Thursday, March 06, 2008

Real estate, she moves quick

UPDATE: Okay, it's 10pm: there were two offers and the seller (and her agent) decided to pursue ours. We made an offer $9,000 below list. They wanted us to come up $5,000. We said our first offer stands. They said it's not good enough. The offer expires in an hour. Now, they might pursue the offer from the other buyer from earlier in the evening.

Or they might let both offers lapse, and we start fresh later ... after all, the listing agent has already called my agent twice in the last week to gauge our interest.

This might work out, but if it doesn't? It might be for the best. I mean, at this point, the $5,000 difference is: can we afford to put in an air-conditioner, or can't we? And air conditioning is important, as is wiring that's up to code, and a kitchen that has an oven in it. I'm not ready, I think, to buy a house with potential that I can't exploit because I have maxed out on the mortgage and have nothing for renos. So. That's where it is, folks.

ACKKKKK!!!!

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Can I just say how awesome you guys are, dear readers? Coughing up your own house numbers and supporting my decisions. And offering hugs: Den, you can't tell someone they need a hug without actually offering one. That would be cruel.

Pynchon and I are going to have a second look at this house this afternoon:


I went to see it last week, when it cost $15,000 more than it does today. It was overpriced then, and 'ambitiously' priced now. The listing agent is once more making noises (as she did last week) about 'another interested buyer about to make an offer', but I think we'll be putting one in too. I'd like to get it for below list, but if I pay list price--and bid successfully--I think that would be good too.

Wish me luck. When I know how it turns out, I'll let you all know the deets. (Don't all go looking on MLS for it, okay? I don't know if they can track hits and such, and I don't want the agent to imagine more value in it than she does now ....)

Oh. This house is around the corner from our current house.

Fingers crossed.

22 comments:

Kyla said...

It is LOVELY! Good luck!

Kidlicious said...

My husband and I have bought several investment propoerties. Every time we show interest in a property (even the house we're living in now), suddendly there is someone else that is interested and will be putting an offer in soon. Even a property that had been on the market for over 6 months with very few showings. Someone was renting the property at the time and they told us that no one else had been through.

I hate that. Are the Real Estate agents telling the truth? Are they just trying to get us to move faster? I think it's just a tactic, but how would one know for sure?

Anyway, good luck with the house, it's beautiful!

Debbie said...

The house looks beautiful. If your housing market is anything like ours (super-over-inflated, in my opinion), you may not have the luxury of getting exactly what you want for a decent price.

It's nice that it's so close to where you are now though.

Mad said...

Now my curiousity is peaked. Is it on U, W, or J St or another one altogether. Is it on your side of King or on my sister's side? My guess is that it's on W just up from the old distillery? Email me. I know that area too well not to know.

motherbumper said...

Ohhhhhhhh that's nice looking and those trees are beautiful. Good luck (crossing fingers and toes for you).

cinnamon gurl said...

Ooh, it's gorgeous! And it's not one of the ones you emailed is it? Don't worry about the other possible offer...

Please please please can I look at the mls???

Bea said...

That's the one I think it is, right? Very lovely - and not bad at the revised price. Fingers crossed!

Jenifer said...

You might have well said, "let me pause while y'all open another window for MLS" kidding of course, but man is it hard to resist.

Fingers crossed!

Beck said...

That is a lovely, lovely house. I love the tall narrow trees in front.
Hoping you get it!

alejna said...

It looks charming! And I guess you know the neighborhood. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, too.

Patti said...

Very pretty - looks like a wonderful place to come home to. I really love older homes.

Don't let the agents pressure you - whether they're telling the truth or not, you still get to decide what you're comfortable paying.

Fingers crossed for you!

Anonymous said...

Good luck!

Mimi said...

Well, we put in our offer; there is in fact another bidder. But we put in what we're willing to pay, and if it goes for higher, we don't really want it. Phew. I'll keep you posted ...

Anonymous said...

I get all zen when it comes to buying houses: if it is meant to be yours all will work out. Says the woman in a house in a one horse town that is worth $0.00 and hence she will never me able to sell. Le sigh.

kittenpie said...

Oh, that would be nice! It looks lovely - and big, too. Good luck! I know real estate can be gut-churning with all the ups and downs, so I hope it is all ridiculously quick and easy and painless for you.

Run ANC said...

It's lovely. Bonne chance!

Patti said...

I am stressed on your behalf.

Looking forward to the updates.

Christine said...

this a sweet house!

good luck with it all. . .

Running on empty

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

The market there must be different than what it is here... Many, many houses in my town have been on the market for 12-18 months; the last 3 years we had giddy over-building and now we're suffering for it. I've seen ads in the paper from builders who have not only dropped their prices, they'll put $20K toward your mortgage.

Anyway: I have my fingers crossed for you: may you speedily find a house you can love!

Melanie D. said...

Confession: I had to sneak over here when your comment mentioned your home being demolished. If there's a topic I love more than home buying/selling. No doubt I'll be sneaking back, totally curious to see how this pans out.

Might I add, I'm impressed with your patience and diligence in buying a home. The Hubs and I totally impulse-bought our current home. Don't impulse buy a house, it's just not a good idea!

S said...

Oh! It's so pretty! I will be eager to hear how this all pans out!

(Sorry I've been absent. I'm trying to do better.)

moplans said...

That house is HUGE!
I am so jealous.