So the mortgage person got back with me. He does think the basement/roof might be issues for both the FHA and Rural loans. I asked him if he thinks we should move on, or it it would be worth an inspection, etc. He said he'd have to talk to C.
Sigh.
But I figured out how I can share photos. They have 99 photos for the house. I am using only 26 of them.
It's 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a sunroom, 17xx sq ft, 1/2 an acre. Has a 2 stall detached garage, a 1 car detached garage, a firepit, a greenhouse, a storage shed, birdhouses galore .. The kitchen has a built in microwave and a built in electric oven.
Some of my favorite parts are the greenhouse, the sunroom, the room with the mirrored doors, the wood stoves ...
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/rFFmrSmLdJncBwhAIp5BBa4hj0WPRsNReXSvAxZJ48Z?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy
Hopefully the link will work.
More About the House
March 15th, 2016 at 01:51 am
March 15th, 2016 at 02:08 am 1458007691
Why not buy something in town or close, so your commute is short and you have easy access to grocery stores and other amenities? Why isolate yourself in a more rural area? How will you feel about the commute when gasoline is $4.50 a gallon again? What will you do when it snows and the roads are not plowed? In your shoes, I would opt for something smaller with access to everything. If you ever have to sell, it will likely be much easier to sell the in-town house as well.
Houses are like your buses. If you miss one, another will be along shortly. Don't compromise on a house with a lot of defects because it's the first thing you liked. Tell the agent your price range and requirements, and let him show you what's available. If you don't see one you love, rent until you do.
March 15th, 2016 at 02:18 am 1458008312
99% of the commute would be on state maintained roads / L town maintained roads (i.e. bus routes) so the snow thing wouldn't be too big of an issue. Gas when it's back up to the horrible numbers ... yeah, that definitely would be a bite.
I have the feeling that it's going to be out of our hands anyway.
March 15th, 2016 at 02:48 am 1458010129
What about your other bills? In a house that old, the utilities will be high. Is the house properly insulated? What type of heat does it have? How old is the furnace? Is it air conditioned? What about water - City or well? How much are the property taxes?
The kitchen appliances are from the 1970's. Can you afford to replace them all? What about the water heater?
State or County/City maintained does not mean the roads are plowed immediately. Can you ask around to find out how long it takes typically?
How long has the property been on the market? Why hasn't it sold?
Finally, what if one of you loses their job. Can you afford the payments and all the related bills on one income?
Not trying to spoil the house for you. Just think about all the issues and don't make a quick, emotional decision that you may regret later.
March 15th, 2016 at 02:56 am 1458010580
Water heater was replaced in 2000. Kitchen appliances - I could personally live with them until we got other stuff done to the place.
The property has been on the market for 4 months - probably hasn't sold because it's overpriced for the location, and because of the location.
If one of us lost our job, then just about any house we've been looking at would be a stretch. Which is why one of my first big goals is to beef up our emergency fund for job loss.
I do appreciate your thoughts/questions.
March 15th, 2016 at 11:23 am 1458040982
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March 15th, 2016 at 12:33 pm 1458045196
March 15th, 2016 at 12:40 pm 1458045657
March 15th, 2016 at 12:48 pm 1458046087
March 16th, 2016 at 12:55 am 1458089737
So ... keeping on looking. Mr FT is getting really discouraged (especially after seeing that yard and comparing it to what's available in L - even out of our price range here.)
March 16th, 2016 at 01:13 am 1458090827
March 16th, 2016 at 01:34 am 1458092044
March 16th, 2016 at 04:29 am 1458102553
March 16th, 2016 at 10:15 am 1458123331