Location: Grapevine, TX
Setup: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
Style: Traditional
Square Footage: 2,500
Price Paid: $275,000
The Deal: $110 per sq. ft.
How many places did you look at before finding the right one?
We looked at a bunch online, did a few "drive bys," and spent one day actually looking for a house. This house was the last of the day, but when we saw it, we just knew.
How long were you looking?
We looked for about two months.
What was the worst part about house-hunting?
Wanting to get out there and start looking, but knowing if we did at that point, some of the houses we liked wouldn't be around anymore.
What was the best part?
The best part was finding out we got the bid, even though five other people had put in offers on that house!
Was it hard to compromise and find a house you both loved?
Not really. We both had similar tastes for what we wanted in a home. I really wanted a pool, so that took a little persuasion, but that was it.
Do you have any advice for other Nesties who are house-hunting now?
Make a good-sized down payment, but save some money if you’re a first-time buyer for the stuff you won't realize you’ll need. Speak with your real estate or lending agent to find out what the minimum is to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). This can add several hundred dollars a month.
After you've filed for approval, don't make any major purchases on your credit cards, as they’ll run your credit again before you close. It's better to wait until you're in the house to buy furniture, and though it's tempting, buying early and screwing up your credit are certainly not worth losing the house over.
by Caitlin Losey
4/29/08
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