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desire
November 2009 
What do you want most right now?
Posted on Dec 9th, 2008
by 
tinkonthebrink
tinkonthebrink
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for December 09, 2008:
We're going to try to buy our house. Our landlords are going to retire and move away and they want to sell all their property first. They're willing to finance and we have to try to work all the details out - send good thoughts. He owns a used car lot and approaches selling us the house that way. He won't give us any idea what he wants for the house, wants us to come up with an offer. (I told Adrian this and he said "Fifty dollars".) The house has LOTS of problems but I love it and the location is very good for us. So, good thoughts.
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I am channeling amazing thoughts , wonder ,and a soul for the used car salesman
low ball him….
Research, then offer what you can truly afford. A good heartin the present always brings good favor in the future in all of life
Thought about a home inspection first? You might not want it after you see the inspectors report, or maybe he’ll give it to you.
Honestly? I know what would be in the report and even some things they would likely miss. I’m afraid the house would be condemned if I did that and I love it and just want to get it for a decent enough price to make it better. Mold abatement alone would deny a CO. The only way it can transfer unless it’s going to be a tear down is from my landlord directly to the buyer.
I think the house loves you as much as you love it - it’s never want you to go away. You treat it so well.Talk to the house. The landlord is, um, what’s the word. sort of like the interpreter? Or, well wishing interpreter? Oh, you don’t have a wishing well tucked away somewhere there, do you? Many, many good thoughts, Jeannie and Kris.
I love what Ash said andI can’t improve on it…I just want to send support.
I am offering you some advice as I have bought and sold many many homes - 8 or nine at least. I have made lots of mistakes.
First off, get a professional inspection. Whatever has to be done, deduct that amount from the price you would have offered.
Buying a house is a FINANCIAL DECISION.
Do not let your emotions rule. Don’t let your imagination run wild. Face reality.
Houses are money pits, money pits, money pits
Good luck in whatever you decide. I am sure you will make your house your Home.
Mimi, I’m sure you’re right. And I’ve lived here for 8 years and I know the shortcomings of the house pretty well. I have decent carpentry skills and friends who will help and a housemate with really good skills, much better than mine. I’ve done renovation work and scenic carpentry work and wiring and roofing. I don’t like roofing and will try to never ever do that again. But I do like this house and it is in big part emotional. But - it has a lot of potential that’s been squandered through the poor little house being a rental unit for probably 30 or more years, and I love living here. And owner financing is the only way we’re ever going to be able to buy a house. So this is potentially our house, flaws and all. I hope we can make it work out.
Good luck on this. It’s exciting. And, I think Mimi’s advice sounds solid.
I am a real estate broker and I see an opportunity. You like the house, you know it, you like the location and the owner financing are all pluses. Find an experienced real estate agent to help you with the value and help structure payments you can work with, a home inspection will let you know of any major issues. Go for it!
I’m sure for some people buying a house is only a financial decision, but for me, it doesn’t even sound wise to leave emotions entirely out of the decision making process. sounds like you know what you are getting into and you know what you want and I am wishing yousomuch well that you might end up with a wishingwell somewherein the vicinity of your home. :-)
much love to you both and the house too!
I don’t know thing one about buying houses and I’ve spent most of my life being ruled by my emotions. I think Mimi’s advice sounds very wise but I’m really in no position to do anything but pour love and good wishes and crossed fingers down from the chilly northeast to you and Krissy and the menagerie! Farland and Dawn can do a lovely new-home-owner dance under the May moon for you : )
I am a real estate broker in NJ. I wish you all the best on the purchase. You should seriously consider getting a home inspection and a C.O. inspection before purchasing. The landlord is facing a tough market right now and any other buyer would subject the house to the same scrutiny. Submit the reports to the landlord in your price negotiation. There are a few home valuation sites available for free, zillow.com is one. Remember that you will be inheriting any major problem with the purchase and that could become an issue when you eventually go to sell the home. I see you really like the home but be smart. Use the bad market conditions to get the best price. Don’t underestimate your own worth as a buyer. You may be the lanlords best option, especially if you have a good rental history with him. There are very few buyers out there and fewer able to qualify for a mortgage at the new lending standards. He may not want to undertake the repairs and risks of finding an outside buyer and sell to you at a good price if you let him know you are savvy. Good luck!
Thank you thank you thank you for all the very good advice. George, I really appreciate your insights here and it’s good for me to hear all of this. I’ll be smarter about this because of all of you.
It sounds like he likes to play the negotiation game, and although I am no expert, I understand that in this game, you are expected to offer less than what you really expect to pay.
In our small town, there was a lady named “Mona” who had drinking problems. She would walk on the business strip always wearing slippers no matter what the weather was. Her dachshund, Tommy always accompanied her. One day she wandered into the store I was working at - she dropped by daily - and she told me she bought a house. “Hell, Mona, I didn’t know you were looking for a house”. She said, “I wasn’t, but I wandered into the Open House on Sunday. They were asking $135,000.” Well, the agent talked her into making an offer, and she made a really low bid of $80,000. just because…….. Next thing you know, the offer was accepted and Mona owned this cute little house.
Wow, that is great news and it’s a good time to buy. It might be a little scary, first time and all, but you have lots of support.
Doug, thank you for the encouragement.
Mimi, I’m definitely getting drunk and wearing slippers when I talk with our landlord. Good to have a plan…