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No, I really liked the place, despite all the 'stuff' scattered around the property (shipping container sized dumpster, 2 buses, a couple random buildings/structures).
At minimum, it would eventually need all the old single-pane windows replaced, about 20 windows & most non-standard sizes. About 10 of those are of the 18" wide x 60" tall variety.
The bathrooms are dated, need new counters, sinks, fixtures & probably tub/shower enclosures, but livable.
Property is fenced completely with electric access gate. Fence is probably 8-9ft tall, black pipe with hog panel-like mesh. Wife wasn't a fan of that, said it felt like a compound, but not hard to change. Would probably take down the tall fence on the front 1/3 of the place & put in a nice 3-bar ranch style fence, with similar mesh to keep the dogs in & other critters out.
The big one, is the 5 gal propane tank in the kitchen counter, for the stove/oven
Apparently not just against code, but illegal according to NFPA 58.
Priced an electric range to match the KitchenAid fridge that's in there. $2-3k.
Running a gas line & getting/filling a propane tank outside probably wouldn't be much off that price either.
The shop was pretty awesome. A/C office, plumbed bathroom, roll up doors on front & rear, huge open space.
We're going to look at another today. House needs pretty much nothing, already has a nice pool, on 1.5ac & has a 20x25 'shop' in addition to the detached oversize 2-car garage.
It's near the top of our budget, but since we don't need to pour 20-40k into it for repairs/renovations, not far off from a net 0 in the end.
This one is very close to my wife's office, and only about 10 minutes further from mine. And still not in Harris county (Houston).
1.5acres seems smaller than the other properties you have looked at. Is the main goal to get a property with a shop already on it or would you like more land for less neighbors?
Yesterday's was a winner!
Ticks the majority of the boxes for what we want & doesn't really need much put into it, compared the others we'd toured.
Very farmhouse-like from the front. Detached 2 car garage with full water service run to it & an unfinished guest room above it.
20x26 shop (a metal building with 3 roll up doors & 1 walk through. Completely bare inside, but on a slab. Nowhere near what the last house had, but the house is a much better fit for us, even on 3.5 fewer acres.
Very quiet neighborhood, great schools.
Tough part is going to be actually getting it. While we were there 2 other realtors showed up for concurrent showings. My agent was not pleased, as when she booked out showing it told her they were not allowing overlapping showings.
The first was there for maybe 5 minutes & left saying it wasn't a fit for them. The 2nd, they were there for a while, the guy facetiming his wife & showing her around. There were multiple other showings yesterday as well (it went live listing late Mon night).
1.5acres seems smaller than the other properties you have looked at. Is the main goal to get a property with a shop already on it or would you like more land for less neighbors?
it is a bit smaller than we anticipated, but it felt like a good size when were there. Very wooded, lots of mature trees.
it is a bit smaller than we anticipated, but it felt like a good size when were there. Very wooded, lots of mature trees.
1.5 is definitely a good size. I have 1.38 and it is a good size to have your own seclusion. Will definitely be nice to have that shop to have your projects in and keep the house garage free. Congrats on making an offer on one.
We're trying to get in without a contingency, since they have another offer on the table as well.
Our agent is working with the lender to see if we can move forward, since our current house is not active on the market yet (photos scheduled for Monday, go live on 4/8 is the plan)
Homes have been going under option/contract, in our neighborhood, in 3-5 days, and selling for $50-70k over list.
Offer accepted with a few minor counters for dates.
Now on to inspection & appraisal. The appraisal is going to be the kicker, as there's only 18 homes in the neighborhood & very limited comps. Hoping for the best.
Thanks, it's definitely been a lot different than when we bought this house in '17.
Surprisingly, for the traffic this house got, we were only against 2 other offers.
The market here is about to explode though. Exxon is moving their corp HQ from Dallas to the campus about 4 miles west of me.
From what I've heard, to get company moving assistance, employees have to be down here by 3/23 & families by 5/24. So we're about to see an influx of buyers.
Realtor is coming today for listing photos. Spent the last 2 days prepping the house. Lots went into the garage & attic.
As of 5pm Friday, we're under contract on the new place. Inspection scheduled today, going to try to get a few [better] photos while I'm there.
Yeah, just down to the inspection today, and the appraisal.
Our lender & realtor are thinking the appraisal is going to be tough. There are only 18 houses in this little neighborhood, and none have sold anytime recently, so there's little in the way of comps.
If you broaden the search to nearby neighborhoods, they're newer/bigger & not entirely relevant comps.
Looks like a great spot. Nice and secluded. Is it surrounded by other houses so the wooded areas won't ever be coming down? Looks like the attached garage is even oversized as well. Great work spaces.
^ Detached garage, small breezeway between them. Has an unfinished guest room above it.
Only 18 homes in the neighborhood, no real room for any further development around this neighborhood either. Should stay pretty quiet.
We'll probably trim some of the tree cover back to make the yard a bit bigger, but want to keep most of it, as it's nearly privacy wooded. Also need to plan on fencing the perimeter, for the dog/kids. May put in a power gate at the driveway.
Has the home been vacant for a while? That yard just looks like it needs some TLC. The parts that are growing are nice and green so it probably won't take too long to trim, mow, seed, and spruce it up a bit. The rest just needs some round up and time with a hedge trimmer. You'll have it done in no time!
First 8 hours the listing is up & we have 7 scheduled showings.
Open House scheduled for 1-3 tomorrow, possibly a 2nd on Sunday if the turnout is good on Saturday.
House around the corner from us had 16 offers, almost all over list price.
Former model home, listed for 899.9, sold for just shy of 1M
^ Detached garage, small breezeway between them. Has an unfinished guest room above it.
Only 18 homes in the neighborhood, no real room for any further development around this neighborhood either. Should stay pretty quiet.
We'll probably trim some of the tree cover back to make the yard a bit bigger, but want to keep most of it, as it's nearly privacy wooded. Also need to plan on fencing the perimeter, for the dog/kids. May put in a power gate at the driveway.
Looks nice. And I'm jealous of the land/lot size (flat too).
2 open houses & a ton of traffic through the house over the weekend.
Now the waiting to see if any offers come from it
Still waiting on the appraisal report on the new place.
The appraisals have definitely been an issue. Pretty much everyone here is asking you to sign an appraisal waiver or they don't even accept your offer. A friend has lost out on so many houses because he refuses to sign them
Yeah, we didn't do any appraisal waivers, specifically for this reason.
It's situated in a tiny neighborhood of 18 homes, and none have sold recently, so comps are non-existent.
The ball's in the seller's court, to see if they want to play ball or we walk. Either they can re-neg with us, or go through this again with the next buyer.
Yeah, we didn't do any appraisal waivers, specifically for this reason.
It's situated in a tiny neighborhood of 18 homes, and none have sold recently, so comps are non-existent.
The ball's in the seller's court, to see if they want to play ball or we walk. Either they can re-neg with us, or go through this again with the next buyer.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your offer and what was the appraisal?
03-28-2022, 10:59 AM
to match the KitchenAid fridge that's in there. $2-3k. 
