House for sale

[RUparrothead]

Hey all, it's time to move. I have a 40 mile commute, and it's killing me. We had the house on the market last year, but took it down when we found baby was on the way. Now that he is here and life is "normal", we want to move closer to Rocky Mount.

Details at http://www.fsboroanoke.com/house_detail.php?house_id=1921

Oh yeah, it has a NICE detached 2 car garage for wrenchin on projects :D

[xjtrailrider]

Hey all, it's time to move. I have a 40 mile commute, and it's killing me. We had the house on the market last year, but took it down when we found baby was on the way. Now that he is here and life is "normal", we want to move closer to Rocky Mount.

Details at http://www.fsboroanoke.com/house_detail.php?house_id=1921

Oh yeah, it has a NICE detached 2 car garage for wrenchin on projects :D

And a HUGE yard, ask me how I know:D

[xjtrailrider]

Rick, look around SW County, much better schools than FC. I know you went there, I did for a short time as well but I also went to CS and got a great education. You are still looking at a 20 mile commute though.

[hadfield4wd]

Rick, look around SW County, much better schools than FC. I know you went there, I did for a short time as well but I also went to CS and got a great education. You are still looking at a 20 mile commute though.

I agree. We have always bought for the best school systems. You can't go wrong with Cave Spring or Hidden Valley. With the market like it is you can get a nice house for less money than 2 years ago.

[RUparrothead]

We are looking sw roanoke or north franklin (boones mill). Both have their (IMHO) advantages and disadvantages. Even if we wind up in Cave Spring area, a 20 mile commute sure beats a 40!

We have already found our "perfect house". Just outside of boones mill (very close to my parents, which means free babysitter), 2200 sq ft, 4 bed, 3 bath, 1.25 acre level lot, 3 car carport, detached workshop/garage for me and my toys, in ground pool for her, new windows, new roof, new carpet all for under 200k. If it is available when ours sells, we will make an offer.

[hadfield4wd]

Coming form some one who has owned and bought several houses. Make sure you get a basement. Even if it's unfinished at this point. When the kids get older you'll appreciatet he space. I've has houses with both and I'll never own another house without one.

[RUparrothead]

Fully agreed Matt.

We currently don't have one, and we have decided we cannot live without a basement in the future. We won't consider a home without one from here on out, as it would be nice for storage, woodstove (or other alt. heat source), extra living space, etc.

If anybody else has any ideas on what they can't live without, please speak up... we are going to be in our next house for 10+ years and want to think of everything before purchasing.

[hadfield4wd]

Here are my thoughts. In order.

Good Schools
All bedrooms upstairs
Basement
kids room at the far end of the hallway (this way when we have get togethers they are not up listening to us, our last house was set up like this and it was a pain)
Eat in kitchen.
vinyl siding or brick
garage

My advice on buying in general is buy an ugly structurally sound house that has the features you want. You can really get a good deal on an ugly house. Then spent a lot less on paint etc. Our house was seriously ugly, but had everything we wanted. We have since renovated the entire thing. We have painted everything, stripped wallpaper, all new floors, new countertops, painted cabinets, new windows, new bathroom downstairs. We have less than $10k in the renovation, we did all the work. Laid the tile and wood laminate. Bought pre-made countertops and fit them etc.

You need to know whatever background of the seller you can. What is there urgency? Have they been transfered or lost a job where they need to sell fast? Is it the product of a divorce etc?

We lowballed our house, because it was ugly, was on the market 9 months, was the product of a divorce, and no one was living there so somebody was paying 2 mortages. We offered $70k under their asking price and they took it.

Also as far as a loan goes.

15 year mortgage with a payment no more than 25% of your monthly income.

[RUparrothead]

Lots of good insight, thanks Matt.

[xjtrailrider]

The elementary schools in FC are great, but with only one middle school/high school for a huge county, overcrowding and long bus rides are a issue. I grew up in Boones Mill and loved the small town life and living on a farm but the bus ride to Ben Franklin was a good 40min each way and back then all grades shared the buses from K-12, not a good situation for the little kids. The ride to Cave Spring was shorter than to Rocky Mount so I switched and rode in with my parents.

I have owned 3 houses, 2 in CS and one in HV.

[Chevy kid]

Franklin County High now has 2000 plus students and hidden valley has hit 1k or so