My path to owning a home!!!

[clambert1273]

So figured I would make this my documentary of sorts of me going through the home-buying process It took me almost 2 years to get here from when I started credit repair so this is a major deal for me!!!

 

So had my WONDERFUL Broker (Hi Shane ) pull the trigger today after all my credit card payoffs posted to the reports so now I stood at:

 

TU: 659

EX: 638

EQ: 603

 

This meant I had a shot at getting an approval through automated underwiting! Woohoooooooooo!

 

I sat and waited for what seemed like an eternity.... YAY we were approved for 320K but he is going to run it again for 340K so we have some wiggle room.

 

The houses here aren't readily available and still what I consider expensive but for the area if I can get anything at 340K I will be happy (besides a condo lol).

 

I am now READY! Next step - I will be gathering paperwork for him the next day or so lol

 

Welcome to my journey!

[Lynn37]

Yeaaaaaa

 

[vintagespeed]

woohoo! great for you clamby!

 

now just because you're approved for $320k doesnt mean you need that monthly payment, plus PMI, insurance, etc....

[clambert1273]

lol no PMI for me (VA Loan)

 

The 340K payment is very easy for us to afford even with taxes and insurance (we planned this out) especially considering how much we already pay for a spot of dirt (literally)

[Moorlock21]

If you're flexible on location, look east of where you are.......If you can move to Temecula or Murrieta you'll be able to get a VERY nice house for $320,000 in a good neighborhood-Prices have dropped like a rock! I realize that the OC is the place to be(and close to Angel stadium!!!!), but even in Corona the houses are much less expensive. I don't know if you need to be in the OC for work or not, so I thought that I would throw this out there.

 

 

Joe

[clambert1273]

I work in Orange so Temecula is so OUT of the question lol The furtherst we are looking is Corona but would prefer OC because of my son's school, little league, work etc... My friend lives in Elsinore and works in OC and I see the hell she goes through trying to get to work (Train etc..) and I say no thanks lol

 

I have 4 to go look at today in Corona - looked at 4 in Anaheim on Friday (ya that was fun lol) so will be looking for a bit I suppose lol

[clambert1273]

right now I have given all my documents and the application to the broker... an enormous amount of paperwork (holy crap) lol

 

Now it is just waiting and locating something I suppose.... I feel bored and like I should be doing something

[Moorlock21]

Yep, if you work in Orange then Temecula is wayyyyyyyy too far to drive........

 

Joe

[clambert1273]

believe it or not.. we have people that drive from there, moreno valley and riverside... I just can't picture myself sitting on that 91 for 2 - 3 hours PER way each day of my life.. no thank you lol

[DragonFlyer]

 

You know I am happy for you! WOOT!!!

 

So...how do you like house shopping?

[clambert1273]

 

You know I am happy for you! WOOT!!!

 

So...how do you like house shopping?

 

 

I effing hate it lol well its not the same here as other places... anything in this price range is CRAP and you just wonder how people live like that (one house had been empty for a while and had pee in the toilet!!)

 

Thats why we are looking out of OC because for the same price or cheaper I can get a much bigger, better house...

 

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/366-E-Ol.../17769255_zpid/

 

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-...2882_1113497835 (has a pool! lol)

 

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-...2879_1113508455

 

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/27122-Ca.../17954204_zpid/

 

these are the ones I am looking at today.... wish me luck!

[CH3]

Well good luck to you! I looked at the houses you just posted and having grown up in SD I can't help but feel wistful. They just don't make houses like that in my current area. *sigh*

 

Now it is just waiting and locating something I suppose.... I feel bored and like I should be doing something

 

You could always play with paint color schemes on Sherwin Williams. That's what I've been doing all afternoon.

[DragonFlyer]

Well good luck to you! I looked at the houses you just posted and having grown up in SD I can't help but feel wistful. They just don't make houses like that in my current area. *sigh*

 

Now it is just waiting and locating something I suppose.... I feel bored and like I should be doing something

 

You could always play with paint color schemes on Sherwin Williams. That's what I've been doing all afternoon.

 

Yeah...good idea! Instant remodeling!

 

(Especially if you get that last house that was linked. Great googly moogly it has some interesting colored paint on those walls!)

 

Knowing what color you'll paint the walls makes the home buying process that much more fun.

[higher180]

I am happy for you too!

[clambert1273]

woohoo found one! the offer goes in tonight for this one : )

 

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-...2879_1113508455

[Moorlock21]

woohoo found one! the offer goes in tonight for this one : )

 

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-...2879_1113508455

 

 

I like it. The description could just as well be describing my house except mine was built in 1980 and is only 1365 sqft. The backyard looks nice from what I can see out of the kitchen window.

How's the overall condition(holes in the wall/door etc...)? It looks like it's been painted and very clean...

 

Congratulations!!!

 

Joe

[clambert1273]

thanks joe! The condition is GREAT! No holes, no scratches - nothing on the outside to show wear - they must have done some good rehab to the house.. I always check for cracks in the walls outside and foundation and there was nothing to indicate any problems.. all the doors are new or in very good shape.. even the garage was clean LOL

 

C

[vintagespeed]

...The furtherst we are looking is Corona but would prefer OC because of my son's school, little league, work etc......

 

trust me, you do NOT want to live in Corona and commute down the 91 everyday..... i would shoot myself. seriously.

 

check out Rancho Cucamonga, Upland or Claremont. great areas, not nearly as congested and packed in like rats as Corona or the OC, you can actually drive down the road and make it more than 2 stop lights almost always.

 

i love RC and the schools are top-notch!

[clambert1273]

I would still have to drive the 91 from Rancho LOL that is WAYYY further out lol I don't mind corona and I like the house

[L93065]

You could start listening to KFI on your morning drive to/from work to get an idea of what you will be dealing with traffic wise on the 91 and/or 57 every day!

 

Or possibly change your hours at work to beat the morning/evening rush. As little as 30 minutes makes a huge difference.

 

I like your house too!

[clambert1273]

I already know about the drive on the 91 lol I am not new to it lol I have driven it before and I have driven the 5 (which is WORSE let me tell you!) lol

 

The house is 19 miles from where I work.. I have fasttrak when needed... I also work at 7am so I am on the road before 6:30am

[L93065]

19 miles from work--that's a good deal ....I am 53 miles from work....and you are right about the 5! I have one bottle-neck and that is when it meets with the Hollywood Freeway....(170) Takes me forever to get thru that!

[clambert1273]

LOL I can't even imagine the hell you go through driving... I went the opposite way on the 5.. I went from Anaheim to Irvine (alton Pkwy) and it took me 1 hour 15 minutes to go 19 miles.. EACH WAY

 

but it is something you get used to... we used to take videos on the freeways and send them to all my friends in Texas

[vintagespeed]

what p!sses me off to no end is the fact that the 91 is SO bad even on weekends! i went to a buddy's house in Anaheim Hills area of the 91fwy, @ 7pm on a SATURDAY, and it took me an hour to go about 5miles east from the 57/91 interchange.

 

no way in hell will i ever live anywhere near that freeway. the 57 is an option into OC and it actually moves.

 

good luck either way, i suggest doing the drive at least once around 5pm to the house before you sign those docs.

Edited October 26, 2009 by vintagespeed

[vintagespeed]

I would still have to drive the 91 from Rancho LOL that is WAYYY further out lol I don't mind corona and I like the house

 

i will bet you dollars to doughnuts that i can beat you home from OC during rush hour.