The Official Homeowners Thread

[beenz]

so I been back in my house for a little over a week now after a year being gone. feels great

that said, now I can start tackling projects.

my electricity company sent me two $100 coupons to by two nest thermostats, so after having some trouble redeeming them at lowes, I was eventually able to redeem them at best buy with no issue. I just had to place the orders online.

so the two nest thermostats came out to around $150 total.

also, best buy had a deal where u get a free google smart speaker with each nest thermostat so I got two of those as well

anyways, they make it seem like installing these is a breeze. well it would be in theory, but my house has zoned HVAC so after wiring one up, I kept having all kinda issues no matter how I re-wired it cuz I need an additional power wire to my furnace.

well after being on the phone with nest for like 2 hours, they inform me that they are simply gonna have someone come install these shyts for free and fix the wiring to my furnace so that these shyts work. I know nest is owned by google, but that's great customer service. I gotta them.

 

[DrunkenNovice]

Pulled the trigger on application

The inquiry didn't drop my score as much as i expected.

Anything yall would have done differently going through the process the first time?

 

[OfTheCross]

Pulled the trigger on application

The inquiry didn't drop my score as much as i expected.

Anything yall would have done differently going through the process the first time?

The application is a mandatory step.

How much you gonna put down?

 

[DrunkenNovice]

The application is a mandatory step.

How much you gonna put down?

Yeah but I'm picky on putting in apps. So I've been gathering info for a while.

Pre approval came through
For conventional, 10% down, unfortunately I don't qualify for any first time home buyer programs. I already knew that before I applied though

I'm considering buying out my pmi during closing....

 

[beenz]

Yeah but I'm picky on putting in apps. So I've been gathering info for a while.

Pre approval came through
For conventional, 10% down, unfortunately I don't qualify for any first time home buyer programs. I already knew that before I applied though

I'm considering buying out my pmi during closing....

if you have enough to put down the full 20%, u won't have any pmi. but sometimes the pmi is a nominal cost, and it's better to pay that and retain your capital instead.

 

[DrunkenNovice]

if you have enough to put down the full 20%, u won't have any pmi. but sometimes the pmi is a nominal cost, and it's better to pay that and retain your capital instead.

That's the decision I was trying to make. My pmi would be around 100 a month, but I can pay it off up front for around 3.5k - 4k, So my break even would be at 4 yrs, and I have more cash on hand instead of putting it into the dp.

How'd yall handle yours?

Try to build 20% equity as fast as possible, either through DP or making payments.
Or make the 1 time payment at closing.

 

[OfTheCross]

That's the decision I was trying to make. My pmi would be around 100 a month, but I can pay it off up front for around 3.5k - 4k, So my break even would be at 4 yrs, and I have more cash on hand instead of putting it into the dp.

How'd yall handle yours?

Try to build 20% equity as fast as possible, either through DP or making payments.
Or make the 1 time payment at closing.

I took the PMI.

If your home value goes up in a year or 2 enough you can pay the bank for an appraisal and if the value is more than 80% theyll take it off.

If you dont have to use the cash for the down i wouldnt use it either.

I like having my money, breh

 

[el_oh_el]

I have a nice looking house. But it’s super basic on the inside. Cheap trim, no crown molding, basic carpet. Builder grade shyt. House is about 10 years old now. Vinyl countertops that are breaking down. White walls. we are itching to change this shyt up...but the way these credit card payments are set up

 

[Petty Crocker]

I have to buy a ladder. Im too short to reach anything outside the house. I need a ladder to remove a vine that has decided to set up shop and multiply under my bedroom window.
My HOA sent me a letter claiming the vine was an eyesore and if I dont want to receive a fine, then it better be gone in 30 days.

 

[Rawtid]

I have a nice looking house. But it’s super basic on the inside. Cheap trim, no crown molding, basic carpet. Builder grade shyt. House is about 10 years old now. Vinyl countertops that are breaking down. White walls. we are itching to change this shyt up...but the way these credit card payments are set up

You can cash flow some cheap changes until you're ready to do full upgrades. I don't know the name where you live, but we have a couple "good will for homeowners" type spots, one is called The Loading Dock, where you can find a lot of good fixtures and stuff inexpensively. Also changing a countertop is pretty easy and if your kitchen isn't that big you could swap it out for cheap as a DIY project. Google some ideas, again it's just a cheap change until you can do something more professional. Find some thing to sell or have a yard sale to finance it, that way you're not taking away from any debt payments.

 

[levitate]

Viewed three homes today.

Signing an offer letter tomorrow with the wife...

 

[Hiesenberg]

I have a nice looking house. But it’s super basic on the inside. Cheap trim, no crown molding, basic carpet. Builder grade shyt. House is about 10 years old now. Vinyl countertops that are breaking down. White walls. we are itching to change this shyt up...but the way these credit card payments are set up

Credit cards are the devil. Transfer the balance to a 0% card and pay it off

 

[Hiesenberg]

Viewed three homes today.

Signing an offer letter tomorrow with the wife...

With your offer include a personal letter to the owner. Introduce yourself, tell them how much you love their home, how it is perfect for you and you can see your kids growing up there. Obviously throw in some personal touches like "I can see myself and my future daughter swinging in the beautiful wrap around porch"

I've done this with the last 2 houses I've bought. The first time I did it the owners turned down both asking price and greater than asking price offers to allow us to match their asking.

On the last one the owner was a count, but I ended up shytting her based in some investigative work.

 

[levitate]

With your offer include a personal letter to the owner. Introduce yourself, tell them how much you love their home, how it is perfect for you and you can see your kids growing up there. Obviously throw in some personal touches like "I can see myself and my future daughter swinging in the beautiful wrap around porch"

I've done this with the last 2 houses I've bought. The first time I did it the owners turned down both asking price and greater than asking price offers to allow us to match their asking.

On the last one the owner was a count, but I ended up shytting her based in some investigative work.

Will give this a shot.

 

[the artist known az]

Looking into a townhouse, I'm sick of apartment living