Comments on: buying a house: things I have learned http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/ (p.s. I now have comments, yay.) Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:45:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Shibooya » Blog Archive » Why Don’t I Mind My Own Business? http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-187486 Shibooya » Blog Archive » Why Don’t I Mind My Own Business? Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:13:52 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-187486 [...] currently appreciating Megan’s list of things she has learned while buying a house, it gives me a lot to look forward [...] [...] currently appreciating Megan’s list of things she has learned while buying a house, it gives me a lot to look forward [...]

]]> By: Deb Schiff http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56779 Deb Schiff Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:32:39 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56779 Great list. I totally agree, especially on the light covers. My husband and I replaced all the light switches and covers as well as the outlets and their covers because the people who previously owned the house had painted over them. Now that we're close to putting ours on the market, people always remark how clean everything looks. We also painted all the trim and ceilings the same shade of Acadia White (Benjamin Moore) in the whole house. That also gave everything a clean, natural flow. Great list. I totally agree, especially on the light covers. My husband and I replaced all the light switches and covers as well as the outlets and their covers because the people who previously owned the house had painted over them. Now that we're close to putting ours on the market, people always remark how clean everything looks. We also painted all the trim and ceilings the same shade of Acadia White (Benjamin Moore) in the whole house. That also gave everything a clean, natural flow.

]]> By: Brian http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56774 Brian Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:34:12 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56774 "Remember all that money you used to spend in bars? Yeah, it will now be spent on paint and new light fixtures." Ty, you are sooo right about that! Moxie, primer is your new best friend. Go for a good one like Zinser. Don't assume the ceiling fan and ceiling fan light are on the same breaker! Label wires when replacing three-way switches. Why don't I do this? "Remember all that money you used to spend in bars? Yeah, it will now be spent on paint and new light fixtures."
Ty, you are sooo right about that!

Moxie, primer is your new best friend. Go for a good one like Zinser.

Don't assume the ceiling fan and ceiling fan light are on the same breaker!

Label wires when replacing three-way switches. Why don't I do this?

]]> By: gena http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56706 gena Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:07:40 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56706 another thing- don't use those online lenders/mortgage people. with the subprime market going ballistic, you do not want to run the risk of reading about your lender filing bankruptcy. go with someone you know & trust. a lot of those online people add fees and extra charges, so the rate sounds good, but you get to the closing table and there's $600 in extra fees, or they won't give you a loan commitment letter. also, try not to have your closing on the 1st, or end of the month, or right before any major holiday, because if something can go wrong at closing, it will. then you are stuck waiting to close and everyone is off for the holiday. inspections are always a lifesaver. so are home warranties on the systems/appliances/etc in your home- if they are available to you from a reputable company. i've been in real estate for a while, and it's the little things that make your transaction go smoother. another thing- don't use those online lenders/mortgage people. with the subprime market going ballistic, you do not want to run the risk of reading about your lender filing bankruptcy. go with someone you know & trust. a lot of those online people add fees and extra charges, so the rate sounds good, but you get to the closing table and there's $600 in extra fees, or they won't give you a loan commitment letter. also, try not to have your closing on the 1st, or end of the month, or right before any major holiday, because if something can go wrong at closing, it will. then you are stuck waiting to close and everyone is off for the holiday. inspections are always a lifesaver. so are home warranties on the systems/appliances/etc in your home- if they are available to you from a reputable company. i've been in real estate for a while, and it's the little things that make your transaction go smoother.

]]> By: leslie http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56658 leslie Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:10:43 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56658 Try and schedule that closing/moving date for when you're not 34 wks pg w/twins, but in the event that you cannot, it's still really do-able b/c the movers are terrified that the least problem will send you into a patented sit-com style labor. Oh, and I used color coded tape for pretty much everything e.g. dr was blue tape w/blue tape on the doorframe-- so I could nap and/or pee while they worked. Try and schedule that closing/moving date for when you're not 34 wks pg w/twins, but in the event that you cannot, it's still really do-able b/c the movers are terrified that the least problem will send you into a patented sit-com style labor.

Oh, and I used color coded tape for pretty much everything e.g. dr was blue tape w/blue tape on the doorframe-- so I could nap and/or pee while they worked.

]]> By: Patty http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56656 Patty Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:07:00 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56656 When selling your house declutter-declutter-declutter it makes a huge difference Buyer really do notice the 23 air freshners in the house and yes---we do ask about them. When getting a contact for your house get local lenders they understand areas that are going through regentrification better than ones out of state. If your buyer says they got their loan "off the TV from eloans" beware! Ask them to get a local loan. I speak from experience here. When buying a house make sure the well works. Yes, some of us have wells. If you move from the city to the boonies it takes time to adjust to the wild life. Noisy neighbor verses deers in heat. Get a generator if you are in the boonies. Peacocks are REALLY BIG and STUPID Chipmunks are not cute in the garden Become friends with the neighbors. My first year in the new place on Memorial weekend we had a party. We invited every neighbor in the boonies and everyone came had fun, lots of beer, even the previous house owners came. It is now a tradition and the neighborhood has gotten closer. We look out for one another. Very different from the city, where yes, there were gunshots outside my house from a drug deal gone bad. Patty When selling your house declutter-declutter-declutter it makes a huge difference

Buyer really do notice the 23 air freshners in the house and yes---we do ask about them.

When getting a contact for your house get local lenders they understand areas that are going through regentrification better than ones out of state.

If your buyer says they got their loan "off the TV from eloans" beware! Ask them to get a local loan. I speak from experience here.

When buying a house make sure the well works. Yes, some of us have wells.

If you move from the city to the boonies it takes time to adjust to the wild life. Noisy neighbor verses deers in heat.

Get a generator if you are in the boonies.

Peacocks are REALLY BIG and STUPID

Chipmunks are not cute in the garden

Become friends with the neighbors. My first year in the new place on Memorial weekend we had a party. We invited every neighbor in the boonies and everyone came had fun, lots of beer, even the previous house owners came. It is now a tradition and the neighborhood has gotten closer. We look out for one another. Very different from the city, where yes, there were gunshots outside my house from a drug deal gone bad.

Patty

]]> By: mel http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56639 mel Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:10:32 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56639 i can totally relate. buying a house means using your time and money in a whole new way. btw, trees are 75% off at lowes right now! i just got a japanese maple and magnolia tree there for $15 EACH! i can totally relate. buying a house means using your time and money in a whole new way. btw, trees are 75% off at lowes right now! i just got a japanese maple and magnolia tree there for $15 EACH!

]]> By: Rachael http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56634 Rachael Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:49:37 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56634 skinny glass - not only can you fit more in the dishwasher, but you cant fit more on the cupboard shelf. we've been trying to move the neighbours for the last year! skinny glass - not only can you fit more in the dishwasher, but you cant fit more on the cupboard shelf.

we've been trying to move the neighbours for the last year!

]]> By: Anita http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56632 Anita Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:34:37 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56632 All too true! You have learned well young Jedi. ;-) All too true! You have learned well young Jedi. ;-)

]]> By: cindy@staged4more http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56550 cindy@staged4more Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:34:17 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56550 such simple yet SAGE advices! such simple yet SAGE advices!

]]> By: thea* http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56525 thea* Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:17:03 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56525 so so true about not hating the fugly white formica counter tops... i swear karma will bring them back to you just for that. ^_^ so so true about not hating the fugly white formica counter tops... i swear karma will bring them back to you just for that. ^_^

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56511 Jennifer Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:33:09 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56511 Re do the floors BEFORE you move in if they need it. No matter how much it costs. You'll never do it once all your stuff is in the house. Re do the floors BEFORE you move in if they need it. No matter how much it costs.

You'll never do it once all your stuff is in the house.

]]> By: Haven http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56505 Haven Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:17:26 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56505 I agree with Michelle above, this list should be given with every housewarming gift. And, possibly the housewarming gift could be some sun jars for when the power goes out due to all that faulty wiring from the previous homeowner... I agree with Michelle above, this list should be given with every housewarming gift. And, possibly the housewarming gift could be some sun jars for when the power goes out due to all that faulty wiring from the previous homeowner...

]]> By: Jen http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56502 Jen Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:01:27 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56502 LOL How funny...We just bought a home and carefully scoped all these things out, too! Finished basements are WONDERFUL. My parents didn't get A/C until I was about 18, and we spent many hours in the very cool basement during hot, humid Michigan summers. About the Harleys...all kinds of people ride 'em, from the stereotypical leather-wearing Harley guy (who can often be a very nice and extremely helpful person if you get to know him) to friendly lesbians to...well, my pastor. lol He and his buddies all have Harleys, and you would never pick one of them out as Harley owners. Ever. They have a blast...though Mrs. Pastor is not fond of the goatee he grew to "match" his ride. :P LOL How funny...We just bought a home and carefully scoped all these things out, too!

Finished basements are WONDERFUL. My parents didn't get A/C until I was about 18, and we spent many hours in the very cool basement during hot, humid Michigan summers.

About the Harleys...all kinds of people ride 'em, from the stereotypical leather-wearing Harley guy (who can often be a very nice and extremely helpful person if you get to know him) to friendly lesbians to...well, my pastor. lol He and his buddies all have Harleys, and you would never pick one of them out as Harley owners. Ever. They have a blast...though Mrs. Pastor is not fond of the goatee he grew to "match" his ride. :P

]]> By: Amye http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56501 Amye Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:52:42 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/08/08/buying-a-house-things-i-have-learned/#comment-56501 Thank you. I'm apartment/house hunting now, and your site makes me less depressed about the prospect, because you can always make the inside nicer. IKEA is amazing. Thank you. I'm apartment/house hunting now, and your site makes me less depressed about the prospect, because you can always make the inside nicer. IKEA is amazing.

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