Buying a House
- Thread starter AeryFairy
- Start date
Third one was my favorite.
You're such a good sport for sharing with us.
Agree & agree.
PTree - if you buy house n° 3 can we (KLS) move in with you ?
LOL! We can finish the basement into an apartment and we will all fit!Agree & agree.
PTree - if you buy house n° 3 can we (KLS) move in with you ?
Thanks, you guys, for showing such interest.
I'm just so excited about the whole thing, so I hope I'm not hogging the thread, lol!House No. 1 is my favorite, and house No. 3 was my least favorite, though I love all three. It's only because of the weird bedroom and odd ceiling lines.. The layout of the upstairs also is unconventional. I've seen other houses built the same way, though, when I was driving through the various neighborhoods, so it must have been a popular model. The other problem I had with it was the yard. There is quite a slope upward and I worry that water would collect in the yard and possibly flood the basement. I would have to think long and hard about that one, though I love, love, love the kitchen. The first one had a more open layout, which I really loved as well. But that shared driveway...eeek. Anyway, I will keep you all posted on the progress! I should find out if/how much I'm preapproved for mortgage-wise this week, so things are rolling along. I'd like to be in my new home by June, but if it goes a bit longer, I won't stress.
It is, indeed!!!I like the first house. The third house is the winner and I just can't believe the price. I wouldn't be able to buy a small flat for that price over here.
Thanks for posting the photos and all your comments. It really is fun to share your quest.
So here is an old Google maps picture of the driveway. I am guessing my portion would be on the right side and extend to the steps to the side entrance of the house. This also doesn't reflect the entire length of the driveway. There is definitely room for two cars on my side. I'm hemming and hawing. I really, really like this house. Also, I hope the roof isn't really old. I've asked the realtor to clear up the issue about driveway usage and about how old the roof is. Fingers crossed.
That would worry me, even if the present neighbors seem fine, you never know if they move. I picture kids, broken car mirrors. Noise!
The whole idea of driveways on the 'other' side of your house is privacy, with your house to shield you
The whole idea of driveways on the 'other' side of your house is privacy, with your house to shield you
The realtor insisted in her response to some of my concerns that this is not a shared driveway, in that I would own my strip and the other owner owns his. I guess these are side-by-side driveways? Yet both owners shared the cost of repaving in 2016. I want to know how much I would own and where the line is. I see one entry point and no land in between the driveways, lol. We'll see. I did some deed research and found out that the house next door has been owned by the same couple for 42 years. So maybe they are a nice older couple. I will find out more tomorrow.
I will find out more tomorrow. 
In my previous house, where I grew up, we had side by side driveways but there was a very low "curb" down the middle separating them. There were a few issues, occasionally, mostly on their part. All in all it was fine. We respected each other's property.
I can see sharing the cost of repaving. It probably makes more sense doing it at the same time. So it's not really sharing cost, but more of you each doing the paving at the same time.
I can see sharing the cost of repaving. It probably makes more sense doing it at the same time. So it's not really sharing cost, but more of you each doing the paving at the same time.
Yeah, that is how she explained it to me. I am thinking it might be just fine after all as long as I'm clear about what would be be mine. I like so much about the house, and if the roof isn't hideously old, I'm thinking I might go for it.
The house really is fabulous. I don't think that you should have any concerns about the driveway because it isn't a shared one. I used to have a shared driveway when I lived in the UK when I was a youngster and there was never a problem with the neighbours.
The garden also looks huge. You could even have a vegetable patch.
One entry point? Is it one car or two cars wide at the end? Who takes care of snow removal? You're way more friendly than I am so I guess it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it sure would be a deal breaker for me. What if the next couple has kids, with their bikes and toys and playing the in the drive? Just having to chit chat because you both walk out of the house at the same time. Being asked can they have friends park in your spot? or worse, not asking?The realtor insisted in her response to some of my concerns that this is not a shared driveway, in that I would own my strip and the other owner owns his. I guess these are side-by-side driveways? Yet both owners shared the cost of repaving in 2016. I want to know how much I would own and where the line is. I see one entry point and no land in between the driveways, lol. We'll see. I did some deed research and found out that the house next door has been owned by the same couple for 42 years. So maybe they are a nice older couple.
It is two cars wide. I have asked the realtor to get all of those questions answered.
I really do hope I get this place. I would love to grow some vegetables!The house really is fabulous. I don't think that you should have any concerns about the driveway because it isn't a shared one. I used to have a shared driveway when I lived in the UK when I was a youngster and there was never a problem with the neighbours.
The garden also looks huge. You could even have a vegetable patch.
For the most part, it worked out fine for me. We lived next door to each other for over 40 years. So we grew up together and our kids grew up together. There were a few disagreements but nothing that really caused a problem.
Although...the woman on FB that I had a "difference of opinion" with, back when they election was over, is the daughter of the neighbor. So she is the same age as my kids. I'm mad at her now, and she lives in Indiana, hahahahaha.
Although...the woman on FB that I had a "difference of opinion" with, back when they election was over, is the daughter of the neighbor. So she is the same age as my kids. I'm mad at her now, and she lives in Indiana, hahahahaha.
Calliegirl
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Have you thought about talking to the neighbors, kind of seeing where they are at about everything, and get their opinion on the neighborhood?
Yes, and I did actually get more clarification and it seems I actually own my part of the driveway and whatnot. There is a property line on a town map. So that put my mind at ease. What they shared was the cost of repaving last spring. It made sense to do it at the same time, I suppose. I'm sure I can get the lowdown on plowing/shoveling and all once I get there....because...I have a contract!!!!!
So it went offer, counteroffer, acceptance (below asking price, woot woot), contract.
My tentative closing is April 27th, pending the outcome of the inspection, which I'm trying to schedule for March 27th. I think I will pay rent for May in my place, as that will give me wiggle room if something on the new place has to be fixed (I won't have to make the first payment on the new place until June). Plus, it won't be an insane rush to get packed. I'm actually going to start packing this weekend. I figure even if this somehow falls through (fingers crossed that it doesn't because I really love this place), I will be ready should I need to look for another place. But I'm hopeful. 
