Our realtor told us to back out and that we were wasting time and money on that deal. So I trust her, she doesn't just push for a deal when it's a bad investment.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929172)

Still sucks to feel like we are not getting a great value. Our current place was a solid, cant lose investment. This one is not. But it is a really good house.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35930327)

We got really lucky. At the open house, we hit it off with an agent from the listing agent's real estate company. We had been dissatisfied with our agent for some time, and this guy was great, so we asked if he'd represent us. A few days later, after talking about some of the issues the house had (but still loving the property overall), we made a lowball offer of $845k (asking price was $870k). The first round there were four other offers, with ours the lowest. However, since we had the connection, us and two others made it into the second round.

At this point we were informed that both other offers were above asking, with the highest at $880k and 30% down. We decided to match the $880k, offer 20% down, and the listing agent and our realtor were able to work something out where we would still get our agreed-upon $5k credit towards closing.

So now we're in escrow. The backyard will require a lot of work so we asked for $20k in additional credits, a request I fully expect to be denied. However we're prepared to take the house anyway. There are literally a handful of other houses up for sale in this area, and we had already lost out on a few others.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35928930)

Unless you will have to sell to buy...

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35928973)

Also congrats, brother

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929103)

I'm already preparing myself for the inevitability that the house I end up buying will probably be disappointing, smaller than I want, etc. and will probably still be over 750k

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929202)

This house isnt that small but the main floor is small. It has a great basement apartment with separate entrance and an amazing attic master bedroom with en suite. But the main floor is small. Small living room, small dining room, small kitchen with an awkward layout that will be hard to fix. It is cute though.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929248)

Does it look nice from the street? That's an important factor

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929254)

It has a lot of really good things going for it. I am not sure we will we will get the house, even with ~10% over asking.

Dont buy in cali. It will crash. Sorry but those are the facts. May crash here too but not as much.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929285)

yeah

This isnt even that desirable of a house. It is "locationally challenged" and not large.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35929273)

Pathetic.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35930049)

Enjoy New Jersey

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35935448)

Closing is planned for August 1st. I'm excited! This is our first nice house. Owned two properties in the past but they were both major fixer uppers. We usually get done fixing it up when it's time to sell. Not that fun.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35940815)

We're going to look at a condo priced at $280K.

The seller bought in Feb 2009 at $120K. The original asking price, right before the crash, was $290K, or $10K more than is being asked now.

After the crash you can see the offer prices declining all the way down to $120K where they bought at.

So now I'm looking at all this thinking these sellers know what they are doing. They bought at rock bottom and they're probably saying, "We have to get out now."

I don't want to buy right before the crash which is what I'm afraid is happening.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35976164)

The only thing that makes this acceptable is that we are selling as well as buying and the cost of the homes are similar. That plus it just feels like the time is right for us personally. From an investment perspective unless you are in a rush, I would wait.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35977513)

I do NOT ever ever EVER want to be pregnant. I want to be very clear on this point.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3961122&forum_id=2#35988473)