ILikeYourWigJanice

I don't talk trash; I talk smack. They're totally different. Trash talk is all hypothetical like 'Your Mama's so fat she could eat the internet' but smack talk is happening like right now, like you're ugly and I know it for a fact cause I got the evidence right there. -Kelly Kapoor

14 notes

Step 1…figuring out what is and should be a priority

I realize I’m extremely lucky to be buying in probably the best market I’ll ever see in my life, and in a city with crazy low housing prices. 

#1 priority is location.  I’m only looking in Raleigh.  And only looking in a few specific areas (for NC tumblrs, this includes 5 points, Oberlin/Cameron Village, North Hills, and Blueridge/Glen Eden part of the Crabtree region).  Luckily, I was surprised to find a ton of properties in my price range.

#2 priority is a yard.  I love to entertain.  Cookouts happen a few times a month at my current home.  I dont need acres, but I need a space large enough to grill, dine, and enjoy warm weather activities.  Deck/patio is a must have.

#3 priority is the kitchen.  I love to cook.  I don’t need a brand new updated kitchen (however a gal can dream, right?).  Upgrades can come eventually.  But I need counter space, lots of cabinets, and space I can grow into.

The rest?  I don’t know.  What used to be a priority seems like it wouldn’t be a huge investment to upgrade.  I was originally only looking at homes with 1.5+ bathrooms.  But google tells me I could add in a 1/2 bath for around 5k and a full bath for 10k.  If I find a 2 bedroom 1 bath house for a great price in a great location, couldn’t that be added in to the mortgage before I move?  Same with a fence, seems like I could fence a small yard for under $5k.  Is it crazy as a first time home buyer to be thinking about renovations?   

Same with style of home.  I always said I wouldnt buy a townhome or condo because of the yard factor.  But I’m finding a lot of places with a large deck and yard (some even fenced).  Although I’d have the added cost of HOA dues, many come with a pool (woo hoo!).

So to all of you homeowners…What did you originally enter the process thinking was a priority?  Did this change?  What became your top?

Filed under househunters

  1. erinthebrooke said: look for a good floor plan and make sure the space is used well for how you live. how you feel in the space (not how it is painted or decorated!) is important. really research fencing if you go that route. we were quoted 11K but DIY’d it for 2K.
  2. noevidenceofintelligence said: Go for the # of bathrooms that you want up front. Permits, and floor plans as well as crawl space vs. slab all factor into adding baths/plumbing. Adding $ to mortgage for upgrades is basically a thing of the past or be ready to pay HUGE fees. :(
  3. -periodic-meltdowns- said: there’s upgrades and then there’s additions, google is telling you a REALLY low price. go for the 2 full baths right off. think about how much storage you need and if there are closets there, i didn’t do that.
  4. the-house-of-oz said: The program to add reno to your mortgage is insanely expensive. We’re going through the same process. You also can’t add a bathroom to every house (space, plumbing, etc.) Message me if you have questions! My dad is a loan originator.
  5. reallynic said: Definitely not crazy to be thinking of renovations. You need to make sure what you want will work with the house you buy. I gutted my entire kitchen before I moved in because it hadn’t been touched in 30 years.
  6. notbuying said: you cant add upgrades into your mortgage - at least when i asked, they said they dont do that. so check before you get too set in those plans. my must haves were simple-at least a half bath on main floor & 3 bedrooms.since they were simple i got them
  7. my-little-kumquat said: i had a must have list an then nice to have and found it helpful - it seems like you can easily do the same. And thinking about renovations isn’t crazy, especially if it is things you can live with for a while an then upgrade.
  8. ohonelovelyday said: I bought a townhome 4 yrs ago because I didn’t want to do yardwork & my neighborhood has 2 pools. For my next place, yard, kitchen and storage are most important. Good luck on your search!
  9. sarahspelledwithanh said: I don’t know how much adding baths on would be, but coming from a girl in a 2/1….don’t do it!! I will never live in a 1 bathroom house ever again. Go for a 1.5 or 2 if you can!
  10. ilikeyourwigjanice posted this