My offer on my first house just got accepted...

[cjericho]

Here's the thing about me: I don't do manual labor. Judge me if you must. But I budget for things like that. I've budgeted $100 a month in. I've budgeted in other things. Landscaping, etc. My savings will be used for things like repairs that to other people are a $4 part and an hour of work. Not for me.

If I'm willing to pay for it, and I make sure I have the money, then I see no problem.

i hear ya. there's not a lot i can fix so i need to save money for plumbing, electrical, etc. i can do landscaping. i definitely understand you not wanting to do it though. congrats.

and like MM said that is a damn no brainer on Abdullah the Butcher's rib place vs waffle house or anything else. i wouldn't have thought he's still alive. i have some pro wrestling illustrated mags in my mom's attic or basement that i'd have him sign.

 

[imjustagirl]

Send me one and I'll take it over there.

 

[Buck]

A woman washing a car can be sexy.
A woman mowing the lawn is never sexy.

 

[cranberry]

A woman washing a car can be sexy.
A woman mowing the lawn is never sexy.

It's something about water, holding a garden hose, and the suds, especially the suds.

 

[bigpern23]

Ahem. 8)

 

[Trey Beamon]

Don't post much (or visit Facebook) anymore and just found out about this.

Congrats ... I'm happy for you, IJAG. You deserve a stroke (heh) of good fortune or two.

And the place sounds great. The house has cotton candy insulation, correct?

 

[Det. Jimmy McNulty]

Looking forward to buying a 500 sq/f studio in DC sometime soon.

Congrats.

 

[imjustagirl]

Good luck, Jimmy!

So since I really don't know what I'm doing, how would you guys prioritize the following things when determining whether to go through on the deal or not?

How much you like/love the house/lot itself
Neighborhood
Safety
Expected worth in the future (both itself and considering the neighborhood)
Expected costs for upkeep/whatever
whatever else you can think of


I'm just trying to get as many perspectives as I can so I make sure I look at this from all angles before dropping $130K.

 

[BDC99]

Congrats! It sounds like you're in a very similar situation to mine. I bought mine last summer at a similar rate. Have you had the appraisal and all that yet? I'm a bit confused by where you are in the process. But my house also was completely gutted and remodeled, so that is definitely a huge advantage and should save you on repairs/replacements for a while.

I am not in the greatest neighborhood in town, but if you like the house and most of the ones nearby are taken care of, you're golden. Now, if you will feel unsafe living there, that's another story. I wouldn't want to be coming home late from work in a neighborhood I wasn't comfortable in. Sounds like you're getting a good deal, so you should be in good shape as far as future worth/upkeep.

It was the most stressful thing I've done in a looong time, but it was so worth it. I haven't regretted it for a second. And the appraisal on mine came in significantly lower than the list, so I got a steal. It's the perfect time to buy.

 

[dixiehack]

Did you put up earnest money? If so, you will lose it if you back out just because you get cold feet about the neighborhood. At this stage, the main things to be resolved are the home inspection and making sure the title is clear.

 

[imjustagirl]

dixie: I am still in my 15-day due diligence period. Goes through next Saturday. So I can back out for any reason and keep all my money.

 

[dixiehack]

Is there a neighborhood association? Could you drop in on a meeting before your deadline? Anybody do a neighborhood-based blog?