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Scarlett
ParticipantI second UCGal. When I put my house for sale in late summer 2007 in RB, that is what we did. That was when the selling in our area almost came to a screeching halt. We managed to sell within a month though, and got a very good price.
We moved almost everything non-furniture from all the rooms, and emptied the smaller bedrooms of furniture too. Part we put in storage, part we moved in a rental (that’s another story) – depends on your future plans. We left stuff in the garage cabinets (not in the garage), because it doesn’t matter there. It’s essential to keep major pieces of furniture in living/family/dining/master bdr – as you said – they show the space better, and give ideas to the buyers about how their own furniture might fit in.
You really have to look at it from strictly a esthetic/showing point of view. Think model homes. Remove anything that’s not classic or neutral, as it may not appeal to many buyers. Tuck evertything in cabinets, but only if you can do that in a neat and non-cluttered fashion – otherwise pack it away and put it in storage. Pack away all the knick-knacks and personal photos. Be extra-neat, even in the closets and cabinets. Closets should be half empty at best.
The kitchen counters should be empty except for a handful of clean neat appliances that you really need. Bathroooms, nicer neatly folded towels and arrange something hotel-style – cute lil’ baskets with toiletries – and if you can’t do that, leave only the soap and maybe a lotion bottle and a tissue box on the counter. The least distraction to the eye.ParticipantI second UCGal. When I put my house for sale in late summer 2007 in RB, that is what we did. That was when the selling in our area almost came to a screeching halt. We managed to sell within a month though, and got a very good price.
We moved almost everything non-furniture from all the rooms, and emptied the smaller bedrooms of furniture too. Part we put in storage, part we moved in a rental (that’s another story) – depends on your future plans. We left stuff in the garage cabinets (not in the garage), because it doesn’t matter there. It’s essential to keep major pieces of furniture in living/family/dining/master bdr – as you said – they show the space better, and give ideas to the buyers about how their own furniture might fit in.
You really have to look at it from strictly a esthetic/showing point of view. Think model homes. Remove anything that’s not classic or neutral, as it may not appeal to many buyers. Tuck evertything in cabinets, but only if you can do that in a neat and non-cluttered fashion – otherwise pack it away and put it in storage. Pack away all the knick-knacks and personal photos. Be extra-neat, even in the closets and cabinets. Closets should be half empty at best.
The kitchen counters should be empty except for a handful of clean neat appliances that you really need. Bathroooms, nicer neatly folded towels and arrange something hotel-style – cute lil’ baskets with toiletries – and if you can’t do that, leave only the soap and maybe a lotion bottle and a tissue box on the counter. The least distraction to the eye.ParticipantI second UCGal. When I put my house for sale in late summer 2007 in RB, that is what we did. That was when the selling in our area almost came to a screeching halt. We managed to sell within a month though, and got a very good price.
We moved almost everything non-furniture from all the rooms, and emptied the smaller bedrooms of furniture too. Part we put in storage, part we moved in a rental (that’s another story) – depends on your future plans. We left stuff in the garage cabinets (not in the garage), because it doesn’t matter there. It’s essential to keep major pieces of furniture in living/family/dining/master bdr – as you said – they show the space better, and give ideas to the buyers about how their own furniture might fit in.
You really have to look at it from strictly a esthetic/showing point of view. Think model homes. Remove anything that’s not classic or neutral, as it may not appeal to many buyers. Tuck evertything in cabinets, but only if you can do that in a neat and non-cluttered fashion – otherwise pack it away and put it in storage. Pack away all the knick-knacks and personal photos. Be extra-neat, even in the closets and cabinets. Closets should be half empty at best.
The kitchen counters should be empty except for a handful of clean neat appliances that you really need. Bathroooms, nicer neatly folded towels and arrange something hotel-style – cute lil’ baskets with toiletries – and if you can’t do that, leave only the soap and maybe a lotion bottle and a tissue box on the counter. The least distraction to the eye.ParticipantI second UCGal. When I put my house for sale in late summer 2007 in RB, that is what we did. That was when the selling in our area almost came to a screeching halt. We managed to sell within a month though, and got a very good price.
We moved almost everything non-furniture from all the rooms, and emptied the smaller bedrooms of furniture too. Part we put in storage, part we moved in a rental (that’s another story) – depends on your future plans. We left stuff in the garage cabinets (not in the garage), because it doesn’t matter there. It’s essential to keep major pieces of furniture in living/family/dining/master bdr – as you said – they show the space better, and give ideas to the buyers about how their own furniture might fit in.
You really have to look at it from strictly a esthetic/showing point of view. Think model homes. Remove anything that’s not classic or neutral, as it may not appeal to many buyers. Tuck evertything in cabinets, but only if you can do that in a neat and non-cluttered fashion – otherwise pack it away and put it in storage. Pack away all the knick-knacks and personal photos. Be extra-neat, even in the closets and cabinets. Closets should be half empty at best.
The kitchen counters should be empty except for a handful of clean neat appliances that you really need. Bathroooms, nicer neatly folded towels and arrange something hotel-style – cute lil’ baskets with toiletries – and if you can’t do that, leave only the soap and maybe a lotion bottle and a tissue box on the counter. The least distraction to the eye.ParticipantI second UCGal. When I put my house for sale in late summer 2007 in RB, that is what we did. That was when the selling in our area almost came to a screeching halt. We managed to sell within a month though, and got a very good price.
We moved almost everything non-furniture from all the rooms, and emptied the smaller bedrooms of furniture too. Part we put in storage, part we moved in a rental (that’s another story) – depends on your future plans. We left stuff in the garage cabinets (not in the garage), because it doesn’t matter there. It’s essential to keep major pieces of furniture in living/family/dining/master bdr – as you said – they show the space better, and give ideas to the buyers about how their own furniture might fit in.
You really have to look at it from strictly a esthetic/showing point of view. Think model homes. Remove anything that’s not classic or neutral, as it may not appeal to many buyers. Tuck evertything in cabinets, but only if you can do that in a neat and non-cluttered fashion – otherwise pack it away and put it in storage. Pack away all the knick-knacks and personal photos. Be extra-neat, even in the closets and cabinets. Closets should be half empty at best.
The kitchen counters should be empty except for a handful of clean neat appliances that you really need. Bathroooms, nicer neatly folded towels and arrange something hotel-style – cute lil’ baskets with toiletries – and if you can’t do that, leave only the soap and maybe a lotion bottle and a tissue box on the counter. The least distraction to the eye.ParticipantHLS, where R U?
NorthCounty4, since you say that you haven’t even gotten into the home details yet with the lenders, then perhaps it’s that the 90% LTV would be non-conforming (is that the right term?) loan. The key being >546K loan AND having <20% down.
In the bubble days, when I bought a house with less than 20% down, I got 2 loans, one for 80% of the sale price, and another one - a Home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest only for the (20%-DownPayment). Nowadays, for my price ranges there are no more interest only loans like that, since I asked. I qualified though to buy up to a 700K house with 5-10% down with FHA loan, which is not a good deal usually. (this was Chase) (and, no, I don't think we can afford 700K home, and we aren't buying yet).
If that is true, I agree with CONCHO, that means all the higher end houses are in trouble, because it may mean that only people with enough downpayment to bring the loan under 546K (i.e. even more than 20%) would be qualified. For example people who bought homes low and sold high or otherwise make very profitable investements. I agree with CONCHO, if people like you can’t buy a 800K house with 10% down, who will?
I know quite a few here hammered on 20% down, like in the old days. I would agree with that, ONLY IF the prices were like in the old days, adjusted for inflation of course. If the banks are so stringent with the loans, then it should bring prices down in short order, because how many would qualify?!
NC4, I think you deserve a lot of congratulations on how well you managed to save that much money, and save for retirement and college too. Take pride in that. Good for you! Yes, you deserve a nice house with enough room for your family, if you managed your money so well. I think some people here are actually quite envious and they wish they were in your shoes at age 30. (I wish that too, BTW. We are older, and we’ll never be in your financial situation.). If you made such wise decisions so far, please re-think the buying a home now, it’s not a good idea. Don’t think with your heart, and your nesting instinct. Yes you could, and you deserve,etc., but this is not the right time. Patience! Nobody has to BUY anything. You can rent it. Try to think of alternatives out-of-the-box. Rent a larger house if you really need to for your increasing household, and try to sell or rent your current one. Or, put up with the inconvenience of your townhome and continue to save until you get your 20% down of your dream home. Perhaps you can re-route some of your retirement or college monthly savings toward downpayment for a couple years. Your savings will go up AND prices will go down. And it will happen rather soon, probably just in 1-2 years. And I bet the rates won’t increase much at all.
ParticipantHLS, where R U?
NorthCounty4, since you say that you haven’t even gotten into the home details yet with the lenders, then perhaps it’s that the 90% LTV would be non-conforming (is that the right term?) loan. The key being >546K loan AND having <20% down.
In the bubble days, when I bought a house with less than 20% down, I got 2 loans, one for 80% of the sale price, and another one - a Home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest only for the (20%-DownPayment). Nowadays, for my price ranges there are no more interest only loans like that, since I asked. I qualified though to buy up to a 700K house with 5-10% down with FHA loan, which is not a good deal usually. (this was Chase) (and, no, I don't think we can afford 700K home, and we aren't buying yet).
If that is true, I agree with CONCHO, that means all the higher end houses are in trouble, because it may mean that only people with enough downpayment to bring the loan under 546K (i.e. even more than 20%) would be qualified. For example people who bought homes low and sold high or otherwise make very profitable investements. I agree with CONCHO, if people like you can’t buy a 800K house with 10% down, who will?
I know quite a few here hammered on 20% down, like in the old days. I would agree with that, ONLY IF the prices were like in the old days, adjusted for inflation of course. If the banks are so stringent with the loans, then it should bring prices down in short order, because how many would qualify?!
NC4, I think you deserve a lot of congratulations on how well you managed to save that much money, and save for retirement and college too. Take pride in that. Good for you! Yes, you deserve a nice house with enough room for your family, if you managed your money so well. I think some people here are actually quite envious and they wish they were in your shoes at age 30. (I wish that too, BTW. We are older, and we’ll never be in your financial situation.). If you made such wise decisions so far, please re-think the buying a home now, it’s not a good idea. Don’t think with your heart, and your nesting instinct. Yes you could, and you deserve,etc., but this is not the right time. Patience! Nobody has to BUY anything. You can rent it. Try to think of alternatives out-of-the-box. Rent a larger house if you really need to for your increasing household, and try to sell or rent your current one. Or, put up with the inconvenience of your townhome and continue to save until you get your 20% down of your dream home. Perhaps you can re-route some of your retirement or college monthly savings toward downpayment for a couple years. Your savings will go up AND prices will go down. And it will happen rather soon, probably just in 1-2 years. And I bet the rates won’t increase much at all.
ParticipantHLS, where R U?
NorthCounty4, since you say that you haven’t even gotten into the home details yet with the lenders, then perhaps it’s that the 90% LTV would be non-conforming (is that the right term?) loan. The key being >546K loan AND having <20% down.
In the bubble days, when I bought a house with less than 20% down, I got 2 loans, one for 80% of the sale price, and another one - a Home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest only for the (20%-DownPayment). Nowadays, for my price ranges there are no more interest only loans like that, since I asked. I qualified though to buy up to a 700K house with 5-10% down with FHA loan, which is not a good deal usually. (this was Chase) (and, no, I don't think we can afford 700K home, and we aren't buying yet).
If that is true, I agree with CONCHO, that means all the higher end houses are in trouble, because it may mean that only people with enough downpayment to bring the loan under 546K (i.e. even more than 20%) would be qualified. For example people who bought homes low and sold high or otherwise make very profitable investements. I agree with CONCHO, if people like you can’t buy a 800K house with 10% down, who will?
I know quite a few here hammered on 20% down, like in the old days. I would agree with that, ONLY IF the prices were like in the old days, adjusted for inflation of course. If the banks are so stringent with the loans, then it should bring prices down in short order, because how many would qualify?!
NC4, I think you deserve a lot of congratulations on how well you managed to save that much money, and save for retirement and college too. Take pride in that. Good for you! Yes, you deserve a nice house with enough room for your family, if you managed your money so well. I think some people here are actually quite envious and they wish they were in your shoes at age 30. (I wish that too, BTW. We are older, and we’ll never be in your financial situation.). If you made such wise decisions so far, please re-think the buying a home now, it’s not a good idea. Don’t think with your heart, and your nesting instinct. Yes you could, and you deserve,etc., but this is not the right time. Patience! Nobody has to BUY anything. You can rent it. Try to think of alternatives out-of-the-box. Rent a larger house if you really need to for your increasing household, and try to sell or rent your current one. Or, put up with the inconvenience of your townhome and continue to save until you get your 20% down of your dream home. Perhaps you can re-route some of your retirement or college monthly savings toward downpayment for a couple years. Your savings will go up AND prices will go down. And it will happen rather soon, probably just in 1-2 years. And I bet the rates won’t increase much at all.
ParticipantHLS, where R U?
NorthCounty4, since you say that you haven’t even gotten into the home details yet with the lenders, then perhaps it’s that the 90% LTV would be non-conforming (is that the right term?) loan. The key being >546K loan AND having <20% down.
In the bubble days, when I bought a house with less than 20% down, I got 2 loans, one for 80% of the sale price, and another one - a Home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest only for the (20%-DownPayment). Nowadays, for my price ranges there are no more interest only loans like that, since I asked. I qualified though to buy up to a 700K house with 5-10% down with FHA loan, which is not a good deal usually. (this was Chase) (and, no, I don't think we can afford 700K home, and we aren't buying yet).
If that is true, I agree with CONCHO, that means all the higher end houses are in trouble, because it may mean that only people with enough downpayment to bring the loan under 546K (i.e. even more than 20%) would be qualified. For example people who bought homes low and sold high or otherwise make very profitable investements. I agree with CONCHO, if people like you can’t buy a 800K house with 10% down, who will?
I know quite a few here hammered on 20% down, like in the old days. I would agree with that, ONLY IF the prices were like in the old days, adjusted for inflation of course. If the banks are so stringent with the loans, then it should bring prices down in short order, because how many would qualify?!
NC4, I think you deserve a lot of congratulations on how well you managed to save that much money, and save for retirement and college too. Take pride in that. Good for you! Yes, you deserve a nice house with enough room for your family, if you managed your money so well. I think some people here are actually quite envious and they wish they were in your shoes at age 30. (I wish that too, BTW. We are older, and we’ll never be in your financial situation.). If you made such wise decisions so far, please re-think the buying a home now, it’s not a good idea. Don’t think with your heart, and your nesting instinct. Yes you could, and you deserve,etc., but this is not the right time. Patience! Nobody has to BUY anything. You can rent it. Try to think of alternatives out-of-the-box. Rent a larger house if you really need to for your increasing household, and try to sell or rent your current one. Or, put up with the inconvenience of your townhome and continue to save until you get your 20% down of your dream home. Perhaps you can re-route some of your retirement or college monthly savings toward downpayment for a couple years. Your savings will go up AND prices will go down. And it will happen rather soon, probably just in 1-2 years. And I bet the rates won’t increase much at all.
ParticipantHLS, where R U?
NorthCounty4, since you say that you haven’t even gotten into the home details yet with the lenders, then perhaps it’s that the 90% LTV would be non-conforming (is that the right term?) loan. The key being >546K loan AND having <20% down.
In the bubble days, when I bought a house with less than 20% down, I got 2 loans, one for 80% of the sale price, and another one - a Home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest only for the (20%-DownPayment). Nowadays, for my price ranges there are no more interest only loans like that, since I asked. I qualified though to buy up to a 700K house with 5-10% down with FHA loan, which is not a good deal usually. (this was Chase) (and, no, I don't think we can afford 700K home, and we aren't buying yet).
If that is true, I agree with CONCHO, that means all the higher end houses are in trouble, because it may mean that only people with enough downpayment to bring the loan under 546K (i.e. even more than 20%) would be qualified. For example people who bought homes low and sold high or otherwise make very profitable investements. I agree with CONCHO, if people like you can’t buy a 800K house with 10% down, who will?
I know quite a few here hammered on 20% down, like in the old days. I would agree with that, ONLY IF the prices were like in the old days, adjusted for inflation of course. If the banks are so stringent with the loans, then it should bring prices down in short order, because how many would qualify?!
NC4, I think you deserve a lot of congratulations on how well you managed to save that much money, and save for retirement and college too. Take pride in that. Good for you! Yes, you deserve a nice house with enough room for your family, if you managed your money so well. I think some people here are actually quite envious and they wish they were in your shoes at age 30. (I wish that too, BTW. We are older, and we’ll never be in your financial situation.). If you made such wise decisions so far, please re-think the buying a home now, it’s not a good idea. Don’t think with your heart, and your nesting instinct. Yes you could, and you deserve,etc., but this is not the right time. Patience! Nobody has to BUY anything. You can rent it. Try to think of alternatives out-of-the-box. Rent a larger house if you really need to for your increasing household, and try to sell or rent your current one. Or, put up with the inconvenience of your townhome and continue to save until you get your 20% down of your dream home. Perhaps you can re-route some of your retirement or college monthly savings toward downpayment for a couple years. Your savings will go up AND prices will go down. And it will happen rather soon, probably just in 1-2 years. And I bet the rates won’t increase much at all.
ParticipantI agree with DWCAP,
The comments here were a little sharp, but in general correct. Most likely the fact you own a house right now is the reason. I am sure HLS will be able to me more specific.
Our situation is somewhat similar, though we don’t have your great income, and we only have 10% down (but we are looking at 500K houses). And probably much leass money aside. But the main difference is, we don’t have any debt. We owned a 3 bdr townhouse until Fall 2007 and we are renting a nice large 2 bdr apt since then, waiting for the air over the house market to clear. It’s a bit tight, but it’s worth the peace of mind. Anyhow, the point is, we would be able to get a 500K loan with 10% down. Of course with PMI. A 2nd loan apparently it was almost impossible to find. I am sure you could get easily a loan for under $546K (or whatever was the limit) with your income.
I think HLS would be a great help here. The only solutions are
1.sell your current place and rent at least for a short while until you can buy a new place.
2.if that’s too much trouble – wait until you have or are willing to put 20% down; the prices will decrease more by then too.
3.if it’s really urgent to move now, then put 20% down – you seem like you have other savings and you could do that. See if you can get a loan then. You should be able to, IMO.ParticipantI agree with DWCAP,
The comments here were a little sharp, but in general correct. Most likely the fact you own a house right now is the reason. I am sure HLS will be able to me more specific.
Our situation is somewhat similar, though we don’t have your great income, and we only have 10% down (but we are looking at 500K houses). And probably much leass money aside. But the main difference is, we don’t have any debt. We owned a 3 bdr townhouse until Fall 2007 and we are renting a nice large 2 bdr apt since then, waiting for the air over the house market to clear. It’s a bit tight, but it’s worth the peace of mind. Anyhow, the point is, we would be able to get a 500K loan with 10% down. Of course with PMI. A 2nd loan apparently it was almost impossible to find. I am sure you could get easily a loan for under $546K (or whatever was the limit) with your income.
I think HLS would be a great help here. The only solutions are
1.sell your current place and rent at least for a short while until you can buy a new place.
2.if that’s too much trouble – wait until you have or are willing to put 20% down; the prices will decrease more by then too.
3.if it’s really urgent to move now, then put 20% down – you seem like you have other savings and you could do that. See if you can get a loan then. You should be able to, IMO.ParticipantI agree with DWCAP,
The comments here were a little sharp, but in general correct. Most likely the fact you own a house right now is the reason. I am sure HLS will be able to me more specific.
Our situation is somewhat similar, though we don’t have your great income, and we only have 10% down (but we are looking at 500K houses). And probably much leass money aside. But the main difference is, we don’t have any debt. We owned a 3 bdr townhouse until Fall 2007 and we are renting a nice large 2 bdr apt since then, waiting for the air over the house market to clear. It’s a bit tight, but it’s worth the peace of mind. Anyhow, the point is, we would be able to get a 500K loan with 10% down. Of course with PMI. A 2nd loan apparently it was almost impossible to find. I am sure you could get easily a loan for under $546K (or whatever was the limit) with your income.
I think HLS would be a great help here. The only solutions are
1.sell your current place and rent at least for a short while until you can buy a new place.
2.if that’s too much trouble – wait until you have or are willing to put 20% down; the prices will decrease more by then too.
3.if it’s really urgent to move now, then put 20% down – you seem like you have other savings and you could do that. See if you can get a loan then. You should be able to, IMO.ParticipantI agree with DWCAP,
The comments here were a little sharp, but in general correct. Most likely the fact you own a house right now is the reason. I am sure HLS will be able to me more specific.
Our situation is somewhat similar, though we don’t have your great income, and we only have 10% down (but we are looking at 500K houses). And probably much leass money aside. But the main difference is, we don’t have any debt. We owned a 3 bdr townhouse until Fall 2007 and we are renting a nice large 2 bdr apt since then, waiting for the air over the house market to clear. It’s a bit tight, but it’s worth the peace of mind. Anyhow, the point is, we would be able to get a 500K loan with 10% down. Of course with PMI. A 2nd loan apparently it was almost impossible to find. I am sure you could get easily a loan for under $546K (or whatever was the limit) with your income.
I think HLS would be a great help here. The only solutions are
1.sell your current place and rent at least for a short while until you can buy a new place.
2.if that’s too much trouble – wait until you have or are willing to put 20% down; the prices will decrease more by then too.
3.if it’s really urgent to move now, then put 20% down – you seem like you have other savings and you could do that. See if you can get a loan then. You should be able to, IMO. -
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