Getting Serious About Buying a House
Posted on September 20, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
I’ve been looking at houses on the multiple listing service website, and I’ve found a few that are both in my price range, and in neighbourhoods that I’d actually like to live in. To my surprise, the most affordable houses in the city tend to be in the central neighbourhoods surrounding the downtown core.
This makes me very happy, because I really love living so centrally, and would hate to have to move to the fringes of the city in order to get an affordable house. I suppose, if this had turned out not to be the case, I could always settle for a condo downtown somewhere, but I really don’t want to live in a condo.
I don’t mind living in an apartment. I’m just one man, and I don’t need a lot of space. A condo wouldn’t be much different than an apartment. In fact, most of the condos that I can actually afford are apartment conversions. But, if I’m buying property, I want land. I want a backyard.
A backyard is pretty vital to the kind of lifestyle I want. I’m the kind of guy who likes to have BBQs in the summer, and invite my friends over to hangout in the yard for burgers and beers. I want to be able to walk barefoot in the grass without having to walk 5 or 10 minutes to the nearest public green space. I want to own a dog one day, and confining a canine to a tiny apartment for most of the day just isn’t right. I’d walk the dog, of course, but I think a yard is necessary for the dog to run around in, especially if there was ever a day where I was unable to take the dog for a walk.
Besides, I don’t want to pay $140,000 for a 300 square foot, 1-bedroom apartment condo, when I can get a cozy little 800 square foot bungalow, with a backyard (postage stamp or not, it’s still a backyard) for another $40,000 (give or take a few thousand dollars). As much as I’d like to pay the cheaper price, I’m more than willing to suck it up and pay the extra to get an actual house, even if that means renting out a room to make ends meet.
I’ve already got a few properties that I’d like to look at, and I’m sure that I could find more, with a good Realtor helping me out. If anyone can recommend a real estate agent, I’d appreciate it (Rose, I’m looking at you).
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5 Responses to “Getting Serious About Buying a House”
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I know what you mean - I look at the MLS & Comfree websites on almost a daily basis. I won’t be buying in Edmonton for another 2 years or so, but it’s really good to have a look and have a really good idea of what to expect.
I was looking at a lot of the centrally located houses for a while, however, my mother - who works in real estate law - gave me some advice. She finds that many houses in the central area that seem fairly cheap - especially with the market in Edmonton being as it is right now - usually need quite a lot of work, especially when it comes to the basements and plumbing, which can be a real nightmare and very expensive. So, that is worth keeping in mind.
I certainly agree when it comes to buying property, that is, if I’m going to pay a lot of money and make such a big commitment, then I would definately want a decent yard as well!
Too bad you don’t live in Virginia Beach, my sister is a realtor and she would be able to help you out. I know, this is not helpful advice, I’m just saying…
Okay, to my point. I wanted to converse with you, but couldn’t find an e-mail address, so I am left to comment on a recent post in the hopes you will write back.
Having said that, I would like to invite you to re-peruse my updated site. You looked at my pad over at blogexplosion and suggested I make my graphic smaller. Well now I have my own domain and have done just that.
Would you mind taking a peek? I’m at http://www.cardiogirl.net Thanks in advance Ink Slinger!
cardiogirl, low tops optional
Hi cardiogirl,
I took a lot at the redesigned site, and it looks a lot better than before. Some interesting thoughts you’ve written down over there, too. I’ll add your feed to GReader.
As for an email address…I was surprised to find that I haven’t actually published my address anywhere on this site! I’ll have to add it to the “About” page later.
In the meantime, it’s adam.snider[at]gmail[dot]com.
Must be a different Rose. lol I don’t sell houses. Good luck on your house hunt.
Yes, I’m referring to a different Rose.