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I'll look back on it if I end up collapsed in a heap on the floor after our closing!
Trust me, we all end up in a heap on the floor.
We bought new because we wanted a decent house where we could get a break from fixing things. The last house, by the time we sold had upgraded electric, a central AC system, most paneling was removed as well as faux brick. We busted our butts for 5 years tackling one room at a time. There were 2 rooms left to do, the main bathroom & kitchen. I also thought to put the master in one of the other rooms with the larger bathroom, then cut through a wall to make the master bath (no tub, had a shower) the main bath.
It was discouraging to look for houses. I was $100k over what we were asking and our house was in better shape then anything I looked at.
Buying new had it issues as well. Since we didn't get to configure this house, the original buyers picked cheap stuff, like windows and a really cheap sink. Hubby is changing that out today, thankfully. I miss my deep double sink with 2 nobs, one for hot & cold unlike the cheapie they used here with a short neck and no sprayer.
I can't wait to start looking at paint samples. Flat builder beige sucks. Who uses flat paint on walls?
I can't wait to start looking at paint samples. Flat builder beige sucks. Who uses flat paint on walls?
Builders do, silly- it's 50 cents a gallon cheaper than satin/eggshell, and it hides the drywall imperfections better.....
We had our house painted before we moved in, and they asked if I wanted flat or eggshell. I'd always used eggshell, but they said I'd like the flat better, and that I should trust them. In the end, I really do like the flat sheen better- it sets off the semi-gloss trim more, the coverage is more even, and the colors seem richer- especially the darker tones. The new flats are more scrubbable than the old ones, so you don't have to worry about having problems cleaning off scuffs (or chicken grease, bubbles, or whatever else my 4 y/o and 7 y/o can get on the walls....lol). Here's a pic of our living room that'll give you an idea of what the flat paint looks like in a darker shade.
Here's a pic of our living room that'll give you an idea of what the flat paint looks like in a darker shade.
(emphasis mine)
Lighter shades do not work as well, imho. I tend to lean towards eggshell in most cases, since much of my paint is brighter (though in the hallway, I'll be doing vertical wide stripes of a tan and brown, and I'll likely use a flat paint there, anything more would shine off the light, and imho, will look wierd).
Builders do, silly- it's 50 cents a gallon cheaper than satin/eggshell, and it hides the drywall imperfections better.....
We had our house painted before we moved in, and they asked if I wanted flat or eggshell. I'd always used eggshell, but they said I'd like the flat better, and that I should trust them. In the end, I really do like the flat sheen better- it sets off the semi-gloss trim more, the coverage is more even, and the colors seem richer- especially the darker tones. The new flats are more scrubbable than the old ones, so you don't have to worry about having problems cleaning off scuffs (or chicken grease, bubbles, or whatever else my 4 y/o and 7 y/o can get on the walls....lol). Here's a pic of our living room that'll give you an idea of what the flat paint looks like in a darker shade.
Looks good Bob.
We cooked BLT's the other night, there is bacon grease on the wall that won't come off. The kitchen will be the 1st room I paint for sure once I figure out what color curtains I'm getting. lol
Let me guess, Todd's idea of a retirement plan involves burying mason jars in the backyard?
Home investment involves a little luck and a lot of planning. We've been fortunate in our moves and relocations to come out a little (or alot) ahead each time. I can honestly say that being in our 7th address in 24 years of marriage, we've only sold one home at a loss (and I blame our plan first, the market second and my agent for his role as well. Long story there, but it involved an unwanted tenant and a small fire their kid set!) and that loss was about $5000 at most. Offsetting that, our last house appreciated 76% in 23 months just about 4 years ago. We've always re-invested our proceeds into the next house to build equity.
I can't imagine how different our family life would be if we had rented all those years.
Is there a time when you know you did the research, made the calls, inspected the smallest details, questioned everything,... but in the end you sit in your new home drinking a beer and feel dissatisfied with your decision?
<...RANT...>
I wish I was a renter again. I didn't care. Yes there was 1k layers of paint on the wall. Yes there was a 1957 kitchen. Yes the tile was coming up. Yes the place was way too small for me and my family.... But... I didn't care. I didn't have to do anything... It wasn't my responsibility... No special assessments I must pay... No 1/4 million dollar mortgage on my back... I could just leave..Walk a way.. Find another place to live... 2 more months until the lease was up.. Let's find another place.. was it throwing money down the drain... Sooo.. What do you think I'm doing now - oh yeah - I'm throwing it to banks who will invest in bad loans and post enormous losses... which in turn shakes up the economy which then makes my once secure job insecure..
<... EoR...>
In the End do I think i made the right decision... I did all the research, asked all the questions, got "good deals" when I had to, met 90% of my requirements,.... .... ... did I make the right decision... ... ... I don't know.... and that's killing me....
s
OK cheer up, lets look at all the positives, You can have some great fights, and domestic violence, you cant do that in an apartment complex, or two family home. You can have loud sex or porno too. You are not paying some one else mortage. You can do all the gardening and yardwork you want. You can paint one room Black if you want. You can get all the snakes, dogs, cats and become a hillbillie. Go get a goat, and four wheeler, you cant do that in an apartment. You can wreck your sheetrock!!!! Who cares YOU OWN it and now lets have some FUN, its not a prison sentence. Now relax have a good beer and give your kids some crayons and let them color on the walls!!! Good choice stop doubting yourself!!!!
Owning a home can be risky and require much maintenance, but in the long run it is still the best chance for security and largest form of wealth for most Americans. Most homes appreciate over time and there is no landlord to raise rent, not renew the lease or sell out from underneath you. Enjoy owning and don't dwell on what may or may not happen negatively, odds are you'll come out ahead.
I bought a home that I could afford, and yes, there were things that needed fixing, but we did build equity and 15 years later bought a nicer home on a bigger lot......and I'm building equity there too. Would I do it all over again. You bet. It's better than spending 30 years renting and having nothing to show for it.
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Buying a home
