more reasonable 100+k. He missed the boat on selling his house brcause of greed and thinks of it all the time....of course I never mention it.

[mhall]

You know I still can't figure out why prices in this area are staying so high, heck they aren't selling doodle squat. I don't get it, but hey I'm just a dumb country boy what do I know, lol.

[JD7.62]

Weve looked at a few more homes but still not happy. My family in FL has sent me some listings of homes that are so much better.

Weve concentrated our efforts nearly 650mi south now.

Weve been presented with an opportunity to live in a nice house in C-wood for free, so we are thinking about the possibility of buying a home down there now, pay our payments on it and move down next winter/spring. We have excellent credit and pieces are starting to fall together.

I will be leaving a pretty good job but if we buy now we will be buying a home soley off my salary now as my wife hardly works. Once we move my wife as an RN who speaks fluent spanish will have no problem finding a job that makes about what I make now so even if I had to flip burgers until I landed something decent we would easily be able to make payments.

It sounds risky but worht it IMO. What do yall think? Think Im talking crazy?

[mhall]

No I don't, sounds like a decent plan to me. And any weather and climate south has to be a little better than this sickening Ohio Valley.

[JD7.62]

No I don't, sounds like a decent plan to me. And any weather and climate south has to be a little better than this sickening Ohio Valley.

Amen to that.

Not to mention the sinus and allergy problems Ive developed since Ive moved here. The only time I ever can take a deep breath and have 100% clear and free airways and no sinus pressure is when Im down there on the beach, pier, or boat with my head turned to a south facing wind. Its magical for me.

*opens sinus decongestant and pops tylenol*