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Started By
Message
Buying ~2 year old home...tips? First time home buyer
Posted on 6/22/20 at 11:14 pm
Posted on 6/22/20 at 11:14 pm
Close on a home in the DFW area in a few weeks. This will be my first home so pulling together the to-do ahead of closing and trying to identify the pitfalls / watchouts as a new home buyer.
Here are some thoughts so far:
- Home is practically new and inspection was as close to spotless as my agent has seen in her career...so that's a nice starting point
- We won't be making any big structural improvements for awhile; we want to build a nicer patio area and maybe light landscaping in front and back but those things can wait
- Buying a new refrigerator once we can get back to measure the space; we've found an LG we like. Read posts saying avoid Samsung.
- We've got most of the interior rooms furnished / know what is needed
- Need a grill...target is the Weber Genesis II S-435
- Using lawn service
- Need to figure out how to maximize storage in the garage; standard two car garage so considering racking systems. I may wait on this until we've lived there for a bit
- Currently trying to figure out Homeowners Insurance quotes...comparing each for apples/apples has been more complicated than I expected
I know there is a lot of collective wisdom here. First time poster on H&G board
Here are some thoughts so far:
- Home is practically new and inspection was as close to spotless as my agent has seen in her career...so that's a nice starting point
- We won't be making any big structural improvements for awhile; we want to build a nicer patio area and maybe light landscaping in front and back but those things can wait
- Buying a new refrigerator once we can get back to measure the space; we've found an LG we like. Read posts saying avoid Samsung.
- We've got most of the interior rooms furnished / know what is needed
- Need a grill...target is the Weber Genesis II S-435
- Using lawn service
- Need to figure out how to maximize storage in the garage; standard two car garage so considering racking systems. I may wait on this until we've lived there for a bit
- Currently trying to figure out Homeowners Insurance quotes...comparing each for apples/apples has been more complicated than I expected
I know there is a lot of collective wisdom here. First time poster on H&G board
This post was edited on 6/22/20 at 11:16 pm
9
Posted on 6/23/20 at 2:43 am to lynxcat
Sounds like you have it figured out.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 3:38 am to lynxcat
If this is going to be a starter home you’re pretty much set.
The only thing I’d recommend on homeowners insurance is using someone you’re familiar with or can possibly bundle with auto. Sure you’re going to get some great quotes from smaller names you’ve never heard of but sometimes they cover slightly less than the actual value of a home in case of a total loss. It’s a newer home so you should get some great prices.
The only thing I’d recommend on homeowners insurance is using someone you’re familiar with or can possibly bundle with auto. Sure you’re going to get some great quotes from smaller names you’ve never heard of but sometimes they cover slightly less than the actual value of a home in case of a total loss. It’s a newer home so you should get some great prices.
This post was edited on 6/23/20 at 3:39 am
Posted on 6/23/20 at 5:48 am to lynxcat
quote:
Buying a new refrigerator once we can get back to measure the space; we've found an LG we like. Read posts saying avoid Samsung.
I would personally go with whirlpool/Maytag/kitchen aid family. There are several experts on this board that steered me away from LG.
quote:
Need to figure out how to maximize storage in the garage; standard two car garage so considering racking systems. I may wait on this until we've lived there for a bit
We have a “two car garage”. Unless your two cars are Honda civics and you don’t put anything in them it’s difficult to actually park both. But I also have lawn equipment, kids toys, beer fridge, freezer, and fishing tackle out there so maybe I just have a lot of shite.
quote:
Need a grill...target is the Weber Genesis II S-435
Any reason you don’t want a ceramic grill? They are much more versatile and not nearly as time consuming to get going as some have made them out to be.
Lastly get some cameras. You consider whole home audio? I prefer Sonos but it would be easy to plan out and run wires before you move all your shite in.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 5:51 am to lynxcat
I would not skip anything in the inspection.
Have everything addressed by the seller or their agent.
Have everything addressed by the seller or their agent.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 7:11 am to Macfly
That’s ok if the list is small... that approach will not work if you are buying an old house. Go for the big items and don’t worry about the small as much.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 8:36 am to lynxcat
Walk around all the floors to see if there are any squeaking. If there is, have them fix. Common new house issue
Posted on 6/23/20 at 8:49 am to lynxcat
quote:
Buying a new refrigerator once we can get back to measure the space; we've found an LG we like. Read posts saying avoid Samsung.
This is the only problem I see with this post.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 9:04 am to Adam4848
quote:
homeowners insurance is using someone you’re familiar with or can possibly bundle with auto.
Yep. I could get cheaper quotes for a standalone HO policy, but when the HO is combined with my auto coverage at my longtime agency it yields the best deal.
Use a reputable company for HO. You don't want to be on hold with 888-its-cheap after a tree falls on your house. I like to use one with actual offices in my town that I can walk into and talk to someone if need be.
Get a replacement coverage policy, not actual cash value. If your 15 year old roof is destroyed, you want the money to replace it without it being depreciated to its actual value of a few lucky bucks.
Get the owner's title policy. One time premium lasts forever. If some nut gins up a boundary dispute, or there was a forged will or deed in the chain, you are good. Without it, you'll be shelling out $300 an hour for a lawyer and paying a judgment if you lose. Very unlikely to have a claim, but when you have one they are expensive.
Consider flood insurance even if you don't have to have it. I started w/o it, but after seeing people in 500 year plains with water to the roof, I decided the $400+ a year was good for peace of mind.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 9:54 am to lynxcat
"inspection was as close to spotless as my agent has seen in her career."
Those agents!....sounds like you're fine though.
Those agents!....sounds like you're fine though.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 10:19 am to lynxcat
Careful with the LG fridge. Check its manufacture point, if Korea stay away. Had a long discussion with our appliance repair guy after mine went out. He said the compressors on those fail pretty regularly, and repairs at least one or two a week.... a lot of two to three year old refrigerators in need of an $800 repair.
Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire are the brands he recommended.
Good luck with the new house!!
Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire are the brands he recommended.
Good luck with the new house!!
Posted on 6/23/20 at 10:21 am to tilco
quote:
I would personally go with whirlpool/Maytag/kitchen aid family. There are several experts on this board that steered me away from LG.
Posted on 6/23/20 at 11:47 am to lynxcat
Pay attention on the walkthrough. Check attic/storage spaces, make sure the seller didn't leave anything behind that you don't want to deal with getting rid of... Junk in attic, old lawnmower, etc. Don't be surprised if they left a giant tv mount above the fire place, so if you don't have plans to keep it there, then plan for drywall repair, paint, etc. Make sure that nothing major was damaged on their move out.
It's a lot easier and cheaper to get a house painted prior to move in than after, unless of course you are doing it yourself.
Consider paying someone to come in and clean the house thoroughly prior to move in.
Plan for your wife to park in the garage and you to park outside depending on how much stuff you have.
You can get racks relatively cheap from HD/Lowe's/Sam's.
You can get more elaborate with storage solution, if you want something that hangs for the ceiling that may make room for you to also park your car.
Just about always going to be cheaper to bundle. So if you're getting quotes, I would just get it as if you are doing everything with them. It's a hassle, but I try to get new quotes about every 2-3 years
It's a lot easier and cheaper to get a house painted prior to move in than after, unless of course you are doing it yourself.
Consider paying someone to come in and clean the house thoroughly prior to move in.
quote:
Need to figure out how to maximize storage in the garage; standard two car garage so considering racking systems. I may wait on this until we've lived there for a bit
Plan for your wife to park in the garage and you to park outside depending on how much stuff you have.
You can get racks relatively cheap from HD/Lowe's/Sam's.
You can get more elaborate with storage solution, if you want something that hangs for the ceiling that may make room for you to also park your car.
quote:
Currently trying to figure out Homeowners Insurance quotes...comparing each for apples/apples has been more complicated than I expected
Just about always going to be cheaper to bundle. So if you're getting quotes, I would just get it as if you are doing everything with them. It's a hassle, but I try to get new quotes about every 2-3 years
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