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a.baker
02-15-2008, 10:57 AM
Me and my husband were looking at houses yesterday and are having a hard time deciding. We are looking at a rent to own or land contract with these houses. Basically we have to make a decision with a week or so because we need to be out of here by the 15th. This is exciting but I am way stressed at making a wrong decision. So I will describe them the best and see what you think. A little hint; they are the same price.

The first one is actually a condo. 3 bedrooms and 2 and a half baths with lots of windows and a fireplace. It looks brand new!!! The location is quiet, surrounded by a school and a church. Lots of neighbors and a family environment. I can still plant flowers outside and we can have our dog. A very stable place.

The next is an actual house. On 2 acres of land with lots of trees and has a garage but it looks very rough. The only neighbors are all commercial businesses but the future selling of this place is good because of that. Privacy at this place and a yard to do with what we wish!!! 2 bedrooms and one bath. But this house is so very old!!! One can dream with a fixer upper but that takes money and time to fix stuff; my husband has the know how. I am worried about this house having major problems and us needing to fix it and not having the money so the stability is questionable. May I remind you that all the windows (lots of windows too) have to be like 50 + years old and the floors are all wood. So when it comes to heat or energy efficient that is not good at all. I see heater vents but no cool air returns. The vents are huge big grate things in the floor. My husband also says the fuse box is one of those old ones that you have to screw the fuses in. But it has a yard!!!! It has a sealed porch, a bay window for lots of house plants, a fire pit outside! But unfortunately the place is covered in snow and we can't see the yard or driveway.

Now we could do a rent to own with the current place we live in but it is an apartment house and the yard is very very small and the price of this house is expensive and the schools aren't that great. I thought about using the downstairs apartment as a business opportunity like maybe a daycare.

O.k. now my daughter has said and of course our dog would love the old house that has a yard. Camping in the yard and nature adventures! Playing games in the yard and having a garden. Privacy could get better if we built a fence. The old house also has a strong foundation to move it in the future.

Now you all know how excited I am but yet how worried I am about having to make the right decision on something so big. My husband feels the same as I do. Hmm where do I see our family living... the old house.

CoreIssue
02-15-2008, 11:24 AM
If you have one find a friend who has kids and is knowlegable about construction, etc., and have them go over both locations.

Sometimes old homes do better than newer ones.

I think you need an extra opinion from someone who can see them.

Condos are restrictive. Open land with commercial in the area can be developed into something unpleasant.

kay-gee
02-15-2008, 11:29 PM
a.baker take the second one. But try if you can to take out a mortgage on it and own it out right. Financilly much better in long run for you. Rent to own will be higher monthly payments and the equity will rise much slower. I am glad for you guys. Sounds wonderful.

all the best...

a.baker
02-16-2008, 10:44 AM
We are going to look at the house at least a second time. But I am thinking that we are both leaning more towards the house. I have prayed about it and now thats all I can imagine me and my family living in. The condo sounds cheaper though because it has stuff included in the price like trash and house insurance and water. Now with the taxes we have an idea about the condo but not the house. The house is right outside of city limits and so I am sure that makes a difference...

We are fortunate my husband knows a lot about house construction so when it comes to fixing it down the road and looking for majors things now... The only thing is we are having a hard time getting some one out here we trust to help give us a second opinion. We live a good distance from what everyone is willing to travel.

My mind is already wandering with what we could do this spring and summer outside.

Yeah I am really excited but yet I have a hard time deciding. I am someone who goes to the store and can buy one thing and I can never choose so I leave with nothing. HA HA HA