The Friday Gathering – Looking at a house edition
By glblguy
Photo by: trekkyandy
For a few years now, my wife and I have desired to move further out of the city and into the country. We’ve dreamed of finding a home big enough for our family of 8 on some land, say 3 – 5 acres. We desired to find something that was far enough away to be remote, but not so far away that we wouldn’t have reasonable access to nice schools, hospitals, shopping areas, etc.
While surfing various real estates sites about 2 weeks ago, my wife came across a foreclosed home about an hour from where we currently live. The house is about 4200 sq foot total (including the basement), is on 17 acres and includes a huge stand alone shop and horse stables. The price? $290,000! Too good to be true? Well, that’s what we thought as well.
After a quick call the real estate agent, it wasn’t a misprint. So we ventured out there last weekend to take a look. The agent wasn’t available that weekend so we couldn’t see the inside of the home, but we were able to spend a great deal of time walking the property without being bothered by the agent. I expected the home to need some work, given the price and the fact it was foreclosed on, but honestly thought it would require far more than it actually does. Assuming the inside doesn’t require significant work and the house is livable (which I am told it is), at the current price it’s a steal.� The land was absolutely beautiful and bordered by a beautiful creek with fish!
I’ve talked to the agent some since, and she feels they’ll take $220,000 for it…even more of a steal in my opinion. We’re planning to head back out there tomorrow to see the inside, and I’ll be on the phone today talking to our mortgage company to see what options we have. I’ll keep you posted, but we are all praying this works out as the house and land is exactly what we’ve been looking for and financial a great opportunity� as we’ll go into the deal with $100,00 in equity.
Noteworthy Stuff
- SmartyPig $50.00 giveaway – If you haven’t entered into the giveaway yet, make sure you head over, read the review I wrote and enter the giveaway. So far I am really liking SmartyPig and I think you will too. The contest is running through Monday 4/14.
- Carnivals – I participated in a few carnivals this week: The Festival of Frugality (where my article was an editor’s pick!) and The Carnival of Debt Reduction. Stupid me submitted to the Carnival of Personal Finance, but forgot to use the right form.
- Twitter – I’ve been really enjoying Twitter trying to utilize it to expand my readership and develop new relationships. Darren from Problogger has been very active and I participated in his Re-tweeted post this week. I’m #60. If you’re on Twitter and are interested in following me, here’s a link to my profile. Haven’t tried Twitter? Sign-up, it’s pretty cool. If you use Firefox, I’d highly recommend the TwitterFox add-on.
The Gathering
- Why I Still Play the Lottery– MITBeta was one of my first few readers (and commentators) and has now started his own personal finance blog. I really like what he’s got going on over there, so pay him a visit and even subscribe, I did.
- Act Your Age (Financially) – This was my favorite article of the week and one that really made me think. I had a very similar experience of going down “the path: last weekend.
- Spend $10. It’s Worth It! – This was my favorite M-Network article this week. Great to know Patrick has his priorities right. It’s the little things that matter. Good stuff Patrick, and it’s little things like what you did that will keep your marriage strong.
- NEVER pay for a RedBox DVD rental again – Signed up for email updates today and will go do a rental using a code this afternoon. Redbox rocks!
- When Times are Tight: 168 Frugal Tips to Make Your Dollar Stretch – Lynnae gives us a massive list of frugal tips to stretch your dollar. Make sure you bookmark it!
- Eight Natural Ways to Make Water More Flavorful – I suffer from chronic kidney stones. I have had so many I can’t even count them, but drinking tons of water has really helped. I really appreciated this article, as plain water gets a bit old after a while.
- My Wife And Her $39 Dollar Glasses. – Many times if it seems too good to be true, if often is.
- The Ultimate Frugal Weekend: A 48-Hour Spending Fast – I really need to try this…I’m sure it’s tough, but I think it would be a great experience.
- Earning More Doesn’t Help If You Don’t Spend Less – I have been so guilty of this in the past. I always looked forward to the extra money, but just found that I ended up spending it rather than saving it. No more.
- Drama in Real Life: Wrecked Rental – j.d. tells us about an accident he was involved in while driving a rental car. What do you think, did he make the right decision? Did he have other options?
- The Cost Of Instant Gratification – Pinyo talks about how credit cards make it easy to get what you want when you want it, but there’s a cost. That’s why I avoid them all together.
- The First Money Talk: The When and How of a Conversation Every Couple Needs to Have – Talking to your spouse about money is critical to the success of your marriage. Trent provides some great suggestions and tips on how to effectively have that first talk.
- How to Use Your Student Loan Deferment Grace Period Wisely– I don’t have any student loans, but if you do take her advice and use your grace periods wisely.
- 7 Can�t Miss Ways to Kick-Start the Saving Habit – PT provides a list of excellent ways to start saving money.
- Best of March 2008 – Excellent list of various articles from last month
- How to watch HDTV on your computer for under $70 – Bob shares a really cool gizmo he got that allows you to watch HDTV on your computer. FAR cheaper than an HDTV!
- how should I cure my dissatisfaction? – Plonkee is struggling with dissatisfaction. Head over and help her out.
- Taking a Little Break From Netflix – Singleguy drops Netflix and begins using his cable companies on-demand features. I’d recommend Redbox!
Have an awesome weekend
April 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Remember that God will give us whatever we ask him in prayer.
Dear God knowing that you are God that accomplish your promises and the bible says that you will give us whatever we ask in pray, I believe in you and I ask you please give him this wounderful home. In Jesus name Amen!!!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
That’s so exciting!!! Definitely a great price as long as its liveable. You’re growing the manpower (they’re mostly boys, right?) to repair whatever needs fixing.
Happy Friday and thanks for including my post!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I can’t wait to hear the house update! I hope it all works out!
Have a great weekend, and thanks for the mention!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
My wife loved the flowers, and I surprised her again by writing about it. She didn’t read it until the afternoon, and she was surprised again. It was nice. :)
Thanks for mentioning my article and for the kind words. :)
April 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and good luck on the house!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
This is so exciting! Most of the time when things sound too good to be true, they are. But now always. I do hope this is one of the remarkable times it really is true. Good luck on the purchase of your new home.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Good luck with the house visit! Sounds like a great deal, especially as it fits with your family’s needs. Looking forward to the update.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Thanks for mentioning the 48-hour spending fast; it really is a lot of fun, but does require some discipline. Good luck on the house – if it is meant to be it will work out. If it doesn’t work out it just means a better deal will come along soon.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
$220,000 for the land would be a steal, never mind with the house. I look forward to hearing more reports about this!
April 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
“we are all praying this works out as the house and land is exactly what weÂ’ve been looking for and financial a great opportunity as weÂ’ll go into the deal with $100,00 in equity.”
Remember that it is very difficult to remain objective when you’re dealing with your dreamhouse/location/land! You might want to consider asking a friend to assist you as an objective third party. Someone that is willing to help protect you from yourselves just encase you and your wife get too attached to the house!
Also, people who neglect their mortgage payments also are more likely to neglect house maintaince, so be very careful when you have the house inspected.
17 acres a beautiful chunk of land. Although we only have 5.5 acres, my parents have two more undeveloped parcels next door (they’ll be retiring next to us). Together, we have 18 acres with a pond and plenty of trees, but no creek!
April 4th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Ahhh….you are living my dream. Good luck with the house. Regarding credit card, I advocate using it as long as you pay it off in full. :-)
April 4th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Good luck with the house!
Mike
April 4th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Good luck with the house!
April 4th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Best of luck with the house! Keep us posted- Lisa
April 5th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Sounds like a great opportunity. I hope to get away one day also.
April 5th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Wow – good luck with the house! Houses in Seattle aren’t even CLOSE to being that cheap unless they’re falling apart. I say – go for it!
April 5th, 2008 at 5:07 am
19 acres?! Wow, I have to admit I’m doing the Pound Sterling to Dollar conversion ($2 for £1 at the moment, roughly). You best move quick!
Only kidding, all the best with the purchase if you do go for it.
April 5th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
“My Wife And Her $39 Dollar Glasses. – Many times if it seems too good to be true, if often is.”
Except that all those other people commenting have had great experiences, so there must be something to the “cheap” glasses idea.
April 5th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Make sure the offer is contingent upon the house clearing an inspection(s) of your choosing – and pay for a good one. We found out that my dream house had >$50,000 worth of structural work (including an entirely new foundation needed)… fortunately before we bought it. Also check local zoning and FUTURE plans (highway moves, Indian Casinos, more) that folks may have for the area… nothing like having a new landfill going in 4 years down the road to make your dream lose it’s luster…
April 7th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I think I’m going to be sick. My <700 sq ft terraced house cost me the equivalent of $200k. To be fair, I wouldn’t want to live in the countryside, but still I’m pretty sure there’s nowhere in the UK where property is that cheap. I’m not even sure there’s many places in the EU where property is that cheap.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi. Your gazelle-intensity-how-fast-is-it post was definitely in the running for editor’s pick. I was considering having three editor’s picks. Consider yourself with an honorable mention.
Thanks for the link back to your blog.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
@Nikki – Thanks, we sure will. I was calling inspectors this morning.
@plonkee – Plonkee, don’t be too sick. Wait until you read my post tomorrow!
@Sue – Thanks Sue!
April 8th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Good luck on the house. Thanks for the link.