3 potential houses.

February

2nd

2008

So, I was despairing of ever finding a place to buy when my agent and I went out and found three real contenders. One is expensive and needs fixing. If the price was considerably lower it'd be a real contender. It has a great yard and a spa tub. The kitchen needs the cupboards to be stained, new appliances, and new countertops. Many of the rooms need wallpaper torn down (ugh), and the entire place needs painting. It really has a great floorplan and great big rooms. There's no way they'll come down in price though - not far enough for me to have the money needed to fix it up.

Two of the other places are fantastic. One is a very modern design, a ton of windows, great lines, newly remodeled on the inside. It's on a decent lot with a split level yard which is a bit odd. It's in my price range and the seller is extremely motivated (carrying 3 houses right now). The main problem is that it's one road away from a major road. I need to hit it during the day and see the noise levels - we were there at rush hour and it was hearable, but not deafening. Could still have a relaxing conversation in the yard, etc. It's a really stunning house, and I want it.

The third one is not a great location - not a bad one, but further than I wanted to go. It's got a decent yard though a little small but is a very quiet lot on a cul de sac, and it's only 3 years old with nearly every upgrade available in that model from the builder. It's a bit over my price range but could probably be negotiated to a price I'm comfortable with. It's 4 bedrooms and 1900 sq ft.

So, dad is visiting this weekend to see the houses, especially the one I really want to make an offer on. We're also going up to Forest Grove to look at some lovely houses on huge lots - one almost an acre, and several 1/2 an acre. Forest Grove is a university town that is 20 minutes from here and about an hour from the airport and Amtrak. It may be further than I want to go, but I can't get lots like that here. I haven't been there yet, so I'll see it for the first time tomorrow.

Unfortunately, dad's plane was cancelled - so they put him on a 6am plane with a stopover. With some luck and no delays, he'll arrive in Portland at 11am, and here by 12. That puts off our house tour an hour, but not too terrible. We look at the three houses here first, then head up to Forest Grove.

Should be fun. I hope tomorrow works out, though.

This house hunting thing is exhausting. 66 houses physically looked at so far. yawns