There is a wonderful line in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Hunter S. Thompson.
“We had two bags of gross, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers…and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozem amyls.”
I don’t even know what an amyl is but I do know that even this early on in the house hunting process I could totally roll with Hunter and the attorney.
When house hunting, within the course of a day…hell, a few hours, your mood can change multiple times as you bump from being gleefully excited to mentally drained. We’re still pretty new into our house hunt, having only looked at roughly 10 homes. Today we revisited two with my parents, one of whom is a former real estate lawyer who was armed with binoculars, flashlights, and a legal size notepad…and a shitload of observations that our virgin eyes hadn’t even noticed the first go round.
Let’s just say…it was stressful. It certainly could have been worse. Both houses are pretty move in ready but my dad came up with several questions that concerned us. In both we had issues getting hot water. In the first house he wasn’t sure if there is a buried oil tank, and in the other the upstairs floors are a little sloped and the layout of the master bathroom and bedroom is awkward. Walking through the kitchen in a towel…not an issue in a temporary apartment, more than a little akward in a house.
Are these deal breakers? WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME??? I’M A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER AND SCARED SHITELESS! In the first house we could easily move in as long as the internal/mechanical stuff could be fixed. The second is more customizeable, which could be wonderful but is also very scary.
Spending so much time watching home buying shows I always thought that doing projects would be OH SO FUN, TEEHEEHEE! I suppose projects I was actually thinking about were things like changing kitchen tiles and maybe knocking out a wall to expand a bedroom. But the idea of slanted floors and 1929 walls is a little daunting. We have friends who own houses that aren’t perfect and there are “those rooms” where no one goes. When I go to those houses I don’t really think much of it but now I’m wondering if we could live with oddities, at least for a year or two. The big thing I’m looking for in a home is peace, privacy, and a place to grow into. After living above elephants for almost a year, the thought of having our own place where we can sit in the living room in silence is what pulls me out of the first time homeowner vortex.
I know that there will never be the perfect house nor am I looking for one. Projects can happen slowly over time…so am I being a silly virgin by stressing over these things? What are deal breakers and what are fixer uppers?
September 9, 2012 at 2:24 am
I’ve never bought a house, but I imagine that you don’t want to rush into anything as it is the biggest purchase of your life thus far, but you also don’t want to dwell on things too much. Like the house virgins show says, virgins always want everything perfect and that isn’t possible. However, if you and Scott aren’t naturally handy, you might want to get a house that is a little more done or you’ll spend a shitload on workers and you might not have the knowledge base to make sure the workers are doing the right thing. I would say accept the cosmetic uglies but not the frame work uglies. Slanted floors might not be something you want to get in to with your first house. Did I say enough for someone who has never bought a house?
September 9, 2012 at 2:41 am
Very much so! We are brand new & are formulating opinions left & right. And I agree that I don’t think we are looking for a gut job. We did see a very updated house but it’s quite small & very close to the neighbors. Definitely learning about compromise.
September 9, 2012 at 9:26 pm
you want the structural shit to be good — and stuff like oil tank, water heater, electrical work, plumbing work… is all a pain in the ass. but cosmetic stuff is easy… and best done over time. if you two can have a vision together past whatever is placed in front of you… AND you don’t expect it all to be done immediately… that gives you more flexibility. but don’t rush into anything — remember, i’m saddled with a condo in a town where i don’t want to live any longer/don’t live any longer. XO
September 11, 2012 at 6:10 pm
The stuff I didn’t like about our house when we first saw it is still the stuff I don’t like. I wish I had stuck it out for more land and a little more privacy but Joe really liked the house. It was hard because he grew up in the city and I grew up in the country so we both kind of wanted different things. I like my house I just don’t love it. You also need to decide if you are looking for a starter home or somewhere you can see yourself for awhile.