The Super Official Homeowners Thread

[CaptainHenreh]

Probably day before Halloween

You're still semi-local to Harrisonburg right? I'm down to bring the truck and help as well for pizza and beer, if so.

Yeah.

I'll make a post when it's all ready.

[ScottyB]

we've got a big, awesome tree in our front yard but its been slowly killing off the grass around it and heaving the garden pavers.  i basically put my hands over my eyes for the past 3 years trying to ignore it.  i took stock of some materials we had a couple weekends ago (extra fill dirt, leftover weed guard, etc) and realized i could actually do it without blowing too much time/money.  it was such an eyesore, glad to have this done.

2 years ago


early this spring.  totally dead grass in a 20ft radius.  not worth sodding, the tree is pulling the moisture out of the ground.


finally.  came up about 8 bags of mulch short.  found out in can carry 20 wet bags in the 4runner, coulda done 24 if i was willing to stack higher but they were leaking and had to stay on top of a tarp during transport. the Hawthornes under the tree are eventually getting yanked, they're diseased, stunted and just add absolutely nothing to the landscape. hoping to replace with azaleas.

[HAULN-SS]

I put my house on the market about noon last Saturday. Offer was put in Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. All for about the same 5k over asking. Ended up signing the one with the fewest contingencies and shortest close time, which looks like will be October 9th. Kind of sad to see the house go, but I be got the money out of it I needed to you break even on 10 year rent out plan with fewer headaches, so I guess I'll live with the decision. I just hope that I won't kick myself if they start selling stuff for 30% more in my neighborhood next year or something.

[Deceus]

Learned 2 things from my first guests: Google/Nest engineers may be able to invert a binary tree in their sleep but are incapable of accounting for timezones properly and cleaners are hella unreliable.

Apparently temp door codes only work reliably on the Nest app when you set them to "All Day" and select the days of the week the exact dates fall under... brilliant. They couldn't get in initially because of that until I gave them a permanent code. Apparently 3:30pm doesn't happen after 11am in Google/Nest time ... They were also a full hour later than the ETA they gave me that morning so I had to drop what I was doing and get to a WiFi source to handle it.

Primary cleaner passed on the job and my backup cleaner accepted but didn't bother to show up or even message me an excuse. The group also stayed a full 2 hours after checkout too so even if she did show up, that would've been messy. Got lucky they were at least super considerate and left the place spotless. Just had to throw on gloves, wash sheets/towels and sanitize everything.

Not a terrible price to pay for a free vacation but I just asked my realtor to drop the price $15k. It's cool to pay my mortgage in a single weekend but I can't deal with this on a regular basis 5 hours away. Was talking to some folks that owned a condo out at Snowshoe in the building we were staying at and that seems like a much better option in general even I really want to do something like this. It's half the price at least and there's the option of having the resort handle everything. Plus Snowshoe makes Massanutten look like a dump, both on the trails and in the resort.

[Senor_Taylor]

Chris, your driveway is absolutely horrifically steep. Not a knock, but you gotta understand that it's an absolute mountain.

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[Deceus]

Chris, your driveway is absolutely horrifically steep. Not a knock, but you gotta understand that it's an absolute mountain.

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Yeah I get that can be a real deal-breaker. It certainly is for me on my next house. Just no idea what people are doing looking at places on a literal mountain near a ski resort expecting flat, secluded lots. They're .3 acres max in most cases and the dude that saw the house yesterday loved it, didn't mind the lot but didn't like I have a single neighbor on one side of the house... i just idk. Not sure where he's going to find that kind of setup in this area for this price but good luck to him I guess. Hope he likes living on a farm.

I just gotta focus on the fact I've only been on the market for a month and the only thing rushing me to sell is my own anxiety. Just mildly annoying having so many showings, so much positive feedback on the place itself and not get a single offer over either trivial shit or stuff that's obvious from a glance especially while everyone else seems to be selling in no time flat.

[Kaan]

we are waffling on selling/moving. the market is a little crazy (high price, low interest)... but our options for what we want (more acres, more garage, less house) is hard to find. We are likely going to have to build to get the house we really want.

talking to a friend (appraiser) and his wife (agent)... they took their house off the market because things were getting out of hand on the price side. Ironically they'd likely buy our house (he told me after giving us an appraisal)... because they want a smaller house (they have 6k sq/ft lol) and more land (they live in town).

[Apoc]

so much positive feedback on the place itself and not get a single offer over either trivial shit or stuff that's obvious from a glance especially while everyone else seems to be selling in no time flat.

The market doesn't lie. If everyone else is selling and you aren't, the price is too high. That's what I meant by maybe you need a new realtor.

[Deceus]

so much positive feedback on the place itself and not get a single offer over either trivial shit or stuff that's obvious from a glance especially while everyone else seems to be selling in no time flat.

The market doesn't lie. If everyone else is selling and you aren't, the price is too high. That's what I meant by maybe you need a new realtor.

Won't see me disagreeing there. Already had that talk with him and he agreed as well. He mentioned I'm probably right about 350ish being that magic number. There's a pretty clean line with the houses under contingency in the last 30 days. 

The realtor has been pretty good I suppose. We both knew the price was starting off a little high. I did my own research and figured 350 was a "sell it now" price and 375 was about the absolute max I could get for it. His estimates were 360-380 so I could tell he had done his homework as well. He brought me a list of recent sales that further backed it up and pulled his numbers from 4 different soruces. We started at 375 because you can always come down. We couldn't have been too far off as that one place was gone in 4 days for 369. It's a shame what 5 minutes closer to a mediocre ski slope/golf course and being behind an unattended gate can do for a property's value. What we really didn't foresee was people being so reluctant to at least offer something.

It seems I just missed the gravy train. Things look like they're slowing down finally in a few spots. I think a lot of people noticed the insanity over the summer and listed. I'm seeing houses stay up a good bit longer both where am I at and around Charlotte. People just have so many options and so many more coming up everyday, I don't blame anyone for not setting until they fall in love. I plan on doing the same albeit with a timeline. I had like 5-6 houses on my shortlist last month and most of them stuck around for at least 2 weeks. Did miss out on the 5 car garage in Huntersville though .

Seems the guy from yesterday came to his senses and I'll be getting my first offer today. Hopefully it doesn't suck.

In other news, picked up some equipment to repel out my dormer windows to finish the stain job. Got a harness and will anchor into a set of these:



Will have 6ft landards on the legs and one of these up top in case I do fall:



No idea what I'm doing here obviously but will start on the the side that's 10ft off the ground vs the side that's 30ft.

[JPolen01]

What the hell are you going to secure those anchors too?


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[Deceus]

What the hell are you going to secure those anchors too?


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Studs, worked well for my pot holder. Going to cut out a small bit of drywall to be damn sure I'm centered on it and mount it directly onto them. Not really going to be repelling just standing on a steep roof with the window sill in one hand, brush in the other. The alternative is to buy a 40ft ladder for one side and spend a few hours trying to the level the other side.

[Sijray21]

Sounds like something I would pay someone else to do (with them having their own insurance...) I won't go on a roof more than the first floor though. Knowing me I'd fall and injure or kill myself.

[Deceus]

Sounds like something I would pay someone else to do (with them having their own insurance...) I won't go on a roof more than the first floor though. Knowing me I'd fall and injure or kill myself.

Been trying for months, no one wants to come out and finish a job that's 90% done. It's too small for any of the cedar/log cabin maintenance companies and all the small time painters either don't have the equipment or just flat out don't want to do it. Haven't even gotten a quote even when I've flat out told them "just name your price". Tired of the nonsense and don't want this coming back to bite me during the inspections because there's a bit of mold/mildew forming on the one side.

Offer came in, dude wants to knock $10k off the listing price and have me pay $6,500 of his closing costs.



In other news just booked a 2 night stay which brings the total to fully paying my mortgage for the month after just 2 reservations and 4 nights ... decisions, decisions. Definitely not taking that offer though for sure.

[Apoc]

It's interesting you complained about no offers and then scoff at 96% list price. Having sold several houses, I can tell you that you *won't* remember knocking 4% off your desired price (which is nothing) and you *will* remember not having to deal with it anymore.

Counteroffer by removing the closing cost stipulation.

[Deceus]

It's interesting you complained about no offers and then scoff at 96% list price. Having sold several houses, I can tell you that you *won't* remember knocking 4% off your desired price (which is nothing) and you *will* remember not having to deal with it anymore.

Yeah, had I not just dropped the price $15k this wouldn't feel so bad. They also want an answer/counter in 24 hours to get it in before the weekend and want me out in about 50 days, leaving me next to no time to get under contract with a place myself. Idk just feels like a raw deal all around.

It is good to have some addition insight though. It's hard to believe I wouldn't lose sleep over this but then again I've never done it or been through it. I'd still be up about $10,000 if there's no major concessions.

[Apoc]

I'm sure there are market differences, but in this part of the country all offers are move out in 30 days or less. Fifty days seems like a lot and moving into a rental, as many suggested, would alleviate you from having to get under contract on a new house. A 24 hour response timeline is also pretty normal. Counter minus the closing costs and you'll see where this buyer stands. The first offer is rarely the final offer, unless you're in a bidding war.

[Deceus]

I'm sure there are market differences, but in this part of the country all offers are move out in 30 days or less. Fifty days seems like a lot and moving into a rental, as many suggested, would alleviate you from having to get under contract on a new house. A 24 hour response timeline is also pretty normal. Counter minus the closing costs and you'll see where this buyer stands. The first offer is rarely the final offer, unless you're in a bidding war.

We're talking VA loans though (for him and me). Timeline is roughly 45 days minimum for that process I've been told a few times. I figured 60 days: 2 weeks to look, get down to Charlotte, put in an offer and then kick off that process was reasonable. Renting really is the reasonable option for sure ... but I've moved 10 times in the last 10 years (seriously), I'm ready to be done with that noise.

[JPolen01]

We negotiated the timeline in our house. Maybe they will have some wiggle room there if they won't budge on the offer.


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[Sully]

How long is that retractable safety lanyard and what do you want to do with it when you're done.

But as far as not finding anyone... Are they building anything in harrisonburg right now? Like new construction? Hispanic crews, painters or siding guys would both have equipment needed and would probably do it for the right cash price. Getting them to drive out there and if you don't speak Spanish, the language barrier would be the only things working against you

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[Deceus]

How long is that retractable safety lanyard and what do you want to do with it when you're done.

But as far as not finding anyone... Are they building anything in harrisonburg right now? Like new construction? Hispanic crews, painters or siding guys would both have equipment needed and would probably do it for the right cash price. Getting them to drive out there and if you don't speak Spanish, the language barrier would be the only things working against you

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It's 11'1" and the leg lanyards are 6". No real plans for any of it. Was thinking of hanging on to all of it just in case I decide to do something stupid again. Not real attached to holding onto all this gear for maybe one or two more uses though. The harness takes up a good bit of room for sure, would gladly part with it all if I find someone that wants it.

Plenty of people capable in the area I'm sure. Just seems they're up to their eyeballs in work and don't need to take a job that's going to take more time to get to and setup than do. If it feels sketch I'll probably just bail on it and make a concession. Might as well put my lack of fear of heights to good use if I can though. Leaning more towards the idea of sitting on the window sill or simply straddling it instead of trying to stand on the roof. Riding downhill has given me a pretty good sixth sense for sketchiness and knowing when to bail on things. I agree I am crazy for trying this but my fortunately my stupidity does have an upper bound.

Did give 2 counter offers to the guy that put in a bid. Apparently the $6,500 in closing costs was absolutely mandatory. My counter-offer was that I'll pay any and all closing costs if he tacks it on to his offer and I still walk away with my asking price. (That's what I did to buy the house) That was a hard no. I then offered the asking price minus the 6500: he thought about it all day, then said no. Guess he wasn't all that serious. Have one more offer coming in today. It was apparently a pretty strong showing so I guess we'll see. Definitely appreciate the advice/criticism as it does help me reflect outside my own internal echo-chamber. Really hoping to be down in NC this weekend picking out a place and moving forward but also opened up my October AirBnb calendar on Friday just in case it's another lowball. I'm at $3,000 in income for this month even with 1) nothing but last minute bookings 2) a weekend completely blocked off just to have 2 showings and 3) weekdays totally blocked off all month. October already has one 5 day booking which puts me at $2200 so it's getting really hard to want to walk away with next to nothing. Think I have cleaning worked out as well as I got in touch with the owner of a very highly rated cleaning company with a long history of positive feedback doing exactly what I need. (off-site laundry, inventory, inspections, etc.)

I figure with this scenario I just have to find a lender willing to play ball. Not all of them completely discredit Aribnb income especially if there's a proven record of it but I know it won't count for much with most. One lender wasn't shy about offering to loan me another $350k for the first house I really wanted. I didn't bother getting a feel for the upper limit at the time but I'm sure I can get a little more than that. They were mostly happy to see my income level, credit score and 0 gaps in employment in a single industry. They also seemed to understand how head-hunting contracts work as well so that was nice. Just means my budget gets scaled back a bit and I've already found a good reasonable house or 2 in that range.

Guess we'll see. I think either way this gets settled today finally.