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So I have been searching for a single family home in the greater Boston area for a while now.
It's a complicated story but Fiances dad is 100% disabled Vet.
He wants to use his VA benefit to get a single family home with a small back yard.
Pre qualified for $300k / 0 down, near 800 credit score.
Went and looked at one. Put in a good offer. Seller accepted.
Paid $500 for home inspector.
House had 3 issues.
Termites, one of the main structure beams was replaced not to code, and the electrical box was a wiring mess.
Smartly, we had an inspection contingency in place and were able to walk.
There aren't many single family homes for the up to 300k range here.
I find it gross but it's Boston.
We keep beating the pavement, but at least dad has warmed up to townhouses.
Condos are out of the picture. Overpriced apartments.
I've always rented. He's owned once before.
So I am new at this and trying to keep all parties interests at bay.
Any helpful tips?
Thanks!
We are all looking as a family unit. Him, my fiance, and I share an apartment.
There have been a few houses.
We missed on a few.
The one we locked in on had those 3 issues.
We are not leaving Boston.
I have an above living wage career job. She is working on her second masters.
He just wants a simple single family for the 3 of us to live out the rest of his days.
Not going to uproot to nowhere USA.
I drove coast to coast.
There's no place like Boston.
So....
Any tips for what I should keep an eye out on pre WW1 homes?
Before walking did you try to negotiate with the seller to make the repairs or give a concession so that you all could have the repairs made after closing?
My only advice is to wait or compromise on the type of house.
Before walking did you try to negotiate with the seller to make the repairs or give a concession so that you all could have the repairs made after closing?
My only advice is to wait or compromise on the type of house.
VA won't pass a house with pest/ structure issues.
Have you also posted your question to the Massachusetts > Boston sub-forum? People with more local knowledge might have more useful advice for you. There are also a number of MA realtors who post there, so someone may be able to give you some concrete insight on the market.
VA won't pass a house with pest/ structure issues.
Pre ww1 there likely wasn't a building code, so everything you look at will likely have "pest/structure" issues, whether you can see them or not. VA will pass a house that's been treated for termites & they'll pass one that's had structural issues repaired.
You need to keep in mind that your home inspector isn't looking behind the drywall/plaster & for every home built by a craftsman for himself, there were three built by regular untrained men out of old pallets & billboards. Just because a home pleases a home inspector doesn't mean it's a quality home, it just means that defects have been papered-over very well.
We are all looking as a family unit. Him, my fiance, and I share an apartment.
There have been a few houses.
We missed on a few.
The one we locked in on had those 3 issues.
We are not leaving Boston.
I have an above living wage career job. She is working on her second masters.
He just wants a simple single family for the 3 of us to live out the rest of his days.
Not going to uproot to nowhere USA.
I drove coast to coast.
There's no place like Boston.
So....
Any tips for what I should keep an eye out on pre WW1 homes?
Considering you have an "above living wage career job" maybe increase the budget by putting you on the mortgage (which might mean non VA).
Considering you have an "above living wage career job" maybe increase the budget by putting you on the mortgage (which might mean non VA).
I offered. But this is kind of his retirement/ gift to his daughter and I thing.
Plus, I don't agree with housing prices here.
50 miles due North and West of Boston single family homes are 1/3 to 1/2 the price.
Aka more realistic to a majority of US home prices.
300k for a home is plenty of money to give to the financial companies to screw us on.
PROBLEM IS we get outbid and foreign nationals dumping their money here screws up this particular market bad.
That is completely irrelevant. The housing market in Boston is what it is. If you're being outbid, you either need to increase your budget or look farther afield and resign yourself to a longer commute.
Good luck with your search. House hunting can be an exercise in frustration, but if you're persistent you'll find the right place eventually.
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