Buying My First House

D

dfw75201

250+ Posts
Any tips?

Any links to good checklists or other resources.

I plan on using a buyer's agents, but I haven't picked one yet. I am sure that will help (or will it?).

Hook 'em
 
Yes, it will help a lot. Too many things you need to know that only experience can tell you. Don't try to get cute about it either - go with someone from a well-known realty company.
 
Do not be cheap about the investigation. You will, of course, hire an inspector, but I would go one step farther and hire an engineer to go out there and do a thorough inspection. Have them look at the roof and foundation systems and examine the roof and window flashing details as best they can. The biggest problems uncovered, in my experience, are (1) undisclosed foundation problems; and (2) undisclosed roof or window leaks. Both of those can be very serious problems that can be really expensive to repair.
 
Make sure you get the Home Shield warranty. Then extend it after your first year. It will pay off.
 
Buy that house that the Aqua Teen Hunger Force guys live in. Carl says you can get a great deal because there's a mummy living in the crawl space.

Ditto on not buying one in Dallas.
 
Buying in Dallas!

No real choice. I'm not interested in the suburbs (see other thread on architectural "masterpieces").
 
Get something in Fair Park while you can. Once Jerry's World is announced, you won't be able to afford a uninhabitable shack (anymore). Please let me know where you end up buying so I can park in your yard for free at the Fair!
 
what 'hoods are looking at in Dallas?

We moved into lakewood about 1.5 years ago and have loved it so far.

Things i would check out.

1) run the sprinkler system for 10 full minutes and look for water coming from places other that the heads or if the heads are busted. Check the valves to see if they leaked at all during operation.

2) Sounds funny, but check the cabinet overhead in the kitchen (room between countertop and bottom of cabinet). The pygmees that had lived in the house before us had new cabinets put in, but the clearance is a joke and some stuff will not fit under it.

We looked for 6 months before buying and made several offers on other properties.

Also, I would not look at too many houses outside of your price range or you feel depressed and it makes the houses you can afford look crappy.
 
I work in Grand Prairie, so Kessler/Stevens Park makes the most sense for me. I'd still be in town, but on 30, so my commute would be reduced nicely.

I like the houses down there too.
 
i live in uptown and work in grand prairie, as well. easy commute on 30. takes 20 minutes max to get to the center of grand prairie. never any traffic. i'd say the lower greenville area is a pretty nice choice for a first-time buyer. sure, it has the party-goers, but a couple of blocks off the strip and there are some really nice homes. might add a couple of minutes to your commute, but you're not going to get any closer than that, unless you live in fort worth or arlington.
 
Saw a cool house today. It'a 1917 Prairie Style Bungalow in my price range. The owners already had it appraised and inspected.

There are items that need repair on the inspection? Who can I hire that will tell me which ones are serious enough that I need to address them before I buy the house? An engineer of some kind?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict TEXAS-KENTUCKY *
Sat, Nov 23 • 2:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top