New House

[EJBasile]

Me and my GF are considering buying house together. We have known each other for ever, and been really really good friends for like 6 years and have been dating. We are planning to one day get married, possibly have 1-2 kids.

Anyways, I find my house is too big and too far away from my work (40 min), my GF's house is only a couple years old, and she is not entirely impressed with how it came out. We were hunting around for used houses and we were looking existing houses. We found this already owned house that we really like in Canton. We asked the owner of the house who the architect was and they told us and we got a tour of part of the house.

It is around 4,000 sq feet, wood shingle siding, 3 full baths, 2 1/2 baths, 4 bedroom, office/library, living room, dining room, dual fireplace, bonus room, 3 car garage. This house had a pool and a small barn.

[rickvanr]

That looks pretty nice. Congrats.

[Melkor]

Dude, that house is like the size of my town wtf! Seriously though, it looks sweet. Good for you and your GF is you can afford one like that.

[adroit]

do you want to adopt me?

[saabmp3]

If that's in Canton MA, that sucker must be well over a half mil. Good luck!

BEN

[katie ta achoo]

Wow! That house is NICE!

Isn't it a little big for two people, or are y'all planning to stay there and raise

SORRY ABOUT THE DOUBLE, INCOMPLETE POSTS:
allow me to finish, before my powerbook ASPLODES
(I hate you, PowerBook)

...or are y'all planning to stay there and raise your (eventual) family?

[Melkor]

If that's in Canton MA, that sucker must be well over a half mil. Good luck!

BEN

Half a mill in dollars wtf!! The house I'm living in is less that half the size of that and it's worth 700,000 euro. That's about a million dollars US. The property here is out of control.

[MacAztec]

Hehe, the house my Dad built out here in California is now worth over a million, he built it in 1988. Pretty nice, about 4200 sq. feet.

Nice house EJ, looks very clean and comfortable.

[iSaint]

That's a sweet house! I would suggest getting married before you make the purchase together. It would make things so much easier in life!

[Mr. Anderson]

This house had a pool and a small barn.

That's sweet - but lets see more pics of the pool and the small barn - could you use it for something or will it always be a barn? And how much property?

D

[alexstein]

That is a really nice House. Tow thumbs up.

I love that driveway besides all the other goodies that house has to offer.

[prostuff1]

Nice house!!!

So when do we all get to come over for the house warming party!! :p

[nospleen]

That house is well over 500K. I am a Loan Officer and you would not believe the 'crappy houses' that I see that are over 500K. I live in Texas and 500K will buy you a beautiful mansion. But, other places, 500k is a two bedroom 650 sq. foot shack.

If you can afford that house, buy that thing! It is absolutely amazing.

[G5Unit]

To get a house THAT big where I live would cost well over 2 mill.

[Mr. Anderson]

That house is well over 500K. I am a Loan Officer and you would not believe the 'crappy houses' that I see that are over 500K. I live in Texas and 500K will buy you a beautiful mansion. But, other places, 500k is a two bedroom 650 sq. foot shack.

If you can afford that house, buy that thing! It is absolutely amazing.

Its in Connecticut, so I imagine its over 500k - however, last year my wife and I bought a 4,000+ sqft home, on a lake, with a beach for well under 500k - but we also live in Indiana :D

Prices are quite different around the nation....

D

[2nyRiggz]

wow, nice home....hope i can afford a home like that soon, real soon.


Bless

[nospleen]

Its in Connecticut, so I imagine its over 500k - however, last year my wife and I bought a 4,000+ sqft home, on a lake, with a beach for well under 500k - but we also live in Indiana :D

Prices are quite different around the nation....

D


I just did a refi for some folks in Conn. It was about 2000 sq. ft. and was around 650K. Connecticut, NJ, Cali, and Florida usually have CRAZY appreciation. In San Antonio, we get around 1-3% if we are lucky. I had a friend near Dallas that wanted to refi, but his home was worth less than he purchased it three years ago. :eek:

[rickvanr]

That house is well over 500K. I am a Loan Officer and you would not believe the 'crappy houses' that I see that are over 500K. I live in Texas and 500K will buy you a beautiful mansion. But, other places, 500k is a two bedroom 650 sq. foot shack.

If you can afford that house, buy that thing! It is absolutely amazing.

Very true. We've been offered roughly the amount you're talking about for the house I live in now, but a friend of mine aunt and uncle have a small house in some fancy neighbourhood in Toronto that fetched well over 1 million on the market. It's all about location.

[Mr. Anderson]

I just did a refi for some folks in Conn. It was about 2000 sq. ft. and was around 650K. Connecticut, NJ, Cali, and Florida usually have CRAZY appreciation. In San Antonio, we get around 1-3% if we are lucky. I had a friend near Dallas that wanted to refi, but his home was worth less than he purchased it three years ago. :eek:

But then again, it all depends where in the state you are. I'm originally from Darien, Ct. - now that's nuts. That house would go for over a million there.

Having just moved from DC, I know about how crazy it can be. We bought a 3 bed, end unit town house (built in 1940), 1800+sqft and almost no yard in 2000. When we sold it last year it had doubled in price. Our house in Indiana cost less than half of what we sold the town house for. Totally nuts.

D

[nospleen]

But then again, it all depends where in the state you are. I'm originally from Darien, Ct. - now that's nuts. That house would go for over a million there.

Having just moved from DC, I know about how crazy it can be. We bought a 3 bed, end unit town house (built in 1940), 1800+sqft and almost no yard in 2000. When we sold it last year it had doubled in price. Our house in Indiana cost less than half of what we sold the town house for. Totally nuts.

D


I just wish San Antonio had a market like some of these places. I guess I should just be thankful to be able to afford a nice home. But, it drives me crazy when I see people pulling out 125K equity in their homes, becuase they will see that increase in two years. When I get a little 2% property value increase. :mad: I just keep thinking of all the cool Apple stuff I could buy. :p

[Mr. Anderson]

I just wish San Antonio had a market like some of these places. I guess I should just be thankful to be able to afford a nice home. But, it drives me crazy when I see people pulling out 125K equity in their homes, becuase they will see that increase in two years. When I get a little 2% property value increase. :mad: I just keep thinking of all the cool Apple stuff I could buy. :p


ah, but with all those interest only loans and people getting houses that they really can't afford, when the interest rates go back up, things are going to tank a bit. There will be a lot of foreclosures and the housing market will slump. It just can't sustain itself.

So if you're buying a house now, you might not want to get a 7 year arm, go for the 30 year mortgage and lock in a lower rate now. In a few years its not going to be so nice.

D

[nospleen]

It seems most people now are doing the Payment Options loan. So they are going neg am. I can hardly blame them for deferring interest when their homes are appreciating at 20-25%. But, they better get while the getting is good. It seems the appreciation balloon may pop sooner than later. We have already cut back cash out in some areas to 70% to be on the safe side. Me personally, I like a bi-weekly pay it off early loan. But, to each his own.

[watcher2001]

Anyways, I find my house is too big

Does anybody else here see the irony...

His house is too big yet the house he is looking at is around 4000 sq. OMFG how big is the house he is in now.

[Abstract]

In Sydney, that house would cost you $3 million, I'm guessing, as long as it's not in Western Sydney or something. Honestly. I've seen some rather small homes in the paper that go for over $1m. I'm talking about 2000 sq ft in slightly-above-average neighbourhoods for over $1m. Even small, crappy homes in Sydney will fetch $500 000. There's a regular property section in the paper, and it's insane how much a property is worth if it's close to the water. Sydney isn't one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in for no reason. :(

In Toronto (not the "burbs"), that house would go for around $1-2 million depending on how artsy, quaint, and "village-y" the neighbourhood is. Its not entirely about the proximity to water or the downtown core.

[Abstract]

Does anybody else here see the irony...

His house is too big yet the house he is looking at is around 4000 sq. OMFG how big is the house he is in now.
Yeah, I did, but I didn't want to say anything. ;)

The house still needs to be large enough to fit his Range Rover.

[iBlue]

Does anybody else here see the irony...

His house is too big yet the house he is looking at is around 4000 sq. OMFG how big is the house he is in now.

i don't know if "irony" is the word i was looking for but....

;)

[dcv]

That house is well over 500K. I am a Loan Officer and you would not believe the 'crappy houses' that I see that are over 500K. I live in Texas and 500K will buy you a beautiful mansion. But, other places, 500k is a two bedroom 650 sq. foot shack.


Yeah... you should see London property prices! :eek:

[Deepdale]

That is a beautiful home ... my guess is that something comparable in many North Shore communities on Long Island's Nassau County would have a price in excess of two million in this madness propelled real estate market. Lots of happiness to both of you.

[gwuMACaddict]

you're all missing big picture here...

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH GARAGE ROOM FOR ALL OF THE LANDROVERS!?

;) :D

[Hoef]

Nice! how much is the asking price?

[m-dogg]

But then again, it all depends where in the state you are. I'm originally from Darien, Ct. - now that's nuts. That house would go for over a million there.
D

Very true - Fairfield County is out of control. It's getting bad around the Hartford area too. Canton is also getting more expensive as Hartford's sprawl creeps out. Surrounding towns like Avon & Simsbury are pricier, but Canton is quickly joining them...

[cr2sh]

Nice house!

Many of my buddies have been burned by chicks when they buy a house "together." I'd be cautious... :)

[Abstract]

Many of my buddies have been burned by chicks when they buy a house "together." I'd be cautious... :)

"18 years....18 years.....and on the 18th birthday, he found out it wasn't his!?!"

[nospleen]

"18 years....18 years.....and on the 18th birthday, he found out it wasn't his!?!"


Just for the record, "I ain't saying she's a gold digger"...:D

[~Shard~]

I would suggest getting married before you make the purchase together. It would make things so much easier in life!

I have to completely disagree with that. You don't truly know someone until you have lived with them, and you'd be surprised how many times "surprises" happen that one person didn't know about the other person, which ends up making living with them a real challenge. Sometimes people are simply incompatible when it comes to their lifestyles and how they live. Sure, it can be something you work through, but I say you don't know if you're truly compatible with someone until you've lived with them for a while. Trust me, I know from experience. Moving in my with my now-wife before we got engaged and married was the best thing we ever could have done. It showed us just how compatible we were.

Plus, it's one less adjustment to make down the road. Marriage is an adjustment on it's own, and can be quite overwhelming. Can you imagine combining that with living together for the first time afterwards, as well as everything else that comes with a new house and being married?

Do yourself a favor and buy the hosue and enjoy it with your girlfriend. Not living together until you're married is an unnecessary and antiquated concept. :cool:

[~Shard~]

As for the house itself, it looks amazing. And man, am I glad the cost of living is so low here in Regina - that house here would cost about $400,000 CAD (roughly $330,000 USD). I don't know how some of you people afford the houses that you do, I would imagine you're barely paying the interest off, let alone the principle, (and a LOT of interest at that!), and are house-poor.

Myself and my wife just bought a 2-storey, 3-bedroom place, 1800 sq. ft. + huge finished basement (probably making the total more like 2400 sq. ft.), built in 1984 but completely renovated brand new, completely developed yard, great backyard, hot tub, the whole deal, a block away from a school and waterpark, and a 5 minute drive from downtown. I won't say how much we paid, but let's just say it was under $200,000 CAD (which is about $165,000 USD).

I couldn't imagine paying some of the prices being quoted here, they're just outrageous. I love having such a high quality of life and low cost of living where I am - I don't see myself moving anytime in the near future. :cool:

Again, beautiful house, EJBasile, I say buy and enjoy! :)

[cr2sh]

Just for the record, "I ain't saying she's a gold digger"...:D

I wasn't saying anything about her... I don't know her.. however, I do know some girls that are big bitches.

You gotta watch out for them. :)

When my girlfriend and I were looking at houses, she was (I wouln't say trying) but of course, interested, in getting her name in on it too. It was, from her point of view, a way that she'd feel safer... it'd be her home too.

In the end though I told her no. It was my cash that got put down, it was me making the payments... and I do love her, but its not happening. I sat by and watched one of my best friends get destroyed on a $60k down, $180k first home... that "they" bought with his money... but they split a year later. It takes years to recover from something like that...

I wish EJ nothing but the best and I'm sure his future wife is an amazing woman... so good luck! :)




Just be careful. ;)

[adroit]

As for the house itself, it looks amazing. And man, am I glad the cost of living is so low here in Regina - that house here would cost about $400,000 CAD (roughly $330,000 USD). I don't know how some of you people afford the houses that you do, I would imagine you're barely paying the interest off, let alone the principle, (and a LOT of interest at that!), and are house-poor.

Myself and my wife just bought a 2-storey, 3-bedroom place, 1800 sq. ft. + huge finished basement (probably making the total more like 2400 sq. ft.), built in 1984 but completely renovated brand new, completely developed yard, great backyard, hot tub, the whole deal, a block away from a school and waterpark, and a 5 minute drive from downtown. I won't say how much we paid, but let's just say it was under $200,000 CAD (which is about $165,000 USD).

I couldn't imagine paying some of the prices being quoted here, they're just outrageous. I love having such a high quality of life and low cost of living where I am - I don't see myself moving anytime in the near future. :cool:

Again, beautiful house, EJBasile, I say buy and enjoy! :)

A house for $200,000 CAD :eek: The best you can do for that price here in Victoria is probably a 2 bedrooms condo.
My bf and I have been watching at house price for a while but to get anything decent around here it would have been at least half a million. Sounds like it would be another 5 or more years for me. :o

[~Shard~]

A house for $200,000 CAD :eek: The best you can do for that price here in Victoria is probably a 2 bedrooms condo.
My bf and I have been watching at house price for a while but to get anything decent around here it would have been at least half a million. Sounds like it would be another 5 or more years for me. :o

Yes, I know, I have friends who live in Victoria, and my brother an sister-in-law live right in Vancouver, so I'm well aware of the housing prices! I was actually offered a job out in Vancouver last year, however I did the math and it just didn't work out. Sure, I would have been making $50,000 more a year, but due to housing costs and the higher cost of living in general (as well as more stress, longer workdays, etc.), I turned it down,as I'm technically making more money right here when all is said and done... :cool:

[watcher2001]

Do yourself a favor and buy the hosue and enjoy it with your girlfriend. Not living together until you're married is an unnecessary and antiquated concept. :cool:
I don't think it was ever said to not live together before marriage. What I think was implied was Don't buy a house together before marriage. Kind of goes along with the thought of never loan a friend money unless you expect to never see them again.

[~Shard~]

I don't think it was ever said to not live together before marriage. What I think was implied was Don't buy a house together before marriage. Kind of goes along with the thought of never loan a friend money unless you expect to never see them again.

Fair enough, you are correct - this may not have been the intent of the original post. Regardless, I still stand by the content of my post in general. ;)

And yes, your advice on lending money to a friend is good advice as well. One must exercise caution and common sense when dealing with matters of this nature. :cool:

[Chundles]

In Sydney, that house would cost you $3 million, I'm guessing, as long as it's not in Western Sydney or something. Honestly. I've seen some rather small homes in the paper that go for over $1m. I'm talking about 2000 sq ft in slightly-above-average neighbourhoods for over $1m. Even small, crappy homes in Sydney will fetch $500 000. There's a regular property section in the paper, and it's insane how much a property is worth if it's close to the water. Sydney isn't one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in for no reason. :(

In Toronto (not the "burbs"), that house would go for around $1-2 million depending on how artsy, quaint, and "village-y" the neighbourhood is. Its not entirely about the proximity to water or the downtown core.


Heh, put that house in Potts Point, Sydney, with a view of the harbour and we're looking at closer to AUD$10 million. Of course it would look totally out of place next to all the modern sprawling harbourfront mansions but it would still pull in a huge asking price.

That sort of house would fetch about AUD$4 or 5 million where my folks live depending on how much land it's on. 5 acres would probably get it to 5 million.

We really do have an insane property market.

[EJBasile]

I think I said this before but we saw this house, talked to the owners, and got the name of the architect (Garth Meehan). That house is not for sale, we just want a house that looks very similar. We would have to buy a plot of land and build from the ground up.

This house used would probably be about $1m because it is in one of those fancy neighborhoods and this house is really finished off nicely. I mean, wood panneling everywhere, nice hardwood flooring, slate around the pool (not a good idea, gets very hot), arched doorways and ceilings. The kitchen alone must have cost $100,000 in this house.

I guess to my taste you could probably build it for $700,000 having it look nice and not cheap.

The house that I live in is a little bigger than this one, my GF is about the same size as this one, but we all have little gripes about our houses. Also, we believe if we wanted to move in together it would not be fair to decide between our two houses because you sorta get attached to your house.

Before I really did not want to have kids, but now I sort of want to. Just thinking about seeing he/she grow up (Birth, first steps, school, drivers licence, college, job, marriage, kids, etc.) makes me really happy.

[EJBasile]

i don't know if "irony" is the word i was looking for but....

;)

Want to know ironic (yes this is very random)...

Today I drove to my girl friends house, I thought I was going to carpool to work with her but when I got to her house she realized she had a party to go to after work. So I left as she continued to get ready for work. I drove down her road, got onto the main road and saw a cop. She is a pretty aggressive driver so I called her to tell her there was a speed trap. She had left sooner than I had expected and as I was talking to her she drove by the cop and got pulled over. Not because she was speeding but because she was using her cell phone without a hands free device (new stupid CT law*)

*One of the major government guys who made that law now wants to ban cell phones in grocery stores

[Mr. Anderson]

*One of the major government guys who made that law now wants to ban cell phones in grocery stores

I fail to even understand the point of that.....there have been plenty of times I've been shopping and have called home to see if we needed something.

D

[mikebatho]

But if you don't have a hands free set and are speaking on your mobile phone, you deserve to get busted.

I only wish there were more police around to enforce these new laws, as even as a pedestrian I've almost been hit a number of times by people driving whilst talking on the phone.

It's dangerous, full stop. If the laws there are like anything like the ones over here, that one has been put in place for people's protection. I understand you're pissed that it happened to your girlfriend, but you've just got to suck it up.

Anyone who regularly rides a bike around here will tell you how distracted and dangerous people are when talking on mobile phones while driving.

[watcher2001]

Want to know ironic (yes this is very random)...
She had left sooner than I had expected and as I was talking to her she drove by the cop and got pulled over. Not because she was speeding but because she was using her cell phone without a hands free device (new stupid CT law*)


Wow, you are just not having much luck with the law lately..:p
Seriously, the cell phone law you speak of is not stupid and is not just in CT either. Several states have adopted this law and it has been scientifically proven that you have less control over your vehicle when you have a cell phone in your hand and up to your ear. All that being said however you may want to look into fighting this. Some of the states that do have this law have stipulations that they cannot pull you over for "Just talking on your cell phone" but can add it on to speeding, reckless driving, etc...

I actually googled the law and may have found you an out.
linky link (http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/20/29/cellphon.pdf)

It appears that you are exempt from this law if you are "In an emergency situation when contacting an emergency response operator, a hospital, physicians office, health clinic, etc"

All you have to do is have her claim she was having heart palpitations or some other ailment and that she was contacting you at your office.. If I remember right you are a doctor, yes?

[EJBasile]

I never knew about that part of the law. I'll talk to her about it.

I was in my car, but I have the BT connection. Her car does too but she doesn't like using it because in her car it makes her sound like she is yelling.

I only think the cell phone rule is stupid only because there are things that can be equally as distracting. Radios, standard transmissions with new drivers, small children, Navigation Systems, iDrive (!!!), I've seen multiple people reading books, combing hair, putting on lipstick, etc.

[adroit]

Yes, I know, I have friends who live in Victoria, and my brother an sister-in-law live right in Vancouver, so I'm well aware of the housing prices! I was actually offered a job out in Vancouver last year, however I did the math and it just didn't work out. Sure, I would have been making $50,000 more a year, but due to housing costs and the higher cost of living in general (as well as more stress, longer workdays, etc.), I turned it down,as I'm technically making more money right here when all is said and done... :cool:

I just didn't realize that it would be that different :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I couldn't agree more about the crazy living expense here. However, it would take more than a good job for me to move out of Victoria. I guess I just love this city too much even if it mean that I'll be poor. :p

I guess everyone have different priorities ;)

I only think the cell phone rule is stupid only because there are things that can be equally as distracting. Radios, standard transmissions with new drivers, small children, Navigation Systems, iDrive (!!!), I've seen multiple people reading books, combing hair, putting on lipstick, etc.

Agreed!

[jsw]

But if you don't have a hands free set and are speaking on your mobile phone, you deserve to get busted.

I only wish there were more police around to enforce these new laws, as even as a pedestrian I've almost been hit a number of times by people driving whilst talking on the phone.

It's dangerous, full stop. If the laws there are like anything like the ones over here, that one has been put in place for people's protection. I understand you're pissed that it happened to your girlfriend, but you've just got to suck it up.

Anyone who regularly rides a bike around here will tell you how distracted and dangerous people are when talking on mobile phones while driving.Um... all - and I mean ALL - of the studies have shown that hands-free headsets do nothing to reduce accidents... it is the act of talking on the phone itself which is an issue. A recent internal Nokia study even concluded that handsfree laws increase accidents due to people trying to insert headsets into phones while driving when the phone rings.

Stupid, stupid laws done merely to serve as another revenue stream under the guise of "public safety."

People are just as bad when having a conversation with someone else in the car... so what do we do? Mandate single-person vehicles with no radios? Eliminate the ability for people to ever drive children, who can be distracting? No cup holders? Ban drive-through restaurants?

What would you propose?

The headset laws are ridiculous. No study supports them.

[jsw]

...it has been scientifically proven that you have less control over your vehicle when you have a cell phone in your hand and up to your ear...
I work for Nokia and have never seen a study like that.

Of course, they might tend to keep us away from those. ;)

But the cell phone doesn't reduce control any more than any other item in the hand, and less so than a drink, because people are more prone to dropping a phone to control the car than dropping a hot coffee or a super-sized soda.

Do we ban cup holders?

Oh, and on-topic: nice house, just beware the implications of buying it pre-marriage.

[~Shard~]

Anyhow, I couldn't agree more about the crazy living expense here. However, it would take more than a good job for me to move out of Victoria. I guess I just love this city too much even if it mean that I'll be poor. :p

I guess everyone have different priorities ;)

I don't blame you at all - I absolutely love Victoria as well, more than Vancouver. In fact, I love the whole Island - it's a place I could definitely see myself retiring to eventually. :) From Nanaimo to Tofino, I love it all. Some of the places I've seen on the Island even rival places I saw in New Zealand and Australia, and are just as beautiful. :cool:

[m-dogg]

I only think the cell phone rule is stupid only because there are things that can be equally as distracting. Radios, standard transmissions with new drivers, small children, Navigation Systems, iDrive (!!!), I've seen multiple people reading books, combing hair, putting on lipstick, etc.

I agree completely. And I don't think those earpieces are comfortable to wear all the time you're driving. But watch out if you try to stick that thing in your ear while you're driving. I think I have a better shot of getting into an accident that way then if I was just answering the phone normally...

I think it's a scam. Good lobbying on the part of earpiece makers to get the law passed. I'm sure they do well each time a state passes a hands-free law and every cell phone owner runs out at the same time to buy a hands-free device. And then they move on to the next state & repeat...

[watcher2001]

Want to know ironic (yes this is very random)...

Today I drove to my girl friends house, I thought I was going to carpool to work with her but when I got to her house she realized she had a party to go to after work. So I left as she continued to get ready for work. I drove down her road, got onto the main road and saw a cop. She is a pretty aggressive driver so I called her to tell her there was a speed trap. She had left sooner than I had expected and as I was talking to her she drove by the cop and got pulled over. Not because she was speeding but because she was using her cell phone without a hands free device (new stupid CT law*)

*One of the major government guys who made that law now wants to ban cell phones in grocery stores


Just checking back to see if you had any luck getting your girlfriend out of this one?