Comments on: You Play Home Buyer – Which Do You Pick?

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:13:27 +0000

My last house was a DIY remodel, and he made a cheap mess of everything. But the location was perfect.

So it’s #1 for me – the stable neighborhood. A blank canvas to do the remodel right over time.

The funniest thing my wife and see on “House Hunting” is a continuing series of people walking away from awesome bargains becase the “paint is wrong”. Amazing.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:48:43 +0000

Easy – I select house #1. It sounds like house #1 is in a pretty good location and in my world location trumps dollars, within reason. There have been so many B-A-D fix and flips that personally I don’t even want to see them anymore *unless* all permits have been filed and based on those permits I can get the names and numbers of those that have done the work. I want assurances that the work was done by licensed pro’s and if not, I walk.

Considering the economy and the state it’s in, it seems fairly certain that deals can be made with contractors re: cost of updating house #1. And it would be exactly as I wanted it IN a location I preferred. Piece of cake decision.

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:21:24 +0000

Its hard to tell from the information you gave me. Did the owner of house #1 do minor repairs, but not remodel, or did he neglect the house during the 40 plus years he owned it?

On the surface I would say house #1, since you like the neighborhood, and can really see the potential there. Buy it! Martha

By: Jake Boen

Jake Boen — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:58:15 +0000

I’d most likely go for house #1. I’ve seen too many poor remodels and sometimes I don’t even like the good ones.
You are correct about the “what’s covered up” question. There could be a roof leak that won’t show until the summer monsoons because wall board was patched and painted. The owners may be playing the odds game that it will be sold by then. On the other hand there could be nothing wrong with the home. All homes need maintenance, have minor problems, and are far from perfect. Its the major problems that will cause issues in the future. At least with the first home you have a truer image of how the home has stood the test of time. Then you as the new home owner can make the decision of how to dress or add to the home for the next 50 years.