Home Owners Thread

[Phlip]

I've noticed the past couple of months, ESPECIALLY since my office directly faces the street and I open the blinds every morning, that about once a week or so someone drives past my house and takes a picture.
After some time on Google, I learned that this happens when a house is sold within the past year, real estate agents are using the house for comps on other houses that are now currently selling nearby.
As much as I hate it, it is also perfectly legal for these people to photograph my house from the street.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I've noticed the past couple of months, ESPECIALLY since my office directly faces the street and I open the blinds every morning, that about once a week or so someone drives past my house and takes a picture.
After some time on Google, I learned that this happens when a house is sold within the past year, real estate agents are using the house for comps on other houses that are now currently selling nearby.
As much as I hate it, it is also perfectly legal for these people to photograph my house from the street.

I take photos of houses all the time, especially when I'm walking.

Usually it's to send to the wife because they have a neat accent, paint scheme, land scape, tree, etc.

I'd be more worried about the random hoodlum rolling real slow with their busted up Honda accord, black tint windows, window down, stinking of pot, vaping and is looking around to steal packages off porches or grab-n-dash shit out of open garages.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by Corbic

I'd be more worried about the random hoodlum rolling real slow with their busted up Honda accord, black tint windows, window down, stinking of pot, vaping and is looking around to steal packages off porches or grab-n-dash shit out of open garages.

I lived on a main road before and while the neighborhood was not bad, it was more an issue there than here in the back of a neighborhood full of business owners. That element would stick out like a sore thumb. The people photographing the house have been in a Honda HR-V, a Benz wagon and a brand-ass new Jeep Grand Cherokee, not some clapped-out shit obviously casing a neighborhood.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I lived on a main road before and while the neighborhood was not bad, it was more an issue there than here in the back of a neighborhood full of business owners. That element would stick out like a sore thumb. The people photographing the house have been in a Honda HR-V, a Benz wagon and a brand-ass new Jeep Grand Cherokee, not some clapped-out shit obviously casing a neighborhood.

Maybe you are just under Fed surveillance.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by Corbic

Maybe you are just under Fed surveillance.

A black dude who writes short stories, drinks bourbon and has three dogs. They're wasting their fucking time on me.

[collegekid]

Originally Posted by Corbic

I take photos of houses all the time, especially when I'm walking.

Usually it's to send to the wife because they have a neat accent, paint scheme, land scape, tree, etc.

I'd be more worried about the random hoodlum rolling real slow with their busted up Honda accord, black tint windows, window down, stinking of pot, vaping and is looking around to steal packages off porches or grab-n-dash shit out of open garages.

Glad to know I'm not the only one like "Man.....that's a nice boulder"

Originally Posted by Corbic

Maybe you are just under Fed surveillance.

Originally Posted by Phlip

A black dude who writes short stories, drinks bourbon and has three dogs. They're wasting their fucking time on me.

Prior to my girlfriend working at an unnamed agency, they had a 6 month long background check on her. Towards the end of it, they called her and asked her if she had a boyfriend. She said yes. They asked why she didn't inform them of that.
Her: "No one asked me that question."
Them: "Hmmm..."

Another 3 months went by. They cleared her to start working.

It took them 3 months to clear a brown dude who: browses memes, plays a disturbing amount of HCR2, drinks coconut water, and has 3 dogs.



Anyone in here who purchased a home in the past two years have any regrets or advise?
I'm still hunting for a house as a first time buyer, but beyond the specs of the house [ 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, 2000+ above grade square footage + basement, 0.50 acre min, 2 car garage ] what else should I keep an eye out for?
I have a big excel file full of requirements [ no easements, minimum distance between neighboring houses, school districts, ambient noise levels, etc ]. I'm looking for some dad level advice.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by collegekid

Anyone in here who purchased a home in the past two years have any regrets or advise?
I'm still hunting for a house as a first time buyer, but beyond the specs of the house [ 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, 2000+ above grade square footage + basement, 0.50 acre min, 2 car garage ] what else should I keep an eye out for?
I have a big excel file full of requirements [ no easements, minimum distance between neighboring houses, school districts, ambient noise levels, etc ]. I'm looking for some dad level advice.

I purchased in October and regret nothing. I got the house for under asking and my interest rate is BEAUTIFUL.
I have room for my stuff and enough yard for my buddies to run to their heart's content.

I don't know where you live but in my area of NC, the property you just described will START at about $350k, but will assuredly be in a great neighborhood, but will be further from the middle of the city than I am comfortable with personally. You want something like that closer to the middle of the city and it'll be closer to 450-500ish.

[S13SilviaGirl]

Originally Posted by collegekid

Anyone in here who purchased a home in the past two years have any regrets or advise?
I'm still hunting for a house as a first time buyer, but beyond the specs of the house [ 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, 2000+ above grade square footage + basement, 0.50 acre min, 2 car garage ] what else should I keep an eye out for?
I have a big excel file full of requirements [ no easements, minimum distance between neighboring houses, school districts, ambient noise levels, etc ]. I'm looking for some dad level advice.

Look for roots around base of house, trees, rot, look for solid foundation and little to no cracks. Check the roof line, look for where the nearest fire hydrant is (can help on insurance costs if it is closer). Check utilities in the area (some places are astronomically more than the next town over).

Look at the home at all hours of the day...you do NOT want to have shitty neighbors that blast crap music at 3 am, 2pm and all times in between.

I always do sexual offender checks within the area (though I have 2 kids so this is something important to me).

I thought I bought far enough out of the city...I am still considered apart of the town I live in, but "outside city limits" which is SO nice in so many ways...but everyone is developing around me....guess I should have bought in the middle of a forest.

If you live where it snows...find out how they maintain the streets where you are at. Where I am, some areas are maintained better.

Also, never hurts to go talk to the neighbors and get first hand opinion of the area you are looking at and any potential issues.

Also, interest rates suck ass right now, sadly.

Also, look into programs for first time buyers. A lot of states and cities have them, most realtors can guide ya in navigating them.

On that note, get a good realtor...not a dirtbag that is just wanting a quick $$ and closing no matter the cost.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by Phlip

A black dude who writes funny as shit short stories, drinks bourbon and has three dogs. They're wasting their fucking time on me.

Fixed.

The house marked is properly fucked. I have trapped equity. I bought my house before it got crazy 148k. 3 stories with a little work needed (most of that is done) smaller house next to mine in lets say 25% better condition (that is generous) sold for 279K LAST YEAR.

I get letters asking to buy my house weekly. I get calls too.

I have considered selling if someone wants to pay me 350K, however, then I would have to buy a house in this crazy ass market. I looked at an apartment for gits n shiggles and people are paying 1100-1600 in my area. I am 35 mins from ATL. Some apts in atlanta go for 2700/month.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by Future240

Fixed.

The house marked is properly fucked. I have trapped equity. I bought my house before it got crazy 148k. 3 stories with a little work needed (most of that is done) smaller house next to mine in lets say 25% better condition (that is generous) sold for 279K LAST YEAR.

I get letters asking to buy my house weekly. I get calls too.

I have considered selling if someone wants to pay me 350K, however, then I would have to buy a house in this crazy ass market. I looked at an apartment for gits n shiggles and people are paying 1100-1600 in my area. I am 35 mins from ATL. Some apts in atlanta go for 2700/month.

My uncle around the corner from you got his house right around when you got yours for $250k. I am betting that house in that neighborhood could get half a mil now.