We Bought a House

[superdog]

I’ve mentioned a few times that we bought a new house, but I’ve never made a thread on it. It’s been an “interesting” few weeks to say the least.

This was a flip. A nice couple moved out a few years ago. A loving couple with a family that all moved out, so they decided to downsize. It’s got great energy. However, they did nothing to upgrade in 30 years.

That said, some flippers came in and tried to put some lipstick on the pig. They made a bad call. The amount of money they had to put into it, priced them out for the neighborhood.

So they did a super job inside, but nothing outside. And they skimped whenever they could. It sat on the market all selling season as it has little curb appeal based on the price. At the end of the season they lowered their asking, I then lowballed then. They tried to negotiate. But I stated this was my final offer. Not a penny more. They conceded.

So we closed a few weeks ago. I’ve expressed my extreme adversity to debt in the past and this was no different. I took some loot out of the markets, almost at the perfect time, but not quite.

Anyway, the pics below were taken today. Just as we really get started on the renovations.

Already done:

Entire inside
Floors
Kitchen
All bathrooms
Master suite
Hot water heater
Roof
Heat/ac

Redoing:

25 new windows
Insulation
Siding
Gutters
Front door
Front steps
Electrical upgrade
Flood lights outside
Pathway light
Driveway
Garage
Removing/trimming trees
Also finishing up the fence. Which might be the most important part as the dogs now have a yard to play in.

Unexpected:

Back deck had to go. Putting in a patio with built in firepit instead.
The house leaks when rains. Need to put in French drains. Thank goodness I lowballed them, because this one specifically hurts pretty bad.

My wife is also doing some redecorating inside that’s been relatively painful. But I have to grudgingly admit it’ll look amazing when done.

All in all, a pretty modest house in a blue color town which suits me perfect. It’s not an investment for us, but a home. First actual house I’ve lived in, in 24 years. Taxes are still painful because it’s NJ. But much less so than other towns we looked at.

I wanted to completely redo the garage. But zoning issues threw me a curve and to be honest, I can’t afford to do it the way I want to. So I’m just fixing up the existing. One car widthdriveway also sucks, but at least it’s long. And hey, my wife really wanted the house. And you know what they say about a happy wife.

Most of the major stuff is happening in the next few weeks. Hoping to move in by the end of the month. Trying to rent out the townhouse, which will pay all monthly expenses for both homes. Yes, stupid to most financially savvy people. Yet, it gives me a level of comfort. I am that averse to any kind of debt.

Anyway, long post. Pics below. And again, before the major renovations and on a gloomy day. I’ll post more as time goes by, and when complete.

My favorite part? The front porch. Can’t wait for nice spring nights with a book and some tea. Maybe even a pipe.

[PLNYC]

Very nice, Seth! Congrats on the house! Nice sized backyard for the pack to run around!

[teqp]

Congrats on the new house and good luck with the renovation. You state the house leaks when it rains. Just make sure there’s no mold inside the house. I’m sure the dogs will be happen in the backyard.

[dwjez14]

Congrats and good luck on all your remodel work. If you have any paint questions shoot me a message. That is what I specialize in is commercial painting but I know residential as well so I would be happy to answer any questions you may have if you need it.

[G8RDPM]

Congrats on the new house. Sounds like a financially sound decision.

You need a bigger garage!

[wantonebad]

Congrats Seth, enjoy it in good health!!

[SearChart]

Congrats brother!!

[Fat_ninja]

Congrats on house looks great...

My 1 piece of advice...dont overcapitsllize the house... especially in NJ. Taxes and business leaving. I keep my smaller house in nj for this reason.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Congrats on house looks great...

My 1 piece of advice...dont overcapitsllize the house... especially in NJ. Taxes and business leaving. I keep my smaller house in nj for this reason.

Agree. Won’t spend too much.

I’ve akready got friends asking why I didn’t go bigger or nicer.

My thoughts are always keep monthly expenditures relatively small. And we plan to say here for the duration.

And relatively speaking, for NJ, my taxes aren’t too bad.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by teqp

Congrats on the new house and good luck with the renovation. You state the house leaks when it rains. Just make sure there’s no mold inside the house. I’m sure the dogs will be happen in the backyard.

Thanks for that. We did check.

It only Jesus into the unfinished basement. All concrete at this point. So all good.

[benvh]

Congrats, Seth. Looks like a perfect place to call home. We just hit one year in our first house that has a similar vibe and neighborhood (and based on your math we are right around the same age). I feel you on taxes and renovations, we did a lot to the yard this year, specifically we added a (huge) fence and did a lot of tree work to make it safe for the kiddos. Painful but it does feel good to have our own place.

My best advice: get your snow removal plans in place before it’s too late. Last year all I had was my shovel and some great neighbors. Just got a blower yesterday...no more!

Ben

[mjclark32]

Way to go buddy! I’m sure you and the mrs will love it. Will have to text you for which town, hope it’s nearby my parents for when I visit

[RichM]

A Huge Congratulations Seth. May you and the Mrs. spend many years of happiness together there.

[littleolemoi]

Congratulations on the new home and may it always be blessed!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations! There's No Place Like Home.

[bdex75]

Congrats Seth!! Looks like a nice place. I never understood the flippers that put all the money on the inside and cut corners on the outside or don’t touch it at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[superdog]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Congrats Seth!! Looks like a nice place. I never understood the flippers that put all the money on the inside and cut corners on the outside or don’t touch it at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This pic actually looks good imho. It was way worse. Ugly concrete block in the back. All sorts of crap. It was relatively terrible.

Can’t agree with you more. But for that reason I got a great starting price. So can’t complain too much.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by benvh

Congrats, Seth. Looks like a perfect place to call home. We just hit one year in our first house that has a similar vibe and neighborhood (and based on your math we are right around the same age). I feel you on taxes and renovations, we did a lot to the yard this year, specifically we added a (huge) fence and did a lot of tree work to make it safe for the kiddos. Painful but it does feel good to have our own place.

My best advice: get your snow removal plans in place before it’s too late. Last year all I had was my shovel and some great neighbors. Just got a blower yesterday...no more!

Ben

Good advice. I’m weird and like to shovel. But this is a big driveway. Will definitely invest in a snow blower.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Way to go buddy! I’m sure you and the mrs will love it. Will have to text you for which town, hope it’s nearby my parents for when I visit

Only 10 minutes from the townhouse, so not too bad.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Congrats Seth, enjoy it in good health!!

Thanks my friend.

[Abdullah71601]

Congrats Seth. Looks like a nice neighborhood.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Congrats on the new house. Sounds like a financially sound decision.

You need a bigger garage!

Seriously. I’m okay with it tho. Maybe in a few years.

The house was a good move financially. Once it’s all done my only monthly payments will be cable and electric.

I could make more over time in the markets. But I’m not good with too much risk. This move suits my personality. Especially considering how crazy business has been lately. We are busier than ever x2. But it will come to an end sometime.

And when it does, I’ll be in a very comfortable spot.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Congrats Seth. Looks like a nice neighborhood.

Thanks Abdullah. It’s one of my favorite parts. Lots of cute little houses. The neighbors are super friendly and everyone has been very welcoming.

A very nice area.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by littleolemoi

Congratulations on the new home and may it always be blessed!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thank you!

[superdog]

Originally Posted by BNA/LION

Congratulations! There's No Place Like Home.

Agree. And thank you!!

[superdog]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Congrats and good luck on all your remodel work. If you have any paint questions shoot me a message. That is what I specialize in is commercial painting but I know residential as well so I would be happy to answer any questions you may have if you need it.

Appreciate it. If I’ve got questions, I definitely will.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by PLNYC

Very nice, Seth! Congrats on the house! Nice sized backyard for the pack to run around!

The pack is going to LOVE it!!

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Rich Mickol

A Huge Congratulations Seth. May you and the Mrs. spend many years of happiness together there.

Thanks my friend. Appreciate the note. Very exciting.

[AzHadEnuf]

Seth, if that’s in Hillsdale I think I may have owned that house back in the ‘80’s.

[returntorolex]

Awesome Seth - congrats!