Cannot find a house I like!

[loveliestangel]

I can't find anything I am in LOVE with! Ugghhh.. Maybe I am being too picky?

 

I want a raised ranch preferably with 3 bedrooms, and a basement that is not 500K. LOL Am I expecting too much?

 

Have you settled for something you really didn't want? Experiences?

 

Anyone know of any good sites to see houses? I have looked on Realtor.com, Isoldmyhouse.com and ListingBook from a realtor.

[brazen]

craigslist

 

yahoo real estate

 

http://www.forsalebyowner.com/?PID=QG-forsalebyowner

[loveliestangel]

craigslist

 

yahoo real estate

 

http://www.forsalebyowner.com/?PID=QG-forsalebyowner

 

CL sucks for CT. LOL I will check Yahoo thanks!

[brazen]

For our area CL has been a goldmine of homes. The problem is they sell quickly here from what I have seen here, for the size we need. Plus, now I am a bit discouraged, the realtor we met today, was great, but the short sale home we looked at won't go FHA, so it is back to square one. Although it was mentioned to us that FHA is more stringent now, not sure if that is true or not?

 

Good luck. If you come across any good websites let me know..LOL

Edited November 6, 2009 by brazen

[ACH247]

Add me to this list. It seems like I've been looking for a long time. :-(

[DallasLoanGuy]

You could get a mansion for less in Texas.....

 

Moving farther out sometimes help get the price right

[clambert1273]

dont' worry LA... i feel your pain...

 

I am now pushing into other counties and almost 30 miles away which is like FOREVER time in traffic in california *sigh*

 

 

my piece of advice.. don't fall in love with anything until you have keys in your hand... like it enough to make an offer but do NOT fall in love with it... trust me - i just went through one I was in love with and it is the most heart wrenching thing to lose...

Edited November 7, 2009 by clambert1273

[F N 08 CALI]

fha loans are difficult. I have been looking since 04/2009 for a home. a few homes i had the highest offer but the seller would accept the cash offer that was lower or conventional if the amount was the same. fha have more requirement like repairing the home before you close. (you repair home and your loan does not go thru your out money)

[Ryan1984]

If they cover your area, ZipRealty.com is the absolute best site I have used for homes. Use the highly customizable interactive map. Gives you all the MLS listings mapped out. Try it out, if your area has it, you will use nothing else (unless you want to find FSBO's, for that use CL)

 

And no, I don't work for Zip

[clambert1273]

i use listingbook, redfin.com and ziprealty lol

[Becky20fan]

I agree, Ziprealty is awesome!

[ACH247]

I use ZipRealty. This site is great. The site is not my problem, I just keep getting outbid by other people. :-(

[clambert1273]

Yup its a game..and I decided to play it.... you are protected by appraisal contigency so offer whatever you think is a fair price... I have learned now to get them to even notice my offer that I pretty much have to go big or not even bother.... I just keep my appraisal contigency I just don't offer over what I would absolutely pay.

[loveliestangel]

I guess I just thought this would be easier than I expected. I figured I would see so many houses that I like and would have choices. They seem to be limited. I don't want something small, and I am not expecting a mansion. LOL I know CT is expensive but I know other states are even more and then even less. I am not ready to relocate out of state though.

 

I have an ideal town in mind but nothing is standing out in pictures so I don't want to go out looking wasting my time. I think I have to set my expectations lower. My boss told me my 1st home doesn't have to be my dream home and I can move in a few years but I don't think I want to do that!

 

I will try Zip. Thanks everyone!

[clambert1273]

ok some more advice... you will have to go out and look regardless of the pics.. 3 houses I like (alot) have really crappy pics ... real estate agents have like some sort of picture taking deficiency I think lol no offense to any on here lol just horrible pics l ol

 

trust me.. go look!!!

[loveliestangel]

ok some more advice... you will have to go out and look regardless of the pics.. 3 houses I like (alot) have really crappy pics ... real estate agents have like some sort of picture taking deficiency I think lol no offense to any on here lol just horrible pics l ol

 

trust me.. go look!!!

Oh yeh I know I am going to have to go look for sure. I just thought that something would catch my eye like oooh I wanna see more, or ewwww let's skip that one. KWIM? But yes I think you are absolutely right about the pics or the lack thereof with some. And I also wonder why some take 3 pics of the livingroom but none of the bedrooms.

 

But I did find several things I like on ZIP!!!! Definitely would like to see some of them in person BUT question is that estimate payment for JUST the mortgage or is that insurance, taxes etc?

[clambert1273]

just mortgage ... no insurance and no taxes included

[loveliestangel]

I thought so. TYVM!

[jst300z]

If you can't find anything you like, simply BUILD a home to your specifications. The cost to build a 3br raised ranch isn't that expensive, it's the land. Find land where you want to be and build.

[loveliestangel]

Easier said than done. My husband is a carpenter and does commercial construction so he is able to do most of the work besides the plumbing, electrical etc. BUT land is not something you see a lot of around here.

[clambert1273]

Easier said than done. My husband is a carpenter and does commercial construction so he is able to do most of the work besides the plumbing, electrical etc. BUT land is not something you see a lot of around here.

 

amen.... let me see if I can dig up an empty lot here in Orange County lol

[brazen]

Zip doesn't cover my area, bummer.

[loveliestangel]

Easier said than done. My husband is a carpenter and does commercial construction so he is able to do most of the work besides the plumbing, electrical etc. BUT land is not something you see a lot of around here.

 

amen.... let me see if I can dig up an empty lot here in Orange County lol

 

LOL Yeh just find a big parking lot and take it over!

[jst300z]

BUT land is not something you see a lot of around here.

 

Oh there's land everywhere. You are standing on it right now. Although there might be an improvement on it, there is land everywhere.

 

While all markets are different, maybe you can find a tear-down and rebuild on that site. Utilities with be easily available.

 

Although CT is not a huge state, I did manage to find 31 vacant parcels for sale in one random zip code. With over 200 zips in your state, it is hard to guess which one you are looking in.

[vintagespeed]

LOL Yeh just find a big parking lot and take it over!

 

squatter's rights?

 

angel, i would find something that meets your needs for a first home, later on you will take your time and buy something you really love. right now those are hard to find.