Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Joe, you are so funny! Thanks for hanging out with us
Janet, we will never buy before we sell...again..we have done that in the past in a good market, this last time I can't tell you how many looked at our house before even putting theirs on the market and I just thought that was a waste of theirs and my time...Rent so you get an idea of what area you really want to buy in before you plop down that money..i don't think moving and selling is an option for many of us for the future with the money situation as it is....maybe our country will get back to how it USED to be, folks bought and stayed their whole lives...easy money equals too much moving around..might have a lot to do with the lack of values out there.
oh boy I am a philosopher now, NOT..Later peeps!
We bought twice before we sold. The first time was in 79 a bad market also and then again this Oct. I was young then and could take it and we were moving from dreadfull FL to wonderful CA and we did a bridge loan also. We sold our FL home the month our first mortgage loan was due and before we bought in CA we did stay at a motel for a month looking around and found a little town that we loved and bought in Pleasanton . Gods country. I loved (as everyone knows since I say it all the time )the Bay area and would go back if we could. Everyone knows that we bought our NC home in Oct and again from FL. You think we would have learned to stay out of FL. We looked in NC for several months"10-11 hr drive" before finding a town we loved and a home. Once again we owned two homes but we were older and worried. In Oct when we bought the market was bad but not like now so I told hubby to take some of our line of credit out for the 20% down. I had read that the banks were beginning to reduce all lines of credit but hadn't started so that was the time and I also knew how many years we could pay on two mortgages. We down sized and got rid of high ins, high electric bills and a much higher mortgage payment.
Now is not the time to do what we did sell first and if you can buy or rent.
Just my opinion
Rothbear- It sounds like you did fantastic on your sales! I am sure it was a pain, but the in the end when the money comes in it is soooo good! Where are you trying to get to in SC? I am trying to get completely out and you are trying to get there! LOL. We are now in Madison, Ohio ( about hour away from Erie, PA.) Where in PA are you?
I feel so bad for those of you close to retirement and such with the money situation. We have 401Ks and stuff,but we have over twenty years to worry about it. I see my mom is already worried about her money and stuff and my grandma ( who will be 80 tomorrow) is freaking out about everything. She has so much money saved, but she is afraid to spend it because she worries that she everything is going to crumble down around her. She lived during the Depression, and I think that is playing a huge part of it.
We live about an hour NE of Pittsburgh. I'm getting too old for these crappy winters around here. You "young'uns" can take it! If I never see another snowflake it will be too soon. Unfortunately, it has been known to snow around Charlotte, but it melts right away. Good thing because as I understand it everything shuts down and all the grocery stores are cleaned out.
Yeah, the old 401k and IRA funds have taken a beating. We were hoping to retire at 62 (in about 6 years), but I'm not sure that's going to happen now. I can't forsee having it all back by then. There is a reason that I have steadfastly refused to allow hubby to invest our "regular" money in the stock market. He used to harp at me about keeping it in CDs and savings account and about the "puny" interest. Well, who's got the last laugh now! At least our savings is earning 3.4% and we haven't lost a dime of the principal (yet). We have probably lost at least $50,000 in our combined retirement accounts, though........I'm totally sick about it.
Lacey my thoughts exactly! My agent told me about a guy that tried to by a 350k home, had something like 280K for a down payment and the brand banks turned him down. He eventually got the house but had to go to the local credit union. But the other day I told you all about the finance guy here offering 100% with 0 down, so I guess if you know where to go you can still get money for how long I dont know. I was also told by a local banker that some of the banks are forclosing on homes and telling the people they can stay in them as long as they maintain them because of the this mess we are all in. Can't get a handle on that one but in away it makes sense. Either way I agree we are all in for a long haul. It will be interesting to see if anyone gets any bites this weekend.
Boy when is this mess ever going to straighten out? First they have a solution, then ummm no they don't, then they are almost there, then not so fast! My head is spinning! They better do something RIGHT for a change! I am tired of sitting here with a home anyone is afraid to touch with the way our country is hurting. Personally I think they all should be thrown out of office and we get to start with a clean slate. They all sit up there on Capital Hill making decisions for us and they are so out of touch with working class Americans it is unbelievable! Talk about feeling you have no say in your own future, this mess takes the cake! SORRY I am off my soapbox for now.
YOU CAN GET ON YOUR SOAPBOX anytime! You said, what I think probably MOST of us are feeling. I grew up in the 80s and I remember that my mom and dad were really scared about buying a home because of the high interest rates. Now, who knows if even anyone will even have the funds to do ANYTHING. Everything you said in your post is so true because, I believe they are truly out of touch with the “little people”.
Judy- You are a great inspiration to us all I think! I love your animations. You keep me with a smile because, I know you take time and effort finding just the right gif file each time. =) Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rothbear
We live about an hour NE of Pittsburgh. I'm getting too old for these crappy winters around here. You "young'uns" can take it! If I never see another snowflake it will be too soon. Unfortunately, it has been known to snow around Charlotte, but it melts right away. Good thing because as I understand it everything shuts down and all the grocery stores are cleaned out.
This made me laugh! I can't wait to see snow again! ( SEE-not feel the cold!) I grew up in Canton/Akron area, which is about two hours from here. I know what snow/cold weather feels like or at least, I thought. My husband said I am in for a real treat because we are now living 3 minutes from Lake Erie! He said it is nothing like where I was because now we get lake effect snow.He grew up in Chicago so he is use to the lake effect.Now, as far as getting snow in Charlotte, you will occasionally. We got in the middle of SC a few times. Sometimes, it was "bad" with a few ice storms. EVERYTHING does shut down. ( No bread, no milk, no gas.) People go crazy! The roads, are horrible because they do not have salt stored up and just wait for it to melt. Charlotte was about an hour and half from where we live in SC.
Mawoods- I hope everything went well with your movers/packers. I liked Crazyma’s idea about the DO NOT PACK closest. I guess, we need to do that.
Anita-Things will work out! I know that everything is taking a toll and the waiting period is awful. Remember Crazyma just told us to BREATHE!
Joe- What is going on with your housing adventure? Do you have one yet to share? I see you have been showing everyone your bump and grind routine, LOL. Now, did I hear that for your next trick you are standing on your head?
Niki- Kick that yicky weather’s behind to the curb! We actually went out in pouring rain when we looked at houses last time. I did hate it though because I knew the people probably didn’t like us in and out of their homes tracking in stuff! I tried to be the good buyer and wipe me feet.
Springbean- Good luck with your showing! It is exciting, but it can take a toll on you. Hang in there. We had 15 showings before and offer was written.
Janet- I was the one talking about buying and selling at the same time. Our situation is very different. I would never buy/sell in NORMAL circumstances. Long story short- my husband got a new job in Ohio last January. My older boys moved up here with him then in a two bedroom apt. I stayed in SC because I am a teacher and finished out my contract in July. We put the house on the market in August. I have been up here to “visit” but all our necessities are still in SC. We have the bare minimum in the apartment. My husband’s company is doing our relocation and all we had to do was basically have an offer on the house ( which we do) and we can get out of our house. We do have to wait until all inspections are complete and such. That is why we are buying/selling at the same time. We do not even have to go to closing on our house in SC.
FUTURE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA….AKA Crazyma-I think you would do a fine, fine, fine job. You are an inspiration to everyone here. You have a wonderful way about you that people tend to love. You keep people in check and on their toes. They love waking up to your colorful words and wisdom. You guide all the buyers/sellers in the right direction. ( If you can do that, then you can hold down the president’s job for sure!)You know when to say STOP-and move on ( open a new thread)LOL. You show people your true colors and you never hold back. Thank you! ( I sound just like all the ads on tv!)
Hang in there everyone! Wishing all of you lots showings and offers this weekend. ( Ok, more offers than showings!) IT CAN HAPPEN! Have faith….just like Crazyma’s plant story that she showed us. Just when you think it is over….its only just begun. =)
Raising3boys, I am in the process of getting the humble abode ready. Replacing this, removing that and updating somethings. I am a little apprehensive about the whole selling process but I figure why not. I haven't even decided where I want to move as of yet. Mountains, coastal, rural or urban? Any suggestions?
I hope this came out okay cuz I am typing while standing on my head.
We have another showing! Our second showing for our first week on the market, I guess I should be excited, but I just know it takes an average of 30 or so showings to get an offer. I hate the anticipation. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.
Good luck!!! I am keeping everything crossed for you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by janetvj
I'm curious about that...do most of you plan to sell first before you think about buying, or will you try to juggle both at the same time? I'm thinking I'll rent for a while so I can take my time finding the perfect house.
Good luck to all who are awaiting offers.
And welcome Joe - can't wait for that bump and grind thing!
We are kind of doing both. I think that we will probably end up building and will not start that process until our house is sold.
On that note, we have heard nothing from the buyers or their realtor at all. I am slowly losing faith that this is going to happen. Am I jumping the gun by counting it out already? How long do people normally take before they make an offer?
Kristine
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.