Myself has learned that house hunting is a question of:
[ol]
[li]Acceptability - What do you want? What do you really need? What bug-a-boos are deal-breakers? [/li][li]Availability - How many such creatures exist in your price range in places you are willing to live? [/li][li]Perseverance – How hard are you willing to work and how far will to go to find your ‘Holy Grail’? [/ol] [/li]
Is our problem that our safari guide is more trouble than he’s worth or are we are looking for unicorns?
The majority here say BIL is marginal at best—but how marginal is to too marginal when it’s a choice between getting your dream home and—quite literally—destroying the family’s here-to-fore idyllic tranquility?
“What would Carl Jung do?”
Without starting WWIII, we managed to get BIL to realize that he’s on thin ice, needs to work harder and be more available. (There’s no written agreement, but we’d give him at least a nice bottle of wine if we jumped ship.) We’ve made a huge concession in that we’ll begin hunting weekday evenings in spite of my Lady’s 60-hour work week. We’ll save our vacation for moving and repairs.
We don’t believe we lack focus or are unreasonably picky. The Gordian Knot is the number of variables in our equation. We just aren’t a typical ‘round client easy to stick in a round hole.’
In the beginning we looked at everything in a huge area, (4.5 towns, 7x 4 mi) but we’ve reduced the geography at least 60%. Mostly we’re looking in Oakland which has incredible deals but some neighborhoods require Kevlar vests 24/7 which is a concern. (We check crime websites and count the number of home security system signs on the street.)
There are many excellent homes on wonderful streets that are a block or two from a war-zone. These pockets are scattered all over, so picking a zip code or even a named neighborhood won’t work. An agent can’t pre-evaluate what makes us feel safe.
At first we were highly flexible on the house’s style, (and the list of styles available here is astounding!) but now we’ve narrowed our sights on a one-story craftsman-style bungalow on a quiet street preferably with trees on it. We want a second bedroom for the office/home theater. One bath okay, 1.5 better. Small, private back yard. Must have off-street parking, garage preferred.
The good/bad news is that there is no shortage of candidates, but since these homes were built 1920 – 40s, physical condition is an issue. If all we wanted was ‘move-in ready’ we’d cut the number of prospects, but we’re willing to do “some” work inside, like remodel kitchen. Floor plans vary widely. Kitchens in particular are all over the map; some don’t have space for a dishwasher, some require a small fridge.
We are research-aholic computer power-users. We blanket real estate and local newspaper websites and Crag’s List (which seems to have more Open House listings than anyone). We use Google maps and street view to pre-screen. GPS cuts travel time.
I was told that listings with no price are already sold; there are scores of them littering RE websites. It is surprising to me that so many listings have no address! This means appointments are required and we have to bringing our agent to unlock the key safe. Why so few open houses?!!
Too many listing have limited or no photos—esp of the interior—which means we waste much time on drive-bys, or walk in-walk out. (One agent provided a video walk-through w/ commentary of a mid-range priced house. Very nice!) Some photos look great, until you get close and see that the windows are so thick with paint you can’t open them. There are lead-paint issues, so we’d rather not strip woodwork.
So…are we too picky, or are we just patient folks with needs that require more time? (Print your answer on a twenty-dollar bill and submit in triplicate to…;))
It’s been an education. I see many Dopers have looked in to this tread, so I know this has been a productive discussion. More thanks to those who have contributed, we continue to be enlightened and encouraged.
We are tired, but determined. It’s still mostly a joyous journey and we know that just as with child birth, the pain of the process will vanish the moment our ‘baby’ appears.
Avanti!
And I second PunditLisa - a house with great bones that needs a lipstick renovation is usually ideal, as most people can paint and change carpets.
