Ok, we worked out the housing issue...for now. Baseball guy (man? boy?) apologized last night for pressuring me to buy a house and he was proud that we "made our first decision together as a married couple." hmmph. I'm not to proud of how it was handled but I will let it slide.
Regarding the house, we decided we are going to wait a bit. President Bush has been talking about increasing the first time home buyers tax credit from $7500 to $20,000- and I guess he said he will discuss the bill on Monday. So hubby is content to wait for that news, and I have some time to relax and recover from the wedding.
I did email my Realtor asking if our opening offer of 30% below asking price is an ok place to start the negotiations with the hope of getting the place 20% below asking price.
My realtor said he does not think we will get 20% below asking price but it's a good place to start. I'm thinking that the place has been on the market well over 6 months and they only dropped the price 5% two months ago. In the last few months the prices have been dropping faster and faster...so if the seller does not want to consider our offer then we have no problem waiting a few more months and trying again.
I think we are in a good position because this place is not our dream place. Not even close...but it is the best place we can afford. The location is very good, and it has an untouched attic that can eventually be made into a master suite...but everything else with the house is PROJECT. My head grows weary when I start thinking of the cost for lumber, and sandpaper, and paint, and weed whacker and power washer...and on the list goes. So neither hubby nor I will cry if we have to walk away.
But I am getting ahead of myself...I did say we were waiting to see about this home buyers stimulus package first-right?.
Not buying a house today
November 7th, 2008 at 07:13 pm
November 7th, 2008 at 07:33 pm 1226086408
How does the saying go? A virtuous women is worth her weight in rubies.
November 7th, 2008 at 08:00 pm 1226088058
Money, sex, children... these are the most common causes of discord in relationships. Communication is the key and you have a good head (very analytical) on your shoulders, so you will do well with communication.
BTW, congratulations on your marriage and best wishes for a long and happy life together.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:56 am 1226105790
Frankly, I would be rooting for the tax credit to fail. Wicked, I know. But if the tax credit were to pass, it would just get baked into the price - everything would cost 20K more.
Take it from the vulture: the prey is just not dead enough.
Congrats on the marriage. Now comes the difficult part - training him.
November 8th, 2008 at 04:31 pm 1226161872
What are your DH's career plans? Is he planning to play for another year or two, or will he soon start looking for a transition into a baseball-related career?
Making the adjustment to a shared financial future takes time and is definitely a learning process on both sides. Would your DH be willing to go through a workbook like "Smart Couples Finish Rich" together?
November 8th, 2008 at 06:14 pm 1226168049
BTW, remember that even if house values have declined in your area, the sellers might still be making a profit over their own purchase price if they bought the house nine or ten years ago. House prices had spiked that much. Do not be made to feel bad or greedy or unrealistic to offer a low price. They can take it or leave it.