Here We Discuss Wacky Reasons for Buying/Not Buying a House

[Tippiechick]

The house was very clean, smelled good, needed only a very few SMALL repairs, had a room perfect for our dog room, was in a great subdivision, was perfectly priced. I can't climb stairs well because of the broken kneecap. So, it is a ranch. It was not landscaped, so we were able to do what we wanted with it.

The paint did not concern me. I knew I would be repainting it with my colors instead. I HATE white walls.

See, in this military town, people tend to overprice their houses. Why? Because the people PCS'ing in from another base will pay about anything. They know they won't be stationed here long enough for any long-term problems to occur. And, they know they can sell it and still make a profit.

We are picky, know about real estate, and refused to overpay. We looked at 35 houses before finally finding this one the day it went on the market. I think people looking for a new home should take it upon themselves to research the mls listings.

[ISUKappa]

The 10' ceilings, beautiful wood trim and floors and old-home character are what sold us on our house (despite viewing it when it was rented to chain smokers who had a fetish for creepy HSN/QVC dolls). We have done quite a bit of work the four years we've been here (painted every room, landscaping, remodeled sunroom, rewired a few rooms).

The tiny, old garage (we can't even put a car in it) and ugly exterior color leave a bit to be desired, as does the fact it's a corner lot with no backyard, but for a starter home we're happy with it.

We definitely know what we want in our next house, though.

[GeekyPenguin]

I reject houses that have wallpaper. I hate wallpaper.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

I reject houses that have wallpaper. I hate wallpaper.

The problem is that most people don't know how to put up wallpaper correctly, and then when they want to change it, they just go over the top of the old wallpaper. That happened at our current house, and it was a pain to get off all the glue from the walls. If it's put up correctly, it's not so bad; my parents took the wallpaper down from their house, and since my dad did it correctly (even 20 years ago), it came off easily.

[xo_kathy]

Nothing in particular sold us on our current home we just bought in May. It was a good fit for us now and in our price range.

However, when we move up in 5-7 years, I really don't want a Dutch Colonial. I can't stand the thought of living in a house that looks like a barn. I don't know why - it's kinda weird.

I also really would love forced air heating. Most homes here have the old radiators or baseboard. Both are ridiculously noisy and I hate them. I also want a gas stove. Again, most homes here have electric, so the next house we're putting in gas if it's not already there!