Considering a move to MD (Frederick: rent, condo, lender)

[mamaplaysflute]

My husband recently accepted a job offer in DC. We are looking to relocate somewhere between the Shady Grove metro and Frederick (I will be working there). We have a budget of 250K-275K and would like 3 bed/2bath home. Ideally we would like a SFH with a yard but would consider a town home or condo.It's just the two of us since our kiddos are grown and on their own so schools are not a factor. We're currently residing in Lovettsville, Va and I have a feeling the hour and half ( or greater depending on the time of day) commute for him would get old real fast. Any help on where to begin our search would be greatly appreciated.

[Baghead]

Get a good buyer's agent and have him send you a wide array of listings. Spend at least a few months just looking on line at the mls listings she sends you. Make sure you aren't stuck soley on one area.

[mamaplaysflute]

We did contact an agent but until we put our current house on the market or provide a pre-approval letter she said she didn't want to waste her time showing us around. Seems in MD sellers don't want to show without these requisites. We've bought and sold 4 times and never heard this before. We just wanted to get a feel for the area and see if it was something we wanted to do before we committed to a move. We've seen a lot of promising homes on line but can't find anyone willing to show them. We are open to any area that would be midway between the metro and Frederick.

[bufflove]

Originally Posted by mamaplaysflute

We did contact an agent but until we put our current house on the market or provide a pre-approval letter she said she didn't want to waste her time showing us around. Seems in MD sellers don't want to show without these requisites. We've bought and sold 4 times and never heard this before. We just wanted to get a feel for the area and see if it was something we wanted to do before we committed to a move. We've seen a lot of promising homes on line but can't find anyone willing to show them. We are open to any area that would be midway between the metro and Frederick.

Yes, it's extremely common that an agent won't spend dozens of hours of their time (without pay) on someone who hasn't bothered even getting to step 1 - pre-approval. Without pre-approval, you and your agent have no idea what - if any - price house you can afford. Pre-approval takes a matter of minutes, so there really isn't an excuse to expect someone else to spend hours of their time on your behalf (for free) if you won't spend 15 minutes of your own time first. If you're just curious about the housing market then attend open houses on your own time. If you're serious about buying a property then speak to a lender about pre-approval so you know how much house you can afford.

[cjmeck]

Originally Posted by mamaplaysflute

We did contact an agent but until we put our current house on the market or provide a pre-approval letter she said she didn't want to waste her time showing us around. Seems in MD sellers don't want to show without these requisites. We've bought and sold 4 times and never heard this before. We just wanted to get a feel for the area and see if it was something we wanted to do before we committed to a move. We've seen a lot of promising homes on line but can't find anyone willing to show them. We are open to any area that would be midway between the metro and Frederick.

For me, its not about wasting an agent's time/gas. Its about professionalism. When I'm the listing agent, my client and I expect that whoever is viewing their home is qualified and ready to purchase. My clients put a lot of energy and effort into showing their home and lots of times, its a big inconvenience to them to get themselves, kids, pets out of the house. So at the very least requiring a pre-qualification letter is a professional courtesy to the homeowners. Perhaps you could spend an afternoon just exploring the neighborhoods/towns you are considering? Take a walk with your dog, go to the local grocery store, attend a town festival (there are many in the fall!). Buying neighborhood first, house second is a wise decision.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by mamaplaysflute

My husband recently accepted a job offer in DC. We are looking to relocate somewhere between the Shady Grove metro and Frederick (I will be working there). We have a budget of 250K-275K and would like 3 bed/2bath home. ...We're currently residing in Lovettsville, Va and I have a feeling the hour and half ( or greater depending on the time of day) commute for him would get old real fast.

Depending on where in DC the job is, The commute in from Frederick could be 1 1/2 hours or more. I don't see the advantage of moving to Maryland if you can't get any closer to the job in DC.

The budget of 250K-275K could possibly get you a townhouse in a closer-in area. Perhaps you can moderate your housing expectations in order to put the commuter closer to his job.

[Cruzincat]

You can cut down on your husband's commute time, but are you willing to keep your grandkids inside when they come to visit, because you are too afraid to let them be outside?

[Cruzincat]

You really should be making up your mind long term as to where you want to be when you retire. If you are moving here just to put away a nest egg for retirement, then rent for a while. If you can rent out your current home, do that. You might decide you made a mistake and would be happier where you were. Once you sell it you'll never be able to get it back for what you were paid for it now.