Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Any house buying advice for a whippersnapper?

THIS! ...... Look for a quiet street in a quiet neighbourhood.

Higher ground is good too if flooding is possible.

If you're not planning on staying in that location why get picky about what you like? Buy the house that will appeal to the largest market you can imagine in a few years and turn it over.

I know that it will be difficult to anticipate the market in a few years but there will be young(er) couples then that will be in the market. If things really turn bad you won't be in such a large debt, either.

This bit of advice is probably worth exactly what you paid for it but it's the best I've got. Good luck.

Lots of good advice, get a TRUSTED home inspector, pay for it yourself if need be. Put enough down to avoid mortgage insurance, I don't know what % that is in Alabamastan.

Or a home inspector. I have heard there are no real standards, licenses, training courses etc. to become a home inspector Use an independent inspector NOT referred by the buyer or seller.

Whether 15-30 year mortgage get a fixed rate loan. Don't let mortgage types try to talk you into anything else. You can look at what your house payment will be 10 years from now without stress.

only thing i would add to the already good advice posted:

1) plan on needing more room for a growing family, if that is a possibility;

2) plan on needing twice the closet space you think you will;

3) allocate some man cave space..either a converted garage, etc for your loading bench, etc makes things nice;

4) plan on & budget for something that could possibly screw up, because it always happens and if you are stretched thin on payments, a new A/C system or major repair would suck big time & selling guns to fund that sucks even worse.

5) homeowners association covenants are seldom convenient, especially if you have nosy/PITA neighbors who look for something to piss & moan about,

6)the realtor is a salesman & is working for the seller...not for you.

7)make sure when you put pen to paper, the contract language protects you in the event of major faults discovered during inspection;

Nay sir, early twenties. Though he is on here as well, rdinak IIRC.




Hmm, good point! I've narrowed down things to two bedrooms in a good school 'zone' for resale purposes.

Though that is a rather large parameter with which to search.

Mortgage broker, not banker. And shop through a number of brokers. Absolute cheapest isn't the only factor in choosing, but you can definitely shave serious coin off the expense of attaining a mortgage if you shop carefully.

SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!!! When we started planning our relocation back to MT, I shopped nonstop for property. I spent most every available, waking moment perusing this real estate publication or that one. After a while, prices and value became second nature. I often had as good an idea of what properties in particular locations were worth just based on what I had seen listed and viewed myself. You do that, and there will be no doubt when you see a property that is a real steal. You will have the confidence to strike a deal quickly.

Ah! Gotcha!

Do not buy a two story house with a one zone heat/AC system.

Make sure it has an upstairs and downstairs system

Get a fixed interest loan. You can get a 30 and pay extra yo pay off early

Remember the realtor works for.the seller and not.for uou UNLESS you have abuyers agent

If you have to buy small, make sure it is expandable. If it's design is not condusive or there are limitations on bedrooms because of zoning you are screwed. Some lots are approved for a certain number of bedrooms/bathrooms because of septic issues.

Also, don't believe anything a realtor says. Sorry but there are many with no scruples.

How long before you plan to move?

It WILL take you 7-10% of the value of your house to get in and back out (mortgage, inspection, and other fees, plus realtor commissions). Then, staging, last minute fixes to make the house attractive for sale, double payments if you can't sell at the asking price and you have to move for a job or some such......

Then, it takes a serious amount of money to get settled into a house, more if a woman is involved in decorating, landscaping, etc. Maintenance can also be quite significant.

Owning a house, in my opinion, is a matter of LIFESTYLE CHOICE, not the guaranteed step into the middle class it is advertised to be.

Renting is often economically preferred over owning, especially when you are in a lower income bracket, and plan to move relatively quickly.

You said you'll be moving in the future....how long in the future is that going to be? Will you have short notice or will you be able to take all the time you want when relocating?