Since I'm probably going to be buying a home soon, I figured I'd start this to post some questions/comments.

First thing I noticed in the Greensboro area of NC is that all the homes show a range for the square footage - like 2200-2700, or 2400-3000. Do other places do that? I assume someone bought a home and discovered it was less than the listed square footage (and probably sued), but a 500-600 sq ft range seems crazy - they should be able to come within 100 sq ft of the actual square footage. And it makes comparing homes more difficult, since a "2200-2700" sq ft home could be 2700 sq, while a "2400-3000" sq ft home could be 2400 sq ft (if I'm understanding this correctly).

edit 8/17/10: signed a contract today on this house:
http://i29.tinypic.com/vzu1k5.jpg http://i25.tinypic.com/ncnkwp.jpg
we hope to close Fri 9/10. :whee:

I think it's this, either an unfinished bonus room or basement...

Unfinished bonus rooms (such as a room over a garage) are not considered finished square footage. However if you finish the bonus space then it can be considered finished square footage. On our website we sometimes give a minimum and maximum square footage range for a floor. The minimum square footage shows the size of the floor if the bonus space is not finished. The maximum square footage shows the size if the bonus space is finished.
http://www.gobend.com/Resources/Square-Footage.htm (http://slickdeals.net/?&u2=http://www.gobend.com/Resources/Square-Footage.htm)

:huh: I saw different numbers for my place. some includes the balcony, some did not :dontknow:

i never heard of such a large difference in range for homes. the exact square footage is usually advertised, not a range.

and you already know how loungers feel about homes near a cemetary or in a cul de sac, so don't go there.

Square foot ranges are to keep real estate agents/companies out of the court room. So they don't overestimate the the actual square footage and open themselves up to a lawsuit, when the buyer figures out the house he/she just bought is 17 square feet less than what was advertised.

Check with the county tax assessors office. Ask what figures are finished area and which are unfinished attics or basement. Finished below grade living areas (basements) are usually kept separate from above grade living area.

Wait. You're moving to Greensboro? :hide:

Every home on realtor.com in this area has had a huge range. Many don't have basements. And the heated sq ft is always listed separately. As I mentioned, I figured it's to avoid litigation over discrepancies between advertises and actual. But all it takes is some quick measurements to get close, so I would understand a "plus or minus 100 sq ft" disclaimer or something like that. :dontknow:

Wait. You're moving to Greensboro? :hide:
Maybe I'll make it a little less boring. :whee:

Wait. You're moving to Greensboro? :hide:

We try to get him out of NC and he retaliates by moving closer to us. :doh:




j/k mlv :lol:

Maybe I'll make it a little less boring. :whee:


I can keep you updated on the stuff that happens in the Triangle, just so you do not forget about the lively places in NC :harhar:

j/k hope everything works out. As far as I remember, the Greensboro Airport was "international", so there is always the weekend getaway to Mexico

Where are you looking at houses MLV? Just in HP? Where is the office for the new business?

Not that I want you to live in my town ( :P ), but Oak Ridge is a really nice place and has a great school system. I work near the I-40/Hwy 68 interchange, and it only takes me like 10-15 mins (depending on traffic) to get to work. I did it in 7 mins once, but that wasn't very legal. :lol: But then it's a bit further to downtown HP if that's where your office would be. Anyway, just a suggestion.

I've got a friend who lives in Thomasville, which is kinda out in the 'country'. But she's got a really nice house, and it wasn't super expensive (no idea what your budget is for a new place).

We try to get him out of NC and he retaliates by moving closer to us. :doh:




j/k mlv :lol:

:harhar:

Where are you looking at houses MLV? Just in HP? Where is the office for the new business?

Not that I want you to live in my town ( :P ), but Oak Ridge is a really nice place and has a great school system. I work near the I-40/Hwy 68 interchange, and it only takes me like 10-15 mins (depending on traffic) to get to work. I did it in 7 mins once, but that wasn't very legal. :lol: But then it's a bit further to downtown HP if that's where your office would be. Anyway, just a suggestion.

I've got a friend who lives in Thomasville, which is kinda out in the 'country'. But she's got a really nice house, and it wasn't super expensive (no idea what your budget is for a new place).
I want to be as centrally located as possible - mainly in case this job doesn't work out, I want to be close to W-S and Greensboro as well. So that rules out Thomasville, Lexington, and some other places. Everyone mentions Jamestown here. Also considering Kernersville...farthest south I would go is Trinity or Archdale. We might consider Oak Ridge, but we drove up there in the Spring, and it seemed so far out.

The office is on Baker Rd, near where 311 is being worked on to connect with I-85.

Anything you can comment on Jamestown, Kernersville, Colfax, Trinity or Archdale?

Oak Ridge is great to get to WS (20 mins), Greensboro (15 mins--depending on where in GSO), and HP (20 mins). I've lived here for 10 years, and while it's grown since, it's still a nice place to live.

Anything you can comment on Jamestown, Kernersville, Colfax, Trinity or Archdale?
I see Jamestown as kinda the trendy armpit of HP. :lol:

Colfax is kinda 'industrial', don't know much about Trinity or Archdale.

Kernersville is ok. It's where MANY people who work here at the station live. There are some nice parts of K'ville (aka K-vegas), and there are some not so nice parts. I was never a huge fan of K'ville because I used to see a lot of rednecks while driving through there. :lol:

i would look at zillow.com there will be million foreclosrers this year,if theres one near your house it drops prices 25% make sure your in a good school district or you will find it hard to sell,factor in property taxes etc,house prices went up but expect prices to fall as rents do they should advertise exact size

i never heard of such a large difference in range for homes. the exact square footage is usually advertised, not a range.

and you already know how loungers feel about homes near a cemetary or in a cul de sac, so don't go there.

Can I ask - what is wrong with near a cemetery or cul-de-sac?

no, you can't :shake: :banned:

Can I ask - what is wrong with near a cemetery or cul-de-sac?

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=115981&t=2057378

Can I ask - what is wrong with near a cemetery or cul-de-sac?
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=115981&t=2057378
this. it was just a reference to someone else's thread

Sequence:

1) Get job

2) Buy house

:whee:

Square foot ranges are to keep real estate agents/companies out of the court room. So they don't overestimate the the actual square footage and open themselves up to a lawsuit, when the buyer figures out the house he/she just bought is 17 square feet less than what was advertised.

Every home on realtor.com in this area has had a huge range. Many don't have basements. And the heated sq ft is always listed separately. As I mentioned, I figured it's to avoid litigation over discrepancies between advertises and actual. But all it takes is some quick measurements to get close, so I would understand a "plus or minus 100 sq ft" disclaimer or something like that. :dontknow:


Maybe I'll make it a little less boring. :whee:

The laws were changed in NC back in 2005, specifically noting what a RE agent can be held liable for, with sq ft being among many. When selling a house the RE agent will go through what is staying and what is going much more in depth. You also won't see sq ft on the sales contract anymore.

Also on many MLS sites you can specify a range of sq footage when searching for a house, so many agents will list the house in a wider range so the house shows up in 2 or 3 categories.

I see Jamestown as kinda the trendy armpit of HP. :lol:

Colfax is kinda 'industrial', don't know much about Trinity or Archdale.

Kernersville is ok. It's where MANY people who work here at the station live. There are some nice parts of K'ville (aka K-vegas), and there are some not so nice parts. I was never a huge fan of K'ville because I used to see a lot of rednecks while driving through there. :lol:I just left "G-Vegas" (Greenville NC). I don't know if I want to go to a "K-Vegas" :lol:

Sometimes I noticed on the MLS login I have, they add the garage in...like ours is heated so it added an extra 500-600 sq feet.:dontknow:

I just left "G-Vegas" (Greenville NC). I don't know if I want to go to a "K-Vegas" :lol:

what makes them something-Vegas? having spent so much time in Las Vegas over the last 2.5 years... I'm going to bet they are exactly nothing like las vegas

I just left "G-Vegas" (Greenville NC). I don't know if I want to go to a "K-Vegas" :lol:

Greenville, SC has the same nickname...never have understood that one.

what makes them something-Vegas? having spent so much time in Las Vegas over the last 2.5 years... I'm going to bet they are exactly nothing like las vegasAbsolutely nothing. :lol:

Absolutely nothing. :lol:
Probably because it's the exact opposite of Vegas. :lmao:

Lots of prostitutes?

Found a home we'll probably make an offer on later this week, if I accept a job offer. Don't know if they'll come down enough on the price to make it work, but we'll see:
http://i29.tinypic.com/vzu1k5.jpg http://i25.tinypic.com/ncnkwp.jpg

That's my daughter, trying to catch a tiny frog that went under the realtor's car (see other thread). :lol:

The lawn is full of weeds, I would pass on that house. :nono2:

The lawn is full of weeds, I would pass on that house. :nono2:I did fart there, so I followed your suggestion.

So one question, about moving cost: anyone know about how much it might cost to move the contents of a 10' x 25' x 8' high storage unit? It would only be going about 100 miles.

So one question, about moving cost: anyone know about how much it might cost to move the contents of a 10' x 25' x 8' high storage unit? It would only be going about 100 miles.


Just moving (no packing) about $150 per hour, so $250-$300. Some of the expense covers insurance.

Just moving (no packing) about $150 per hour, so $250-$300. Some of the expense covers insurance.I would think it would take a couple hours to load, and a couple more to unload, plus the two hours driving time. :dontknow:

Nice curb appeal! :woot:

Gonna put an offer in on the house in post #30 this week... realtor just has to get the paperwork together and send to me. We're asking the seller to do quite a few improvements to it; not sure if he'll bite.

I would think it would take a couple hours to load, and a couple more to unload, plus the two hours driving time. :dontknow:

Sorry. :doh: I was thinking about one of those units they drop off in your driveway and you fill up.

Sorry. :doh: I was thinking about one of those units they drop off in your driveway and you fill up.We looked into a PODS type unit, but didn't know how long we'd have to store the stuff, so we felt better in a secure self storage place.

Since I'm probably going to be buying a home soon, I figured I'd start this to post some questions/comments.

First thing I noticed in the Greensboro area of NC is that all the homes show a range for the square footage - like 2200-2700, or 2400-3000. Do other places do that? I assume someone bought a home and discovered it was less than the listed square footage (and probably sued), but a 500-600 sq ft range seems crazy - they should be able to come within 100 sq ft of the actual square footage. And it makes comparing homes more difficult, since a "2200-2700" sq ft home could be 2700 sq, while a "2400-3000" sq ft home could be 2400 sq ft (if I'm understanding this correctly).

you're expecting too much. they really can't do such advance math down there :dontknow:

Submitted our offer yesterday; seller countered today. We're going to submit another counter offer tomorrow. :whee:

Wow, a thread that can buy a home. MLV, I'm impressed.

Seriously though, congrats, hope you get it!

Wow, a thread that can buy a home. MLV, I'm impressed.

Seriously though, congrats, hope you get it!Not many threads can do that! :strong:

Not many threads can do that! :strong:

knot that you'd read about anyway.

Good luck with the counter offer! :woot:





It seems weird posting in a MLV thread that isn't about punning.

Submitted our offer yesterday; seller countered today. We're going to submit another counter offer tomorrow. :whee:

:highfive: Don't be afraid to walk away if their counter is way to high, they might come back like ours did.:nod:

Good Luck..:hug:

:highfive: Don't be afraid to walk away if their counter is way to high, they might come back like ours did.:nod:

Good Luck..:hug:Thanks. :hug:
We're willing to go another $5k if they agree to do all of the work we're requesting. If we don't get there, we have other homes we're almost ready to make offers on.

Didn't get the first house. :(
On to #2: put an offer in yesterday, but sellers are out of the country. Might hear as soon as tomorrow, but might not know until Thursday, when they return to the U.S. This home is in a completely different area - better schools, larger lot, similar size home.

Didn't get the first house. :(
On to #2: put an offer in yesterday, but sellers are out of the country. Might hear as soon as tomorrow, but might not know until Thursday, when they return to the U.S. This home is in a completely different area - better schools, larger lot, similar size home. Good luck on the new offer! Do you have any photos to share of the second house?

Sorry about home #1. Good luck with home #2. :)

Good luck on the new offer! Do you have any photos to share of the second house?I thought you'd never ask. :lol:

This one is on an acre. Nice as impressive exterior, but nicer interior finishes than the first house.

http://i28.tinypic.com/6itn6g.jpg http://i25.tinypic.com/15zpmz5.jpg http://i30.tinypic.com/2rz56pv.jpg
http://i25.tinypic.com/55qtn4.jpg http://i25.tinypic.com/9blyd3.jpg

Beautiful place. I'll never be able to afford a place like that. :lol:

Beautiful place. I'll never be able to afford a place like that. :lol:That's a major reason I'm glad we're staying in NC...certainly couldn't get anything like this in SoCal on my salary.


btw...this house is in "K-Vegas" ... I'm getting even closer to you! :whee:

That's a major reason I'm glad we're staying in NC...certainly couldn't get anything like this in SoCal on my salary.


btw...this house is in "K-Vegas" ... I'm getting even closer to you! :whee:
:hide:

That's a major reason I'm glad we're staying in NC...certainly couldn't get anything like this in SoCal on my salary.


btw...this house is in "K-Vegas" ... I'm getting even closer to you! :whee:
:hide:

Perhaps the two of you can go bowling or snipe hunting together! :lol:

Didn't get the first house. :(
On to #2: put an offer in yesterday, but sellers are out of the country. Might hear as soon as tomorrow, but might not know until Thursday, when they return to the U.S. This home is in a completely different area - better schools, larger lot, similar size home.

we looked at 40 something houses before we found ours ( and 8 months), that's not including on the computer or just driving by...so you'll get the want that you want eventually..hang in there :hug:

we looked at 40 something houses before we found ours ( and 8 months), that's not including on the computer or just driving by...so you'll get the want that you want eventually..hang in there :hug:
We've walked through around 20 so far. We want to have a sales contract signed at least by this month so we can register our daughter for school. If this one doesn't work out, there are a couple more we'll consider.

We've walked through around 20 so far. We want to have a sales contract signed at least by this month so we can register our daughter for school. If this one doesn't work out, there are a couple more we'll consider.

Best of luck, that house is gorgeous and probably a lot cheaper then our little ranch home we just bought here..MA sucks..:crying: The prices down south make me cry when I see them..:(

Best of luck, that house is gorgeous and probably a lot cheaper then our little ranch home we just bought here..MA sucks..:crying: The prices down south make me cry when I see them..:(

You can always move down here. We accepted mlv, so there is no reason we wouldn't acccept you. :lmao:









j/k mlv, all in fun.

Put in offer on house #3 today. The first two ended up with us about $10k apart...I expected the second one to come down more. I doubt we'll come to terms on #3 based on conversations with the seller I've had (he's not using an agent). I suspect many sellers are reluctant to drop their prices more right now because a lot of buyers are trying to get contracts signed before school starts in two weeks. We would like that too, but won't pay a premium. Daughter can go to school at her old school at our existing home if necessary.

Put in offer on house #3 today. The first two ended up with us about $10k apart...I expected the second one to come down more. I doubt we'll come to terms on #3 based on conversations with the seller I've had (he's not using an agent). I suspect many sellers are reluctant to drop their prices more right now because a lot of buyers are trying to get contracts signed before school starts in two weeks. We would like that too, but won't pay a premium. Daughter can go to school at her old school at our existing home if necessary.


Any photos of #3? :scratchh:


BTW, Good luck!

Any photos of #3? :scratchh:


BTW, Good luck!
They're all on my home computer, and I'm away from home all week. It's nice, but not finished - needs carpet, lights, paint, etc.

Found 3 or 4 more to look at this weekend. :whee:

Are you putting in these offers without the DW there to see the houses?

Living dangerously if so.

Are you putting in these offers without the DW there to see the houses?

Living dangerously if so.

It doesn't matter, mlv is a dead man anyway, once his DW finds .......

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=10138&p=31738744#post31738744][/url]

Would you give up sex rather than gain 10 pounds?

Apparently my wife is doing both.

:roll:

Are you putting in these offers without the DW there to see the houses?

Living dangerously if so.I'll check out houses first to see if it's worth pursuing. I know what she likes. But I'd never dare put in an offer on a house she hadn't seen.

It doesn't matter, mlv is a dead man anyway, once his DW finds .......:lol:

If that was the worst thing I've ever said on here about her, I'd be in decent shape. :bigeye:

It doesn't matter, mlv is a dead man anyway, once his DW finds .......

:lol:

So funny. :roll:

Updated OP. We went back to the first house, and came to agreement on the contract. :woot:

I thought you weren't going to have internet access this week. :mad:

Congrats on the mortgage. :whee:

I thought you weren't going to have internet access this week. :mad:
:comfort:
Just not at the hotel. :D

Congrats on the mortgage. :whee:
How much is a shitload at 4.5% per year?

Sweet. Have you told the wife yet? :whee:

:woot2: congrats, wow you just put the offer in and closing 9/10, we started in june and closing 9/3..:rofl2:

I feel like we've been closing forever..:sadwalk:

Sweet. Have you told the wife yet? :whee::doh: I knew I forgot something!

How much is a shitload at 4.5% per year?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it. :lmao:

How much is a shitload at 4.5% per year?

Take the mortgage amount and pretty much double it..:sadwalk:

Congrats mlv! House is beautiful! :woot:

Very nice house!

Yay! That was my favorite!

Yay! That was my favorite!That's why we went with it. It's in a golf course community btw. :D

There are so many nice houses available at great prices these days...that made the decision more difficult. This home isn't as nicely finished as some others, but we'll eventually replace some fixtures to customize it.

You went with it because it's my favorite? Aww shucks! :blush:

But seriously, that's really cool! What are some things you want to fix up?

It was a spec home, so someday we'll probably upgrade the lighting. Maybe upgrade the plumbing fixtures at some point. I want to put in an irrigation system in as well. Probably the first think we'll do is pour a concrete pad for our third vehicle (just widen the driveway) and another pad off the deck. And some day I'd like to put in a pool, but that's down the road (like when the market turns around and I don't mind "throwing away" the cost of the pool, since it adds little if any to the value of the home when we sell it someday).

You went with it because it's my favorite? Aww shucks! :blush:

But seriously, that's really cool! What are some things you want to fix up?



Mlv has a room reserved for you. The only thing is his wife can never see you. :lmao:

Mlv has a room reserved for you. The only thing is his wife can never see you. :lmao:
That's why it's called a "bonus room." :whee:


/creepy old guy

I'd love to move into that house! :lol:

Do you think you'll be there permanently or do you see yourself moving at some point down the road?

I'd love to move into that house! :lol:

Do you think you'll be there permanently or do you see yourself moving at some point down the road?Well, I do have to consider a nursing home in a few years eventually.

:lol:

I'm hoping we'll stay there several years at least...like to get our daughter through high school (9 years), if not longer.

It was a spec home, so someday we'll probably upgrade the lighting. Maybe upgrade the plumbing fixtures at some point. I want to put in an irrigation system in as well. Probably the first think we'll do is pour a concrete pad for our third vehicle (just widen the driveway) and another pad off the deck. And some day I'd like to put in a pool, but that's down the road (like when the market turns around and I don't mind "throwing away" the cost of the pool, since it adds little if any to the value of the home when we sell it someday).

So, no home owners association telling you that you can't park cars in your driveway? Excellent!!!

I'd love to move into that house! :lol:

Do you think you'll be there permanently or do you see yourself moving at some point down the road?


This is interesting. Mlv buys a house on a golf course, :scratch: and damsel wants to take up playing golf. :scratchh:

Can there be a March - very, very late December romance in the lounge? :confused:

Is it true :heart:, or is there a :greedy: motive involved? :popcorn:

Congrats MLV! :whee:

Congrats... I just got approved for a home loan today as well and I'm closing around the same time as you are :lol: The only difference is that I'm getting a 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom condo with balconies and everything else in nyc. I'm so excited!! Don't forget that the first time home buyers program is still running and I believe it ends in September 30th... Congrats to us for making deadline :whee:!!!

So, no home owners association telling you that you can't park cars in your driveway? Excellent!!!

:nod:

This is interesting. Mlv buys a house on a golf course, :scratch: and damsel wants to take up playing golf. :scratchh:

Can there be a March - very, very late December romance in the lounge? :confused:

Is it true :heart:, or is there a :greedy: motive involved? :popcorn:

:lol: just how crazy do you think she is?

Hey, my birthday is in March. :P

And we're both accountants.


Weeeeeird.

Hey, my birthday is in March. :P

And we're both accountants.


Weeeeeird.

Yes, I know I'm weird :D

Getting closer. We were hoping the builder/seller would want to close earlier - he could have been ready by this Friday 9/10 if he had pushed his subs. At least we're now scheduled for 10:00 am on Friday 9/17 to sign. :whee:

Since the job didn't work out, didn't buy the house... for now.

Getting closer. We were hoping the builder/seller would want to close earlier - he could have been ready by this Friday 9/10 if he had pushed his subs. At least we're now scheduled for 10:00 am on Friday 9/17 to sign. :whee:

congrats... I'm still waiting on my closing date :ranting: Farking Sonyma..:censored:

Sweet! Time to tell the wife about it.

:whistlin:

:whistlin:


I know this thread is way old, but I just thought I would tell you I live very close by in Winston Salem. When we bought our house 6 years ago we were told it was 1200 sq ft. We measured it after the fact and it is only 800! Anyway, I love the house you chose! :wave: