How many places did you look at before buying? (Haddonfield: 2009, buying a home)

[Scott99999]

Hello,

My wife and I have been looking at homes and don't want to get too discouraged by not finding a home in this market.

QUESTION: How many places did you look at before buying a home?

Also - as a bonus question - what eventually drove your final decision? Property, schools, layout, price, improvements, etc...?


THANKS!

[NatasNJ]

I have to think over 100 by now and STILL LOOKING!

[Scott99999]

Ha! Another friend gave me the same number. What has been the constant deal-breaker for you? Price? Condition? What are you not finding?

We're finding that anything in our range ($500k-$600k) needs LOTS of updates...meaning, "everything" needs renovation - kitchens, bathrooms, etc..., all from the 70s. One place had 7- or 8-foot ceilings. Some have been complete "gut jobs." We also want some land (i.e., .5 or more acres), which is a really tough constraint.

[tahiti]

we've owned 3 homes. only with the first were we actively looking. the last 2 we stumbled across and moved with the express purpose of moving to THAT HOUSE. first house was purchased in a declining to flat market, 2nd house purchased in a flat market, 3rd house purchased just as things were ticking upwards (1999).

i'll answer for my first house and it was about a 1/2 dozen. we knew the target location,and the house we bought was the right price, and most importantly, in the best condition amongst its' competetors.

[Lusitan]

Here's where you should look (so that you won't feel discouraged) ...

[ez2do4now]

Depending on the order of your home purchase criteria (and both you and your wife should know by now):
- price
- schools
- location
- taxes
- convenience
- what you want in a house

.... and after looking at 100+ homes, you will know right away the moment you step into a home.

Otherwise, you might not be serious about the commitment.

[tallguylehigh]

I wanna say I looked at 30 some-odd houses before I finally pulled the trigger.

It's frustrating. I enjoy looking at houses when I'm not looking for them- its fun to kick the tires. But when you have to find something, it becomes a chore, and not a fun one.

As for what I looked for, top of the list is

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION- now that I got that cliche out of the way, its tough to define a good location, but I looked at a number of factors, namely:
+ Schools (as good as I could afford)
+ Distance to nice downtown (small town feel)
+ Distance to parks, town amenities (lakes, trails)
+ Distance to mass transit (trains, buses)
+ General access (highways, theaters, restaurants, stores, etc)
+ Distance to work (put this last because it will be different for every person)

Then I look at the house. And I look with an open eye. If its a 4 bedroom, I had better not have to walk through one bedroom to get to another. I had definite wants:
+ 2 car garage
+ Fireplace
+ Basement
+ CHARACTER

and things that I looked at from contractors eyes in terms of improvement:
easy to do:
+ central air
+ kitchen
+ master suite/possible future expansion

[NatasNJ]

Originally Posted by Scott99999

Ha! Another friend gave me the same number. What has been the constant deal-breaker for you? Price? Condition? What are you not finding?

We're finding that anything in our range ($500k-$600k) needs LOTS of updates...meaning, "everything" needs renovation - kitchens, bathrooms, etc..., all from the 70s. One place had 7- or 8-foot ceilings. Some have been complete "gut jobs." We also want some land (i.e., .5 or more acres), which is a really tough constraint.

I am looking in the 250-350 range in South Jersey. (Mainly collingswood, Haddon Twp and Haddonfield)

Haddonfield is almost a waste since most decent listings break my price barrier and then some.

Issues so far with other towns. We only like SPECIFIC areas of the towns. (close to PATCO Train station/ walkable) But also not under it. So that is somewhat limiting right there.

We would love a rancher but not holding our breath on that one.

So besides location which is our #1, we want a nice family room that we can setup as a home theater to some degree. Issue here is all the older homes aren't laid out for a FAMILY room unless it has an addition off the back. We don't care much about a dining room or living room. Just one Family room please.

If we find that then the Kitchen 100 years old. Total gut job. Which is fine except for Price comes into play. And the house + renovations puts me at 400k.

Bathrooms tend to be very small as well or really old.

And I still think my area is not reduced enough. Prices are falling and many houses are sitting and sitting. So it is usually a mixture of things.

We have found 2 houses we liked but both had location sacrifices but the houses themselves great. Also both houses at $370 & $399. I don't want to break $350.

Pain... But I love looking at houses and it is not a chore yet. I am trying to be smart and WAIT AND WAIT until the market stops dropping OR I find the perfect house at a reasonable price. Since I plan to stick in this house for LONG term I can wait out a small dip right after I get into it. I just don't want to lose my 20% deposit 1 year after I buy and then be laid off or something.

[zas]

about 50 and still looking and frustrated....

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by Scott99999

Ha! Another friend gave me the same number. What has been the constant deal-breaker for you? Price? Condition? What are you not finding?

We're finding that anything in our range ($500k-$600k) needs LOTS of updates...meaning, "everything" needs renovation - kitchens, bathrooms, etc..., all from the 70s. One place had 7- or 8-foot ceilings. Some have been complete "gut jobs." We also want some land (i.e., .5 or more acres), which is a really tough constraint.

Hummm..sounds like you are looking in the wrong places..let me guess - within 30 mins. of NYC????