Buying A House.

[TheBubba]

So...

My fiance and I are going to start looking into houses to buy in Pensacola. Looking to close sometime in June. I'm an SNFO already in P-cola (renting an apartment right out of the back gate).

Looking for advice: good places to buy, things to look for, places to stay away from etc... any input would be much appreciated.



PS... Someone tossed around the idea of a housing forum a while back... I think it would be a good thing to implement.

 

[webmaster]

[threadjack]All in favor of creating a separate Housing/I have a place to rent thread?[/threadjack]

 

[illinijoe05]

[threadjack]All in favor of creating a separate Housing/I have a place to rent thread?[/threadjack]

Yeah that would definately help. Got my vote.

 

[gaijin6423]

I be votin', "Aye." Arrgggh...

 

[Brett327]

Concur. To Bubba: Get a prenup before you buy your house. Real estate is a great investment and it would be foolish to not protect yourself and your future fortunes.

Brett

 

[Goober]

Word of warning for P'cola: the prices there are artificially high right now IMO. I was born/raised there, & most of my extended family still lives there. Prices are higher in the area right now because of a shortage created by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It made houses you never would have looked at a premium. It may continue for a while due to the added construction requirements in AL/MS/LA due to Katrina, which MIGHT be in your favor. In comparison, I don't think it'll continue like most major metro areas (SoCal, Whidbey, Jax, Norfolk, DC). Might depend on how long you guys intend to hold onto it. I wouldn't say "don't buy," just do a lot of homework before you jump in down there.

 

[KimberlyD]

[threadjack]All in favor of creating a separate Housing/I have a place to rent thread?[/threadjack]

Aye

 

[bennett4362]

[threadjack]All in favor of creating a separate Housing/I have a place to rent thread?[/threadjack]

aye

 

[Brett327]

aye

Oh, now you want the input of others.

Brett

 

[Fly Navy]

[threadjack]All in favor of creating a separate Housing/I have a place to rent thread?[/threadjack]

Didn't I say something about that a few months ago?

 

[skidkid]

yeah for the love of God make a new thread about houses-some of us cant fathom the responsibility of home ownership

 

[Gatordev]

I now own a home and still can't fathom the responsibility...or maybe I just don't want to fathom it.

 

[TheBubba]

Eh... I think I can fathom it... I just want some advice from those who've been there and done it.

 

[Brett327]

Eh... I think I can fathom it... I just want some advice from those who've been there and done it.

Personally, I think the whole hype about buying a house and all the associated paperwork and responsibility is one of the bigest myths around. Yeah, it's definitely a transaction that you should be smart about and have done due dilligence as far as researching what you're getting into, but when I bought my first house, I was prepared for this nightmare experience and it was really no big deal. Sure there's lots of documents to sign, but most of it is just legal proforma. Real estate transactions are pretty much standardized and there aren't a whole lot of pitfalls that a reasonably intelligent person will get into. Whatever agent you're working with will guide you through the process, but there are also a bunch of good books out there if you want to read up and get smart. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought more homes a lot sooner in my career - food for thought.

Brett

 

[Gatordev]

Well said, Brett. TheBubba, I was merely talking about how you all of a sudden have chores to maintain the place, and the insane need to collect "things" once you have more room.