Talk about anything else: your pets, your car, movies, celebrities, or other things you like. As a reminder, political and religious discussions do not belong in here, nor any other topics that may incite a heated debate! As always keep it clean, please.
Yeah I know we're a bit old to be first time buyers but when work commitments and transfers move you all over the US, or UK in my case, neither of us even thought about buying a house until now.
Now we're retired it's time to put down some roots and to that end we've been house hunting in the Raleigh area for a couple of weeks now. And let me tell you I'M EXHAUSTED . I've been into more homes than Santa Claus, I've flushed toilets, opened cabinets, looked in attics or basements played with GDO's.....I'm pooped.
But there is a glimmer of hope on two fronts. 1, my wife really like one house and 2, she's got a girls night out on the 17th so I'm going full femme if only for a while. I mean the whole nine yards, I'm dying to try on a few dresses I got the other week.
Hi Cindy,
Ro and I have been house and land hunting for 2 plus years now. You have my sympathies. We have a contract on a piece of ground now and have begun the feasibility study to see if we can build the house we want.
Just once I met a realtor alone and en fem to check out prospects. Ro never knew and she and I met him together. He was surprised but took it in stride.
Well it seems great minds think alike we've also been looking at land with the intention of having our "perfect" house built. Sadly most of the plots in our target ares are too expensive. I'm trying to convince Debbi to widen her search area, but she's adamant NO well water.
I would love to go en-femme to view a house but I haven't got the courage. I envy you.
I wouldn't trade my well for a mansion on city water, ever!! Our well is drilled into granite and it's like the best water ever. Of course there is no industry within a 100 miles. Still can't stand town water.
Ditto on living 'in the country'!! All the roads leading to our house are about 5 miles long, coming off any of the 3 main roads and all involve driving around 2 mountains their switch-backs. It's a 10-minute drive no matter which of the 3 routes is taken, but the best part is that we can be 'in town' in 15 minutes total. Once we get to our house, well, the view is worth it all year 'round - we have an unobstructed view of at least 5 mountain ranges, and the 'city' is hidden behind one of those ranges.
Like Rikki, our well is drilled into granite and is better than any I've ever found . . . takes the water longer to find its way to our well going through granite and it's over 500' deep (rain, baby, rain!! ), but once it's there it stays, and it's all iron-free and no water softeners or filters are needed.
Personally, I hope never to live 'in the city' again (and I'm Motor City born and bred) . . . nothing can compare to the home, property, and scenic views I now have!!
Good luck on the house-hunting!!
- SL
SilverLady(SO) - Native Motor City and Wolverine gal . . . GO BLUE!! - Molon Labe - Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - Proud Military Family - Navy, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard
Cindy,
I can understand the uncertainty about having a well, but like the other girls mentioned it can be really good water. They are wrong about their well having the best water though, because mine does
There is also a good chance that you can hit water that isn't so good, so there is some risk in drilling a new well. The best way to find out is to talk to the neighbors, if they are in good water then you probably will be too.
Raleigh is a really nice area, don't know what the housing market is like there but in most places it's a really good time to buy now. Good luck with the search, I know how it goes.
Well we looked at two more today the first one is going for $199,999 $1 below our max. It's very nice with a fenced back yard but the neighbours are right on top of us so there's not much chance I could sit out back and not be seen by the neighbours.
The second one is on the extreme edge of north Raleigh and was "interesting" to find. After driving round for 15 minutes we saw a lady out walking her dog and asked for directions. It turns out we were about 50 yards from what the flyer called the driveway. OMG I love this place I could walk for ages in any direction and not see anyone it's set way back from the road hidden behind a dense stand of trees. Here Cindy could be free. The only problem is that it's listed for $197,000 but needs some work to bring it up to the level of the first house. Debbi has all but discounted the second one, my favourite.
To be honest you get a whole lot more bang for you buck with the first house.
My wife and I have been married 36 years and of those 31 have been in the country. We have lived in 5 country houses with one being about one mile out of a town of 50 and one being about 100 yards off the highway and 10 miles from a town of 250.
One of the hardest decisions we made was moving to town for my wife's ease of mind for health reasons. She felt she needed to be closer to her doctor and hospital.. If something happens to her I will be back in the country if possible.
What I am going to say is not to scare you away from the country, but more to let you know that it is different. It is not like living in town but with different scenery. It is a different life style,.
Fire and ambulance are not around the corner so you need to plan accordingly. Law enforcement my be an hour away. If something happens to water supply (well) or sewer you can't call the city guy to fix it. When it snows, nature may clean the roads before you see a snowplow. If the snow is such that it takes out the power lines, it may be weeks before it gets fixed.
I found it cost more to live in the country. Propane is more expensive than natural gas and if you have to use oil for heat that is worse yet. You may say well I plan on wood, but there is still an expense and time involved.
The country houses I have lived in were not as nice as the in town houses. The country homes are usually older and not as well maintained as their city cousins, I have seen some real nice homes it the country, but couldn't afford them.
As far as well vs city water goes. I was the utility manager for a town and learned what was allowed to make the water “better” for you. I think the water in the muddy creek running by was probably better than the water that had had all the poisons added. Give me well water any day.
Country living requires more planning, but I will take it over city anytime. I like seeing the deer mow my yard or the turkeys looking for something to eat. I like watching the rabbits nibble here and there and laugh at my dog going out the door and barking like she is saying “here I am, run so I can chase you”. I like being able to step out at night and see the stars and listen to the screech owl (although I liked the hoot owl better). I like having to put on my glasses to see the neighbors house. I like that my neighbor respects the propriety line and so do I. I love not hearing the city noise.
Thanks everyone for the positive feedback on wells. The reason my wife was against having a well was when she was married to her first hubby they lived waaayyy out in the back of beyond Missouri and their well ran dry so they had a cistern installed and water came in by tanker.
I'm wondering if the well wasn't deep enough in the first place???
Yes Cindy,
I think that well probably wasn't deep enough anyway. Practically everyone I know in northern WI has a well and I've never heard of any of them running dry. I could tell you a host of other problems there have been....... but anyway.
Leeza is very right, living in the woods is NOT like living in the city, it takes a totally different attitude to life. On the other hand, you have a lot more freedom, it's a lot more pleasant, well you know all that.
As far as buying the house goes, first thing to remember is that in todays housing market the asking price doesn't mean anything. I wouldn't offer any more than about 75% of what they are asking, and I would put in offers on 3 or 4 places with the stipulation that the first person to accept wins. Do not let emotions get involved in the process or you will pay a lot more than you should. So after you know what you can afford, find a couple that you like, calculate what it will cost to replace all the things that need replacing, and make some offers accordingly. Do not even pay attention to the asking price. I know of plenty examples where houses sold for 1/2 or less of the original asking price. If you have any doubt about how many other options are out there, just remember how many houses you looked at lately. Every single one of those people is in a hurry to get rid of their place right now, because nobody would sell in this market unless they absolutely have to. So you are in a really good position, take advantage of it.
Hey Carol Ann I'll tell you a secret. I'd sooner have a bunch of "backwoods hillbillys" than the stuck up country club sect my wife is from. What a bunch of pretentious $^&)*^$&?"{ they are. One time we were having dinner at "the club" and I thanked one of the wait staff for clearing the table, just a quick thank you. My father-in-law looked over and said "we don't thank the staff". My reply was "really? my father taught me simple manners goes a long way".
Thankfully my wife rebelled against the whole scene many years ago.
Hi Ralitsa, Sage advice and very true at the moment. Our agent sent us a flyer for new construction where the builder will finish floors, bathrooms and kitchen to suit and is still offering up to 35% off the listed price. I've seen many listings where the sales history is shown and some sellers are still trying to pull a profit. I wish them all the luck in the world with the current market.
. I've been into more homes than Santa Claus, I've flushed toilets, opened cabinets, looked in attics or basements played with GDO's.....I'm pooped.
), but once it's there it stays, and it's all iron-free and no water softeners or filters are needed. 
Proud Military Family - Navy, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard 
