Something you wish you had known

[Via]

I'm about to close on my first house.

I've lived in a rented townhouse for about 10 years now; I'm sort of used to the no-responsibility living of being a renter.

My question is:

What are the things you wish someone had told you ahead of time so you could have been more prepared? I think I'm good on most of the common knowledge stuff; I'm looking for more under-the-radar kinds of things.

I'm kind of anxious about this step. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dougp]

That no one is reliable, and even if you're willing to help the seller out a little - they don't give a fuck about anything but money.

 

[Via]

trust me - I have the financial cynicism down pat :laugh:

 

[OCGuy]

Bad neighbors can really put a damper on the whole thing.

 

[brandonbull]

that my $200k house could be purchased a few years later for $120k

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: brandonbull
that my $200k house could be purchased a few years later for $120k

Ouch.

 

[BoomerD]

Don't forget the whole "You can't call the landlord for repairs anymore" thing...YOU are now your own landlord, and repair costs are on you.

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: dougp
That no one is reliable, and even if you're willing to help the seller out a little - they don't give a fuck about anything but money.

Along these same lines...

Everyone that has helped you so far in getting the house was in it for the money. Your realtor, inspector, the people that you are signing the paperwork with. They are all getting a piece of the pie you are paying for.

 

[Blackjack200]

That big trees are dangerous and need to be cut down/trimmed, which is expensive. All I thought when I first saw those 3 giant silver maples was 'ooh, I bet they provide nice shade...' not 'ooh, the owner never maintained his trees and now I will have to pay thousands of dollars to do so.'

 

[sactwnguy]

If you are buying a brand new house make sure you have money put aside for all that stuff you have no idea you are going to need. I bought mine brand new and I was completely clueless about how quickly all those small things add up. I never realized how much mini blinds could be until I had to put them in 17 windows. Or that new constructions dont always come with gutters installed.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: sactwnguy
new constructions dont always come with gutters installed.

that is retarded. I would have went ballistic.

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: brandonbull
that my $200k house could be purchased a few years later for $120k

This - but with the numbers changed to $218k and $160k, respectively over only a couple years.

 

[blackdogdeek]

that they never moved the bodies. they only moved the headstones.

 

[PingSpike]

That comcast are lying assholes when it comes to availability of their service.

 

[skillyho]

I'd say (as already noted) to prepare financially for the random expenses that you could never anticipate beforehand.....by keeping more savings allocated for that "out of the blue" stuff. Neighbors also can really flip on you, so spend time with them beforehand to make sure you guys will mesh. I'm on a .5 acre lot and occasionally get/give heat from either side, but I feel fortunate to have that relationship in place....much more so than other horror stories colleagues of mine have shared.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: brandonbull
that my $200k house could be purchased a few years later for $120k

Ouch.

On the flip side, I purchased a 608k house for 269 3 years later

Triple the time you think it'll take you for any repairs or renovations, especially if you plan on doing the work. Lowes + home depot becomes your second home.

 

[Jeeebus]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200
That big trees are dangerous

way to bring up bad memories.

 

[rudder]

That the guy across the street who was living and screwing his cousin would turn into a meth head and rob my house.

 

[rudder]

I don't know your situation but if you have not found a house yet.. make sure that when you do you check with the county and or city to see long term growth plans. I had a few school mates in Virgina whose parents were real upset that after about 4 years after moving into their houses the state built a nice 4 lane highway about 200 feet from their house. But the plans were there and the realtor probably knew about it an kept shut. Just some things to think about.

 

[sactwnguy]

Oh and find out if there is a HOA and how it is managed. Mine went from being tolerable to a complete nightmare after the old board members stepped down.

 

[Dirigible]

That buying based on how many bars are within walking distance is a great idea, but give at least a tiny smidge of thought to the public schools in the area. You may not be single and childless forever...

Also x2 on the tree thing. I had a near-squashed experience this year.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
that they never moved the bodies. they only moved the headstones.

Poltergeist FTW.

OP, make sure you have a few grand available for incidentals, I guarantee you will be at Home Depot/Lowe's about a zillion times in the first month or two.

 

[spaceman]

trees trees trees

 

[UILanMan]

If they have stuff that they're wanting to move out, **make SURE** that you have something in writing, or cash from them if they can't move it - don't let them leave you with anything. Jackasses I bought my house from said they were picking up their old piano in the garage over the weekend (after closing), as that was the only time they could. Practically begged me to give them some time to get it out - of course since I was such a nice guy, surely they'd come back right? Ha...

Broke that POS into tons of pieces and slowly trashed it over the span of a couple months - should have gotten that in writing or gotten cash ahead of time in case they pulled that crap. Live and learn...

 

[mugs]

You think someone who does a particular type of work every day would be able to do a better job than you, but unfortunately that is often not the case.

The only good contractors I've dealt with are people I know personally and people who were recommended by someone who had them work on their own home.