First Time Buyer in a normal people housing price range

[gtt99]

Check out Forney (75126) or Heartland (75126). Both communities within 25-30 min from downtown Dallas.

[dhakaia]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Also, if you like a house, submit your offer THAT day. You still have 7-10 days to think it over while you're in the option period and if you really do change your mind, you just lose the small option fee.

THIS!

We did that with 1 hour left in the 7-day option period, as we got news of our offer getting accepted for another house we liked better. It wasn't a good feeling, and we wrote a letter to the seller apologizing... but ultimately it was in our best interest. This is after getting outbid at 20+ offers, over a 1+ year period

The sellers & their agents in the market today shoot down offers with 'extreme prejudice', when they sense the slightest bit of inconvenience/ doubt. That's why you the buyer have to get smarter at playing the game. Best of luck!

[gogogo35]

What part of DFW do you work in? (Sorry if I missed this). Have you considered East Dallas? I'm thinking Casa View area and that part of (far) East Dallas would be a good place to look.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Also, if you like a house, submit your offer THAT day. You still have 7-10 days to think it over while you're in the option period and if you really do change your mind, you just lose the small option fee.

With multiple offers, I've required or taken offers with $500-1000 option fees. The old days of small $100 fees are pretty much over.

These fees can make a Buyer think twice about walking away. They should be high if we are taking the house off the market for them to do their inspections. Seldom do you see 10 days now also. Get it done in 7.

Walking away should hit them in the pocket book hard. Sellers want to know Buyers are serious and not contracting on multiple homes.

[WorldKlas]

Where is work? Only look in areas that make sense for your commute. Are schools important? Please let us know your work location and the school needs and many of us can make solid suggestions.

You have learned a couple of lessons, so keep them in mind and keep trying. Once March hits, the market will intensify in competition so keep working on this NOW. I am sorry this seems so difficult. You can change a lot of things about a house, but not location. So make sure you can live with the location.

You are in a very hard market. If schools are not important, I suggest you look in Irving and North Arlington.

If schools are important, and the commute would make sense, look in zip codes 76017 & 76016 (SW Arlington).

I was an actively buying investor during the years 2006-2012 and often bid on houses after a walkabout the outside beause there was so much competition for the houses. Then I used the option period to determine if I really wanted the house. You can do the same thing. However, this tactic has become so popular that now sellers are demanding a strong option fee (if you bow out they keep it, if you go forward it becomes a credit towards closing). Back then, it was worth the $100 option fee to win a bid with the option to change my mind. Actually, I only backed out of a few places.

Do you have a good relationship with a real estate agent?

[WorldKlas]

Wow.....these are in the highly rated Butler elementary zone!!!!

1715 Martinique Ct, Arlington, TX 76012 - realtor.com®


http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...2_M88460-15210