Buying our first house today! Any tips?

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L

LeonT

Banned
#1
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#1
My wife and I are buying our first house today. Both of our leases are up in two weeks, and we will be gone next week, so no time like the present! It's only 7:30 here and we are going to look at three today. In San Francisco, you have to get up early and buy the house ASAP to pay $200k more than asking price. Watch an episode of house hunters and you'll see what I'm talking about! Anyway, what should we be looking for as far as problems go? Most house here have some foundation issues (earthquakes and uneven streets), but is there anything else to look for? We are actually pretty excited :)
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#2
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#2
Make sure you get mortgage payoff insurance in the event of the death of EITHER of you.
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#3
#3
Check for potential future problems, i.e. signs of mould or bad plumbing
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#4
#4
LeonT said:
My wife and I are buying our first house today. Both of our leases are up in two weeks, and we will be gone next week, so no time like the present! It's only 7:30 here and we are going to look at three today. In San Francisco, you have to get up early and buy the house ASAP to pay $200k more than asking price. Watch an episode of house hunters and you'll see what I'm talking about! Anyway, what should we be looking for as far as problems go? Most house here have some foundation issues (earthquakes and uneven streets), but is there anything else to look for? We are actually pretty excited :)
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Congrats! I remember when my husband and I bought our house. We were so excited. Look for any signs of leaks,either in the ceiling and along the foundation/basement. We looked at one house that had a sump pump and the realtor said they had no idea why there was a sump pump. Ya,I didn't buy that for a minute. We looked at another home with a basement and they left a note to the realtor that said it "only leaks when it rains". lol So look carefully for leaks and cracks.
 
L

LeonT

Banned
#5
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#5
Found "the house" and put in an offer. Hopefully we get it! 1217 York St., SF California 94110. It was completely renovated last year; everything is in our taste so we wouldn't need to change a thing! No leaks, cracks, etc. It's on Zillow if anyone wants to see it :)

If it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be! God knows what He's doing.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#6
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#6
Yikes. I sometimes forget what you city dwellers consider "a house." Well, I guess if it is what you want, then I'll be happy for you. LOL
 
L

LeonT

Banned
#7
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#7
We were originally looking at houses half that price, but they were in the bad part of town and needed a LOT of work. You can fix the house, but not the location. We would end up spending close to the same amount of money buying a house in a good area and fixing it up ourselves (all of our DIY projects end in disaster!). Unfortunately that's just the nature of the SF market. :(
 
M

Marek

Guest
#8
#8
well, for starters , I would make sure its not in san francisco
 
M

Marek

Guest
#9
#9
LeonT said:
Found "the house" and put in an offer. Hopefully we get it! 1217 York St., SF California 94110. It was completely renovated last year; everything is in our taste so we wouldn't need to change a thing! No leaks, cracks, etc. It's on Zillow if anyone wants to see it :)

If it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be! God knows what He's doing.
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2.3 mil?! why are you buying in sf man, I'd be buying a big private island bro. With a boat to boot. C'mon!
 
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A

AuntieAnt

Guest
#10
#10
GAHH!! :eek: Leon dear, ask the moderators to delete your address ASAP. The whole crazy world has access to this site.
 
U

Ultimatum77

Guest
#11
#11
Check for termites, especially around window sills and garage entrances....knock with your knuckles to see if the wood makes hollow sounds/changes tones as you go up or down the wood slat....if it does there may be termites, check for water damage/flooding....cracks in the basement/pavement around the house....look under the sinks to see for leaks/check the toilets flush them to test! Check the year of the air conditioner/heat unit whether it's modern or old and may need replacing....same with water heater....check for mold esp in bathrooms and kitchen damp areas like around stove/sink...other than that good luck friend!

But I would agree, to not move to SF, they have crazy high tax rates being a city, and there at least from what I have read is increasing homelessness there due to the poor economy, high inflation/rates for housing, food etc.... and well of course the liberals mindset of taxing everything including burps and farts for Co2 emmision :p,

Your better off buying a suburban home 30 min outside of san fran and avoiding the crazy high tax rates and older homes in the city compared to newer ones in the suburbs/country if you will......
 
Fenner

Fenner

Senior Member
#12
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
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#12
Gorgeous house! Where I live Pennsylvania you could buy 4 half million dollar houses for that. Hope it works out for you!
 
L

LeonT

Banned
#13
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#13
Didn't get it. Someone bid $3m at the last second.

Location is everything for us. We have both always lived in downtown areas/big cities growing up and as adults, so we both kind of hate the suburbs. We both have good jobs and can afford a house in SF. Besides, Oakland is really expensive too, and you have to deal with dangerous commuter traffic!

Though it has its issues, we love San Francisco and don't plan on moving to the suburbs. We have been able to share the gospel to many people in need, and want to keep in sharing with everyone that we can. It only takes one small spark to ignite a powerful flame!
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#14
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#14
LeonT said:
Didn't get it. Someone bid $3m at the last second.

Location is everything for us. We have both always lived in downtown areas/big cities growing up and as adults, so we both kind of hate the suburbs. We both have good jobs and can afford a house in SF. Besides, Oakland is really expensive too, and you have to deal with dangerous commuter traffic!

Though it has its issues, we love San Francisco and don't plan on moving to the suburbs. We have been able to share the gospel to many people in need, and want to keep in sharing with everyone that we can. It only takes one small spark to ignite a powerful flame!
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OK, Ill cop to doing that. Sorry. I just wanted you to look for a house with a yard. LOL
 
Fenner

Fenner

Senior Member
#16
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
111
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#16
You guy's will find something Leon. I wish California wasn't so expensive, I'd move there.
 
C

California91

Banned
#17
Sep 12, 2016
19
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#17
Just keep looking! My wife and I have bought two houses in the similarly crazy LA market. Just keep trying and you will end up in the right one! :)
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#18
#18
You go from a first date to car shopping, to getting married, to house shopping in the span of a couple of weeks.

Take a break!
 
L

LeonT

Banned
#19
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#19
We didn't find a house today but we have a couple to see tomorrow. I did buy a car today! Our local Volvo dealer gave me a great deal ($7500 off) on a new 16' XC60. One more thing off of the list :)

I agree Hellooo!! Time for a break!
 
L

LeonT

Banned
#20
Aug 27, 2016
73
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#20
Finally! We got a house! It had just been put on the market today and the owner already had several offers, but we ended up getting it! The owner had already moved out, so we will be able to move in when we get back. This is really an answered prayer as our leases will be up week after next, right when we get back. Thanks for all of the advice, it really came in handy!
 
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