Bad timing

[George K]

@Horace said in Bad timing:

@George-K said in Bad timing:

@Horace said in Bad timing:

Some unwelcome things have become apparent now that the fencing is in

Like....?

The yard is too small. The back yard, and the side yards. The windows in the bedrooms that face the side of the house, make those rooms feel like jail cells, with the privacy fence an arm’s length away.

I’m surprised that wasn’t obvious from the listing or sale documents.

[Horace]

@Friday said in Bad timing:

@Horace

I'm surprised that the house and yard are like that. I would expect that in California, not in Texas.

These master planned communities are built to maximize number of houses. There’s lots of space, but that doesn’t mean lots of space per house. See for instance the satellite view I posted above.

Better lots are available, but they come at the cost of price and time. You have to buy the lot first, then build on it. The less expensive options are resale houses and inventory houses. Inventory are the new homes the builder builds on spec. If they complete before they go under contract, then they are sold at whatever price the market will bear. In a market like today’s, that is about 10% less than the wishful list prices of 4 months ago.

Right now we are considering buying a nice lot and building on it. That would take most of 2023 probably.

[Horace]

@George-K said in Bad timing:

@Horace said in Bad timing:

@George-K said in Bad timing:

@Horace said in Bad timing:

Some unwelcome things have become apparent now that the fencing is in

Like....?

The yard is too small. The back yard, and the side yards. The windows in the bedrooms that face the side of the house, make those rooms feel like jail cells, with the privacy fence an arm’s length away.

I’m surprised that wasn’t obvious from the listing or sale documents.

It should not have come as a great surprise. But it’s all good. I’m excited to be free if this contract and re-enter the market in some months.

Then again we might find something tomorrow. Or we might decide to go with this current place at a substantial price reduction.

[Doctor Phibes]

After the open house this weekend, we just had two offers on our place - both for $20K over asking price (which will cover the neighbours septic cost). I don't want to jinx things, but things are actually looking up....

[Catseye3]

@Doctor-Phibes Good news! Keep us posted, 'k?

[Doctor Phibes]

We also found a second mortgage provider who seems ok with a septic tank designed for only 4 bedrooms in a 5 bedroom house, when we're only using it as a 3 bedroom house.

Now we just wait for the septic inspection results...

[Horace]

@Doctor-Phibes said in Bad timing:

After the open house this weekend, we just had two offers on our place - both for $20K over asking price (which will cover the neighbours septic cost). I don't want to jinx things, but things are actually looking up....

Awesome, glad to hear that.

[jon-nyc]

@Doctor-Phibes

Awesome.

[89th]

Very good to hear, man.

[Jolly]

@Doctor-Phibes said in Bad timing:

We also found a second mortgage provider who seems ok with a septic tank designed for only 4 bedrooms in a 5 bedroom house, when we're only using it as a 3 bedroom house.

Now we just wait for the septic inspection results...

See there, prayer helps.

[Copper]

@Jolly said in Bad timing:

See there, prayer helps.

Yes, and thoughts too.

[Doctor Phibes]

@Jolly said in Bad timing:

@Doctor-Phibes said in Bad timing:

We also found a second mortgage provider who seems ok with a septic tank designed for only 4 bedrooms in a 5 bedroom house, when we're only using it as a 3 bedroom house.

Now we just wait for the septic inspection results...

See there, prayer helps.

So does cursing, apparently.

[Horace]

This is why I like the place we originally contacted for:

Well I like other stuff about it but that water view is my favorite part. Might still try to negotiate for it. But chances are not good that we end up there.

[89th]

@Horace Yeah that is a really nice view. Also it faces east so you get nice sunrises, and also you get some house-provided shade in the backyard in the evening, which is great. Although it sounds like you may not end up there, I could see some really nice trees/bushes on either side providing a nice "framing" of that water view, too.

BTW we have the same fence.

Stupid question, is the water brown because of construction, dirt, or is that just the color in Texas?

[Mik]

@Doctor-Phibes said in Bad timing:

After the open house this weekend, we just had two offers on our place - both for $20K over asking price (which will cover the neighbours septic cost). I don't want to jinx things, but things are actually looking up....

Karma. Even God reads TNCR.

[Doctor Phibes]

@Mik said in Bad timing:

@Doctor-Phibes said in Bad timing:

After the open house this weekend, we just had two offers on our place - both for $20K over asking price (which will cover the neighbours septic cost). I don't want to jinx things, but things are actually looking up....

Karma. Even God reads TNCR.

I feel like this massive weight lifted off my shoulders. They start digging up the front yard next week, so we'll have a pool of water just like Horace!

[Jolly]

Just for shucks and grins, have you checked out any waterfront real estate on Lake Sam Rayburn or the Texas side of Toledo Bend? That'll put you closer to Beaumont or Hemphill, which certainly isn't Houston, but there are some nice places on the lakes, depending where you are.

[Doctor Phibes]

It strikes me that the problem with being close to a lake is that, like mortgage rates, water levels can go up as well as down.

I speak as somebody who works for an insurance company. Water is not always our friend.

[Horace]

@89th said in Bad timing:

@Horace Yeah that is a really nice view. Also it faces east so you get nice sunrises, and also you get some house-provided shade in the backyard in the evening, which is great. Although it sounds like you may not end up there, I could see some really nice trees/bushes on either side providing a nice "framing" of that water view, too.

Yes I would plant trees to the right of the water. They would block the view of a bunch of houses along the water on that side too.

BTW we have the same fence.

Great fence.

Stupid question, is the water brown because of construction, dirt, or is that just the color in Texas?

That 's construction. The older sections of the development are clear. But it does take a long time for the water to clear up. As in a year or more. They will also put a fountain in the middle of that view. The fountains are particularly ridiculous when they are spraying muddy water, which we've seen in this development.

[Horace]

@Jolly said in Bad timing:

Just for shucks and grins, have you checked out any waterfront real estate on Lake Sam Rayburn or the Texas side of Toledo Bend? That'll put you closer to Beaumont or Hemphill, which certainly isn't Houston, but there are some nice places on the lakes, depending where you are.

Nope, I'll check into it though. Thanks for the recommendations.