So the GF and I bought a house...

[Adul]

So the GF and I bought a house recently. Its new home construction and it is being built by Centex Homes.

The new house C elevation like the model shown.

There was a nice 30k in incentives being offered, so we decided it was time to buy. We put 24k of that into upgrades such as 18" tile, stainless steel appliances, extra tv outlets, network ports, dedicated 20 amp outlets(3) , insulated garage door, covered patio, low E windows, upgraded carpet and padding, etc.

Front of the yard comes all landscape w/ automatic watering system, 2" blinds are included as well.

But now comes the task of deciding what to do with the backyard. We ruled out a pool,(to much hassle), but plan on putting in a founting and several citrus trees, some sort or falt rock wall to make a planeter for the trees and lead it to the fountain in corner. I plan on putting some grass out there as well. We will be doing the work ourselves for the most part to save money.

So I am looking for tips, suggestions, ideas, advice on backyard and home in general to save money when possible, were to get good info on laying stone etc. Gah so much to go through.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Gah... Buy a house with a WIFE... not a girlfriend.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Gah... Buy a house with a WIFE... not a girlfriend.

we'll get around to that in time, but we wanted to put our money into a home instead of a wedding

 

[TheoPetro]

so when you break up who gets the house?

 

[Maximus96]

a lot of my friends are buying a house together before they're married...my wife and i can't understand why

 

[OrByte]

so many ideas/options when it comes to landscaping. It is all really up to personal preference.

My only advice is to do as much of it yourself but since you already intend to do that then

:thumbsup: on your house, and good luck.

 

[Aquaman]

Pics of the girl ........ not the building

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Lola]

we bought a house before we got married although we were engaged. no problem as long as two people are committed

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
so when you break up who gets the house?

Exactly

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: Adul
So the GF and I bought a house recently. Its new home construction and it is being built by Centex Homes.

The new house C elevation like the model shown.

There was a nice 30k in incentives being offered, so we decided it was time to buy. We put 24k of that into upgrades such as 18" tile, stainless steel appliances, extra tv outlets, network ports, dedicated 20 amp outlets(3) , insulated garage door, covered patio, low E windows, upgraded carpet and padding, etc.

Front of the yard comes all landscape w/ automatic watering system, 2" blinds are included as well.

But now comes the task of deciding what to do with the backyard. We ruled out a pool,(to much hassle), but plan on putting in a founting and several citrus trees, some sort or falt rock wall to make a planeter for the trees and lead it to the fountain in corner. I plan on putting some grass out there as well. We will be doing the work ourselves for the most part to save money.

So I am looking for tips, suggestions, ideas, advice on backyard and home in general to save money when possible, were to get good info on laying stone etc. Gah so much to go through.

looks very south-western...there's websites that list the most valuable improvements for a yard (I.e. ones that add to resale value).

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
so when you break up who gets the house?

if that happens (god forbid), she can have the house. She makes a lot more then me and could afford to keep it. Neither of us are really attached much to material things.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
so when you break up who gets the house?

Exactly

Good Question. Who's name is on the title of the house? If your name isn't on it, you'll probably get screwed if you break up.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: Adul
So the GF and I bought a house recently. Its new home construction and it is being built by Centex Homes.

The new house C elevation like the model shown.

There was a nice 30k in incentives being offered, so we decided it was time to buy. We put 24k of that into upgrades such as 18" tile, stainless steel appliances, extra tv outlets, network ports, dedicated 20 amp outlets(3) , insulated garage door, covered patio, low E windows, upgraded carpet and padding, etc.

Front of the yard comes all landscape w/ automatic watering system, 2" blinds are included as well.

But now comes the task of deciding what to do with the backyard. We ruled out a pool,(to much hassle), but plan on putting in a founting and several citrus trees, some sort or falt rock wall to make a planeter for the trees and lead it to the fountain in corner. I plan on putting some grass out there as well. We will be doing the work ourselves for the most part to save money.

So I am looking for tips, suggestions, ideas, advice on backyard and home in general to save money when possible, were to get good info on laying stone etc. Gah so much to go through.

looks very south-western...there's websites that list the most valuable improvements for a yard (I.e. ones that add to resale value).

we tried to add upgrades that will add to resale value. such as tv outlets in all rooms and lan pots.

 

[Maximus96]

damnit that is cheap for a new house. we're looking to spend $750 around here and it'll only get us a used, 50 year old house!

 

[Night201]

Damn you all and your nice houses that are cheap.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
damnit that is cheap for a new house. we're looking to spend $750 around here and it'll only get us a used, 50 year old house!

use to be a lot cheaper. but housing prices shot up over the last couple of years. That home would have been under 200k easy if it wasn't for the investors.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: Night201
Damn you all and your nice houses that are cheap.

 

[Axoliien]

Originally posted by: Adul

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
so when you break up who gets the house?

if that happens (god forbid), she can have the house. She makes a lot more then me and could afford to keep it. Neither of us are really attached much to material things.

OMG I wish I could afford to just throw thousands of dollars away!

Just by putting 5% down on my house, I got my payments down from 1200 a month to 800 a month. The extra 400 was in an insurance that said I would pay for my house... what bull! If I get a loan, I have to pay for the house, if I don't have enough to put down I have to pay money saying I will pay for a house... just another way to sap more money I guess. Having a house is the best thing though!

 

[JS80]

That house in West LA is $2 million

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: JS80
That house in West LA is $2 million

so?

Im sure the same house in BFE arkansas would be like 110k or something but thats not the point now is it.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: Axoliien

Originally posted by: Adul

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
so when you break up who gets the house?

if that happens (god forbid), she can have the house. She makes a lot more then me and could afford to keep it. Neither of us are really attached much to material things.

OMG I wish I could afford to just throw thousands of dollars away!

Just by putting 5% down on my house, I got my payments down from 1200 a month to 800 a month. The extra 400 was in an insurance that said I would pay for my house... what bull! If I get a loan, I have to pay for the house, if I don't have enough to put down I have to pay money saying I will pay for a house... just another way to sap more money I guess. Having a house is the best thing though!

she put down the ernest money for it, we are doing a 80/20 loan in her name, but we havent decided to add my name to the title yet. I want to be off it incase something should happen to ame things easier, she wants me on it . But she sees my point to as well. That way should we both lose our jobs, house, etc, we can get another one later.

we are going to refi in 2 years when enough equity has built up in the house to negate the need for mortage insurance.

 

[eakers]

i have no tips but congrats! you deserve it!

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Gah... Buy a house with a WIFE... not a girlfriend.

QFT! Good luck Adul, but looking at the people around me that have done that, it hasn't been favorable!

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Gah... Buy a house with a WIFE... not a girlfriend.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Gah... Buy a house with a WIFE... not a girlfriend.

QFT! Good luck Adul, but looking at the people around me that have done that, it hasn't been favorable!

its the same if you get married with divorse rates as it is. This would make things simpier in a way if we do break up . One thing for sure is she isn't one to get all emo on me.