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12-17-2012 at 4:41 PM
TX-Bride
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Joined on 05-10-2006
Austin, Tx
14,592 Points
TX-Bride is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 12:15 PMGold

Can't decide between 2 houses-Which one to make an offer?

DH and I can't decide which house we want to make an offer on. And I need an outside person's opinion.

House #1 is a bigger house 4600 sqft, very good neighboorhood/area, lowest priced house on the street, ISD not as great as house #2, built in 2001, needs some upgrades to bring it up to our taste, the biggest expense is changing the all tile flooring to wood (estimated cost: 20K-25K), needs carpet in the bedroom and fresh coat of paint. House just became a short sale in the last week. Overall style of the house is traditional.

House #2 is 3600 sqft, built in early 90s, stucco exterior, kitchen on the smaller side, cabinets and layout somewhat dated, however the appliances are more upgraded than house #1 and brand new, the master bath has been remodeled to the max! (like towel warmer bar, dual shower heads) separate his and hers walkin closet, a lot of storage thru out the house, backs into a creek, although still in a very good part of the town but the subdivision is just a tad lower than the house #1, but still very good, the most desirable ISD. Owners have moved out, the house is ready for the new owners to move in.  Overall style of the house is modern/contemporary.

Both houses are priced the same, DH and I can't agree which house to go after first. 

 
12-17-2012 at 5:38 PM
vpine
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Joined on 02-11-2011
11,832 Points
vpine is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 10:41 PMBronze
I would choose the one that needs the less remodeling honestly.

TTC Jan 2011, me: 30, DH 33. Unexplained IF. 2 IUI (Aug 2012, Feb 2013) with Bravelle injects = BFN.  
12-17-2012 at 8:14 PM
emily1004
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Joined on 02-01-2008
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
1,281 Points
emily1004 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 10:40 PMNewbie
House 2. Only because short sales are a nightmare. Plus, you would not have enough time to close by Dec. 31st and you could lose the house. Now, I'm not 100% on the details, but from what I understand the Mortgage Relief Act is set to expire on Dec. 31st. If it's not renewed the IRS could go after sellers for the taxes of the forgiven debt. They are better off just going into foreclosure, and if the seller did, any deal you had would be null and void. I wouldn't want to deal with that.

12-17-2012 at 10:48 PM
mcskatcat
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Joined on 01-24-2011
369 Points
mcskatcat is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 8:11 PMNewbie

I would say #2 for a few reasons.  For one, I would avoid short sales like the plague.  It's so time-consuming and for some people doesn't even work out after all the waiting.  For two, you have to put a decent chunk of money into that house. 

 That aside, we have two separate closets in our master and I would highly recommend.  Saves us many a fight.  Plus storage is a godsend.  I would take a smaller house with lots of storage any day, because otherwise you're talking about making that extra guest room or whatever a junk room, rather than having storage be where it should.   

 
12-18-2012 at 9:53 AM
LoveKiss
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Joined on 10-21-2009
Maryland
1,187 Points
LoveKiss is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 8:12 PMBronze
I would go for house #2. We had 2 failed short sale contracts. You couldn't pay me to go through that aggrivation again. That, and 4600 square feet is way more house than I would ever want to clean.

 
12-18-2012 at 8:15 PM
ChristyD6
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Joined on 10-25-2010
47,334 Points
ChristyD6 is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 5:51 PMSilver
It seems like the overall quality and possible resale value of the houses are similar so I would go with #2. We tried to buy a couple short sales and it was terrible!!! If you have any type of timeline avoid a SS, it will drive you crazy. I would only go with #1 if you love love love it and don't have a problem staying where you are for an indefinite period of time.

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12-19-2012 at 11:46 AM
TX-Bride
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Joined on 05-10-2006
Austin, Tx
14,592 Points
TX-Bride is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 12:15 PMGold

Thanks for helping me to put somethings in perspective.  I personally do not want a huge house, but DH was smitten by the size, the extra loft gameroom and media room house #1 had over house #2, I was worried it would takes a few years to fully furnish the house!

So we are getting all the comps for house#2 today so hopefully we can make an offer on it soon.

 

 
12-19-2012 at 4:55 PM
ABColeslaw
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Joined on 10-10-2007
11,147 Points
ABColeslaw is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 5:47 PMGold
How many square feet does a house need to have to be considered a mansion?  4600 square feet is a MASSIVE house.  Even if house two was half that size, it would still be a very big house.  I wouldn't want to have to clean 4600 sq ft.....ever.

 
01-25-2013 at 10:58 AM
cmustari
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Joined on 06-16-2010
147 Points
cmustari is not online. Last active: 01-25-2013, 11:26 AMNewbie

Have you considered the age and conditions of the roof, heating and cooling systems, hot water heater, and windows in either house? These are some of the most expensive things and could really make or break your decision. Also, the cost of the utilities will most likely be substantially higher in the larger house. 

Good luck! 


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